Richard Zare receives $100,000 Wolf Prize for his ingenious applications of laser techniques in analytical chemistry. He has developed novel methods for detecting single molecules and exploring chemical properties.
Researchers discovered that melanopsin, a protein in the eyes, absorbs light and triggers a biochemical cascade to signal the brain about brightness. This allows ipRGCs to synchronize the body's daily rhythms with the sun's rising and setting, controlling alertness, sleep, hormone production, and organ function.
Researchers found that genetic selection for low aerobic capacity in rats led to high cardiovascular risk factors, mirroring human data on fitness and survival. The study suggests a link between impaired oxygen metabolism and disease, supporting the importance of aerobic health.
Experiments on moss grown in space showed it formed striking clockwise spirals despite the absence of gravity. Common roof moss grew in a residual spacing mechanism intended to control colony growth and branch distribution.
A recent study suggests that better hospital resource management and staff training are crucial in responding effectively to disasters. The study emphasizes the need for improved communication, planning, and education among hospitals to ensure a more efficient exchange of resources during critical situations.
A case report reveals a traveller from a tsunami-affected region developed mucormycosis, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment. The study suggests that travellers repatriated from affected areas can serve as predictors of infections in survivors.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a new form of muscular dystrophy in adults, linked to specific gene mutations that can be targeted for treatment. The study combines laboratory and clinical data to provide a deeper understanding of the disease process and its genetic basis.
Scientists at Imperial College London and the University of Manchester have discovered a way to activate melanopsin, a gene that makes nerve cells responsive to light. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies for forms of blindness such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers used quantum dots to visualize protein localization in plant cells for the first time, providing valuable understanding of pollen tube interaction. The study paves the way for using quantum dots in live imaging and improving plant breeding techniques.
Researchers studied the plant's leaves, discovering an 'active snap-buckling instability' that controls rapid closure. The study reveals key mechanisms for the plant's trap-like movement, with implications for biomimetic systems and tiny artificial devices.
The XCCDF specification document provides a flexible, vendor-neutral format for measuring conformance to security benchmarks and generating records of benchmark tests. NIST is developing computer security checklists for widely used government agencies with the help of organizations like NSA and DHS.
A recent study found that HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs are associated with negative attitudes towards condoms and inconsistent condom use among African American men. The study suggests that addressing these beliefs is crucial in changing the disproportionately high rate of HIV and AIDS in this community.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that exercising moderately intense aerobics for 30-35 minutes per day reduced depressive symptoms by an average of 47% after 12 weeks. The study included 80 adults with mild to moderate depression and showed similar results to antidepressant medications.
A new study reveals that a world without fire would see closed forests more than double in extent, while tropical grasslands and savannas shrink significantly. The findings highlight the crucial role of fire in shaping vegetation and ecosystems worldwide.
Researchers discovered that n-cofilin is critical for regulating cell movement. The molecule is essential for cells to migrate and form proper tissues during embryonic development. Its absence can lead to conditions like Spina bifida, where cells fail to reach their destinations.
Researchers discover a new paternal effect gene in Drosophila that has a relatively recent origin, overturning the theory that genes with vital functions must have been created long ago. The gene's evolution raises questions about why and how it emerged.
Researchers found that indirect CT venography increases the detection rate of thromboembolic disease by 20% compared to traditional CTPA. The addition of CTV improves diagnosis for patients with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, saving lives.
Researchers discovered that certain mutations in the androgen receptor cause advanced prostate cancer when introduced into healthy mice. These findings shed light on why hormone withdrawal therapy fails to cure most men with advanced prostate cancer, and open the door to discovering new, effective therapies.
Researchers found that people with fibromyalgia have similar average activity levels as those without the condition, but lower high-intensity activities. This study suggests a more nuanced understanding of fibromyalgia and could lead to changes in treatment.
Researchers found evidence of meiosis in Giardia intestinalis, a unicellular protist parasite, suggesting that eukaryotes have been capable of sex for a long time. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of sexual reproduction in eukaryotic cells.
A Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO) project has successfully brought together Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian health professionals to address common health issues. The program has expanded to include activities on maternal and child health, young people's health and infectious diseases.
A CU-Boulder team discovered that tiny organisms in Yellowstone hot springs rely on hydrogen as their main energy source, contradicting the long-held idea that sulfur is the primary fuel. The study used novel instrumentation and genetic analysis to determine hydrogen's role in microbial communities.
Researchers found evidence for meiosis in Giardia, a single-celled protist thought to be a modern representative of an early diverging eukaryotic lineage. The discovery suggests that the earliest eukaryotes diverged after the advent of meiosis, providing new insights into sexual evolution.
This article discusses the association between non-hazardous alcohol consumption and injury, as well as barriers to treating depression among young adults. Studies find that excessive drinking causes significant injuries, while negative attitudes towards treatment may prevent youth from accepting diagnosis and care.
Researchers successfully redirected human immune cells to target and kill cancer cells by introducing a specific gene that allows for high-affinity recognition of tumor-associated p53. This breakthrough approach holds promise for a novel, broad-spectrum immunotherapy for malignant diseases.
A recent study suggests that whole-body CT screening for cancer and other diseases is not a cost-effective use of healthcare funding. The procedure's estimated $2,513 cost per patient yields only minimal gains in life expectancy, making it more expensive than many other interventions.
Researchers discovered two distinct areas in the medial frontal cortex associated with free choice and conflict. This discovery may explain why people with damage to this area seem incapable of making decisions, and has implications for our understanding of free will and decision-making processes.
A UCI study discovered that enhancing frequency modulation on cochlear implants and hearing aids can significantly boost performance by separating background noise and increasing tonal recognition. This improvement can particularly benefit users of hearing aids, affecting music and certain spoken languages like Mandarin.
A minimally invasive procedure involving stem cells has shown improvement in heart function for patients with severe heart failure and no coronary blockages. All 15 patients who received stem cell injections experienced some degree of improvement, while the control group saw little change.
A study using fMRI reveals separate brain regions for making choices and dealing with conflicts, shedding light on why people with damaged medial frontal cortex struggle with actions and difficult decisions. The findings have implications for understanding human decision-making processes.
Mikos has developed extensive expertise in fabricating synthetic materials with tailored chemistries for specific tissue-engineered repair of orthopaedic injuries. His laboratory has created novel materials based on fumaric acid, non-toxic to surrounding cells and tissues.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that calcium supplementation significantly increased bone mass development during a critical childhood growth spurt in pre-adolescent girls. The findings suggest that elevated calcium use during this period may help prevent fractures and osteoporosis later in life.
The ASBMB-Merck Award lecture will focus on the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in cellular signaling and cancer. Recent research has shown that PTPs can function as tumor suppressor genes, with the PTEN gene being a key example.
Researchers at Purdue University found that parts of the human brain think about prepositions in different ways when it comes to time and location. The study used language tests with stroke patients and found that words like 'on' and 'in' are processed independently, regardless of their spatial meaning.
A Harvard University study finds that racial disparities in youth violence are largely driven by social factors, including neighborhood environment, parental marital status, and immigrant status. The research suggests that interventions aimed at improving community well-being may help reduce the gap.
Researchers have developed a model that accurately recreated the series of events surrounding the Prestige oil spill, highlighting its potential for future cleanup and analysis. The study's focus on asphaltenes and resins not easily degradable underscores the need for efficient containment strategies.
Researchers find that adult stem cells are maintained by local environment signals that block gene expression, preventing differentiation. The microenvironment captures cells and prevents them from becoming other types of cells.
A survey found that nearly half of US adults aged 40 and over who are at increased risk of heart disease do not take aspirin to reduce their risk. The study suggests a need for improved communication between doctors and patients about the importance of aspirin therapy.
A Dutch study found that lesbian couples and more privileged heterosexual parents tend to favor openness, while anonymous donors are often associated with lower socioeconomic status and secrecy. The UK study also revealed that many parents feel no reason to disclose information or protect family members.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered regulatory genes in niche cells instruct stem cells to determine their future path, involving proteins acting as 'on-off' switches for stem cell division. This understanding is crucial for developing stem cell therapies and addressing disorders like infertility and cancer.
