Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis report that Central American farmers have preserved genetic variation in the jocote by growing it locally for family consumption. This practice, despite large-scale deforestation, has helped maintain diversity in the species through multiple domestications.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new polymer membrane that may facilitate hydrogen separation, purification, and transport at high temperatures. The team will test the membranes for use in fuel cell systems to address global energy security concerns.
Scientists discovered that clay minerals can protect and promote the formation of organic compounds under extreme conditions. This finding suggests that clays may have acted as a 'primordial womb' for infant molecules, providing shelter and facilitating reactions that led to the production of complex biomolecules.
The Swift satellite has received a "Best of What's New" award for its innovative technology, enabling rapid detection and follow-up observations of gamma-ray bursts. This breakthrough has confirmed the origin of gamma-ray bursts and helped pinpoint the birth of a special kind of black hole.
The two Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft will explore coronal mass ejections' origin, evolution, and interplanetary consequences during their two-year mission. The STEREO mission aims to improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth systems.
Researchers have successfully tested Einstein's relativity theory using ultra-thin Graphene, a material created by extracting graphite via pencil-tracing. This breakthrough enables direct experiments to test relativistic ideas, potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a molecular signature that can predict which patients with glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer, are likely to respond to drug therapy. The discovery involves the presence of a mutant protein and a tumor suppressor protein called PTEN.
Research by Marshfield Clinic found that vacations decrease depression and tension odds among women who take them more frequently. The study also found that taking fewer vacations is linked to lower marital satisfaction.
A study found that people consider a serving of ice cream more valuable if it's under-filled than over-filled, even if the overall amount is the same. This phenomenon, known as magnitude insensitivity, occurs in single-evaluation mode where individuals make decisions without comparing to other options.
Jupiter's atmosphere is driven by heat from within the planet, creating organized wind chaos. The computer models explain why there are two classes of jet winds: strong and narrow near the equator, but weak and wide at higher latitudes due to the planet's curvature and rotation.
A team of researchers found that black-capped chickadees respond differently to variations in bird calls, including changes in pitch, order, and rhythm. The birds' reactions suggest a functional aspect to their vocalizations, which may serve purposes such as attracting mates or warning others of potential threats.
A three-year initiative uncovers Gladstone's personal library at St Deiniol's Library in North Wales. The researchers will examine annotations, bookplates, and handwriting to identify volumes owned by Gladstone himself, providing new insights into his political, cultural, and social attitudes.
A three-year study by the University of Manchester found that people migrating from India to Britain are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease due to higher body mass, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The research highlights the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The available evidence on Herceptin for early breast cancer is insufficient to make reliable judgments, states The Lancet. Drug regulatory agencies must consider the totality of available evidence and be free from external influences.
The European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft is on its journey to Venus, where it will study the planet's extremely hot atmosphere, high pressure, and mysterious 'super-rotation'. The spacecraft will deploy instruments to probe the surface and atmosphere, with a planned mission duration of at least two Venusian days.
Jones' master of science thesis described a new species and subspecies of freshwater mussel, utilizing modern genetic techniques in addition to traditional methods. His research highlights the importance of multi-faceted approaches in understanding biodiversity.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine conducted a non-randomized study to assess the impact of CABG surgery on higher-level mental functions. The results showed that on-pump CABG patients had no significant differences in their cognitive abilities compared to other groups.
The article discusses invisible disabilities such as chronic pain, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. These conditions often go unrecognized or underdiagnosed due to the stigma associated with disability, leading to a lack of support and acceptance for individuals who may be struggling.
Researchers at Queen's University have identified a protein that enables E. coli 0157:H7 to obtain iron, a catalyst for bacterial growth. This breakthrough discovery opens the door for studying heme iron and potentially developing therapeutics to isolate and inhibit the protein.
Florida State University research physicist Edmund G. Myers is using a state-of-the-art Penning trap to measure the precise difference in mass of tritium and helium-3 atoms, which will help pin down the mass of the electron neutrino.
Researchers find strong water vapor feedback contributing to warming in Central and Northeastern Europe. The study shows that manmade greenhouse gases are responsible for a smaller portion of the warming, while rising cloudiness and evapotranspiration play a larger role.
