Scientists at the University of York have discovered a critical element in the mode of action of DNase colicins, which kill cells by destroying their DNA. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of new, targeted antibiotics.
A new strain of mice has been developed to mimic chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a common and incurable form of cancer. The TCL-1 transgenic mouse shares molecular features with human CLL and responds to drugs, making it a valuable tool for developing new treatments.
A study examining stroke recurrence in Mexican Americans found they have a higher risk of recurrent strokes compared to non-Hispanic whites. This increased risk is associated with a higher mortality rate, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.
The Yale Center of Excellence in Genomic Science will receive a five-year, $18 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute. The team aims to refine technologies for analyzing gene regulation and exploring inflammation, with potential applications in understanding diseases like heart disease, arthritis, and allergies.
A University of Florida study reveals that cigarette smoke can turn normal breast cells cancerous by blocking their ability to repair themselves. Cells with damaged DNA may accumulate mutations and lead to tumor formation if they survive long enough to divide.
Researchers successfully delivered a gene encoding a bioengineered cell-surface protein to heart muscle cells of pigs, mimicking the combined action of several proteins involved in maintaining a normal heartbeat. The study shows promise for replacing electronic pacemakers with a more permanent and reliable biological alternative.
A high-fiber diet helps keep the gut healthy by increasing mucus production in gut cells. The new research reveals that roughage damages cell membranes, triggering a natural repair response that exudes lubricating mucus, easing digestion and reducing discomfort.
Researchers have developed a computer-controlled system to analyze animal behavior, allowing for rapid and efficient drug screening. The Forsyth Automated Training Apparatus enables automated control of the environment, recording animal reactions to stimuli, and providing valuable insights into cognitive abilities.
The study reveals that water molecules trapped inside RNA enzymes form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules or parts of the molecule, creating a domino effect that modifies the structure elsewhere. This network-like behavior is essential for the enzyme's activity.
Finnish soldiers rarely sought compensation for psychological war injuries due to a culture of shame. Researcher Ville Kivimäki's study reveals that restrictive war psychiatry created a reality where traumatic experiences were stigmatized, limiting veterans' ability to express their traumas.
The National Human Genome Research Institute has awarded $54 million to three Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science over five years. These grants will support innovative research projects at the University of Washington, Yale University, and California Institute of Technology.
Researchers conducted experiments on 200 people, finding that snap judgments about faces are formed rapidly, often before rational thought can influence the reaction. The study suggests that our intuitions about attraction and trust are among the fastest and most intuitive judgments we make.
Researchers at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered a new biological marker in tumors that can indicate whether a woman's breast cancer will respond to chemotherapy. Women with high levels of GRP78 protein in their tumors are more likely to have cancer recurrence, but may benefit from additional taxane treatment.
In a groundbreaking finding, researchers discovered that chimpanzees in the Ebo forest, Cameroon, utilize stone hammers to access nutrient-rich seeds. This behavior was previously thought to be restricted by geographical boundaries and challenges the long-held cultural spread model of tool use among chimpanzees.
The Comprehensive Assessment reveals that one-third of the world's population lives in areas where water is either over-used or cannot be accessed due to lack of infrastructure. The study calls for radical changes in water management to address the growing water crisis.
Researchers from the Université de Montréal have identified a defect in the immune response to HIV and found a way to correct it. The team successfully stimulated a protein that prevents the virus from making immune system cells dysfunctional, opening new prospects for therapeutic strategies.
A new study suggests that constant lighting in NICUs can disrupt the development of premature babies' biological clocks. Researchers found that newborn mice exposed to constant light were unable to maintain coherent rhythms and had difficulty establishing a regular activity cycle.
A parent-based intervention program promotes sun-safe behaviors in children, especially when parents and children have a high-quality relationship. The program is most effective in families with a high-quality parent-child relationship, high level of compliance, and low negative communication.
Researchers at LIAI have identified Borrelia burgdorferi's glycolipid as an immune system trigger for fighting Lyme disease. This discovery could lead to the development of a new vaccine against the tick-borne disorder.
Researchers report first case of total suppression of male killing in a butterfly, revealing genetic conflict between elements promoting life and death. Breeding experiments show that counteracting elements can spread quickly through the population, potentially leading to widespread disappearance of male-killing bacteria.
The new ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines outline recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, addressing inconsistencies in previous guidelines. The guidelines provide individualized management based on symptom burden and severity of underlying heart disease.
A team of researchers finds that the skeletal remains of LB1, previously claimed to be a new species, actually belong to the ancestors of modern human pygmies. The study reveals microcephaly and growth abnormalities, which were initially misinterpreted as evidence of a new species.
A Yale University study found that anxious children experience more painful and complicated recoveries after surgery, with increased pain and analgesic consumption. The researchers hope to develop strategies to reduce pre-surgical anxiety and improve outcomes for children undergoing elective surgeries.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center developed new objective criteria to enhance the reliability of PET scans in detecting breast cancer metastasis. The criteria use a standardized uptake value (SUV) threshold of 2.3, which was found to accurately diagnose lymph node involvement with 100% specificity and positive predictive value.
The Institute for Multi-dimensional Air Quality Studies has developed an ozone forecaster to increase public awareness and help Texas manage air quality. The system provides detailed forecasts, including hourly data from air pollution monitors, to assist individuals with respiratory problems.
Climate change is contributing to the release of mercury stored in northern wetlands, which can become toxic in food chains. Wildfires are unleashing this mercury at levels up to 15 times greater than previously calculated.
A recent study found that a moderate dose of alcohol consumed by young women an hour before bed is associated with increased sleep intensity. The study also showed a decrease in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and a slight increase in deep sleep, as well as signs of increased sleep intensity during non-REM sleep.
Researchers from U of Penn found that IL-27 inhibits immune system cells responsible for various inflammatory-related diseases. Restoring IL-27's abilities may halt inflammation and treat autoimmune diseases.
Researchers found that bumble bees can adjust their behavior to estimate elapsed durations, crucial for decision-making tasks like feeding and communication. This ability is rare in the animal kingdom, previously known only in humans and other vertebrates.
Dr. Ray Larsen is working on understanding protein communication in bacteria, particularly the outer membrane's defensive barrier. His research aims to develop drugs that can break this barrier, rendering bacteria susceptible to human defenses and certain antibiotics.
Children with childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit lower full-scale IQ scores and impaired executive function. The study suggests OSA may lead to permanent cognitive changes if left untreated.
A parent-based intervention program encourages sun-safe behaviors and discourages tanning among children with high-quality relationships between parents and children. Family variables such as compliance and monitoring levels also impact the effectiveness of the program.
Research reveals that brief morning exposure to bright white light significantly boosts alertness and modulates brain responses in areas involved in attention and non-visual cognitive processes. The effects are highly dynamic, dissipating within minutes.
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.