The study found nearly no conservation in human and chimpanzee gene-regulating elements, indicating hominids are subject to high mutation accumulation. Population size is believed to exert a powerful influence on molecular evolution, with natural selection likely to develop stronger against unwanted mutations.
A Chinese-American team of scientists has discovered a rare isotope, sulfur-36, associated with sodalite in a meteorite. The finding provides strong evidence for the past presence of chlorine-36 in the early solar system, which was likely formed in a supernova explosion.
Recent studies on COX-2 inhibitors have found that celecoxib may not increase blood pressure, while rofecoxib does, and that these drugs are safe for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, patients taking warfarin with COX-2 inhibitors or NSAIDs have an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Blind individuals with superior localization skills exhibit increased activity in the visual cortex while performing monaural tasks. This suggests that the visual cortex is specifically recruited to process subtle monaural cues more effectively.
Researchers have discovered a new leukemia drug that can overcome all forms of Gleevec resistance, a significant breakthrough for patients with advanced CML. The drug, ON012380, blocks a different site in the BCR-ABL protein and induces cell death in all known Gleevec-resistant mutants.
A large study of Swedish twins found no association between neuroticism, extraversion, and increased cancer risk. Despite previous hypotheses linking these traits to cancer, the research suggests that certain personality traits do not influence cancer risk.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that patients with KRAS mutations do not respond to targeted therapy drugs erlotinib and gefitinib. Analyzing tumors for EGF receptor and KRAS mutations may be crucial to predicting treatment effectiveness.
A study mapping an entire high school's romantic and sexual relationships reveals a unique network structure with long chains of connections. Unlike adult networks, there is no core group of highly active individuals, but rather a widespread web of indirect links.
Researchers at Purdue University discover a plant protein called osmotin that mimics the behavior of the hormone adiponectin in mammal muscle cells. The study suggests that osmotin could play a role in preventing diseases like diabetes, as it activates the same receptors as adiponectin.
Researchers propose that whales and hippos share a common water-loving ancestor 50-60 million years ago, which evolved into two distinct groups. The study reconciles the fossil record with molecular evidence, providing a new understanding of whale evolution.
Researchers discovered that a lack of enzyme ACC2 turns fat cells into fat burners, leading to increased oxidation of fatty acids and glucose. This transformation contributes to improved energy maintenance and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sprinkles, a powder containing microencapsulated iron and micronutrients, has been found to be as effective as ferrous sulphate in treating anemia in children. The treatment has been shown to have fewer side effects and is more acceptable to caregivers. Sprinkles have been distributed to over 15,000 children in developing countries, re...
According to psychologist Roese, regrets serve a necessary psychological purpose and provide benchmarks for reality. He suggests that acknowledging counterfactuals and their impact on human cognition can lead to hope for the future and corrective action.
The American Academy of Neurology has developed a standardized case definition for polyneuropathy, which improves the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. The new guideline uses a combination of neuropathic symptoms, signs, and abnormal electrodiagnostic studies to diagnose distal symmetrical polyneuropathy.
Eating baked or broiled fish regularly has been linked to a reduced risk of stroke in older adults. A study found that consuming broiled or baked fish one to four times per week was associated with a 28-32% lower risk of ischemic stroke, while fried fish and fish sandwiches increased the risk by 37-44%.
The trial aims to test whether a vaccine stimulates cellular immunity to prevent or control HIV infection. The study will enroll healthy, HIV-negative volunteers from at-risk populations and gather data on the potential efficacy of the vaccine.
A study of 325 patients who underwent temporal lobe removal found that early seizures after surgery were eight times more likely to lead to persistent epilepsy. This suggests that some individuals may have epilepsy that is more persistent and resistant to treatment.
A new tool developed by Carnegie Mellon University enables location proteomics by classifying and relating proteins inside cells. The tool outperforms existing methods using standardized features and automates clustering of proteins, allowing for fast and objective analysis.
Researchers at UCI create a new method to rapidly discover antigens for vaccines, enabling the expression of hundreds of proteins in just one week. This technique addresses the bottleneck in processing large amounts of data from genome sequences, allowing for faster vaccine development and improved safety.
