A new computer model combines ocean current simulations and genetic forecasting to predict coral reef ecology and animal dispersion patterns. The model was tested with empirical data from threatened staghorn corals, showing successful predictions of genetic patterns on a regional scale.
Researchers developed a novel approach to assessing the risk of water-borne diseases, including leptospirosis, by measuring bacterial DNA in environmental waters. The method provides a quantitative risk assessment for human disease and has implications for health departments monitoring water safety.
A study found that insulin resistance in early teens may predict a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Insulin resistance was linked to increased blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol levels.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed a new technique to detect internal defects in steel railroad tracks using laser beam pulses and ultrasonic microphones. The technology has shown promising results, detecting 76.9-100% of internal defects and 61.5-90% of surface cuts in dry and wet conditions.
This study confirms the existence of immunological synapses, microanatomical structures similar to those of nerve cells, in laboratory rats. The findings settle controversy over their existence and functional significance during antiviral immune responses, paving the way for further research.
Researchers found neural changes in children with untreated sleep apnea, damaging critical brain structures tied to learning ability. Children with severe obstructive sleep apnea showed deficits in neuropsychological performance, including lower IQ test scores.
According to a study published in Circulation, treating chest pain associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) could cost a woman more than $1 million during her lifetime. Women with nonobstructive CAD experienced higher healthcare costs due to ongoing angina symptoms.
A combined liver and kidney transplant has been shown to improve patient survival rates for those with dual organ disease, including hepatorenal syndrome. The study found that patients who underwent dialysis for longer than two months prior to surgery fared better after the combined transplant.
A study published in Neurology found that children with autism have altered brain anatomy, including differences in gray matter and brain size compared to children with typical development. The researchers used MRI scans to measure the transverse relaxation of cortical gray and white matter in the brains of autistic children.
The trap-jaw ant's mandibles close at 35-64 meters per second, or 78-145 miles per hour, with an average duration of 0.13 milliseconds. The ants accelerate at 100,000 times the force of gravity, generating forces exceeding 300 times their body weight.
The UK Biobank project, a £61m initiative to study complex interactions of genetic and lifestyle factors in disease and health, has received unanimous backing from international experts. The pilot phase showed promising results, paving the way for nationwide rollout.
Scientists at Brookhaven Lab developed a screening method to examine nanoparticle interactions with human cells, revealing toxic effects of carbon-based materials. The method uses in vitro laboratory studies and sophisticated imaging methods to gather information about cell responses to nanoparticles.
Researchers found that children exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) receive lower antibody protection after vaccinations. The study suggests that reducing exposure to chemicals that harm immune systems is crucial for young children.
A new survey found that 514 teens were injured on the job, with injuries affecting daily activities for more than three days. The study emphasizes the importance of introducing safety training within school health curricula to empower teens and reduce work-related injuries.
Researchers have created a surgical robot that can be controlled remotely, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures on patients in areas inaccessible to traditional medical care. The technology has the potential to save lives in remote or combat zones by providing specialized surgical skills and expertise.
Pam Henderson received the APS Plant Pathology Journalism Award for her nine-article series on Asian Soybean Rust, which raised public awareness of the disease. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing knowledge and understanding of plant pathology.
Researchers have found that trap-jaw ants can propel themselves through the air using their fast-moving jaws, with two types of defensive propulsion mechanisms discovered. The ants use these mechanisms to escape predators and eject intruders, with bouncer defense allowing them to bounce away from large objects.
Children with 'callous-unemotional' temperament show a lack of empathy and guilt about their actions, making them less responsive to traditional discipline. Researchers found that increasing punishment can exacerbate behavioral problems in these children, who respond better to incentives and rewards.
Researchers found high concentrations of gas hydrate at relatively shallow depths of 50-120 meters below the seafloor in the Cascadia Margin. The discovery challenges existing knowledge on how gas hydrate deposits form and may impact global climate change.
Researchers have found direct proof of dark matter's existence in a study using state-of-the-art telescopes. The team observed two merging galaxy clusters, revealing massive amounts of non-luminous matter that don't interact with normal matter.
