Researchers will investigate how brains perceive novelty and importance using a computational theory of surprise. The project combines experiments, modeling, and neurophysiological studies to develop a new understanding of how the brain codes for these concepts.
A study of 2,730 men and women aged 70 to 79 found that subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with a higher rate of incident and recurrent congestive heart failure. In contrast, no association was found between subclinical hypothyroidism and coronary heart disease or stroke.
The study reveals that Pme117, a glycoprotein involved in melanosomes, rapidly folds into functional amyloid fibers that enhance melanin production. This discovery suggests that amyloid formation may serve a physiological role in cells, contradicting current views on pathogenic amyloids.
Scientists have developed a method to add larger chemical groups to DNA using enzymes that recognize specific sequences. This technique allows for the manipulation of DNA function and has potential applications in labeling biomolecules such as RNA and proteins.
A new study found that schools adopting programs addressing antisocial behavior also see improvements in students' academic performance. The research showed that risk factors like substance use and delinquency can predict later academic achievement if addressed in elementary school.
A new study revisits DNA barcoding for species identification and discovery, finding it performs well in highly characterized groups but error-prone for novel species. A comprehensive database of over 2,000 cowrie COI sequences reveals the need for refinement and collaboration with taxonomists.
Scientists have confirmed a long-standing mystery in high-temperature superconductors: lightly doped Mott insulators remain insulators. Strong electron interaction is the key to understanding this phenomenon. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation.
The Tropical Dry Forest Research Network (TROPI-DRY) aims to translate research into policies to save these ecosystems. With over $175 million in environmental services fees paid by Costa Rica since the late 1990s, private conservation offers a promising solution.
A recent study found that even slight squinting while staring at a computer monitor can lead to reduced blinking rates, resulting in dry eye symptoms. Researchers used tiny electrodes to measure muscle activity, revealing a significant decrease in blink rate from 15 blinks per minute to just 4 blinks per minute when participants squinted.
A study of 4,975 patients found that short-term NSAID use does not increase the risk of heart attack. Long-term NSAID use, particularly for over a year, may slightly raise this risk. The findings also suggest individual NSAIDs have varying cardiovascular effects.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a human DNA-associated protein called LEDGF that controls where HIV integrates into human chromosomes. This finding has significant implications for improving the design of gene-therapy delivery systems.
A 15-point ethical guide recommends prioritizing health workers' duty to care, restricting liberty through quarantine measures, and allocating scarce resources such as medicines. The guide also emphasizes the need for transparent decision-making and support for those affected by quarantine.
The study reveals that nutrient enrichment has reduced sea grass beds and lowered dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Chesapeake Bay. Revitalizing habitats such as sea grass beds, oyster reefs, and tidal marshes may lead to substantial benefits toward recovery from nutrient enrichment.
Researchers have expanded the view of climate history by analyzing new ice cores that provide a record of atmospheric conditions up to 650,000 years. The study suggests that current conditions are a distinct anomaly and may be linked to human influence on greenhouse gases.
Researchers found that zinc supplementation is safe and effective in reducing the frequency of watery diarrhea in HIV-infected children. The study showed no increase in plasma HIV-1 viral load measurements, supporting the use of zinc as an adjunct therapy for children with HIV infection.
A study by William Moss and colleagues found that zinc supplementation did not increase blood HIV viral load but reduced diarrhoea in children with HIV-infection. The authors suggest using zinc as an adjunct therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality in resource-poor countries.
A study of over 3,900 children with HIV found that total lymphocyte count can predict disease progression as well as CD4 cell percentage. The current WHO guidelines for starting ART are inconsistent and may lead to inadequate treatment in low-income countries.
A team of researchers has discovered a parasite enzyme, PfSUB2, that sheds sticky surface proteins, allowing the parasite to invade red blood cells. The discovery could lead to the development of new antimalarial drugs that target this enzyme.
The new ice core analysis provides insights into Antarctic climate and greenhouse gas concentrations during the most recent warm period, known as Marine Isotope Stage 11. This analog warm period occurred between 420,000 and 400,000 years ago and shares similarities with our current warm period due to similar Earth-Sun configurations.
A recent study highlights the urgent need for consistent HIV prevention methods in prisons, despite international guidelines recommending similar healthcare standards. Experts argue that mass incarceration of non-violent drug-offenders needs review and should prioritize public health over punitive policies.
