Researchers at UCLA's new $20 million Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine are exploring various approaches to combat HIV, cancer and neurological disorders. The institution aims to harness the power of embryonic and adult stem cells to develop revolutionary new treatments.
Researchers discovered that vampire bats can run, unlike most bat species, and power their gait with their forelimbs. This unique ability may have evolved independently to aid in feeding behavior, allowing them to avoid predators and catch prey while sleeping.
Researchers found that Papuan women blend elements from their ancestral customs and the Catholic faith to form their own group identity. Initiation rituals are part of life experiences, embedded in social and religious context.
Conventional poultry producers like Tyson and Perdue have higher rates of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter contamination than completely antibiotic-free brands like Eberly and Bell & Evans. The study's findings suggest a long-term threat to public health from using antibiotics in poultry production.
Virginia Tech researchers have made a breakthrough in using supercritical fluid chromatography to separate polar and ionic compounds, paving the way for green-chemistry techniques in drug development. The discovery uses carbon dioxide-based fluids with added polar solvents containing ionic components.
The prevalence of child obesity will continue to rise, affecting ever-younger age groups and minority groups hardest. The long-term consequences of childhood obesity have yet to be seen, with potential devastating effects on public health.
Researchers have discovered that the loss of sulphur atoms from hydroprocessing catalysts is a key cause of their deactivation. This process can lead to a decrease in the catalyst's ability to convert sulphur compounds into clean fuels.
Scientists have made a serendipitous discovery that lobster larvae are settling on open water fish cages in Puerto Rico by the thousands. This finding has led to a new program aimed at making large-scale spiny lobster culture commercially feasible, which could address limited availability and high value of the species.
The University of Liverpool will establish a national research network to develop medicines for children, including treatments for diseases like meningitis and asthma. The £20M grant will support clinical research, good clinical practice, and quality in trials.
The X-chromosome is characterized with well-developed disease genes, making it an all-star of chromosome studies. Researchers have shown that the Y chromosome 'dropped off the face of the earth,' containing few important genes, but crucial for sex determination.
Researchers estimate that up to 35.5 million people in the northern Caribbean are at risk due to tsunamis triggered by movement along the North American and Caribbean plate boundary. The region has experienced several devastating tsunamis in the past, including those in 1692, 1780, and 1946.
Regular cardiovascular follow-up visits with a specialist significantly improve outcomes for heart failure patients, reducing emergency room visits and mortality rates. Access to specialty care is particularly important for elderly and rural patients, who often face barriers to timely treatment.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a decline in reconstructive procedures due to insurance companies excluding coverage for procedures like skin lesion removals and breast reduction. This leaves patients with limited options, forcing them to choose between affording necessary procedures or living with painful medical conditions.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully created an artificial version of mother of pearl, a naturally occurring compound that is several times stronger than nylon. By layering molecules on top of each other, scientists can engineer the mechanical properties of the material to suit specific applications.
The University of Ulster team found significantly increased levels of stress on two fault zones in Indonesia, including the Sunda trench and Sumatra fault. The analysis suggests a high risk of another earthquake, potentially triggering another tsunami.
Researchers found that leptin regulates blood sugar through two brain-body pathways, one controlling appetite and fat storage, and another influencing liver glucose reserves. The study suggests that disrupting both pathways may be necessary for developing full-blown diabetes.
A recent study published in Nature found that genes on the inactive X chromosome can escape inactivation and be expressed in females, leading to a stronger overall concentration of particular genes. This discovery could explain some of the differences between men and women that aren't attributable to sex hormones.
Researchers identified a dozen potential facilities worldwide that could manufacture flu vaccines in emergency situations. Cell-based vaccines have the potential to reduce production time and improve flexibility compared to traditional egg culture methods.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that extracts from the dotted dalea and Mojave dalea plants can kill parasites responsible for leishmaniasis and African sleeping sickness. The findings offer hope for developing cheap, oral treatments for these deadly diseases.
A preliminary engineering study at Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University investigated the potential environmental impact of nanomaterial waste. The researchers found that fullerenes, a carbon-based nanomaterial, can form aggregates in water, affecting particle size and transport.
In West Papua, patients often initially choose indigenous treatments for illnesses, but switch to biomedical options if they don't work. After initial failure, individuals focus on finding the cause of their illness, attributing it to factors like ancestral spirits, magic, or biological responses.
Recent Martian glaciers and volcanoes suggest ice-rich movement and climate change, with evidence of a major eruption over 350,000 years ago. This new research challenges the traditional view of Mars' geological history and provides fresh insights into the planet's dynamic evolution.