New research reveals squirrel poxvirus is wiping out red squirrels in northern England at a rate 17-25 times higher than areas unaffected by the virus. Targeted grey squirrel control at narrow entry points is recommended to save the species.
Researchers found that childhood polio survivors do not experience significant declines in strength as they age, with only moderate increases in weakness. The study suggests that polio survivors may not age differently than the general population and can expect years of stability without major lifestyle modifications.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a DNA segment on chromosome 8 that is a major risk factor for prostate cancer, especially in younger African American men. The study found that this region increases the likelihood of prostate cancer by about doubling it in younger African Americans.
A new imaging technique using whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) scans can accurately predict whether breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit prior to surgery. The scans were found to be 72% accurate in identifying cancers with metastases, making them a valuable tool for healthcare providers.
Researchers at UCI create tool to analyze thousands of variables, predicting potential effect of distributed generation on Southern California air by 2010. The study found that maximum levels of ozone and particulate matter could increase slightly, but the impact would be far less than other power-production alternatives.
A new synthetic treatment has been discovered that uses cooling chemicals to kill pain, targeting the TRPM8 receptor in human skin. This approach may offer a more effective and safer alternative to conventional painkillers for chronic pain patients.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) leukemias develop when chromosomal abnormalities disrupt blood cell formation. A new study identified a fusion of proteins created by flawed chromosomes as a trigger for leukemia development, along with an enzyme's crucial role in this process.
Researchers have identified a protein called TRPM8 that mediates sensations of coolness and is expressed in nerve cells in the skin, responding to both cool temperatures and cooling chemicals like mint oil. This discovery has great potential for relieving chronic pain patients with approaches using cooling compounds
Two genetic markers, one associated with African American babies and the other with women with chronic hypertension, have been identified as potential predictors of preterm birth. The findings could lead to improved diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of preterm birth, reducing its risks for lifelong health complications.
Elevated cholesterol and liver enzyme levels more common than thought among isoretinoin patients, even those with normal blood test results before therapy. Moderate to severe abnormalities are generally transient and reversible.
A Purdue University researcher has determined the structure of a protein that controls starvation response in E. coli, which can be targeted to combat bacterial infections. The protein is found in numerous harmful bacteria and is an excellent antibiotic target due to its high processivity.
Researchers explore the connection between schizophrenia and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They aim to identify patients at high risk and develop more effective treatment plans.
Researchers found that combined liver-kidney transplants improved patient survival rates compared to separate transplants. Patients who received dialysis for longer than two months before surgery also recovered better after the combined transplant.
A Scripps Research Institute team developed compounds that reactivated the frataxin gene in blood cells from 13 Friedreich's ataxia patients, with one compound producing full reactivation in 100% of cells tested. The findings offer a potential therapeutic avenue for the disease, which affects 1 in 20,000 people in the US.
The free Access Grid Toolkit has been updated with streamlined user interfaces, robust middleware, and low-level services to facilitate rich collaborations. This new version supports wall-sized display technology, visualization of simulations, and enables seamless communication among researchers across different locations.
Researchers found that nicotine withdrawal symptoms begin as early as 30 minutes after quitting, impacting smokers' cravings, mood, and behavior. This discovery challenges the common assumption that withdrawal symptoms occur later in the process.
A large study found that traveling for more than 4 hours increases the risk of venous thrombosis by 2-fold. High-risk groups, including those with factor V Leiden and oral contraceptives, have a significantly increased risk of thrombosis after air travel.
A genetic variant in the SERPINH1 gene has been identified as a potential cause of premature delivery in African-American women. The variant reduces collagen production, making membranes more prone to rupture. This discovery may help physicians identify high-risk patients and prevent serious pregnancy complications.
A new study found that Sydney harbor's seaweeds contain high levels of toxic heavy metals, harming small animals that eat them. Up to three-quarters of juvenile crustaceans are killed when exposed to copper, highlighting the potential consequences for marine food chains.
American and South African scientists discovered how HIV exhausts killer T cells, which attack the virus. By blocking a molecular switch called programmed death-1 (PD-1), they can reinvigorate these T cells.