A Rutgers-led team reports a steady millimeter-per-year rise in sea levels from 5,000 years ago until about 200 years ago, contrasting with the current two-millimeter annual increase. The findings argue against widely held tenets of geological science and provide a new baseline for addressing global warming.
Researchers at the University of Florida and two other universities have created a new type of foam-like film made from carbon nanotubes, which can be compressed to 15% of its original size. The films show promise for use in solid lubricating coatings for air and space applications.
A study on the Platynereis genome reveals that early animals had complex human-like genes, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on human evolution and highlights the importance of preserving ancient genetic features.
Researchers discovered that a small cluster of water molecules can facilitate electron transfer between proteins, contrary to expectations. At intermediate distances, the water molecules play a crucial role in mediating electron tunneling, making it stronger than previously thought.
Scientists study flatworms to understand how adult stem cells regenerate tissues, finding key genes involved in the process. Researchers discovered that a specific gene, piwi, plays a crucial role in producing daughter cells capable of restoring damaged tissues.
A new targeted drug has been developed to prevent long-term changes in brain cells that contribute to addiction. The peptide works by tricking cellular machinery into pulling the glutamate receptor back onto the surface, restoring normal communication between neurons.
Researchers discover smedwi-2 plays critical role in regulating daughter cell differentiation for tissue maintenance. Silencing this gene leads to animal death, despite intact stem cells, highlighting early specification of progeny
The new blood safety test is capable of detecting major parasitic diseases, including malaria and fasciola, with instant results. Developed by the Montreal Neurological Institute (NRCP) at McGill University, the test has the potential to save countless lives by reducing the risk of parasite transmission through blood transfusions.
Carbon nanotubes have been found to act like super-compressible springs, flexing and rebounding under compression. The new nanotube foams maintain their resilience even after thousands of compression cycles, offering a unique combination of strength and flexibility.
Researchers find that people with high visual working memory capacity excel at dismissing irrelevant information, while those with low capacity hold all items in mind. This discovery challenges the popular concept of memory capacity being solely dependent on storage space.
Researchers found US swine workers, farmers and veterinarians to be seropositive for swine influenza antibodies, increasing their risk of infection. A human influenza vaccination program is recommended to prevent an epidemic.
A nationwide randomized clinical trial found that mycophenolate mofetil produced fewer complications than the standard medication Cytoxan in patients with lupus nephritis. The study showed that oral mycophenolate mofetil worked faster in relieving inflamed kidneys and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers confirm that Einstein's cosmological constant behaves like dark energy, driving the acceleration of the universe. The study uses innovative imaging data from the Supernova Legacy Survey, which reveals a precision of 10% and challenges theoretical ideas about dark energy.
Marder's research on central pattern generators has led to breakthroughs in understanding neural circuit stability and its implications for diseases like mental illness, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Her work with crustaceans has expanded the field of neuroscience beyond mammals.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center successfully tested eliminating CD25-expressing regulatory T cells using immunotoxin DAB389IL-2. This strategy improved tumor-specific T cell responses in cancer patients, enhancing vaccine efficacy.
ZBP1 guides actin messenger RNA to cell periphery and regulates translation into protein. The enzyme Src adds a phosphate group to ZBP1, unlocking the mRNA for translation into actin protein. This discovery could lead to new cancer therapies by targeting ZBP1 expression.
Memory CD8+ T cells reactive to old flu infections exacerbate EBV infection by stimulating different T cell activities, leading to lymphoproliferation and altered disease course. This study highlights the potential importance of cross-reactive T cells in human disease states.
Researchers found that MMF was superior to traditional treatment in inducing complete remission and had fewer severe side effects. The new findings offer hope for improving quality of life for millions of people worldwide suffering from lupus.
Scientists have created a machine that can track the passage of an electron in a nanostructure at a time scale of ten picoseconds and a spatial resolution of 50 nanometers. This innovation will improve our understanding of nanoscale dynamics and enable the study of previously intractable materials.
The American Academy of Neurology has updated its expert witness guidelines to promote competent, truthful, and evidence-based testimony. Physicians should be fully trained in their specialty or subject matter and conduct their testimony accurately and impartially.
