A novel proteomics study has shown that proteins regulating brain-cell activity behave like volume controls, allowing for incremental levels of activity. This 'homeostatic plasticity' enables neurons to adapt to changing environments.
Scientists at NIST have developed a technique to move a single atom between two positions on a crystal surface using an electron beam. The method improved our understanding of the science behind atomic switching and allows for spatial mapping of the probability of an electron exciting the desired atom motion.
Researchers can now observe water production and removal in fuel cells under various conditions, enabling better management of water quantities. The facility enhances the understanding of fuel cell performance, reliability, and durability.
Researchers at UCR discovered a way molecules assemble without external guidance, forming a two-dimensional honeycomb network with big pores. The finding could help develop templates for growing complex structures on surfaces and improve paints and lubricants.
Researchers at Queen's University have devised a novel approach to creating emulsions, which can be used for various industrial applications such as cleaning up oil spills and extracting oil deposits from tar sands. The new 'green chemistry' solution uses a reversible surfactant that can be activated by carbon dioxide or air, allowing ...
A study in mice identifies genetic origins of cardiomyopathy for the first time, revealing a link to the desmoplakin gene and progressive heart disease. The discovery may lead to better understanding and targeted therapies for patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Two-fifths of US adults report experiencing unsafe, wasteful, or poorly coordinated healthcare. This is a significant concern, as three-quarters of adults advocate fundamental changes in the healthcare system.
Chagas' disease kills 50,000 people annually, with 18 million already infected and 100 million at risk. The disease has no initial symptoms, expensive prevention methods, and limited treatment options, prompting The Lancet to call for increased research attention.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital used computer-generated images of enzyme pantothenate kinase to unlock mysteries of antibiotic resistance and rare brain degeneration. The study found that despite differences in enzyme structure, types II and III can perform the same job as type I, leading to antibiotic resistance.
Researchers are using motion capture cameras and MRI scans to create 3D models of elephant locomotion. The study's goal is to understand how elephants coordinate their limbs and determine if they truly run. This knowledge can improve animal welfare, inform human biomechanics, and aid in the design of walking robots.
A Rutgers research team has been awarded a three-year, $599,436 National Science Foundation grant to collaborate with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on improving port competitiveness. The project aims to develop tools for analytical group decision-making and improve security at the nation's ports.
Researchers have found evidence of a binary system in the Quintuplet cluster, where two massive stars are orbiting each other. The discovery of 'pinwheel-shaped' dust spirals around these stars provides further proof of their dual nature and corrects previous estimates of their sizes.
Researchers at NIST determined the three-dimensional shape of class IV adenylyl cyclase, an enzyme found in plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. The unusual configuration may play a role in disrupting cell processes in infected hosts, highlighting the importance of molecular data for developing defenses against plague and other pathogens.
Researchers have solved the mystery of Quintuplet stars by identifying them as young massive binary stars producing large amounts of dust. The study captures the stars just before disintegrating in supernovae explosions, revealing a unique pinwheel nebulae around each star.
Astronomers use Hubble Space Telescope to image two mysterious star types, including tiny, slow-burning stars and ancient, giant white dwarfs. The research pushes limits of observatory's capabilities, gathering data that will help refine theories about low-mass stars and the universe's age.
Artificial muscles can create a full range of colors by adjusting the diffraction grating, overcoming limitations of existing displays. The technology uses white LED lights and could lead to consumer products in under eight years.
A new study by UCLA researchers analyzed clots removed from the brain blood vessels of 25 stroke victims, revealing that they are composed of similar components. The analysis showed that red blood-cell accumulations often accumulated on clots after impaction in the brain artery, contradicting previous assumptions.
A global study found that all forms of tobacco exposure, including second-hand smoke, increase the risk of heart attack. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk, with light smokers benefiting the most.
New research reveals that the immune system's 'thermostat' operates in harmony, with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory compounds working together to regulate inflammation. Interleukin 10 production is triggered by Interferon-γ and an antigen-presenting cell, highlighting a dynamic and coordinated response.
Astronomers have discovered the faintest stars in a globular star cluster using Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys. The study reveals insights into the age, origin, and evolution of NGC 6397, which is estimated to be nearly 12 billion years old.
