A recent survey of over 2,200 Americans found broad support for human embryonic stem cell (ESC) research, with two-thirds approving or strongly approving its use. The study's findings contradict the deeply polarized debate seen in Congress and newspapers, highlighting a more nuanced public opinion landscape.
Researchers found that HIV-1 activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells via Toll-like receptor-viral RNA interactions, which is inversely correlated with successful control of HIV. This mechanism may lead to targeted immunotherapies for HIV.
The European Infliximab for Psoriasis Efficacy and Safety Study (EXPRESS) found that 80% of patients achieved at least a 75% improvement in symptoms after ten weeks treatment with the drug. The study showed significant skin clearance and nail psoriasis response in moderate to severe psoriasis sufferers.
University of Delaware researchers have developed a new therapeutic agent called 'nanobombs' that use carbon nanotubes to selectively kill cancer cells. The nanobombs are created by bundling carbon nanotubes and can be triggered by light, causing microscopic explosions that target specific areas within the body.
Researchers identify a key pathway for targeting pDC function in HIV vaccine development. A decrease in blood pDC frequency is observed in chronic HIV infections, correlating with high viral load and reduced CD4 counts.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received an NIH grant to establish a center for cheminformatics research, which will utilize computational techniques to predict chemical compound behavior. The RECCR aims to strengthen collaboration between researchers in various disciplines and advance biotechnology and life sciences research.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that moderate drinking is associated with lower levels of stickiness in platelets, which can lead to fewer blood clots. The research, conducted on over 1,000 participants, suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may have a protective effect against cardiovascula...
Peter A. Raymond, Yale assistant professor of ecosystem ecology, has received the 2005 Cronin Award for his research on rivers, estuaries, and coastal systems' role in carbon budgets. He studies climate and land use's impact on river carbon transfer and collaboration with researchers on air-water CO2 exchange.
Researchers at Yale have identified a genetic link to Tourette's Syndrome in a rare DNA sequence mutation. The study found an abnormal DNA sequence in one family and identical, very rare changes in two unrelated individuals, suggesting the gene plays a role in regulating gene expression through microRNAs.
Researchers found that enzyme EZH2 has two forms, one promoting oncogenesis and the other inhibiting cell growth. This discovery offers new insights into the role of EZH2 in cancer development and potentially leads to more effective treatments.
A joint project between Cyberkinetics, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland FES Center aims to develop a neuroprosthetic system capable of restoring partial arm and hand function. The proposed system combines limb movement technology with brain-interface technology to enable human users to control devices through thought ...
Physicists prove that tiny but ageing neutrinos can be used to test the foundations of quantum theory at unprecedented cosmological time scales. This method is more decisive than observing macroscopic objects.
Researchers found a single layer of water on a platinum surface is hydrophobic, repelling subsequent layers, contrary to previous assumptions about water molecule attachment points. The discovery challenges current theories and has implications for technological applications such as catalysis and corrosion.
Researchers have identified a potential genetic link to Tourette syndrome, discovering a mutation in the SLITRK1 gene that is associated with the growth and interconnection of neurons. The study suggests that multiple genes, including SLITRK1, contribute to the development of TS.
New findings from the Rosetta spacecraft suggest comets are composed primarily of dust held together by ice, contradicting the long-held 'dirty snowball' hypothesis. Cometary nuclei like Comet 9P/Tempel 1 exhibit dynamic and volatile properties, with impacts triggering outbursts of dust and gas.
A study of 1212 children and 446 Italian Air Force recruits found that infant and adolescent immune systems can recall responding to hepatitis B more than 10 years after immunisation. The findings suggest that routine booster doses may not be necessary for long-term protection, even in high-risk populations.
Researchers analyzed surrogate alcohols consumed by Russian men, finding high ethanol content or toxic contaminants. These products, including home-made spirits and medicinal tinctures, contribute to Russia's high death rate due to accidents, violence, and cardiovascular deaths.
Experts propose thorough output-based assistance (OBA) to accurately target aid funds. OBA improves quality of care and devolves financial decisions to the lowest level, potentially increasing 80% of allocated money reaching the poor.
Researchers found serious flaws in the Florida panther's research and habitat requirements, leading to the development of new guidelines. The study suggests that reanalyzing existing data could help continue the positive trend in population growth.
