A study published by Yale University scientists analyzed the genetics of quagga and plains zebra populations to understand how the quagga evolved its distinctive stripes. The research found that the quagga diverged from Plains zebra around 120,000-290,000 years ago during the Ice Age.
The Purdue method enables companies to reuse previous designs, reducing redundancy and streamlining supply chains. The system uses a benchmarking database and process to evaluate search performance, allowing users to fine-tune their searches by changing the sketch.
A new material, Li1-xNi1+xO2, was produced using the sol-gel method, resulting in better electrochemical performance. The research aimed to optimize the preparation conditions for this cathode material, which has a large discharge capacity and low cost.
Researchers have defined the structure of marine toxins and found they interact with actin, a key protein responsible for cellular growth. The toxins can disrupt actin's activity, leading to cancer cell death, offering new hope for targeted cancer treatments.
Scientists have developed a novel method to measure circadian cycles in human cells, finding large differences between individuals' rhythms. The study used skin samples infected with a fluorescent virus to track circadian gene expression, confirming the human circadian cycle length of 24.5 hours.
USU students Robert Anthony, Xialong Jiang, and Erika Lamb have been awarded fellowships by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation to study immune response and posttraumatic stress disorder in a neurobiological model. Their research aims to develop effective ways to combat these conditions in military service members.
A new imaging tracer, Zemiva, reveals metaabolic disturbances in the heart and shows that disturbances in fatty acid metabolism can persist up to 30 hours after an ischemic episode. The study used SPECT images to evaluate the tracer in patients with myocardial ischemia.
A significant association was observed between statin use and reduced fracture risk in a large cohort of mostly male veterans. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that statins reduced fracture risk by 36% compared to no lipid-lowering therapy.
A study found that an online educational program for physicians significantly improved their knowledge of diagnosing and treating patients infected with bioterrorism agents. The program showed a substantial increase in correct diagnoses and management skills, with attending physicians performing better than residents.
Researchers found that daily temperature cycles can reset zebrafish clocks, triggering changes in specific clock genes. This discovery sheds light on how temperature affects biological systems and may have implications for mammals.
Researchers found that farnesyl transferase inhibitors can normalize abnormal nuclei in progeria cells. The treatment targets a genetic mutation causing lamin A protein production issues.
In Canada, delisting prescription drugs from public health insurance programs transfers costs to private citizens or private health insurance plans, generating cost-savings for governments. Deregulation may also benefit pharmacists by increasing over-the-counter sales and expanding their clinical role.
Researchers have developed more sensitive tests to predict Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. These implicit-memory tests outperform the commonly used Mini Mental exam, which is mainly sensitive to episodic memory. The new tests are strong predictors of Alzheimer's diagnosis two years early.
The Phase I trial demonstrated the treatment's safety and efficacy in advanced Parkinson's disease, with statistically significant improvements in motor function and activities of daily living. The gene therapy approach offers a simpler alternative to deep brain stimulation, avoiding devices and requiring local anesthesia.
A new method to create a reversibly immortalized beta-cell line offers significant progress in developing an effective treatment for type 1 diabetes. The breakthrough, achieved by manipulating human beta-cells, has successfully controlled blood sugar levels in diabetic mice for over 30 weeks.
Hereditary Neuralgic Amyotrophy is characterized by repeated attacks of pain and paralysis in the affected area, often accompanied by facial features. Researchers have identified a genetic defect in the Septin 9 protein as the underlying cause of the disorder.
The European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the importance of healthy weight and exercise in preventing heart disease. Studies show that moderate physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, while a balanced diet and weight management can also help mitigate the impact of existing heart conditions.
A Canadian study found that job strain increases systolic blood pressure by 2.8 mmHg, while high marital cohesion in the presence of job strain decreases it by 2.5 mmHg over a year. The study suggests people with high job strain and low marital cohesion should see their doctor for a blood pressure check.
Researchers found an inverse relationship between mental tests and adverse effects of lead exposure and high blood pressure on cognitive performance. Lead exposure early in life combined with high blood pressure in working age adults may lead to diminishing cognitive abilities in later life.
A three-year study found that people with knowledge of TB had better experiences with the disease, suggesting a need for community awareness efforts. Employing recovered patients, family members, and lay health communicators could help foster awareness and improve prevention.
