The study reveals the three-dimensional structure of the smallpox virus topoisomerase-DNA complex, providing crucial insights into how the viral enzyme recognizes and activates specific DNA sequences. This knowledge will facilitate the design of targeted agents to combat poxvirus infections and prevent smallpox replication.
A $14.6 million NIH grant will fund an international, multidisciplinary effort to leverage recent genetic discoveries into possible treatments for AMD. The investigation aims to explore the role of complement factor H and factor B genes in the immune system and develop diagnostic tools and treatments.
Researchers at University at Buffalo found that methamphetamine increases expression of DC-SIGN receptor, allowing more virus to invade the immune system and promote HIV infection. The study suggests that dopamine receptor blockers could be beneficial in reducing HIV infection in high-risk populations.
A recent study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk among the elderly, diabetics, and African Americans. The research analyzed 7.8 million deaths across US cities from 1989 to 2000, revealing a significant association between extreme temperatures and cardiovascular-related deaths in African Americans.
The median age of San Francisco's homeless population has increased significantly over 14 years, shifting from 37 to 46. Chronic diseases related to homelessness are a major contributor to this trend. Researchers at UCSF have found worsening health status and chronic conditions among aging homeless adults.
Researchers found that longer train trips lead to increased physiological and psychological stress, as well as impaired task completion. Commuter stress affects human health and well-being, with over 100 million Americans experiencing daily stress due to their commute.
Researchers at UCLA compared neural stem cells grown in the lab to those derived from donated fetal tissue and found the former expressed lower levels of a metabolic gene called CPT 1A. This abnormality may impact the effectiveness of these stem cells in treating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Current brain cooling devices may not be effective in reducing injury from stroke and head trauma as they can't penetrate deeply into the brain. The new findings suggest that most patients won't benefit from these techniques, and a different approach is needed for certain patients.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute has acquired an Insitu A-20 unmanned aircraft system, which will facilitate various research projects across Alaska. The aircraft's capabilities include wildfire mapping, pipeline security, and large mammal tracking, offering unique opportunities for students and faculty.
Researchers urge governments to implement stricter controls on the live reef fish trade, a growing threat to coral reefs. The trade has devastating effects on the ecosystem, including the depletion of coral reef stocks and the spread of destructive harvesting methods.
A large-scale study found that adding a broad-spectrum psychotropic agent, Risperidone, to standard antidepressant therapy can effectively treat resistant major depressive disorder. Patients who were less severely ill only needed a brief period of Risperidone treatment to experience lasting benefits.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that nearly half of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not receiving treatment. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,600 twins, suggests that many cases of ADHD may be underdiagnosed or undertreated.
Researchers developed transgenic goats with human lysozyme genes, which produce antibacterial milk that reduces coliform bacteria in pigs. In contrast, kid goats showed no significant difference. The findings demonstrate potential benefits of biotechnology-enhanced dairy animals for human health.
The Lancet has teamed up with PRODUCT RED to produce a (RED) issue devoted to HIV/AIDS, contributing $30,000 to the cause. The initiative aims to convince companies to develop RED products and donate profits to the Global Fund.
Researchers developed an electronic artwork system that recognizes eight key facial features to determine the emotional state of a viewer. The system adapts the artwork's colors and brush strokes in real-time, creating a unique interactive artistic experience.
Researchers found that poorer countries with less-developed health systems are more likely to implement health grants effectively, contrary to expectations of low absorptive capacity. This is attributed to increased political stability and attention paid to resources in these nations.
Researchers at UW-Madison presented studies on the ineffectiveness of fish advisories, the role of sulfate-reducing bacteria in mercury contamination, and the long-term consequences of in utero exposure to methylmercury. The findings highlight the need for improved communication, funding, and media coverage to address these issues.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a new method for calculating intergalactic distances, which implies that the Hubble constant may be significantly off the mark. The Triangulum Galaxy is estimated to be 15% farther away from our galaxy than previously measured, potentially making the universe 15% bigger and older.
Researchers use X-ray microbeam to measure stresses and strains in deformed metal, confirming a 20-year-old theory. The study provides quantitative data to support computer models of mechanical stress, offering new insights into the behavior of metals.
