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.
A new computer model developed by Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers can predict the spread of a potential influenza pandemic and identify effective containment strategies. The model uses demographic information and data on past influenza pandemics to simulate the virus's transmission and track its spread.
Researchers found that prostate tumor growth is arrested through cellular senescence, which stops cells from proliferating and responding to normal growth signals. Drugs that support p53 function may delay progression of prostate cancer by triggering cellular senescence.