Researchers at Boston University have discovered a new gene, STAT6(B), that regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and affects TNF-alpha levels. This finding offers new opportunities for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.
A recent survey of African rain forest parks suggests that non-economic factors like community relations and public attitude are crucial to park success. Investing in local economies or ecotourism does not guarantee conservation, according to the study.
Researchers used functional imaging to track plant nutrients in response to simulated attacks, finding that poplar trees divert more carbon to storage and isoprene production. This study has potential applications for improving plants' resistance to environmental challenges and studying their biochemical processes.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that physicians with negative attitudes towards injection drug users were less likely to prescribe highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and had a higher rate of complaints. Additionally, researchers discovered that patients who received financial disclosure about physicia...
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully reversed glycogen buildup in heart and skeletal muscle of genetically altered mice using a muscle-targeted gene therapy. This approach shows promise as a potential treatment strategy for Pompe disease patients who fail to respond to enzyme replacement therapy.
Scientists have identified new therapeutic targets to combat filarial nematodes, which cause elephantiasis and other debilitating diseases. The Wolbachia bacterium's heme pathway is a promising target for treatment, as the nematode requires it for developmental hormone synthesis.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program has moved to Stanford University and awarded new fellowships to 19 environmental scientists in 2005. The fellows will receive training on communicating environmental science to policymakers, media, business leaders, and the public.
Researchers develop injectable treatment that blocks release of histamine, a key chemical causing allergy symptoms. The treatment, GFD, successfully prevents immune cells from reacting to cat allergen in both passively and actively allergic mice.
Researchers at UCSD have identified a vital step in cellular migration that could lead to new therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases. The study found that alpha4 integrins recruit enzymes to block Rac activity only at the rear of a crawling cell, maintaining directional movement.
The Hopkins team is conducting a Phase I study to test the safety of injecting donor adult stem cells into patients who have recently suffered a heart attack. The study aims to determine if the stem cells can repair damage to the heart muscle and restore its function.
Research suggests that the quality of time spent by employed mothers with their infants is crucial for early development, rather than the amount of time spent. Mothers who prioritize spending time with their babies, regardless of employment status, are more likely to provide sensitive and high-quality parenting.
Middle school students report frequent peer harassment, with witnessing others' harassment shielding them from emotional distress. The study highlights the importance of targeting violence intervention efforts to all students and addressing all forms of bullying.
A new evaluation tool, DOCS, reliably predicts recovery from coma by tracking neurobehavioral functioning changes. This allows for improved medical and rehabilitation management.
A systematic review found that Hepatitis C significantly impacts quality of life, affecting physical and social function, general health and vitality. Researchers established a minimally clinically important difference in vitality scale to monitor patient outcomes.
Researchers are investigating early changes in the heart's function that may lead to congestive heart failure. Studying 15-18-year-olds on video games and measuring blood pressure, they hope to identify factors triggering diastolic dysfunction.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a technique to produce large numbers of genetically modified NK cells that can effectively target and eliminate leukemia cells. The new technology has the potential to be used as a treatment for leukemia patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified two proteins that help replace calcium-allowing channels with ones that keep calcium out, potentially protecting nerve cells from Lou Gehrig's disease. The discovery may lead to new ways to harness the channel-changing ability in other brain cells.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have developed an animal-free culture medium that can maintain human embryonic stem cells in a continuous undifferentiated state. The study's findings provide a new way to generate human stem cell lines without contamination by animal cells or products.
Research suggests that intrinsic goal setting and autonomy support improve conceptual learning in adolescents. Teachers can promote this by highlighting the relevance of learning to intrinsic goals and using an empathy-based approach.
A new study found that the ENPP1 gene variant is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The variant, which affects insulin action, was more common in people with type 2 diabetes and those at high risk for the disease, regardless of ethnicity.
Scientists have discovered that higher energies cause Bose quasiparticles to decay, leading to spectrum termination in certain materials. The research, conducted using neutron scattering measurements, confirms predictions made by Russian Nobel Prize-winning physicist L.D. Landau.