Scientists are using a powerful array of instruments to dissect the region's atmosphere and understand intense urban air pollution episodes. The experiment is also evaluating next-gen weather forecasting tools and tracking water vapor, a stronger greenhouse gas involved in climate change.
A study by researchers at McMaster University found that adding protein to a sports drink did not improve cycling performance during exercise. The research contradicts claims of protein-enhanced products in the market, which are often marketed as the next magic bullet for athletes.
A Michigan State University partnership is examining the possibility of growing oilseed crops and other crops on abandoned industrial sites for use in ethanol or biodiesel fuel production. The study aims to determine if crops grown on brownfield sites can produce adequate yields and contribute to bioremediation, making them viable alte...
Researchers at Wake Forest University discovered that fibrin fibers can be stretched up to four times their length before breaking, making them the most stretchable natural fibers known. This discovery has significant implications for understanding blood clot properties and developing new treatments for heart attacks and strokes.
A study reveals that marijuana arrests shifted from rich areas to poor black and Hispanic neighborhoods in NYC between 1992 and 2003. The authors suggest issuing desk appearance tickets or asking smokers to stop instead of arresting individuals.
A large study found that increasing paternal age is significantly associated with increased rates of spontaneous abortion. Women with partners aged 35 or older had nearly three times as many miscarriages as compared to women conceiving with men younger than 25 years of age.
A new study at University College London found that humans often act irrationally when faced with difficult decisions, driven by emotional reactions. Participants were more likely to gamble at the threat of losing £30 than the offer of keeping £20, despite both options resulting in the same outcome.
A study led by Rebecca Sudore found that low literacy levels are associated with a higher risk of death among elderly people. Only 28% of adults understood a simplified medical consent form, even after modification to improve understanding. Limited literacy increases mortality risk by a factor of 1.75.
Scientists detected gravity changes in the earth's surface caused by a massive Sumatran earthquake using satellite data. The study provides a clearer picture of how the earth changed after the 9.1-magnitude earthquake, which raised the seafloor and altered GPS measurements.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute successfully sequenced the genome of a methane-producing Rice Cluster I Archaeon, revealing unique enzymatic mechanisms that enable them to thrive in oxygen-rich environments. This breakthrough could pave the way for developing methods to monitor and potentially reduce methane emissions from floode...
African sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei evolves an unusual chromosomal structure to diversify its VSG genes and evade human immune response. This adaptation enables the parasite to change protein expression rapidly, allowing it to persist in a host population.
Researchers discovered that a small fraction of IgG antibodies in IVIG carry sialic acid, responsible for its anti-inflammatory effects. The team enriched IVIG for these molecules, increasing its activity by a factor of ten and paving the way for a new class of therapeutics.
In sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS deaths are disproportionately affecting health professionals, particularly nurses and clinical officers. The study found that over a decade, death would claim more of these healthcare workers than resignation or normal retirement due to the disease.
Astronomers have discovered a double planetary mass object in the Ophiuchus star-forming region, approximately 400 light years away. The objects, which are similar to extra-solar giant planets, are not orbiting around a star but instead appear to be circling each other.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that low-income countries are more likely to rapidly use Global Fund grants. Countries with higher incomes or developed health systems were less likely to utilize the funds.
Researchers at UC Riverside developed a new technique using Atomic Force Microscopy to study brain proteins and measure bonding between single molecule molecules. This breakthrough allows for the rapid detection of neurotoxins with extremely small sample sizes.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study found that caregiving interventions for dementia can also prevent complicated grief and depression after the loved one's death. The study, which followed 1,222 caregivers, showed that reducing caregiver burden, treating depression, and providing supportive psychosocial interventions can help caregiv...
A single gene, BRIT1, plays a pivotal role in launching two DNA damage detection and repair pathways, suggesting its function as a previously unidentified tumor suppressor gene. The gene is under-expressed in human ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer cell lines, and its disruption leads to genomic instability.
Researchers at Montana State University are investigating the potential of producing biofuels from various straws, hays, and silages in Montana. They aim to find more efficient methods for converting biomass into sugars and fermenting them into fuel, with the goal of making these new ethanol production methods competitive.
A decade after HAART introduction, HIV/AIDS risk remains low for those starting treatment. However, a significant increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases among HAART patients has been observed since 1998, largely due to increased incidence of TB.
