The KamLAND experiment detects geoneutrinos produced in the Earth's interior through uranium and thorium decay. This discovery provides an assay of the planet's total radioactivity, shedding light on terrestrial heat sources.
Researchers from the California Institute, led by Professor Henrik Wann Jensen, unveiled innovative computer graphics techniques at SIGGRAPH. Their work includes a new method for real-time relighting of scenes illuminated by local light sources and an efficient technique to account for diffusion in multi-layered translucent materials.
Researchers describe the interaction between T-cell receptors and coreceptors during an immune response. They found that T-cell receptors and CD8 coreceptors are brought together during antigen sensing, increasing their interaction with endogenous non-stimulatory peptides.
A study found that antiretroviral therapy can suppress HIV RNA in breast milk, reducing mother-to-child transmission. However, the impact of therapy on HIV DNA levels is unclear, with some studies suggesting a possible delay in treatment's effectiveness.
A study of 5,364 patients found that knee pain is often accompanied by pain in other joints, leading to poorer general and psychological health. The results suggest that managing pain in one region can have beneficial effects on overall perception of pain.
A team of researchers has isolated the Ephrin-B2 cell surface protein as a functional receptor for both Hendra and Nipah viruses, shedding light on their ability to infect a wide range of hosts. The finding holds promise for developing countermeasures to prevent and treat these emerging global health threats.
Researchers at U of T have identified heme as the molecule that allows protein E75 to regulate metabolic processes such as metabolism and circadian rhythms. The study, published in Cell, sheds light on how people metabolize fat, regulate their bodies' clocks, and age.
Scientists have found that melanin, a pigment in the body, acts as a sponge to absorb and destroy free radicals that damage retinal cells. This discovery offers hope for preventing macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
The discovery of a 190 million-year-old Massospondylus embryo provides a rare glimpse into the life of an early dinosaur. The delicate bones of most dinosaur embryos were destroyed over time, but this well-preserved skeleton offers detailed anatomy insights into the earliest known dinosaur embryo.
Researchers found that parasitic fly larvae alter tiger moth caterpillar taste organs, favoring toxic plants containing protective chemicals. This change in behavior helps caterpillars escape parasites and survive.
Researchers found that humans have a difficult time shaking off fears of people from another race, similar to fears of snakes and spiders. Interracial dating experience was the only factor to influence the persistence of fear learning bias, suggesting positive inter-group contact can reduce negativity towards outgroups.
Researchers found a strong positive association between FGM and primary infertility, particularly with the most extensive form of the practice. The study suggests that women who have undergone FGM are at a higher risk of infertility due to anatomical changes, highlighting the need for preventive work against female genital mutilation.
A graduate student's seismic study has found a sharp dividing line between the lithosphere and asthenosphere, contradicting the idea that the transition is gradual. The research suggests water or partly molten rock must be present in the asthenosphere to cause such an abrupt change.
A study found that psychological stress delays wound healing by up to 45% due to impaired cell differentiation and reduced oxygen levels. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy eliminated this delay, as it restored nitric oxide levels necessary for healing.
The Homestake underground lab will host a comprehensive suite of experiments in physics and geosciences. The site's deep depths will enable studies of neutrinos, gravity, dark matter, and proton decay.
A team of scientists has identified a key protein, LcrV, that allows Yersinia pestis to evade the host's immune response. By developing an altered version of this protein, rV10, they have created a potential plague vaccine that triggers only small amounts of IL-10 and protects against infection.
Random fluctuations in gene expression can influence HIV latency, suggesting that a cell's fate is determined by chance rather than predetermined mechanisms. The researchers' model suggests that targeting chemical modifications required for Tat's function could lead to new treatments.
A German study found that patients with right-brain stroke were less likely to receive thrombolysis treatment and be admitted to hospital within 3 hours of stroke onset compared to those with left-hemispheric events. This underdiagnosis poses challenges for optimizing stroke management, particularly in the early stages.
Physicists at NIST have used the natural oscillations of two different types of charged atoms to produce the 'ticks' that may power a future atomic clock. By transferring information between two ions, they were able to determine the aluminum's resonant frequency extremely accurately.
The University of Pittsburgh will train students in sustainable engineering through an eight-month international research rotation in São Paulo, Brazil. The program aims to develop global sustainability expertise and increase Hispanic students in the field of engineering.
Scientists have traced the critical step in how anthrax toxins enter host cells, revealing that a pore protein plays an active role in translocation. The 'phi-clamp', a collection of hydrophobic amino acids, acts as a chaperone to shepherd unfolded lethal factor and edema factor molecules through the heptameric channel.