Children below 10 years old suppress racial prejudice when held accountable for their actions, but older children may increase their bias. Researchers suggest changing the normative climate in social environments can induce significant attitude change.
Researchers at Stanford University created a simple and inexpensive sensor to determine protein conformation changes using gold nanoparticles. The new test turned out to be useful in detecting conformational changes in proteins, which could help identify disease-related proteins like antibodies.
Research suggests statins can cause asymptomatic elevation of aminotransferases, especially at higher doses, but rare reports of significant liver injury exist; monitoring liver values is recommended for patients on statins, particularly those with known liver conditions.
Researchers investigate intergenerational transmission of positive parenting and find it can foster healthy child development. The study, which followed over 1,000 individuals born in the early 1970s, suggests that parents' own childhood experiences influence their parenting style.
A new study finds that severe depressive symptoms in mothers are related to fussy infants, parenting stress, and family dysfunction. The study's authors hope it will prompt pediatricians to ask more questions about parental and family well-being during regular check-ups.
A study used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to visualize coronary arteries and identify vulnerable plaques in cardiac patients. The technology revealed that heart attack and acute coronary syndrome patients had more lipid and thinner fibrous caps than stable angina patients.
A study led by Lancaster University found that a novel digital photograph browser improved photo retrieval when used individually, while collaboration hindered recall of shared memories. The tool, TW3, restricted cataloguing to 'Who', 'What', 'Where' and 'When' categories.
The study found that communicable diseases are responsible for over 50% of child deaths, with pneumonia and diarrhea being major causes. Undernutrition is also a significant factor, accounting for 53% of all deaths in children under 5 years old.
A Stanford study reveals that a single genetic mutation, Eda, is responsible for the evolutionary adaptation of freshwater fish losing their body armor, allowing them to thrive in lighter environments. This discovery provides insights into how animals adapt to new conditions and challenges previous assumptions about evolution.
Researchers found that a gene controlling cholesterol production also senses oxygen levels, similar to human cells. This discovery offers a new strategy for killing infectious yeast while exploring potential connections between cholesterol and oxygen sensing in humans.
A new study estimates the economic costs of firefighter injuries to be between $2.8 and $7.8 billion, highlighting the need for improved safety measures and prevention programs. The report recommends investing in technologies such as robots for reconnaissance and early detection systems to reduce injury costs.
Dr. Mary Schweitzer isolated intact soft tissue from a 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex femur, showing blood vessels and cell-like structures. The discovery, published in Science, suggests that dinosaur fossils may retain some of their original flexibility and resilience.
A Rutgers scientist will use a new grant to investigate schizophrenia genes, with the goal of finding better treatments and reduced morbidity. The researcher aims to analyze genetic data using a new statistical analysis method and investigate a recently described class of genes involved in the central nervous system.
Researchers have identified key genetic pathways essential to RNA interference, a process that can silence specific genes. The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for diseases such as cancer and age-related macular degeneration.
A breakthrough discovery identifies molecules that trigger secondary cerebral vasospasm after hemorrhagic stroke, leading to potential new treatments and diagnostic tests. Elevated levels of bilirubin and a specific group of oxidation products called BOXes are found to be correlated with the condition.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $12 million to the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies (CAST) at Virginia Tech to develop advanced separation technologies for efficient coal cleaning. The project aims to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and mercury content, while increasing domestic energy production.
A three-year study funded by £253,823 is set to investigate the role of hormones in post-natal illnesses. Research suggests that changes in brain chemistry following childbirth may contribute to psychiatric disorders in some women, with up to 10% experiencing anxiety and unhappiness.
Researchers found that elephants imitate sounds they hear, similar to other species with complex social systems. This ability enables open communication and shared associations among individuals, suggesting that elephants may use vocal learning to maintain individual-specific relationships.
Researchers found evidence of the first elephant shrews' presence in North America, suggesting a greater animal migration than previously thought. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of mammalian evolution and the history of continental breakups.
Pneumonia, diarrhea, and undernutrition are major contributors to child deaths worldwide. The new estimates also show that nearly half of all child deaths occur within the first 28 days of life, primarily due to preterm delivery, sepsis, or pneumonia.
