Two studies found that manipulating ecdysone release timing and Ras activity regulates fruit fly development. The prothoracic gland acts as a size-sensing tissue, determining when metamorphosis should occur.
Men who consumed more folate in their diets showed significantly less decline in verbal fluency skills over three years. High folate levels also protected against declines in spatial copying abilities, a category of cognitive skills distinct from memory tests.
African-Americans experience more pronounced cognitive decline with higher blood pressure compared to whites, even among non-demented individuals. The study found significant associations between blood pressure and cognitive performance in African-American subjects, particularly in abstract reasoning and visual organization skills.
Researchers found that estrogen depletion exacerbates diastolic dysfunction and increases blood pressure in rats fed a high salt diet. The study suggests that estrogen may protect against hypertension and renal damage caused by excess salt intake.
According to a recent review, approximately 15% of heart attack patients develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can lead to impairments in social functioning, vitality, and physical health. The study also identifies risk factors for PTSD in cardiovascular disease patients.
A study found that the virulent C. difficile strain NAP1/027 is responsible for severe outbreaks in hospitals, producing high levels of toxins A and B. The strain was identified in 67% of hospital-acquired cases and 37% of community-acquired cases.
Recent changes in Arctic snow-free seasons have triggered feedbacks that amplify future rates of summer warming. The study found that changes in season length, rather than vegetation increases, explain this observation. This mechanism could further amplify atmospheric heating by up to 2-7 times.
Researchers found that human-created barriers and sea level rise trapped plants in a small zone, altering plant populations and dune structures. The loss of critical late-succession species threatens dune formation and habitat for endangered animals like the Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
A large cohort study found a significant association between panic disorder and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 40,000 patients, suggests that cardiologists and internists should monitor patients with panic disorder to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Galveston 1900 Hurricane is a devastating event studied in a chapter by Robert Simpson, a renowned expert on severe weather. The hurricane led to the development of the Saffir-Simpson scale for classifying potential damage from hurricanes.
The study found that drug resistance increased from 0.4% in 1994-1995 to 12.3% in 2003-2004, with 61% of resistant viruses coming from people in Asia. This alarming trend has significant implications for agencies and governments planning to stockpile anti-flu agents.
The study reveals a significant increase in emergency care attendances, particularly among elderly patients and those arriving by emergency ambulance. Average waiting times doubled, and treatment times increased, despite staffing increases, suggesting pressure on emergency services.
Climate models have significantly underestimated changes in air pressure, leading to a lower estimate of global warming's effect on weather patterns. Air pressure trends have contributed to temperature increases and rainfall changes in regions like Scotland, UK, and Siberia.
High insulin levels block stress hormones, leading to excessive fat storage and energy imbalance. The study provides new understanding of insulin resistance in Type II diabetes and its potential link to obesity.
In the Amazon rainforest, ants, not evil spirits, cultivate devil's gardens by poisoning all plants except their hosts with formic acid. This process allows colonies to gain abundant nest sites, a long-lasting benefit that can last for 800 years.
Researchers at Loughborough University have developed a lightweight visualisation tool for the RealityGrid e-Science project, which uses Grid technologies to model and simulate complex condensed matter structures. The tool can be used on mobile devices and supports multiple users to view and interact with data simultaneously.
Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies may increase the risk of periodontitis due to inflammation and bone loss. Research suggests that obtaining adequate vitamin D through sunshine or fortified foods is crucial to prevent this.
The PALS (Population-Average, Landmark-, and Surface-based) atlas provides a comprehensive map of the human cerebral cortex, combining data from multiple individuals to improve accuracy. The atlas has already helped scientists understand how genetic disorders affect brain structure and function.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed the first complete micromachine that can characterize mechanical properties of nanowires and carbon nanotubes in real-time. The system uses differential capacitive sensing to measure applied forces with nano-Newton resolution.
Countries like Finland and the Netherlands have successfully controlled MRSA through strict screening, contact precautions, and rapid identification of cases. In contrast, Japan's lack of a mechanism to identify patients within hospitals has led to high MRSA incidence rates worldwide.