A study published by the University of Kentucky found that smokers with chronic pain tend to smoke at higher rates than those without pain. However, over half of these smokers are considering quitting. The research suggests that addressing smoking cessation as part of pain management could lead to improved health outcomes.
A Michigan State University study found that sixth-grade students who engaged in more vigorous physical activity performed approximately 10 percent better in core subjects like math and science. The research suggests that vigorous exercise is linked to improved academic outcomes, not just physical education participation.
Stopping HIV treatment temporarily can decrease side effects and expenses, however it might cause the disease to progress faster. Researchers discovered that interrupting treatment for certain periods of time was as effective as continuous therapy in controlling the virus.
The Heineken Workplace Programme, which provides antiretroviral treatment to employees, shows that offering HAART is feasible. By restricting treatment options, companies can manage HIV patients while prioritizing the health of their workforce.
Researchers found that regulatory T cells, which function like immune system police, learn what to protect while in the thymus and that everything they learn may not be good. The cells are diverse and able to recognize endogenous tissue and invaders, but also may not learn to recognize all endogenous tissue.
A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that severe sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke in older adults. The study analyzed data from over 390 participants aged 70-100 and discovered that those with severe sleep apnea were 2.5 times more likely to experience a stroke.
A new study found that African Americans have lower adherence rates to type 2 diabetes medication compared to whites. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,700 Medicaid patients and found that black patients were 12% less likely to take their medication as prescribed.
Two University of Iowa studies examine factors that hinder or help physicians disclose medical errors. The research reveals a range of positive and negative motivations, including responsibility to patients, self, profession, and community. Understanding these factors can improve patient safety and doctor-patient relationships.
DNA damage in stroma tissue may predict breast cancer risk, according to a recent study. The researchers found that specific DNA lesions were more common in women aged 33-46, which corresponds with the rise in breast cancer incidence during this age group.
Scientists from NASA and the University of Maryland used a new tool to track possible habitats of the ivory-billed woodpecker in delta regions along the lower Mississippi River. The study aims to determine if the species is extinct or still living.
Astronomers discovered a brown dwarf in close orbit around a white dwarf, with a separation of less than 2/3 of the Sun's radius. The system formed after the red giant engulfed its companion and ejected its envelope, leaving behind a binary system.
Despite facing persistent discrimination, women paediatricians pioneered the specialty and made significant contributions to its development. Their experiences forced them to take circuitous routes into the profession, but ultimately helped create a more inclusive field.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a key protein regulating fat and cholesterol production, which may lead to more comprehensive treatments for metabolic syndrome. The study found that removing this protein's binding partner disrupts SREBP activity, resulting in reduced lipid biosynthesis.
Researchers at Cornell University found that the distribution of paired electrons in a common high-temperature superconductor was disorderly, but the distribution of phonons was also disorderly. This suggests that a similar mechanism may be responsible for high-temperature superconductivity.
Researchers find that inhibition of eNOS or PI3K provides total protection against anaphylactic shock. The study reveals a new mechanism underlying the condition, with eNOS-derived NO playing a crucial role.
Research based on 9,000 children suggests that breastfed babies are less anxious than bottle-fed babies when faced with parental divorce or separation. The findings hold true regardless of other factors, but the authors note that breastfeeding may be a marker for other maternal or parental factors contributing to stress resilience.
Sandia researchers found that rough hydrophobic surfaces exhibit longer-range attractive forces, which may help explain protein folding and the self-cleaning 'Lotus effect'. By inserting rough surfaces into experiments, they slowed down the reaction to measure the attraction and observe its origin, a cavitation bridge between the subme...
The study found that CAD increased cancer detection by 13.3% in screening-detected cancers and 14.2% for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).CAD also improved recall rates and reduced false negatives, with the greatest impact on symptomatic patients.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that the protein CD86 on B lymphocytes increases antibody production when interacting with T cells. This finding could lead to new treatments for pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune diseases.
A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study found that gout is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction (heart attack) in men with no previous history of coronary artery disease. Gouty arthritis was associated with modest elevations in blood pressure, age, and body mass index.
A recent study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy reveals a strong genetic link between hereditary knee bone marrow lesions and osteoarthritis. The research, conducted on 115 siblings from 48 families, found that the prevalence of these lesions was significantly influenced by genetics.