Three patients underwent gastric bypass surgery and developed severe hypoglycemia, requiring partial or complete pancreas removal. Abnormal insulin-producing islet cell proliferation was found in all cases.
Researchers found that hypothermia significantly reduced brain injury and death from oxygen loss in newborns. The study, led by Seetha Shankaran, M.D., at Wayne State University, showed a 44% lower rate of moderate to severe disability or death in infants treated with cooling compared to those in the control group.
Researchers investigated risk factors for TB infection in 979 children from Istanbul, Turkey. They found that the absence of a BCG scar was a strong, independent risk factor for infection, while its presence reduced the risk by 24%. The study suggests that BCG vaccination also protects against TB infection, opening new avenues for deve...
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that radical surgery significantly improves five-year survival rates for patients with ovarian cancer and diaphragm disease. The procedure resulted in a 55% survival rate compared to 28% for those who did not undergo surgery.
Radiocarbon dating reveals that New Guinean art is significantly older than previously thought, with some pieces dating back to 600-800 years ago. This challenges the assumption that such objects are ephemeral and were only used for a few generations, suggesting a more complex and long-lasting cultural tradition.
The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) program aims to energize clinical and translational science at academic health centers nationwide. The program will foster collaborative approaches, encourage creative research methods, and lead to better patient outcomes through new prevention strategies and treatments.
Researchers are exploring possible links between biting water insects, water quality, and Buruli ulcer transmission, with the goal of understanding the disease's transmission. The study aims to identify potential insect vectors and man-made changes in water quality that may be contributing to the increase in Buruli ulcer infections.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded $47 million to develop medical countermeasures against radiological and nuclear threats. Eight universities have received grants to establish centers for medical countermeasures against radiation, focusing on basic and applied research to develop new products...
A FSU professor has been awarded a major grant to research the synthesis of roseophilin, a naturally occurring compound that kills cancer cells. The grant will enable fundamental research to bring down the cost and increase the effectiveness of future pharmaceutical drugs.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older men with Parkinson's disease have significantly lower bone density at the spine and hip, increasing their risk for bone fractures. The study also revealed a nearly three times greater risk of multiple future falls among those with PD.
A multi-center study of 425 HIV-positive men found that central fat loss was statistically associated with peripheral fat loss in HIV-positive men on retroviral therapy. Central fat gain was also less among HIV-positive men, with age being the strongest factor associated with increased visceral fat.
Researchers found that a protein called CPSF73 is necessary for producing mRNA needed to create histone proteins, which combine with DNA to form chromosomes. This discovery provides a unified mechanism for synthesizing all messenger RNAs.
The new GeoSpectrum covers diverse topics including exhibits, websites, and publications. It also features Member Society information, award winners, and meeting recaps.
A 2.5-year study involving 2,781 individuals aged 15-65 found the acellular pertussis vaccine to be safe and 92% effective in preventing the disease among adults and adolescents. The vaccine's effectiveness could help reduce transmission of the disease.
Scientists have discovered a specific signaling pathway, PKA, that is crucial for T-cell activation and immune function. In microgravity, this pathway fails to respond to pathogens, leading to severe T-cell suppression.
New research confirms a century-old theory that genetic instability caused by duplicate genomes can lead to tumor formation. The study found that cells with extra chromosomes and centrosomes are more likely to become malignant, making them vulnerable to certain cancer treatments.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that cooling newborns to prevent death and injury from oxygen deprivation during birth may reduce infant disability and death. After 18-22 months, 44% of cooled infants developed moderate to severe disabilities or died, compared to 62% of those receiving standard care.
A worldwide compilation of exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages suggests that prehistoric global warming may have led to the formation of these fossils. The widespread death and burial of animals and their carbon created fossil bonanzas, potentially saving Earth from a heat sterilization event like Venus.
Women with endometriosis often experience chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and suicidal feelings due to delayed diagnosis. The study highlights the need for better awareness and pain management services for this condition.
Researchers will investigate whether vitamin E and/or selenium can reduce skin and other cancers. The study aims to provide essential data on potential low-cost interventions for millions at risk of arsenic-induced cancers in Bangladesh and globally.
The new ASTRO/ASRT grant program aims to establish new radiation therapy programs, addressing significant shortages in the field. Currently, there are only 71 accredited educational programs in the US, down from 125 a decade ago, and 13 states have no radiation therapy program.