A global study found that children of diverse cultures pass a false-belief task between ages 3 and 5, indicating a universal milestone in child development. This discovery challenges the idea that Western concepts influence early mental-state reasoning.
The team developed statistical techniques to analyze WMAP data, helping confirm the Big Bang theory and offering insights into the universe's shape, composition, and fate. Their approach allows for separation of data information from model assumptions, providing a more accurate understanding of the cosmos.
Researchers at Ohio State University have isolated compounds from broccoli sprouts that inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells. The study found that isothiocyanates, which are formed during digestion, hindered the growth of bladder cancer cells and showed a strongest effect on the most aggressive form of the disease.
A study of over 3,200 HIV patients found that HAART substantially reduces the rate of AIDS progression by 86% compared to no treatment. The effectiveness of HAART increases with time since initiation, but its benefits are reduced for patients who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use.
A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has identified a new family of genes that extend lifespan when combined with low-calorie diets. The study, led by Dudley Lamming, suggests that these genes may protect against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Researchers are exploring a new approach to treating blood cancers by exploiting the natural process of programmed cell death, known as apoptosis. This could potentially kill tumour cells more effectively and improve treatment outcomes. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is providing strong support for this research.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism of malaria parasite invasion into red blood cells, revealing a key protein-protein interaction known as the RII handshake. This finding suggests that blocking this interaction could be an effective strategy for preventing and treating malaria.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a novel function for the molecule Par-4 as a binding partner for dopamine receptor D2. This discovery suggests that Par-4 may play a crucial role in regulating depression-like behaviors, providing a potential new target for antidepressants.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Translational Ultrasound Research Unit have developed a new ultrasound technique that can detect subtle changes in heart muscle motions, potentially predicting heart problems. The technology uses high-resolution imaging to measure transitional tissue deformations and analyze their impact on cardiac function.
Pseudomonas bacteria can detect interferon-gamma, a chemical messenger that triggers the immune system's response. Once detected, the bacteria activate genes that transform them from harmless passengers into deadly invaders.
Researchers discover that toxic proteins are released into nasal and sinus mucus, not the diseased airway tissue, leading to a radical change in treatment for chronic sinus infections. This finding has far-reaching implications for treatment targeting inflammation and bacterial infection.
Dopamine's prolonged effects may be key to understanding psychiatric conditions, which are characterized by persistently high brain messenger levels. Researchers found a second mechanism by which chronic dopamine affects the brain, possibly indefinitely.
The W.M. Keck Foundation has awarded a total of $25 million to 10 young scientists for groundbreaking research on human disease mechanisms. The recipients include Dr. Lu Chen, who aims to create functional synapses to reverse age-related cognitive decline.
The study reveals a significant decline in the diversity of tuna, marlin, and swordfish by up to 50% over the past 50 years due to overfishing. The global hotspots map shows that these areas were once characterized by high species richness, but are now experiencing rapid changes
The Coalition's failure to collect data on Iraqi civilian deaths is a grave concern, rendering the Geneva Conventions' principle of protecting civilian lives farcical. The Lancet comments that this omission makes it impossible to verify the Coalition's claims of respecting Iraq's people and upholding international law.
Researchers have found a way to increase the potency of Khellinone, a naturally occurring substance with anti-inflammatory properties. By disrupting rogue T cell potassium channels, the compound reduces myelin damage and may help tackle multiple sclerosis.
The UK government's patient-led NHS approach is unlikely to improve health as patients struggle to sift useful information from online sources. The Lancet comments that doctors and patients need to listen to each other more, rather than focusing on complaints culture, for effective care.
A new study found that inhaling small amounts of carbon monoxide after transplant surgery can prevent the development of a lethal inflammatory reaction in mice. This could lead to a new treatment regimen for human patients, preventing complications such as obliterative bronchiolitis and improving their chances of survival.
A study published in the International Journal of Cancer has found three proteins present in the blood of women with breast and ovarian cancer, but not in those without cancer. This breakthrough could lead to a simple blood test for early detection and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers found that pramipexole significantly decreased pain in patients with fibromyalgia, with at least a 50% decrease noted by 42% of the group. Overall, 82% of patients taking pramipexole reported some improvement in pain.
Researchers at Yale University discovered that male birds produce unique songs by rubbing their wings together. The wing song is as loud as a typical bird vocal and can be heard tens of meters away. This unusual behavior supports the theory that sounds made by feathers evolved through sexual selection.
The club-winged manakin, a rare species found in Ecuador's cloud forest, produces a unique sound by rubbing its inner feathers together. This adaptation is driven by sexual selection and makes the male more attractive to females.