A study found that ADDERALL XR significantly improved driving safety and performance in patients with ADHD, measured by a 2.5-point reduction in their average Driving Safety Score. The medication also showed significant effects on ADHD symptom control, improving attention and reducing lapses in attention.
Pitt researchers Yadin Y. Goldschmidt and Eduardo Cuansing used computer simulations to find direct evidence of new vortex patterns in superconductors. These findings show that the vortices can behave differently in the presence of columnar defects, leading to two-stage melting instead of one at higher temperatures.
A recent study published at the American College of Gastroenterology's annual meeting found that targeted antibiotics, specifically rifaximin, resulted in a significant and long-lasting improvement in IBS symptoms. Patients who received the antibiotic experienced a 37% overall improvement in their symptoms, compared to 23% on placebo.
A randomized controlled trial found that cannabis-based medicine (CBM) significantly improved pain on movement, pain at rest, quality of sleep, inflammation, and intensity of pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. CBM reduced pain scores by an average of 2-3 points across several measures.
A recent study found that only one in six pregnant women meet the recommended physical activity levels, with older, non-white women and those with lower incomes being less likely to exercise. Doctors are urged to encourage pregnant women to engage in moderate activities most days of the week.
A study of rats reveals that protein-enriched diets induce glucose synthesis in the small intestine, which is sensed by the liver and brain, ultimately leading to a decline in food consumption. This finding suggests that glucose metabolism in the small intestine may be a new target for treating food intake disorders.
Antibiotic prescribing for children with sore throats has decreased from 66% in 1995 to 54% in 2003, primarily due to reduced use of recommended antibiotics. However, a significant proportion of children still receive unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics.
PET imaging with FDG is a powerful tool in determining the extent of spread of reproductive system cancers, particularly when other conventional tests are ambiguous. Studies have shown its high sensitivity in detecting nodal disease in cervical cancer and its superior detection abilities compared to CT or MRI in recurrent ovarian cancer.
Researchers found that phenolic compounds in olive oil improved endothelial function and reduced oxidative stress. The study suggests a possible mechanism by which the Mediterranean diet's health benefits are achieved, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Children with tree nut allergies can safely eat some nuts as they grow older, according to a new study. Researchers found that 9% of children passed an oral food challenge test, and those with low levels of tree nut antibodies were more likely to succeed.
Researchers found significant disparities in health status outcomes between African-Americans and whites, with blacks experiencing more angina, physical limitations, and poorer quality of life one year after an acute coronary syndrome. These disparities remained even after adjusting for hospital treatments and other factors.
A clinical decision system (CDSS) helped decrease inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing rates by 10% in communities with the intervention. The CDSS tool guided diagnosis and management of acute respiratory infections, reducing the use of macrolides and antibiotics for viral respiratory tract infections.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel form of cancer gene regulation that inhibits the production of GLI1, a protein associated with severe birth defects and childhood cancers. This regulation mechanism involves the Quaking protein and is conserved across humans and worms.
Research suggests that hepatitis B carriers are 1.5 times more likely to have a male child, contributing to the over-representation of males in some Asian countries. In China, hepatitis B accounts for around 75% of the 'missing women', while in other countries it contributes to about 20-45% of the discrepancy.
A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that children of bipolar parents scored higher than healthy controls on a creativity test. The research suggests a possible link between creativity and bipolar disorder, with some experts attributing creative activity to mobilizing energy from negative emotions.
Scientists have discovered the roles of two proteins in recognizing blockages in transcription and initiating efficient repair. Their results suggest a previously unsuspected mechanism for the repair process, shedding light on Cockayne Syndrome, a fatal form of accelerated aging.
A study of over 1.4 million woman-years found no linear association between caffeine intake and risk of incident hypertension, but consumption of cola beverages was associated with an increased risk of hypertension independent of sugary or diet status.
Researchers found that light exposure triggers a massive surge of corticosterone in mice, playing a key role in physiological changes evoked by light. The study suggests light therapy may have beneficial effects on patients with seasonal affective disorder and other metabolic disorders.
A study of 2,310 healthy Icelandic adults found that vitamin D status was more important than high calcium intake for maintaining optimal serum parathyroid hormone levels. Vitamin D sufficiency ensured ideal serum PTH values even with low calcium intake, while high calcium intake was not sufficient without adequate vitamin D status.
