A meta-analysis of epidemiological studies found a positive correlation between milk consumption and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. High intakes of dairy foods and lactose may contribute to this association, with a 13% increase in risk seen for every 10 grams of lactose consumed daily.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a tiny infrared laser that can detect explosives and chemical warfare agents, setting the stage for a portable system to warn against potential threats. The far-infrared laser's high power and efficiency make it an ideal source for sensitive chemical analysis.
Researchers have discovered cells in discarded placentas that can develop into specialized cells like liver, pancreas, and nerve cells. The amniotic epithelial cells express genes similar to those of embryonic stem cells, but with limitations, offering a potentially new source for regenerative medicine.
Researchers used new software to analyze fossilized tooth surfaces, revealing that early humans like Australopithecus africanus ate tougher leaves and Paranthropus robustus ate harder foods. The study also showed unexpected variability in the samples, suggesting both species relied on less preferred foods during periods of scarcity.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that global warming is a major threat to the extinction of the Sinai baton blue butterfly. The research showed that the butterfly's population is vulnerable to habitat destruction caused by livestock grazing, regardless of the level of future habitat loss.
The DOE's Multiscale Mathematics program addresses scientific problems spanning multiple time scales and length scales, funding over 100 researchers across the US. The program aims to develop new multiscale mathematics algorithms and analysis to support research in fuel cell design, accelerator design, combustion processes, and materia...
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that mothers are discriminated against in the workplace due to cultural biases. The study showed that mothers are more likely to be rejected for job opportunities and face lower wages compared to non-mothers, as they're held to a harsher performance standard.
A new tool measures cocaine residue in river and sewage waters, revealing an average daily use of at least 27 doses of 100mg cocaine per 1,000 young adults. This exceeds official national estimates, with 40,000 doses used daily in the Po valley.
Researchers found a disrupted brain wave pattern in patients with schizophrenia, which may help understand attention deficits. The study aims to develop a biological test to distinguish patients with schizophrenia from those with bipolar disorder.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers has found that some products passing the National Sanitation Foundation Section 8 standard may have a greater capacity to leach lead into water, exceeding previously believed limits. The study's findings highlight the need for updated standards and regulations to address this complex issue.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a prototype handheld gas phase chemical sensing device and a liquid phase sensing device using small quantum cascade lasers. The devices can detect levels of chemicals as low as 30 parts-per-billion, enabling fast response times for applications such as breath diagnostics and water monitoring.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute find that adult stem cells fuse with muscle cells to form functional tissue, contradicting the long-held idea of transdifferentiation. This discovery has significant implications for stem cell therapies targeting organ regeneration.
A new contrast agent enables quicker and more thorough MRI screenings for potential living liver donors. The study found that this agent can image the liver, bile duct, and vessels simultaneously, reducing the need for separate examinations.
Harvard Medical School researchers developed a new DNA sequencing technology that can sequence human genomes at a fraction of the cost using off-the-shelf instruments and chemical reagents. The technique uses fluorescent dyes to identify DNA bases, allowing for high accuracy and rapid sequencing.
Researchers found that higher folate levels were associated with healthier birth weights, contradicting previous findings. The study suggests that fortifying everyday foods with folic acid could be an effective solution to improve health outcomes.
A recent survey in Botswana has found a significant increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis, with 10% of new patients showing resistance to at least one anti-TB drug. The study suggests that enhanced interventions are needed to contain the burden of tuberculosis in Botswana and prevent further drug resistance.
A new clinical trial at UT Southwestern Medical Center has shown that cognitive therapy can effectively treat recurrent depression in patients. The study, which involves 16-20 sessions of cognitive therapy over 12 weeks, has been shown to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD).
A combined analysis of two trials found a 40% decrease in risk of events such as recurrences or new cancers when switching from tamoxifen to anastrozole after 2 years. However, more patients experienced bone fractures on anastrozole.
Researchers have provided unprecedented insight into the properties of super-hard ceramic materials, which exhibit unusual pliability and potential applications in fields like aerospace and medical implants. The study's findings could lead to the development of stronger materials with improved ductility and control over their properties.
Researchers accurately predicted fMRI signals in patients while watching a movie, validating its use in human neuroscience research. The findings also highlight the importance of further study to understand the correlation between fMRI and single neuronal activity.