Researchers at NYU found that pacemaker neurons transmit signals to target cells and modulate light sensitivity, generating a circadian rhythm in visual sensitivity. This discovery may lead to the identification of genes that can be used to treat sleep disorders and jet lag.
A DNA enzyme found in some animals can repair damage caused by UV light, protecting against skin cancer. Researchers discovered this enzyme helps defend against non-melanoma skin cancer in mice with the transgene.
Land-living crabs, descended from marine ancestors, have developed a sophisticated sense of smell similar to insects. The robber crab's olfactory system is highly sensitive and has adopted strategies used by insects to navigate its air-filled terrestrial environment.
Researchers at Purdue University have improved nuclear reactor safety codes by enhancing their simulation capabilities. The new codes better predict what happens during severe accidents, allowing for more accurate plant designs and reduced risk of meltdowns.
A study published in the Royal Society journal found that chimpanzees' tolerance for inequity increases with their social closeness, mirroring human responses based on relationship quality. This suggests a link between social connections and the sense of fairness in non-human primates.
A new study published in PNAS demonstrates a gene therapy technique that targets and destroys cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The technique exploits specific molecules found in cancer cells, allowing it to selectively kill tumors such as prostate, ovarian, breast, brain, and skin cancers.
The University of Arizona will collaborate with IBM to build a massive storage environment for diverse types of life sciences data, including MRI images and genomic sequences. The project aims to scale to petabytes of data and enable researchers to manage, integrate, and access their digital assets.
Nanosphere's nanoparticle-based technology allows for rapid and highly-sensitive single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping without gene amplification. The technology can detect a specific gene and its mutation extent with greater than 99 percent confidence threshold.
A study by Imperial College London found that up to nine percent of supermarket bakery workers may have symptoms of asthma. The research also discovered high levels of sensitisation to ingredients involved in the baking process, including flour.
A large-scale study found that excess body size significantly increases the risk of developing kidney stones, with men weighing over 220 pounds facing a 44% higher risk. Weight gain since age 21 also contributes to this increased risk, particularly in older and younger women.
The study reveals that neighborhood environment, parents' marital status, and immigrant status are key factors contributing to the racial gap in violence. Family poverty does not account for the disparity, with youth from married families being less likely to commit violent acts.
High levels of fluoride were found in several brands of instant tea, with amounts ranging from 1.0 to 6.5 parts per million. The study suggests that doctors should ask patients about their tea consumption if they have achiness in their bones.
Reviparin significantly reduced the composite outcome of death, heart attack, and stroke at 7 and 30 days. Its benefits persisted even when initiated very early after symptom onset, with a 13% lowered risk. Reviparin is considered a moderate but important advance in managing patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Researchers find chimpanzees' responses to unfair situations depend on the strength of their social connections. In a study, chimpanzees in long-term groups were less likely to react negatively to unfair situations compared to those in short-term groups.
Researchers found that increased contact with younger siblings reduced the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) by up to 88% in adults. This association was linked to a weaker immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which has previously been shown to increase MS risk.
Researchers found that visual signals can quickly adjust leg movement to prevent balance loss. This fast reaction enables bipedal locomotion over unpredictable terrain, improving balance and stability.
A new study suggests that ancient humans' systematic burning of Australia's interior led to the desertification of the region. The research indicates that this burning altered the flora enough to decrease the exchange of water vapor between the biosphere and atmosphere, causing the failure of the Australian Monsoon over the interior.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have successfully petrified wood in days, replicating the natural process that occurs over millions of years. The team used a novel method involving acid and silica to create a silicon carbide ceramic that retains the wood's architecture.
Researchers found that human genes are less carefully controlled due to a small population size, leading to increased disease risk. The study suggests that natural selection would have overridden harmful mutations with a larger population.
Vaccinating 70% of school children, ages 6 to 18, can reduce community-wide transmission to very low levels. This strategy is more effective than vaccinating only high-risk groups.