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding pemphigus, a deadly skin blistering disease. Researchers engineered antibodies that reproduce the disease in vitro and in mice, offering a new opportunity for targeted therapy development.
Smart Border policies in the US are criticized for their limited innovation, economic ramifications, and disruption to local communities. The study highlights the flaws in counterterrorism technologies and the need for a more comprehensive approach to border control.
Researchers at JILA used noise patterns in images of ultracold potassium clouds to visualize entangled atom pairs, shedding light on a key phenomenon in quantum physics. The discovery could have implications for the development of quantum computers and highly sensitive measurement techniques.
A state-of-the-science panel urges caution in treating menopausal symptoms with hormones due to risks and limited evidence. Non-hormonal treatment approaches are recommended for further research.
The introduction of foxes to Aleutian Islands led to the transformation of vegetation from lush grasslands to tundra, with a significant impact on seabird populations. Soil phosphorus levels increased by three times in fox-free islands compared to fox-infested islands, reflecting the loss of marine-derived nutrients.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that a new vaccine against childhood pneumonia reduced the first episode of pneumonia diagnosed by chest x-ray by 37% and overall child mortality by 16%. The vaccine also lowered disease caused by pneumococcus bacteria types by 77%, providing promising results for global health.
Researchers used point-contact spectroscopy to explore Andreev reflection between a normal metal and a heavy-fermion superconductor. The findings show that conventional theories cannot account for the data, indicating the need for new theoretical frameworks.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that HDL (high-density lipoprotein) activates an enzyme called eNOS, leading to a cellular signal that depends on cholesterol efflux. The activation of eNOS is mediated by two intact domains of SR-BI, which act as 'cholesterol sensors' triggering cellular events.
Researchers found that a deficiency in growth hormone and IGF-1 reduced cancer and kidney disease risk, but impaired cognitive function and accelerated cartilage degeneration. Lifelong treatment with growth hormone actually increased lifespan by up to 14.6%.
A new Standard Reference Material, SRM 2394, has been developed by NIST researchers to aid in the detection of low-frequency mutations in heteroplasmic DNA. The material provides a set of mixtures at 10 certified concentrations of two DNA fragments differing at one position.
Bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are major causes of neonatal infections and deaths in hospital settings. Infections can be spread through unhygienic conditions, contaminated hands of healthcare providers, and antimicrobial resistance.
A new study suggests that child care attendance can lead to higher rates of pneumococcal carriage in both children and non-children. The research model predicts that communities with more children in child care have higher carriage rates among all age groups. Vaccination, good hygiene, and regular toy cleaning are key preventive steps.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have observed octopuses walking on two arms, using the outer halves as 'tank treads' for locomotion. This bipedal behavior may be a strategy for backing away from predators while maintaining camouflage.
The US FDA proposed a document describing good clinical practices that is weaker than the Declaration of Helsinki regarding patient protections. This move has sparked concerns over US exceptionalism in research ethics, following its withdrawal from several international treaties affecting public health.
A total of eight new VHE gamma-ray sources have been found in the Milky Way's disc, doubling known sources at these energies. The discovery includes two 'dark accelerators' without obvious counterparts in other wavelength bands, sparking excitement among astronomers.
Researchers developed a new approach to improve cancer treatment by combining DNA-damaging agents with RAD001, a sensitizing agent that targets the p53 protein. This combination could dramatically enhance treatment for solid tumors containing the p53 protein, addressing a long-standing challenge in chemotherapy.
A recent study suggests that CT lung cancer screening may not be as beneficial as previously thought, as many early-stage cancers detected through CT are slow-growing and unlikely to have been fatal. The study found that unnecessary surgical procedures and expenses were also significant drawbacks.
Scientists have identified two populations of immune cells in the liver that can cause scarring and break it down. This discovery may lead to future treatments for liver damage and cirrhosis, a condition that affects more women in the UK than cervical cancer.
Researchers argue that a narrow focus on just a few songbird species provides a fragmentary picture of brain function. They propose studying the diversity in how birds learn to sing across different species and age groups.