Dr. Miller's study categorizes regional peace into three levels: cold, normal, and warm, each resulting from distinct peacemaking strategies. Regional integration is shown to promote warm peace by reducing the need for great power support, stabilizing ethnic conflicts.
A prestigious team of international editors led by Professor Donnan is launching the International Journal of Stroke, focusing on clinical aspects of stroke and providing regional news, world press reports, and topical reviews. The journal aims to reduce the burden of stroke worldwide through research and debate.
A new software developed by Ohio State University's Noel Cressie and his colleagues can fill in missing data on satellite images with remarkable speed and accuracy. The software uses statistical techniques, including Bayesian analysis, to weight available data and calculate missing values at different image resolutions.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards honored outstanding science writers for their reporting on global warming, cystic fibrosis treatment disparities, and other scientific topics. Elizabeth Kolbert won the magazine award for her series on climate change, while Atul Gawande was recognized for his story on cystic fibrosis treatment outcomes.
Researchers discovered that changing an embryo's genetic elements can alter its adult fish jaw structure and function. The study revealed a complex link between embryonic development and biomechanical systems, with specific genes controlling different aspects of the lower jaw.
Purdue engineers have created a new method to analyze the components of automotive suspension systems, aiming to improve performance, reduce weight, and increase durability. The approach represents a potential change in how suspensions are designed, with potential benefits including lighter and more efficient suspension systems.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has received two new grants to fund research on preparing for a bioterrorist attack. The grants aim to develop mathematical models and computer simulations of the human immune system's response to influenza A and smallpox, two of the worst threats. Researchers will also focus on finding ways t...
This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing perceived barriers to risk factor modification in women. By reducing these barriers, healthcare providers can help prevent or delay coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths, which account for one half million deaths annually.
The study found that dopamine-releasing neurons respond more strongly to neutral odor stimuli after training, indicating a newly formed sensory association. The findings suggest that the mechanisms for learning and environmental stimulus evaluation are similar in mammals and fruit flies.
A new approach to preventing SAD by starting antidepressant treatment in the fall has shown promise. Early intervention with bupropion-XL reduced the risk of fall-winter depression by 44% in patients with a history of recurring episodes.
Researchers found that statin drugs can reverse learning deficits in mice with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a condition affecting five percent of the world population. The treatment enables normal brain cell communication, creating physical changes in the brain and improving memory.
A study found that gun-safety counseling improved safe storage practices among gun-owning families, with 50.9% of intervention group families showing improvement compared to 12.3% of control group families. Gun locks also significantly reduced the risk of injury.
Researchers at Penn have developed a new method using high-dimensional shape transformations to identify unique structural brain characteristics in schizophrenia patients. The study demonstrates the potential for early detection and prevention of the disease through MRI analysis.
Researchers found that traumatic stress can occur in children and their parents after a crash, even if no child was injured. Clinicians are recommended to screen all children involved in crashes and their parents for acute stress symptoms.
A recent Stanford brain study found that women's brains activate more regions involved in language processing and working memory when viewing funny cartoons. Women also showed a stronger response to the rewarding feelings associated with humor, indicating they may experience greater pleasure from unexpected jokes.
A prospective study found that long-term aspirin use reduces the risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma in people with Barrett's oesophagus. Current users had a significantly lower risk than never users, with a hazard ratio of 0.32.
Michal Kowalewski, a Virginia Tech geobiologist, has won the Schuchert Award for his groundbreaking research on ancient predators and their ecosystems. His work reveals that predators' struggle to survive may be due to menu selection errors over 500 million years ago.
A team of scientists proposes releasing captive-bred California condors near marine mammal breeding grounds to restore their natural diet. The study suggests that whales and seals have been an integral part of the condor's diet since the last Ice Age, providing a potential solution for conserving endangered populations.
Researchers reported that most volunteers developed strong, specific, and long-lasting immune responses to the MSP3 protein after vaccination. The vaccine also demonstrated functional antibody responses that could inhibit malaria parasite growth in laboratory assays.
Associate Professor Peter Dodd's team is using microarray analysis to study brain tissue from dead alcoholics, aiming to identify genes responsible for the damage. The research could lead to a better understanding of neurological diseases and potentially develop a drug to reduce alcohol dependence.