Researchers have identified a genetic profile indicating chromosomal instability as predictive of clinical outcome in various cancer types. This signature was found to predict poor clinical outcome in 12 populations studied, making it a potential diagnostic tool for identifying aggressive cancers.
Researchers isolated a nerve toxin from an ocean-dwelling snail that may enable scientists to develop medications for a range of nervous system disorders. The new toxin fits like a key into specific lock-like receptors in the brain, opening up potential for designing new medicines.
Researchers found a molecular pathway that turns off immune cells targeting HIV, leading to exhaustion. Blocking this pathway restores function to these cells, suggesting a potential new approach to treating HIV infection.
A survey of adult cancer survivors found that over 12% reported suicidal thoughts or previous attempts many years after treatment. Factors associated with more suicidal symptoms included younger age, radiation treatments, and physical health issues.
A team of researchers developed a new method to specifically recognize anthrax spores using monoclonal antibodies that target a unique sugar component called anthrose. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for rapid and accurate diagnosis, potentially reducing the risk of death from anthrax if treatment is delayed.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory-built STEREO spacecraft will explore coronal mass ejections and their impact on Earth. The twin observatories will capture 3D images and particle measurements of the sun by flying as mirror images of each other.
Researchers found that removing just one important species in a freshwater ecosystem can seriously disrupt its functioning. The study, led by Brad Taylor, showed that the loss of the flannelmouth characin had a significant impact on carbon transport and availability in a river ecosystem.
Researchers found that at least two objects in the Quintuplet Cluster are binary pairs forming pinwheel stars that live fast and die young. These 'Wolf-Rayet colliding-wind binaries' emit enormous amounts of radiation, with each quintuplet outshining the Sun by 10,000 to 100,000 times.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2 million grant to Yale University for the purchase of a 7-Tesla human magnetic resonance imaging system. This high-end instrumentation will facilitate ultra-high resolution studies in various medical fields, including diabetes and epilepsy.
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of a new drug, daptomycin, for treating bloodstream and heart infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The FDA has approved the drug for these types of infections, offering an alternative to vancomycin.
Researchers like Barkley aim to understand the basic science of HIV-1 function and develop new therapies. The recent NIH grant supports a new area of AIDS research focusing on the chemical processes between the two pieces of reverse transcriptase protein that mobilize the HIV-1 virus.
Incomplete vaccination of poultry flocks can lead to undetected spread of deadly avian flu strains like H5N1, according to a new study published in Nature journal. The research suggests that nearly all birds must be vaccinated to prevent silent transmission between farms.
Kurt Gibble's paper analyzes the speed of an atom after absorbing a photon of light and shows that photons in narrow laser beams deliver less momentum than those in wide beams. This discovery has implications for atomic clocks, which use microwaves to achieve high accuracy, potentially allowing them to be even more precise.
Researchers discovered that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) regulates the proliferative capabilities of naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ Tregs but not their suppressive function. This finding provides a potential solution to harnessing the therapeutic potential of Tregs in autoimmune diseases.
The Ballistic Deflection Transistor (BDT) uses a new design to bounce electrons around like billiards, producing far less heat and running faster than traditional transistors. The BDT should enable speeds of terahertz, a thousand times faster than today's desktop transistors.
Researchers found that Botox injections can minimize scarring by temporarily weakening surrounding muscles during the healing phase. The treatment showed significant improvement in wound-healing results, with median scores of 8.9 for botulinum toxin versus 7.1 for saline.
A new study has identified a key protein, LMP4, that regulates Tbx transcription factors in embryonic limb and heart development. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms controlling these critical processes.
NIST launches ILThermo, a free online database of physical properties for ionic liquids, including thermodynamic, transport, and structural information. The database includes over 200 ions and 300 ionic liquids with calculated uncertainties, facilitating comparison of measurements.
Researchers studied globular star cluster NGC 6397, capturing high-resolution images of faint stars. They identified two fundamental transitions in star physics related to age, which may refine the Milky Way's age. The findings provide insights into the physics of low mass stars and white dwarfs.
New research reveals that the UCP1 gene was inactivated 20 million years ago in pigs, causing them to lose the ability to use brown fat for body heat. As a result, piglets shudder to maintain their body temperature.