A study by researchers at Michigan Medicine and the University of South Florida found a significant generation gap in chronic pain coping among black and white adults. Older adults generally scored higher on pain intensity and disability measurements, but younger adults experienced more depression symptoms and sleep disturbances.
A recent study published in Neurology found no significant association between increased physical activity and the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it was discovered that higher leisure time physical activities before age 25 resulted in an earlier onset of the disease by seven years.
Researchers found that female crickets pay higher survival costs for mating with attractive males but produce offspring with elevated fitness. The study suggests that choosing costly mates may be beneficial due to the indirect benefits of siring 'sexy' sons.
A study found that obesity can make prostate cancer screenings less accurate, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer treatment outcomes. The research suggests that physicians should consider adjusting PSA values when screening for prostate cancer in overweight or obese men.
A study found that living in socially deprived areas increases psychological distress, leading to higher rates of depression and injection drug use. Needle exchange programs and employment assistance can improve neighborhood quality and reduce stressors.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that communication between primary-care physicians and patients can reduce medication-related problems. The researchers discovered that 25% of patients experienced adverse drug events, many of which were preventable, due to a lack of reporting or inadequate doctor response.
Researchers isolated a highly reactive iron-sulfur complex from a bacterium, which outperforms current industrial catalysts in reactivity. The discovery could lead to the development of new, more efficient chemical processes and materials.
A study of 1,551 middle-aged Finnish men found that those consuming higher amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids had a lower risk of cardiovascular death. The researchers suggest that dietary fat quality is more important than quantity in reducing cardiovascular disease mortality in men.
A large multiethnic cohort study found that midlife cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, are strongly linked to an increased risk of dementia in later life. The study also suggests that treating these risk factors may reduce the risk for dementia.
Researchers found significant differences in mitral valve tissue between healthy and congestive heart failure patients, affecting the valve's strength and hydration levels. These changes may contribute to recurring surgical outcomes for patients with mitral regurgitation.
A six-year study found that children of overweight mothers exhibit significant weight gain and increased body fat by ages four and six. The research highlights the importance of targeting prevention efforts towards at-risk children from an early age.
A recent study found that Vioxx increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 34%, with a higher risk associated with standard and high doses. The study estimated that 88,000-140,000 excess cases of serious coronary heart disease occurred in the US due to Vioxx use.
Researchers found that human embryonic stem cells contain a non-human sialic acid called Neu5Gc, which is incorporated from animal-derived culture materials. The discovery poses a safety concern for the potential therapeutic use of these cells in humans.
Cancer researchers have developed a new method to delay dendritic cell activation, extending the time when immune cells can detect and attack cancer. By using a drug that links molecules, the approach prolongs the activity of dendritic cells, which are key to cancer vaccines.
A study found that healthy older adults with the e-4 allele of the ApoE gene exhibit significantly worse prospective memories, struggling to remember tasks even when instructed to do so. The findings suggest a strong impact of genetic variation on cognitive function and recommend reevaluating the role of ApoE in cognition.
A recent Stanford study has identified a link between genetic differences in African-Americans and an increased risk of hypertension. The research, which analyzed the genetic profiles of over 270 individuals, suggests that specific genes in regions near chromosomes 6 and 21 may contribute to high blood pressure risk in African-Americans.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that sildenafil can treat enlarged hearts by blocking the breakdown of cyclic GMP, a key molecule involved in heart stress. The study showed significant improvements in heart function, including increased contractility and cardiac output, even after hypertrophy had developed.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a technique to identify the precise mix of extracellular matrix proteins that optimally prompts mouse embryonic stem cells to begin differentiating into liver cells. This breakthrough enables scientists to use inexpensive and widely available reagents and machinery ...
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have developed a new method to repair cleft palates using distraction osteogenesis, which gradually lengthens bone and soft tissue. The technique has shown promising results in animal studies, with some degree of bony closure observed in most treated animals.
The study found that despite increased male involvement in domestic tasks, women still bear the brunt of childcare responsibilities. Women are often responsible for organizing and scheduling care, even among more affluent households, due to cost and quality concerns.
Researchers at Brenner Children's Hospital will conduct four clinical trials to find the best treatments for children with heart conditions. The hospital hopes to renew its participation in the network after two years, offering patients access to cutting-edge treatment advances and better health outcomes.