A new study by researchers at NIEHS found that over half of the US population is sensitive to one or more allergens. The prevalence of positive skin test responses was significantly higher in NHANES III than in NHANES II, coinciding with an increase in asthma cases between 1980 and 1996.
The article highlights the involvement of doctors in torture and prisoner abuse, with some institutions blurring their ethical guidance. Dr. Michael Wilks calls for a reversal of assault on international bodies like the UN to address this issue.
Drillers penetrate active fault zone to observe earthquakes up close, allowing scientists to study conditions under which earthquakes initiate and grow. The SAFOD project combines data from the borehole with thousands of seismic measurements to investigate plate tectonics and fundamental scientific questions.
The Cassini-Huygens mission has captured the first-ever images of Saturn's auroral emissions at its poles, similar to Earth's Northern Lights. The UVIS instrument on the spacecraft shows rapid responses to changes in the solar wind and significant changes in emissions within the 'oval' of the aurora at Saturn's south pole.
MDCT arthrography outperforms MRI in detecting cartilage problems, offering better 3D evaluation and tissue contrast. The study suggests MDCT arthrography as a prominent method for imaging patients with hip dysplasia.
During NRL's Slope to Shelf Energetics and Exchange Dynamics field experiment, six current profiler moorings deployed on the continental shelf directly measured large waves up to 27.7 meters high during Hurricane Ivan. The measurements provide valuable data for assessing potential impacts of energetic storm waves on offshore structures.
The new partnership between NIAID and IPM aims to accelerate the development of effective microbicides, with a focus on enhancing formulation optimization, process development, and scale-up for manufacture. Large-scale effectiveness trials of five candidate microbicides are currently underway.
Researchers discovered specific mutations in the TACI gene that are associated with common variable immunodeficiency and IgA deficiency. These genetic defects impair the immune system's ability to fight infections, increasing the risk of recurrent illnesses and autoimmune diseases.
Research reveals bdelloid rotifers' unique ability to evolve without sex lies in their efficient handling of DNA transposons. These 'junk DNA' snippets are often a burden for species that reproduce asexually, but bdelloids handle them with relative ease.
Researchers have discovered that quinolinic acid neurotoxicity is present in all dementia patients' brains, leading to brain dysfunction and death. This finding may lead to the development of new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, which currently affects over 200,000 Australians.
Researchers found that participants with moderate leisure-time physical activity had a 14% lower risk of any type of stroke, while those with high activity levels had a 26% lower risk. Daily commuting activities also showed a significant association with reduced stroke risk.
Mitochondria play a crucial role in delivering energy to nerve cells, but researchers have discovered that they are not essential for communication between neurons. In a surprising finding, mutant fruit flies with disrupted mitochondrial transport can still transmit signals and survive for five days.
A Duke University study found that obesity is associated with lower rates of mammograms, Pap smears, and flu shots among middle-aged women and the elderly. Despite knowing the risks, obese individuals are less likely to receive preventive services due to social stigma, avoidance of healthcare, and bias from providers.
Researchers developed a nomogram for women's exercise capacity based on age and stress test results, providing an accurate assessment of mortality risk. The study found that using the men's nomogram in women resulted in false positives, highlighting the need for personalized fitness assessments.
Carol Jordan, director of the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women, is being honored with a national justice award for her 23-year career in helping women and children who have faced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child abuse, stalking, and other crimes. The $10,000 award will support endowment efforts to establ...
A recent study at the University of Bonn found that bone marrow-derived adult stem cells do not take on tissue-specific functions, meaning they cannot replace defective muscle cells. The researchers discovered that the cells migrate into muscle fibers but are unable to produce functioning dystrophin, a key muscle protein.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new type of helix antenna that can provide stable wireless Internet connections in remote locations, such as airports and hotels. The SLH antenna is small in size but high-performance, making it ideal for applications where long distances or building penetration are needed.
A recent study revealed that Larsen B Ice Shelf was stable for at least 10,000 years before disintegrating in 35 days due to global warming. The loss of this ice shelf could lead to a surge in glaciers, causing more melt and altering global sea levels.
Acetaldehyde's interaction with polyamines may explain the link between alcohol and certain cancers. Researchers found that polyamines can stimulate the conversion of acetaldehyde into a mutagenic DNA base, increasing cancer risk.
