Researchers from Max Planck Institute and European Synchrotron Radiation Facility study gold-copper alloy corrosion process, revealing protective surface layer and gold nano-islands. The discovery provides insights into preventing corrosion in alloys used in corrosive environments.
Research finds elastases cause emphysema through generation of pro-inflammatory elastin fragments. Blocking elastin fragment activity prevents emphysema in both mouse models. Elastin fragments are chemotactic, attracting inflammatory cells.
The rhesus macaque genome shares about 92-95% of its sequence with humans and 98% with chimpanzees, making it an ideal reference point for comparisons among the three closely related primates. The available genome sequence will facilitate studies in human disease research, vaccine development, and comparative genomic analysis.
A study by Miles and Stipek found that social behavior and literacy achievement are connected, with poor reading skills in first grade predicting subsequent aggressive behavior. The research highlights the importance of teaching reading well in early grades and suggests that one-on-one tutoring can help stem negative behavior.
Researchers found that excisional treatments, such as cold knife conisation and Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ), are associated with a small but real increase in risk of pregnancy-related morbidity. The findings suggest that cervical screening after the age of 25 may be beneficial for long-term obstetric outcomes.
Researchers found that polyglutamine proteins can destabilize the cell's system by interfering with other proteins having difficulty folding, leading to massive consequences. The study suggests a common mechanism may underlie various neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's and ALS.
The world's largest nutrition crises are in West Africa, Niger, Ethiopia, and Malawi, with undernutrition linked to half of premature child deaths. To address malnutrition, intervention programs must target processes, promote breastfeeding, and address micronutrient deficiencies.
A University of Florida engineer has designed a tiny, easy-to-manufacture motion sensor with potential applications in personal electronics, medical devices, and athletic monitoring. The sensor measures 3 square millimeters and is extremely sensitive, drawing minimal power.
Researchers found that higher conflict homes had children sleeping less and poorly, despite similar bedtime schedules. Children in these homes reported feeling sleepier during the day and experienced disrupted sleep patterns.
Researchers found that destructive marital conflict can lead to emotional insecurity and maladjustment in children, including depression, anxiety, and behavior problems. Constructive conflict, however, may increase children's security when parents express affection, engage in problem-solving, or exhibit positive feelings.
A survey by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago found a positive correlation between altruistic love and happiness in marriages. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,300 people, also revealed that married individuals tend to score higher on altruistic love questions than unmarried individuals.
Ahmet Yildiz developed a new technique for fluorescence imaging that allowed him to identify the 'walking mechanism' used by protein motors in living cells. He applied this technique to measure how Myosin V, a biomolecular motor involved in intracellular transport, moves.
A study of 851 patients found that metabolic acidosis was associated with a higher mortality rate compared to non-acidosis patients. Lactic acidosis and SIG acidosis were identified as independent predictors of hospital mortality in critically ill patients.
Collaborative research in nutritional genomics aims to develop new diagnostic tests, identify nutrient needs, and create more nutritious foods. The international consortium seeks to address health disparities by involving diverse cultures and protecting individual biological information.
Researchers at U of MN develop novel method to assess dynamic brain network interactions using magnetoencephalography (MEG). This breakthrough allows for better evaluation of brain function in diseases like Alzheimer's and monitoring treatment effects.
Researchers discovered that mice without brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exhibit increased BDNF and gene expression in response to social defeat, leading to improved social behavior. Antidepressants reverse this effect, suggesting a potential treatment for mood disorders.
Researchers discovered that elastin fragments in mice lungs trigger emphysema. Additionally, a study found that pericyte dysfunction allows tumors to spread by forming leaky blood vessels. Another study identified female mice lacking IBP protein, which makes their T cells resistant to death and contributes to lupus-like disease.
Researchers have developed a new classification system for myosins, increasing the number of subclasses from 18 to 24. This allows for better understanding of each myosin's function and its evolutionary links with other proteins.
Researchers studied 223 six-year-old children and their parents for a year to explore the effects of parental conflict on child distress. They found that witnessing different forms of destructive conflict, such as hostility or disengagement, can have long-term negative impacts on children's functioning.
Physicists at Rutgers University have rewritten the classical understanding of quantum statistical physics by finding a simpler way to derive a mathematical formula. The discovery, published in Physical Review Letters, could lead to rewrites of tomorrow's physics textbooks.