Researchers Constance Steinkuehler and Dmitri Williams found that online video games like 'Asheron's Call' and 'Lineage' foster social interaction and relationships beyond the workplace and home. The games offer virtual third places for informal sociability, bridging social capital and broadening worldviews.
A core needle biopsy sample gives a representative picture of gene expression in the entire tumor, according to a new study. The results show that biopsy samples have identical gene expression levels as surgical samples, but with four specific genes modified by the biopsy procedure.
A new genetic component of heart disease has been identified, with the ILK protein found to play a critical role in regulating cardiac contractility. Loss of ILK in heart cells results in cardiomyopathy and heart failure, highlighting the importance of this molecule in vital physiological processes.
Researchers found that patients with low BMI had a higher risk of death than those with normal BMI, while overweight individuals had better survival rates. The study suggests that alternative methods are needed to characterize individuals with excess body fat accurately.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a method to bypass spinal cord injuries by regenerating severed nerve fibers and reconnecting them with the spinal cord. The treatment, using an enzyme called chondroitinase, resulted in improved mobility in rats with impaired motor functions.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that all forms of tobacco exposure, including smoking, chewing, and second-hand smoke, increase the risk of heart attack. The study, which included data from over 27,000 people in 52 countries, showed that even low levels of tobacco exposure can double the risk of a heart attack.
An international team of astronomers has identified the dimmest stars in globular star cluster NGC 6397 using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The discovery provides clues to the age of the Universe and the formation time of one of its earliest generations of stars.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers reveals that the immune system protein paired-immunoglobulin like receptor-B (PirB) inhibits neuronal plasticity in adult mice, while a deficiency in PirB leads to enhanced plasticity throughout life. This discovery has important implications for future studies and repairs of the brain.
Researchers identified PTEN as a key regulator of Treg responsiveness to IL-2, enabling their proliferation and maintaining suppressive function. This discovery could provide a way to overcome the major challenge of harnessing Tregs for autoimmune disease treatment.
A study projects ischemic stroke costs to reach $1.52 trillion from 2005-2050, with African Americans and Hispanics facing higher costs. The American Academy of Neurology urges Congress to increase NIH funding to halt the impending epidemic and save lives.
Researchers discovered that the brain's endocannabinoid system provides 'on-demand' protection against seizures by modulating glutamatergic transmission in neurons. The study suggests that this system might be a prime target for drugs against epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.
Despite recent atrocities, British hospitals remain poorly prepared for major incidents, with many lacking clear plans and regular rehearsal schedules. The survey found that only 54% of doctors were clear about their role in responding to a major incident, highlighting the need for improved preparation.
A study found that African Americans with hepatitis C infection experience a lower response rate to peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin combination treatment compared to Caucasian Americans. The racial difference in viral responses was seen as early as the fourth week of treatment, with African Americans having a significantly lower su...
Northwestern University has received a four-year, $4.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop and produce affordable diagnostic devices for infectious diseases. The team will focus on two targeted products and work with commercial collaborators Abbott and Inverness Medical Innovations to improve test systems.
Blood alcohol levels above legal limits increased significantly among emergency care patients, with a 113% rise in lab tests from 1999 to 2004. The number of intoxicated women doubled, while men consistently outnumbered women across all age groups.
Nickitas Georgas, a Ph.D. candidate at Stevens Institute of Technology, has won the ASBPA 2006 Education Award for his research on operational coastal wave forecasting models. The award includes a $500 cash stipend and recognition for furthering coastal or riverine systems science.
A team of researchers discovered a novel RNA gene in the human genome that is rapidly evolving and plays a crucial role in brain development. The gene is transcribed into RNA in the brain and its changes are associated with schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
A new study finds that a community-driven approach to distributing anti-AIDS medications is more equitable and effective than traditional top-down methods. Patients treated through this model showed significant increases in CD4 counts, indicating improved immune system function.
A recent study has found that crenarchaeota, a group of single-celled microbes, are the Earth's most abundant land-based creatures capable of oxidizing ammonia. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that bacteria were solely responsible for nitrogen cycles.
Studies have mapped brain regions and feeding cycles, but this study records neuronal activity across a full cycle of hunger-satiety-hunger. The researchers found that populations of neurons change their activity over the different phases of a feeding cycle, reflecting the physiological state of the animals.