Scientists at WashU Medicine found that natural killer cells become more capable of attacking invaders after encountering a specific molecule on the surface of other cells. This process, known as licensing, has important implications for understanding persistent viral infections and bone marrow transplants.
Researchers found that Roundup(r) killed up to 71% of tadpoles and 86% of terrestrial frogs after exposure. The surfactant in the herbicide, not the active ingredient, is lethal to amphibians. The study highlights concerns about accidental spraying during lawn care.
A new study by The Wistar Institute reveals that a recently discovered enzyme requires molecular partners to modify histones and repress genes in neurons. The findings may have long-term implications for treating depression and other psychiatric disorders.
Fragile X syndrome is caused by a defect in the Fmr1 gene, which produces a nonfunctioning protein. Researchers found that mice lacking this gene only in specific neurons showed deficits in a motor learning task. The study also revealed abnormalities in signaling connections and dendrites of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum.
Researchers found that early intervention could slow the pandemic by reducing morbidity until a well-matched vaccine is produced. A combination of targeted antiviral drugs, quarantine, and prevaccination was effective in containing outbreaks with relatively moderate viral reproductive numbers.
The Larsen ice shelf collapse was caused by a combination of long-term thinning and short-term increases in surface air temperature, exceeding natural regional climate variation during the Holocene period. Researchers attribute the collapse to climate warming in the Antarctic Peninsula, which is more pronounced than elsewhere.
Malnutrition and obesity increasingly co-exist worldwide due to dietary changes and decreased physical activity. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are on the rise in low-income groups, exacerbated by food insecurity and under-nutrition.
Researchers found that the revised TNM staging system is strongly associated with disease-free survival and overall survival. The new system provides more accurate information about tumor response to chemotherapy, helping doctors determine the best treatment plan for patients.
A randomised trial found that blood stem cell transplant improved disease-free survival in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, compared to chemotherapy. The study showed a significant gap between the two strategies as patient risk profiles worsened.
The study found that complex gene-gene interactions are likely responsible for the development of autism. The GABA brain system is implicated in this process, with multiple genes working together to influence the disease.
Researchers at Yale and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified 80 genes active in petal and stamen development using gene trapping. These findings provide insights into how gene activity is allocated during flower development, shedding light on critical roles in plant reproduction like cross-pollination and seed production.
Researchers at Yale University have found that varying oxygen concentrations in alligator eggs alter growth patterns and affect bone development, suggesting a link to fossil records of prehistoric atmospheric oxygen levels. The study provides new insights into the complex interaction between vertebrate development and oxygen levels.
International teams used computer modeling to simulate H5N1 avian flu outbreaks in Southeast Asia, finding antiviral treatment a critical component of control measures. The models aid development of effective strategies and offer powerful tools for policymakers and researchers.
Researchers found that grasshopper auditory neurons respond optimally to specific stimulus ensembles that differ from natural sounds but overlap with components of mating calls. This challenges the efficient coding hypothesis and suggests a weighted ensemble of natural stimuli based on behavioral relevance.
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that human arrival in the Americas led to the extinction of prehistoric ground sloths. This suggests that big-game hunters had a significant impact on animal populations, contributing to widespread extinctions.
A new study suggests that continued high levels of fossil fuel emissions will outstrip the land and oceans' ability to absorb carbon, leading to accelerated climate warming. The 'breathing biosphere' can only absorb carbon at a certain rate, and increased temperatures and droughts lower plant uptake of CO2.
A recent study found that green turtles in Nicaragua have a mere 50% chance of survival due to heavy fishing. WCS researchers urge drastic reductions in fishing levels to prevent the turtles' extinction.
Researchers used a novel technique to study the diets of ancient humans, Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus robustus. The analysis revealed significant overlap in their diets, with P. robustus consuming both hard and tough foods.
A recent study published in The Gerontologist found that obesity has a significant impact on disability among adults aged 70+, but not on their overall life expectancy. The research, which analyzed data from over 7,000 seniors, suggests that obesity can reduce active years and increase disabled years, but does not affect mortality rate...
The region's livestock trade, migrant labor, and crop production are failing, leaving families without vital income. Humanitarian aid can address immediate needs but won't solve underlying conflicts, researchers warn.
A new study found that not enough exercise in women can lead to serious heart problems and death, with those who cannot achieve 85% of their age-predicted fitness level being twice as likely to die. The researchers developed a chart for women to interpret their exercise capacity based on normative values for their age.