A two-week survey of over 600 kilometers of Aceh's southwest coast will examine the damage to coral reefs caused by the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami. The survey aims to understand the extent of the damage and provide insight into the natural recovery process.
Researchers discover that Cut, a DNA-binding protein, plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation by accurately transcribing Notch signals. Inaccurate transcription leads to unregulated growth and can be linked to various diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and genetic disorders.
Researchers are studying disease at molecular levels to develop personalized medicine, leveraging the analytical skills of engineers in discovery and understanding biological systems. The goal is to create a quantitative-plus-molecular equation that enables intelligent computing tools to aid diagnosis and treatment planning.
Researchers found that coastal bluffs and cliffs are a significant source of sand in Southern California beaches, accounting for half of the sand in the Oceanside Littoral Cell. The study uses laser-scanning technology to quantify bluff erosion with high accuracy, challenging conventional assumptions about beach sand supply.
A team of researchers has isolated a new defensin, plectasin, from fungi that is highly effective against drug-resistant bacteria. Plectasin targets specific strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes, including those resistant to conventional antibiotics.
A European study found that PCBs and DDT may damage sperm DNA, leading to higher levels of DNA fragmentation in men exposed to high levels of these pollutants. However, the researchers found no dramatic effects on human fertility and emphasized the need for further research.
The discovery of Buitreraptor gonzalezorum, a 90-million-year-old dinosaur, reveals that dromaeosaurs originated during the Jurassic period, challenging previous estimates. The fossil's bird-like features and unique characteristics provide evidence of a global distribution and evolutionary routes for these carnivorous theropods.
Researchers create three-dimensional topography on DNA surfaces using enzyme-driven process. The method combines enzyme-driven 'carving' and vertical length addition, enabling precise control over structure and composition of DNA nanostructures.
Researchers discovered that cattle grazing can reduce wetland flooding by an average of 50 days per year. Climate change could exacerbate this impact, but conservationists may find grazing presents opportunities to adapt to changing conditions and mitigate climate variability.
A Columbia University study reveals that black women with early-stage breast cancer are two times more likely to die within five years after diagnosis compared to white women. The study found that only 68% of black patients completed all prescribed chemotherapy cycles, compared to 76% of white patients.
By combining functional MRI and PET scanning, researchers can gain a more comprehensive view of the brain's functions and explore different aspects of its activity. This new technique allows physicians to better diagnose and treat patients with brain disorders such as stroke, seizure disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered 10 new molecular structures with pharmaceutical potential in a species of red seaweed from the Fijian coral reef. Some compounds showed anti-bacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and killed human tumor cells by inducing programmed cell death.
Researchers will explore the Oculina Bank's deepwater coral reefs, which support dense and diverse populations of fish species and are critical breeding grounds for commercially important populations. The team aims to verify a newly produced high-resolution sonar map and assess the extent of the reefs to inform protection efforts.
Researchers found that microfluidics can successfully facilitate IVF in mice, with lower sperm concentrations required compared to traditional culture dishes. The technology has promising potential as a viable option for human IVF, potentially offering an alternative to ICSI.
A new study found that elevated blood levels of osteopontin are associated with asbestos-induced cancers, particularly pleural mesothelioma. The protein's levels can serve as a potential biomarker for early detection and monitoring of individuals at risk due to asbestos exposure.
A team of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an alternative therapy to surgery for brain cancers. By engineering T-cell receptors with enhanced binding capacity, the approach aims to eradicate tumors with minimal side effects.
A recent study analyzed data from over 56,000 patients treated for acute coronary syndromes and found that adherence to treatment guidelines decreases with age. The researchers discovered that older patients were less likely to receive clot-reducing drugs and undergo diagnostic procedures.
The study found that the overall incidence of ESRD among type 1 diabetes patients is lower than previously reported. Patients diagnosed at a younger age and in later years had a smaller risk of developing ESRD. The risk of death increased with age, but patients diagnosed in the 1970s had a significantly lower risk of dying.
The study found that a hormone called fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) limits the production of bile acid by the liver. FGF15 is produced in response to high levels of bile acid, triggering its secretion and regulating the body's digestive processes.
Researchers analyzed data from a large trial and found no safety concerns for patients with very low LDL levels. The study suggests that intensive statin therapy may be beneficial even when LDL levels drop below targeted levels.