Physicist Andrei Lebed has discovered exotic superconductivity where electron pairs exhibit both rotating and non-rotating behavior, breaking down conventional symmetry laws. This phenomenon is observed in strong magnetic fields and has significant implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics.
A small study found that TV effectively reduces kids' pain scores, with passive distraction being more effective than active distraction. Watching TV increases children's pain tolerance, making it a useful tool for minor procedures.
A large-scale haplotype-mapping study aims to identify genetic factors that enable some HIV-infected individuals to suppress viral replication without treatment. The study, known as the Elite Controller Collaborative Study, hopes to develop a first-generation HIV vaccine that can successfully suppress viral levels.
A study has found that a specific gene linked to brain development in humans differs dramatically from its counterpart in chimpanzees. The gene, called HAR1, has undergone significant changes over the past five million years, with 18 of its 118 letters changing between humans and chimps.
Estimated costs of ischemic stroke in the US will exceed $2.2 trillion by 2050, with non-Hispanic whites facing a cost of $1.52 trillion and African Americans facing a higher per capita cost of $25,782. The study highlights ethnic disparities in stroke-related healthcare access and outcomes.
A newly discovered gene, HAR1F, has undergone accelerated evolutionary change in humans and is active during critical brain development stages. The gene's role in cerebral cortex development and expansion during human evolution remains speculative but exciting.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found significant differences in disability rates between people of different income levels, even among those at the higher end of the spectrum. Those living above 600% of poverty had elevated odds of disability compared to their counterparts at 700% and higher.
A new study predicts that the US will spend $2.2 trillion on stroke care over the next 45 years unless preventive measures are taken. The highest costs will be for African American and Latino patients, who suffer strokes at younger ages and receive poorer-quality care.
A study of 49 patients diagnosed with West Nile fever found that half experienced ongoing health complaints, including fatigue, memory problems, and depression, similar to those who had more severe forms of the disease. The research suggests that West Nile virus may cause a spectrum of illness and damage to the brain.
The Wisconsin Emerging Scholars in Computer Science (WES-CS) program at UW-Madison is working to increase diversity in the field by recruiting underrepresented groups of freshmen and implementing parallel team-learning techniques. The program has seen success with its 'First-Year Interest Group' and innovative 'Digital Divide' course, ...
Researchers at FSU have identified a key component in cell polarity formation in fruit fly eggs, which also play a role in human diseases like muscular dystrophy and some cancers. The study's findings could lead to a better understanding of how cell-to-cell communication occurs in other types of cells and organisms.
Scientists from the University of Florida have found that ordinary human brain cells can generate new brain tissue in mice and produce large amounts of new brain cells in culture. This discovery could potentially be used to fight Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other brain disorders.
Researchers used MRI scans to identify white matter and gray matter abnormalities in pre-term infants' brains, predicting risk of cognitive delays, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. The study found that nearly half of children born prematurely suffer some form of developmental delay.
MRSA is the most common cause of skin and soft-tissue infections among patients presenting in emergency rooms across the country, according to a UCLA study. The infection was found to be resistant to commonly used antibiotics, emphasizing the need for clinicians to culture infections and prescribe effective medications.
The IAU draft definition of a planet, which includes eight classical planets, three new 'plutons,' and Ceres, has been reached after two years of work. The definition states that a planet must be in orbit around a star and have sufficient mass to assume a hydrostatic equilibrium shape.
A recent study found that acid exposure triggers an enzyme, NOX5-S, leading to increased hydrogen peroxide production and DNA damage in cells. This process may contribute to the development of esophageal cancer.
Scientists have discovered large, rotating disc galaxies that formed on a rapid time scale, just 3 billion years after the Big Bang. These findings reveal unprecedented details about the anatomy of these distant proto-disc galaxies, including their gas motions and star formation rates.
A study by Penn State researchers found that breaks in hibernation may be an evolutionary mechanism to combat bacterial infections. Regular wake-ups help animals avoid serious infection while minimizing energy loss.
A recent study found that autism is a global disorder affecting how the brain processes information, particularly when it becomes complicated. The study discovered that individuals with autism perform well in basic functioning tasks but struggle with complex tasks involving sensory perception, movement, and memory.
Researchers discovered that brain neurons combine economic value and spatial information to control decision-making behaviors, contradicting the previous pure economic view. This study has implications for understanding human disorders such as addiction, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.