Research reveals that reading and behavior problems are intertwined in boys, primarily due to shared environmental factors, not genetics. The study found that targeting either reading or behavior issues during early childhood can lead to changes in both behaviors.
Macrophage interaction reverses activity of hormone receptors in prostate cancer cells, leading to shifts in gene expression and drug resistance.
Researchers at Florida State University have identified a gene called BDNF as playing a key role in social aversion, leading to the development of a potential new treatment for depression. Long-term use of antidepressants was successful in reversing social withdrawal, but a gene therapy approach showed promise with fewer side effects.
Research suggests that changes in wetland systematics and natural gas emissions during the glacial period may be responsible for elevated methane levels. The study analyzed ice core samples from Greenland, finding no evidence of clathrates releasing methane into the atmosphere.
The $60 million ADNI study aims to identify biological markers for memory decline and Alzheimer's disease, utilizing serial MRI scans, PET scans, and biomarker measurements. Researchers will compare data from 800 adults aged 55-90 to develop standards for tracking memory decline progression.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have created a highly sensitive atomic force microscopy (AFM) technology called FIRAT, capable of high-speed imaging 100 times faster than current AFM. FIRAT can capture material property imaging and parallel molecular assays for drug screening and discovery.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered that certain vegetables, such as broccoli and soy beans, can increase the levels of BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins in damaged DNA. This could explain how eating vegetables cuts a person's risk of developing cancer.
Researchers found ancient lunar impacts that scarring the moon to its core, potentially creating the 'man in the moon' feature. The study suggests a large object hit the far side of the moon, sending a shockwave through the core and affecting the Earth-facing side.
A study analyzing media coverage of Olympics found that Japanese and American views on winning differ significantly. In Japan, winning is attributed to a combination of athlete's attributes, background, and social experience. This difference reflects cultural products such as television, which influence how people perceive the world.
A study published in Annals of Neurology found that brain scans can predict cognitive decline in normal older people, with lower glucose metabolism detected in the parietal and temporal lobes. The scans also predicted declines on memory tests, such as the DelRec test, suggesting a potential link to Alzheimer's disease.
A review of 12,000 Ugandan women found that male circumcision significantly reduced the likelihood of HIV infection among female partners. The study also found a reduction in other STDs, such as human papillomavirus and syphilis, but not gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
A randomized controlled trial found that robot-assisted surgery improved the accuracy of knee replacement operations, with all robotically assisted cases lining up bones to within two degrees of planned position. The study also showed no additional side effects and quicker recovery times.
Lake Victoria is losing water at an alarming rate due to the operation of Uganda's dams, which have released up to 55% more water than permitted. The lake is now at an 80-year low, with devastating effects on fishing communities and towns.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago found that mothers teaching their daughters about HIV and sexual health can significantly reduce high-risk behavior. The Mother/Daughter HIV Risk Reduction program, which included joint mother/daughter homework assignments and abstinence agreements, was more effective than other interventions.
Researchers at Penn State have developed titania nanotube dye sensitive solar cells with a 3% initial conversion rate, which they aim to increase to 15% through optimization. The cells use an easier fabrication system than conventional silicon solar cells and have shown promise in producing more electrons that do not recombine.
A team from University of Wisconsin-Madison has shown that when the surface of nanoscale silicon is specially cleaned, it facilitates current flow in thin layers that ordinarily won't conduct. Conductivity at the nanoscale is independent of added impurities.
A comprehensive breast cancer protein library has been established, enabling researchers to study proteins' roles in cancer development. The library's vast collection of cDNAs covers a broad spectrum of breast cancer-related genes, offering new avenues for understanding and treating the disease.
Researchers at UIC found that trifluoperazine inhibits calmodulin, a molecule required for opioid activation, thereby blocking addiction. The study suggests that this antipsychotic drug could enable low-dose pain relief without dependence on opioids.
Researchers apply constructal theory to predict global climate characteristics, including average wind speed and temperature differences. The findings challenge previous understanding of factors driving climate patterns and may aid in predicting environmental changes.