Rutgers-Newark psychology researchers found that individuals with selective and complete haptic deafferentiation, a rare neurological disorder, struggle to simulate others' actions due to lack of body perception. They successfully estimated weight but failed to recognize deception.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can dramatically increase the production of disease-fighting T cells in non-HIV-infected individuals, including older adults. This finding has significant implications for developing new cancer vaccines and improving immune protection in vulnerable populations.
Researchers have identified a genetic region on chromosome 2 that appears to be involved in causing high blood pressure in people who do not respond to ACE inhibitors and beta blockers. This discovery brings hope for developing targeted therapies for patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
The NIST-F1 clock has been improved to measure time and frequency with unprecedented accuracy, recording an uncertainty of 0.53 × 10-15 seconds per measurement. This achievement is attributed to advancements in laser technology, atomic vapor management, and magnetic field control.
The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society meeting showcased research on disaster preparedness, including robotics in search and rescue efforts. The meeting also explored topics such as patient safety, driving safety, and space exploration, highlighting the importance of human factors in these fields.
A recent Columbia University study found that elderly nursing home residents with diabetes are four times more likely to fall than non-diabetics. The study suggests that controlling diabetes and addressing its complications may help reduce the risk of falls.
Researchers found that abnormally long glutamine tracts in proteins can cause nerve cells to deteriorate and die. The study suggests that understanding the molecular mechanism behind polyglutamine diseases may lead to the development of new treatments, including small molecule drugs.
A new study found that a computer-aided mammography detection system increased the detection rate of small invasive cancers by 164% in younger women. The CAD system helped detect these cancers more than five years earlier than without it.
Researchers use atom interferometer to confirm idea that atomic wave shortens and lengthens depending on distance from surface. The measurement tells nanotechnologists how small devices can be before van der Waals interaction becomes a concern.
Johns Hopkins researchers identify elevated levels of IL-6 in spinal fluid of patients with transverse myelitis, a condition that can lead to permanent paralysis. The study also found correlations between IL-6 levels and disease severity, shedding light on the mechanisms behind demyelinating disorders.
A study by John Scott found that the mAKAP signaling system is perturbed in cases of heart disease, leading to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target for treating this condition by suppressing the enzyme phosphodiesterase with drugs such as growth hormone.
A study examines how prenatal exposure to synthetic steroids affects the development of kidneys and regulation of blood pressure in adolescents. The research aims to identify potential causes of high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight gain in prematurely born children.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have developed a bonding method to create a permanent chemical bond between antibiotics and titanium, allowing it to kill bacteria and prevent infection. This technique has the potential to combat implant-related infections by creating an antibiotic surface that prevents infection from starting.
Scientists have developed nanowire arrays that can detect multiple cancer markers with near-perfect selectivity. These devices can test a mere pinprick of blood in minutes, providing immediate scans and potentially tracking patients' health as treatment progresses.
A Mayo Clinic study found no pain relief from magnetic insoles, suggesting the cushioning may be effective. The placebo effect was noted, with participants experiencing improvement when believing the magnets could help, but this did not translate to actual pain relief.
The BIDMC research team is studying the hormones and brain pathways regulating body weight and glucose metabolism, with a goal of advancing diabetes treatment and prevention. Jointly funded by the Smith Family Foundation and the American Diabetes Association, this award supports scientists conducting research on type 2 diabetes.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Helsinki has identified a key gene called ectodin that regulates tooth shape formation. The team found that mice lacking functional ectodin have abnormal teeth with broader cusps and extra teeth, highlighting the importance of ectodin in maintaining tooth development.
Scientists successfully cultivated a marine bacterium, N. maritimus, which is believed to play a significant role in the global carbon and nitrogen cycles. This breakthrough, supported by the National Science Foundation, provides new insights into the mechanisms of this microorganism and its relationship with other microbes.
Researchers report a disturbing convergence of drug-resistant bacteria and virulent new strains of Staph. aureus, leading to severe illness and death in previously healthy children. The study highlights the need for better treatments and a vaccine to combat this growing threat.
Scientists discovered that interleukin-6 increases in TM patients' cerebrospinal fluid and is linked to tissue injury. Arsenic trioxide inhibits nuclear receptor function via SEK1/JNK-mediated RXR phosphorylation. Epithelial myosin light chain kinase-dependent barrier dysfunction mediates T cell activation-induced diarrhea.