Researchers analyzed tumor samples from 915 children with neuroblastoma and identified genetic clues that can guide customized treatment. The study found strong links between loss of genetic material on chromosome bands 1p36 and 11q23, and worse outcomes for patients.
Dental researchers discovered that cranberry juice acts like Teflon for teeth, preventing bacteria from clinging to surfaces. Cranberry juice also disrupts the formation of plaque by inhibiting enzymes that build dental plaque.
A large and fast-moving lava flow is pouring into the sea on Montagu Island, extending the shoreline on its north side. The event is special because it's rare to observe eruptions under ice sheets, providing unique insights for researchers like Dr John Smellie.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that CellCept, a potential treatment for lupus nephritis, holds promise for improving quality of life for those affected by severe kidney disease. The results offer hope for patients who currently suffer debilitating side effects from traditional treatments.
A Stanford study reveals that the sea squirt Botryllus schlosseri uses a gene similar to the human immune system to distinguish between self and non-self. This finding may lead to new ways to control natural killer cells and treat diseases like leukemia and multiple sclerosis.
Recent research findings on avian flu provide critical insight into the origin of pandemic influenza, highlighting two possible mechanisms: direct transmission from birds to humans or reassortment with human strains. This knowledge can help scientists track virus adaptation and inform global surveillance efforts and vaccine development.
A major study by the European Society of Cardiology links chronic noise exposure to an increased risk of heart attacks, particularly in men and women under 70. The study found that general environmental noise increased risk by nearly 50% for men and three-fold for women, while workplace noise levels affected men's risk but not women's.
A new European study predicts increased flooding in areas like the UK and River Rhine by up to 50% and 25% respectively by the end of the century. The STARDEX project uses advanced statistical techniques to analyze climate trends, enabling more precise predictions of extreme weather events.
Researchers found that teenage children of mothers who drank one or more drinks a day had a twofold risk of problem drinking in young adulthood. Maternal depression and early teenage behavior increased the risk of alcohol disorders in young adults.
Researchers found that chromosome ends elicit a limited DNA damage response when exposed, but not during normal replication. This discovery highlights the importance of telomeres in preserving genome integrity and preventing cancer development.
Researchers discovered cross-reactive T cells in patients with infectious mononucleosis, which stimulated excessive lymphocyte proliferation. Meanwhile, selectively killing regulatory T cells improved the efficacy of cancer vaccines by enhancing tumor-specific T cell responses.
Researchers developed a vaccine platform offering protection against pneumocystis, influenza, and other pathogens in immunocompromised individuals. The vaccine uses a specific antigen and CD40L molecule to induce an immune response.
Students created living bacterial photographs by projecting light onto genetically engineered E. coli bacteria, which produced pigments based on light exposure. This innovative technology has potential applications in fields such as medical treatments and tissue engineering.
A recent study found that infant mortality for black and white infants born at minority-serving hospitals is significantly higher than at non-minority hospitals. The study suggests that these hospitals may provide lower quality care to very low-birthweight infants.
Brandeis will develop a program in quantitative biology to understand biological functions. The university will hire a new faculty member and provide funding for courses, seminars, and instrumentation.
A recent study found that heavy drinking declined with age, although the drop was slower among men and smokers compared to women and non-smokers. The study also revealed that those who got married or quit smoking during follow-ups reduced their heavy drinking. Regular moderate drinking is likely beneficial for cardiovascular health.
A study published in Health Psychology found that individuals who experience larger increases in cholesterol levels due to stress are more likely to have high 'bad' cholesterol later on. The researchers identified a significant association between acute lipid stress responses and fasting lipid levels three years later.
A study found significant differences in genetic effects between Chinese and non-Chinese studies on gene-disease associations. The researchers identified 161 Chinese studies on 12 topics, but only 20 were indexed in PubMed. This bias may lead to skewed evidence depending on language and publication sources.
A team of researchers discovered that dark energy behaves similarly to Einstein's cosmological constant with a precision of 10%, contradicting several theoretical predictions. The study uses innovative camera technology and observations from multiple telescopes worldwide.
The study explores how immigrant families tell stories that reflect their country of origin and cultural identity. American-born children of newer immigrants are more likely to maintain ties with their family's country of origin, reflecting a shift towards cultural pluralism in the US.