Research reveals that mice lacking TAF4b initially exhibit fertility but later become infertile due to progressive loss of maturing germ cells. The study's findings highlight the crucial role of TAF4b in sperm production and may have implications for human male fertility.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a strong increase in cosmetic surgery procedures in 2004, with over 1.7 million surgical and minimally-invasive procedures performed. The demand for injectables like Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers drove growth in minimally-invasive procedures.
A survey of Iraqi teens found a correlation between high self-esteem and perceptions of danger, challenging traditional views on young children's responses to war. The study, led by Steve Carlton-Ford, reveals that groups with higher status in their communities exhibit the strongest self-esteem and perceived threat.
Researchers have sequenced the complete DNA sequence of the human X chromosome, confirming 1,098 protein-coding genes. The study found that the X chromosome holds a prominent place in studying human disease, with over 300 diseases mapped to it, including Mendelian disorders like red-green color blindness and hemophilia.
Researchers found unique patterns of gene expression on women's X chromosomes, with 15% of genes escaping inactivation. This variation can affect sex-specific traits and health outcomes, highlighting key differences between male and female genomes.
Researchers at Duke University are using advanced atomic force microscopy techniques to study the interactions of individual amyloid protein molecules, which may hold key to preventing plaque formation. The goal is to develop a better understanding of amyloid aggregation and its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new UK survey found that 947 people use cannabis for medical purposes, with 68% reporting improved symptoms. Younger people and those with chronic pain were more likely to use it for medicinal reasons.
Researchers discovered RNA loops and knots play a crucial role in A-to-I RNA recoding, enabling species-specific editing of proteins. By understanding these molecular structures, scientists can gain insights into the genetic code and improve our ability to interpret genome information.
Researchers at NYU studied the body's response to viral encephalitis and found that neurons are sensitive to protective effects of type I interferons. Interferons induce pathways to fight the virus' spread but can be ineffective in certain stages, leaving infected neurons vulnerable.
Research reveals employees with diabetes can be valuable workers in a favorable environment. The burden of fatigue is largely determined by the individual's self-management capabilities and outlook on their disease and work situation.
Cosmologists propose that the universe's acceleration can be explained by inflationary theory, which generates cosmic ripples that drive expansion. This solution relies on Einstein's General Relativity and doesn't require new ingredients like dark energy.
A recent brain imaging study found that individuals at high risk for schizophrenia show altered neural activity in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting biological changes prior to disease onset. The study used fMRI scans to identify potential biomarkers of vulnerability, which could aid in early intervention and treatment.
A recent study has shed new light on the production of green paint used in old master paintings. Researchers found that the paint was created by mixing finely-powdered verdigris with a cold oil or vanish, rather than dissolving the pigment in warm varnish to produce copper resinate.
The LCG project has united scientific organizations worldwide to create a massive computing infrastructure, enabling record-breaking data transfer and processing. The Grid will continue to grow rapidly over the next two years to meet the ambitious computing needs of the LHC.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Hispanic Americans performed over half a million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2004, up 49% from 2000. The most commonly requested procedures were nose reshaping, breast augmentation, and liposuction.
A study of over 13,700 US school students found that those involved in substance use, delinquency, and school problems were at high risk for continued marijuana use. The study identified five stages of marijuana involvement and recommended targeting these areas for prevention efforts.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new, more efficient catalyst to produce hydrogen from coal. The catalyst outperforms a commercially available alternative by up to 25 percent and shows promise for large-scale coal gasification.
The Mt. Everest team, comprising anaesthesia and intensive care experts, aims to study human physiology in extreme environments by testing a closed-circuit breathing system and investigating the effects of hypoxia on brain function and genetics. The expedition seeks to understand acclimatization at the very limit.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new class of carbon nanotubes with improved performance and lower production costs. These few-walled nanotubes exhibit electronic properties comparable to those of single-walled nanotubes but are easier to manufacture and less expensive.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, massive weight loss patients are driving growth in body contouring procedures. The demand for these procedures has increased by 77% since 2000, with lower body lifts seeing a significant surge of 72% between 2003 and 2004.
Researchers found that endothelial cells produce C-reactive protein, initiating plaque formation. High levels of C-reactive protein can lead to cardiovascular events, but reducing its concentration with targeted drugs may help.
A team of researchers has found evidence of dark energy in the universe's cosmic neighborhood, with billions of galaxies emerging from a sea of dark energy. The findings provide supporting evidence for the presence of dark energy, which is causing the universe to accelerate in expansion.
A recent study suggests that obesity may be overestimating Social Security forecasts, with a potential decline in life expectancy of four to nine months. The researchers attribute this effect to the growing obesity epidemic, particularly among children and teenagers, which could lead to increased mortality rates and healthcare costs.
A new image search technique developed by Mirela Tanase recognizes visual patterns and significantly increases the number of correctly identified objects in a search. The method provides a useful addition to existing methods, such as MPEG7, and can improve image recognition rates in certain cases.