Dr Frederic Meunier's research explores how powerful nerve toxins like Botox selectively dissect basic nerve cell processes, leading to a novel angle in understanding neuronal diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. He has also discovered that Botox-intoxicated nerve cells can recover by emitting little sprouts.
A new study found that brain noise limits both motor control and perception in common movements. Researchers analyzed neural activity and smooth pursuit eye movements to understand how the brain processes sensory inputs and executes decisions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found elevated IL-6 levels correlate with tissue injury and clinical disability in Transverse Myelitis (TM) patients. Elevated IL-6 levels are necessary and sufficient to mediate neural injury, dependent on nitric oxide.
Researchers discovered a unique partnership between Osedax worms and their symbiotic bacteria, allowing them to turn over large amounts of organic carbon at an accelerated rate. This process can potentially aid understanding of adaptation between animals and microbes.
Tissue stiffness influences cell growth and changes in function by modulating cell contractility, leading to the activation of key growth signaling pathways and increase in cell tension. This study highlights the importance of mechanical forces in tumor development and could lead to the development of new tumor therapies or targets.
Researchers used microscopy and fluorescent tags to study malaria parasite release from infected red blood cells. They found that membranes fold into small vesicles allowing parasites to infect neighboring cells through pressure build-up.
Airborne LiDAR technology has been successfully used to monitor and protect rare species such as California spotted owls and Delmarva fox squirrels. The system provides detailed measurements of forest canopy, tree height and biomass, enabling researchers to identify suitable habitats for endangered species.
The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center will lead a multidisciplinary team in translational research projects addressing breast cancer causes, prediction, and treatment. The SPORE grant aims to improve survival and quality of life for women with breast cancer.
Despite exposure to environmental chemicals, breast-feeding remains a healthy option for infants. Research suggests few adverse effects have been documented, and none have been clinically or epidemiologically demonstrated.
Studies investigating subliminal learning have revealed a bottleneck in high-level processing that prevents unconscious, automatic learning during the attentional blink. However, subjects can learn from stimuli presented outside of this time window.
Researchers at National Jewish Health conducted the first human studies on bleach's ability to neutralize mold allergens. The study showed that dilute household bleach solutions significantly reduced allergic health effects in patients with Aspergillus allergies.
A study by Yale researchers found that a combination of platinum-based chemotherapy and vaginal radiation significantly reduces the recurrence of uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC). The procedure increases survival rates among women with this aggressive form of uterine cancer, which affects about seven percent of new cases at Yale.
Researchers uncover 65 protein tags that can be used to force proteins to the cell surface, potentially revolutionizing drug and vaccine development. The discovery may help overcome obstacles in studying important proteins, such as those detecting odors or faulty in cystic fibrosis.
The WorldFish Center has been awarded the Accenture Economic Development Award for its genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) technology. This innovation has increased growth rates and productivity of Nile Tilapia in poor water conditions, helping to reduce poverty and hunger in developing countries.
Scientists have discovered that P-bodies play a crucial role in regulating the translation of mRNA molecules into proteins. The study found that P-bodies can store and recondition pre-used mRNA molecules, allowing cells to control protein production. This new understanding may provide insights into diseases like cancer.
A study by Sverdrup et al. found that men highly exposed to motor or hydraulic oil have a 30% higher risk of developing RA than unexposed men, with increased risks also seen for 'rheumatoid factor positive' and 'anti-citrulline positive' types.
Researchers identified a single crystallin gene in sea squirts that likely evolved into the ß?-crystallins responsible for forming the vertebrate eye lens. The study found a regulatory link between these genes, suggesting a co-opted mechanism in early vertebrates.
Researchers at The Institute for Genomic Research predict that infinite genomes may never be fully described due to the continuous emergence of new genes in bacteria and viruses. By analyzing eight isolates of Group B Strep, TIGR scientists discovered a core genome with an average of 1806 genes present across all strains.
Increasing summer temperatures in northern Alaska are lengthening the snow-free season, allowing shrubs and trees to migrate northward. The region's vegetation change is accelerating global warming by absorbing solar radiation, leading to a positive feedback loop.
Nine winners have been selected for their outstanding visualizations of scientific phenomena, including the emergence of 17-year cicadas and neural signaling. The winning entries will be published in the September 23 issue of Science magazine.