A definitive gene screen has confirmed the major histocompatibility complex genes' significant influence on multiple sclerosis (MS) genetics. The study, which analyzed genetic data from over 730 families, found critical implications for future MS research directions.
Researchers found that 27 of 29 weed species can harbor Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium causing Pierce's disease in grapes. Environmental conditions significantly impact bacterial growth, highlighting the need for targeted weed control measures to prevent disease spread.
Researchers highlight the importance of raising HDL cholesterol levels, citing a link between higher levels and lower risk of fatal heart attacks. They recommend lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, weight control, and dietary changes to boost HDL levels, and discuss the benefits and potential risks of drug therapy.
Halloween is a festival of inversion where children turn traditional roles upside down, dressing up in grown-up costumes and demanding treats from adults. Cindy Dell Clark's research highlights how the holiday exposes young children to their fears when they encounter death-themed decorations.
Several UK e-Science projects have delivered significant advancements in various fields, including the discovery of new genes, efficient drug discovery, and large-scale simulations. These projects are being showcased at the e-Science All Hands conference in Nottingham.
William Edelstein's contributions to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) led to the commercialization of high-resolution imaging technology. His work on the Spin Warp method and other innovations improved image quality and reduced noise, making MRI systems clinically useful.
The University of Cincinnati will lead a randomized trial comparing new interventional treatments for acute ischemic stroke against the standard approach. The study aims to improve outcomes by quickly opening clogged brain arteries and reducing long-lasting brain damage.
A recent study found that implant-placed overdentures have a cumulative survival rate of 95.4% after 10 years, with success rates of 87.3% for maxilla implants and 99.5% for mandible implants. This procedure provides improved chewing function and confidence for individuals with missing teeth.
An e-Science project has adapted SARIS software to access near real-time Met Office forecasts of ocean currents and winds, providing more accurate data for rescue predictions. This adaptation aims to reduce the time to rescue and potentially save lives.
Energy ministers from Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments agreed to work together to enhance the security, reliability, and sustainability of the country's energy systems. They also emphasized the importance of collaborating with industry to develop real and sustainable solutions to meet Canada's energy needs.
COACh workshops help women chemists break through the 'polycarbonate ceiling' in careers by developing new negotiation and communication skills. The programs have reported significant improvements in reduced workplace stress for participating women scientists.
Researchers at U-M have developed a new blood test for prostate cancer that uses 22 biomarkers to accurately identify cancerous samples. The test shows promise as a supplement or replacement for current PSA testing methods, which can produce false positives and unnecessary biopsies.
Researchers have found that a marker for serotonin systems can identify epilepsy-generating brain areas, even in patients with normal MRI scans. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce the need for invasive EEG studies and improve surgical outcomes for patients with uncontrolled seizures.
The CLEF repository provides a platform for researchers to access and analyze large-scale patient records, using techniques to extract relevant information from text. This will lead to faster, better or different research in the field of cancer treatment and care management.
A new weather model, ARW, uses high-resolution data to predict hurricane intensity and location of fine-scale rain bands. This enables better warning systems for floods, power outages, and road blockage.
A team of astronomers has discovered a large population of galaxies formed between 9 and 12 billion years ago, contradicting previous estimates that the Universe had not yet formed many stars in the first billion years. The findings suggest that stars formed two to three times faster than previously thought.
The IODP Cascadia margins gas hydrates expedition is underway, exploring the presence of ice-like solids composed of water and natural gas on marine continental shelves. Media representatives are invited onboard the drillship in Victoria port on Oct. 31, 2005 for tours of the ship.
The study identifies aquaporin-4 as the target molecule of the NMO antibody, a significant finding that deviates from previous research on multiple sclerosis. The discovery may lead to the development of new therapies for neuromyelitis optica and other autoimmune disorders.
GSK has successfully implemented a new automated process for the early phase of drug discovery, using InforSense KDE to retrieve and analyse data rapidly. This technology allows chemists to modify complex analytic workflows and access data from distributed databases, significantly improving their ability to respond to scientific needs.