Researcher Anne Lincoln found that female Academy Award nominees tend to begin their acting careers at a younger age than male nominees. By analyzing the average age of Oscar nominees from 1928-2001, she discovered historical trends suggesting women start earlier, which may explain the gendered age disparity between winners and nominees.
Scientists have detected a 'whiff' of methane evaporating off the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, revealing insights into its geology and weather systems. The data from the Huygens probe also suggests that beneath the thin crust lies a material made of water ice grains.
The study explores how classical polyandry, a practice where multiple males mate with a single female, has evolved in different species. It reveals that this practice enhances female reproductive success and social stability through the provision of genetic diversity and protection from predators.
Researchers have developed a method to assemble nanoparticles using DNA molecules, enabling targeted delivery of drugs and contrast agents to cancer cells. The approach uses dendrimers, star-like synthetic polymers that can carry multiple molecules, and allows for rapid synthesis and self-assembly of nanoparticle complexes.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics to show that COX-2 inhibitors were frequently prescribed to patients at low risk of gastrointestinal side effects. The study found a rapid nationwide shift away from older, inexpensive drugs with better established safety and efficacy.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that liver disease severity does not accurately predict quality of life, suggesting alternative methods should be considered for organ allocation. Patients with end-stage liver disease experience impaired quality of life, but this is not correlated with MELD scores.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that 63% of growth in COX-2 use came from patients with low risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Heavy marketing and the tendency to equate 'newer' with 'better' medicines contributed to the overuse of these drugs.
The Economic and Social Research Council is hosting an international conference on the Evolution of the Life Science Industries, which will discuss state-of-the-art research, development, and problems in the life sciences. Speakers with international reputations will shape future pathways of innovation.
New classification system improves elastomeric liner prescription, while telerehabilitation and pressure casting streamline wound management. Studies also explore shoe choice impact on residual limb damage and develop novel knee prosthesis for increased stability.
The NSF report reveals a significant increase in the number of minority scientists and engineers earning research doctorates, with 17% of all doctorate recipients being from underrepresented groups. Women also maintained their percentage of earned doctorates, while most graduates received financial support from university fellowships.
Scientists have successfully reached a critical size regime, demonstrating reliable patterning at the 2 nanometer scale. The work explores the fundamental resolution limits of polymer nanoimprint lithography and its potential applications in fields such as semiconductor device manufacturing and biotechnology.
A nationwide assessment of triclocarban contamination reveals the compound is present in 60% of US water resources, making it the fifth most frequent contaminant. Triclocarban concentrations are found to be much higher than previously thought, with some samples containing up to 6.75 micrograms per liter.
Research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia in older women. The study analyzed data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, which found that women who drank one or two drinks per day scored higher on tests of cognitive function than those who drank less.
Dr. McDonald and his team solved the missing solar neutrinos puzzle, confirming that neutrinos change type on their journey to Earth from the sun. This discovery validates theories of energy generation in the sun and transforms our understanding of elementary particle physics.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that women who have been abused are less likely to engage in stable, long-term relationships. The researchers found that those who were physically or sexually abused as adults often avoid cohabitation and marriage due to a need for recovery time from abuse.
Researchers have identified integrin [alpha]v[beta]6 as a key risk factor for developing early-stage colorectal cancer. The molecule's high levels are also predictive of patient survival, with low expression associated with better outcomes.
A study found strengths and weaknesses in the quality of care for children with ADHD, major depression, and conduct disorder in California's public mental health clinics. Despite comprehensive evaluations, there were moderate to poor documentation of medical monitoring, psychoactive medication management, and parent consent.
Scientists have discovered that zeaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, plays a crucial role in protecting plants from excessive solar energy. The study used ultrafast spectroscopic techniques to follow the movement of absorbed excitation energy and found that zeaxanthin interacts with chlorophyll molecules to dissipate excess energy.
Researchers found depressed female monkeys exhibited socially withdrawn behavior, reduced body fat and disrupted hormone levels, similar to human depression in women. The study aims to develop new treatments specifically for females, who are 66% more likely to experience depression.
The American Academy of Neurology recognizes Dr. Callaghan's efforts to advocate for tort reform in Washington state, while Dr. Wasay leads programs to improve public health in Pakistan. The Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum empowers neurologists to advocate for patient care improvements.