A team of scientists has discovered that a protein called CatSper1 plays a crucial role in hyperactivation, the whiplike motion of sperm tails, and male fertility. The breakthrough uses patch clamp recording to study electrical currents inside sperm cells, opening new avenues for research into infertility and contraception.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have created a detailed snapshot of a cocaine antibody's dynamics, revealing its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating addiction. The study's findings provide insight into the molecular basis of catalysis and suggest possible mutations to enhance the antibody's efficacy.
A recent decrease in Rocky Mountain snowpack has slowed the release of heat-trapping carbon dioxide gases from forest soils into the atmosphere during the dead of winter. The lack of snow has decreased the winter insulation of the soils, cooling them and slowing the metabolism of microbes that release large amounts of CO2.
Researchers have identified CatSper as a crucial channel facilitating calcium ion entry into sperm tails, enabling hyperactivation and motility. This breakthrough enables direct testing of modulators to block CatSper, potentially leading to the development of a male contraceptive.
Researchers found that mating in microbes reduces asexual reproduction efficiency, but leads to genetic diversity and hardy offspring. This balance between cost and benefit of sex may improve survival chances under harsh environmental conditions.
The NIH has launched two initiatives to identify the genetic and environmental underpinnings of common illnesses. The Genes and Environment Initiative will combine genetic analysis and environmental technology development, while a public-private partnership called GAIN will accelerate genome association studies with $5 million from Pfi...
Researchers have discovered a way to selectively target alpha 4 integrin molecules, which cause white blood cells to accumulate at the site of inflammation. This could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study conducted by researchers at the NIH found a strong association between H2 blocker treatment and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Infants treated with H2 blockers were 1.71 times more likely to develop the condition, which can be life-threatening.
A year-long, double-blind study found saw palmetto to be ineffective in treating enlarged prostate. The study involved 225 patients who received either saw palmetto or a placebo twice daily for one year, with no statistically significant difference in symptoms or side effects.
Research highlights importance of early oral health screenings for young patients with diabetes, as gum disease onset is younger than previously recognized. Studies show significant disparities in dental care access and a perceived lack of need among diabetic patients.
Dyslexic children exhibited different patterns of brain activity when performing language tasks related to spelling, but their brains normalized after receiving specialized instruction. The study found that a developmental approach to teaching spelling was most effective in improving dyslexic children's spelling skills.
A study from McMaster University suggests that cutting middle managers can actually decrease a company's productivity, as one-on-one social exchanges between bosses and employees are crucial for building trust and loyalty. By investing in reciprocal interactions, employers can boost employee commitment and superior performance.
The American Physiological Society has published a resource book on animal exercise protocols to promote informed dialogue and improve animal welfare. The book covers various aspects of exercise research, including study design considerations, animal stress, and common exercise protocols using different species.
Researchers at MIT have created a new type of ultracapacitor using nanotube structures, which can increase the storage capacity by up to 25 times. This innovation has the potential to provide a more efficient and economically viable alternative to conventional batteries.
Researchers found notable increases in racial differences in asthma hospitalizations and deaths since 1980, with smaller increases seen for adults. Clinicians are urged to focus on improving treatment, prevention, and education for minorities to close the unacceptable racial gap.
The new Cluster 1350 system is a 1000-node cluster running Linux, capable of performing over 8.5 trillion calculations per second, making it one of the fastest in the world. This enables researchers to quickly analyze complex DNA and proteins to develop more targeted drugs for human cancer genes and proteins.
Astronomers discovered dusty disks around two massive stars, suggesting that planets might form and survive in hostile environments. The discovery expands the range of known conditions for complex dust grain formation and potentially indicates that these stars are forming planets.
A recent study by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine emphasizes the need for doctors to prioritize public interests in medical research, advising against withholding negative results from clinical trials. The organization's guiding ethical principles recommend agreeing publication with sponsors before trial initiation.
Climate change is already affecting human health, with increased duration of heatwaves in various regions and potential impacts on infectious diseases. Additionally, global warming may lead to regional food yields and water supplies, compromising health outcomes.
A recent study found that low-income minority patients are underrepresented in colon cancer screenings, with only 7% receiving correct screenings. The study highlights the need for organizational interventions to support physicians in underserved areas and promote recommended screening practices.
Pediatric trauma patients treated in children's hospitals had significantly lower mortality rates, lengths of stay, and hospital bills compared to adult hospitals. The study analyzed nearly 80,000 pediatric trauma cases and found that nearly 90% of injured children were treated at adult hospitals or children's units within them.