Researchers develop new e-Science techniques to visualize data from large detectors, such as the ISIS neutron source. This allows for better understanding of material properties and opens up new research opportunities in materials science. The new methods, including GAPtk, enable users to manipulate gigabytes of data in near real-time.
A study tracking 43,000 men and women found that light smoking (1-4 cigarettes/day) significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease and lung cancer. Women are almost five times as likely to die from lung cancer compared to non-smokers.
A team of researchers successfully predicted a new polymorph of the Alzheimer's drug piracetam, demonstrating the potential of computational methods in pharmaceutical industry. The prediction was made using Grid technologies and validated through experimental techniques, showcasing the credibility of the methodology.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a new type of pain-sensing neuron in rats, which may serve as a target for future therapies to treat neuropathic pain. The T-type calcium channels in these cells may act as a volume control for pain impulses.
Researchers found that activated STAT5 in melanoma cells blocks interferon's ability to inhibit growth, leading to frequent treatment failure. Analyzing STAT5 status may help personalize therapies for advanced melanoma patients.
Archaeologists at Silchester are using a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) to digitize their findings and facilitate collaboration with researchers worldwide. The project aims to reduce the time spent on digitization and enable easier comparison of data across different databases.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a method to create artificial proteins based on evolutionary patterns, sharing similarities with natural proteins. The new approach allows for the reconstruction of modern-day proteins with high accuracy.
Researchers developed an animal model to study obstructive nephropathy, a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children. This model has helped identify potential targets for drug development, offering hope for improved treatment options for affected children.
A recent study found that most Americans believe the US should increase funding for health research, with 55% saying they want more spent on the field. Americans also prioritize preventing disease over curing it, and are willing to pay $1 more per week in taxes for additional medical research.
The recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship will be announced on September 20. The winner, a talented individual in the field of laser technology, will receive a $500,000 grant with no conditions or restrictions.
Lipman Hearne researcher will receive a $500,000 MacArthur grant for their groundbreaking work on learning and memory functions. The award recognizes exceptional originality and dedication to their creative pursuits.
Research found that disturbed sleep was more common than thought among students. The study, published in the Journal of School Health, highlights the importance of adequate sleep for students' academic success and overall well-being.
A pharmacist has been awarded a $500,000 MacArthur grant to develop and implement safe medication practices, potentially saving up to 98,000 lives per year. The project aims to educate the healthcare community on medication safety, following a range of successful initiatives.
A geophysicist has been awarded a $500,000 MacArthur grant for their exceptional originality and dedication to predicting seismic activity. The grant will provide the researcher with the financial freedom to pursue their innovative work without conditions.
In rats with spinal cord injury, third order neurons in the thalamus abnormally fire signals without incoming stimuli. Targeted molecular agents suppress these rogue neurons' activity, reducing phantom pain.
Men who survive testicular cancer are at higher risk of developing a second cancer for at least 35 years after diagnosis, mostly due to late side effects of treatment. Cancers such as bladder, colon, and stomach cancers account for most excess risks, with young patients facing even greater dangers.
Despite advancements in medical science, academic medical centers face numerous challenges in conducting research. These include managing high public expectations, maintaining public trust despite potential conflicts of interest, and sustaining the cultural norms of academia while partnering with industry. Additionally, researchers mus...
Despite a decline in the physician-scientist population, new initiatives have shown increasing interest among medical students and steady growth of the M.D.-Ph.D. pool. Funding commitments are crucial to maintaining this trend and sustaining an increase in the population of physician-scientists in the near future.
Researchers used molecular epidemiologic methods to identify the relationships between four separate foodborne hepatitis A virus outbreaks in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The methods helped public health officials respond quickly to outbreaks and provided reassurance that a larger outbreak was not occurring.
Daniel Gallie's research doubles protein content of corn grain, increasing its value for producers and providing a nutritious source for millions suffering from protein-energy malnutrition. The high-protein corn can be easily applied to sweet corn, offering a solution for those relying on plant-based sources.
British scientists have developed a new method of coating metals using sol-gel technology, which offers improved corrosion resistance and reduced costs. The technique uses nanoparticles to form a gel-like layer on the metal's surface, providing a safer alternative to traditional chrome electroplating.