Researchers have identified key components in the molecular mechanism of serotonin's action on appetite regulation. Serotonin and drugs that affect its action act on neurons to reduce AgRP release and increase αMSH levels, disrupting function of melanocortin receptors.
Scientists have discovered that an enzyme called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is needed for paramutation, a phenomenon where one version of a gene can order another to act differently. This finding has significant implications for breeding better crop plants and unraveling complex genetic diseases, including some human health conditions.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have successfully blocked the advance of retinal degeneration in mice with antioxidants, including vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid. The study found that high oxygen levels in the retina kill cone photoreceptors, which are critical to central vision.
Abnormal stimulation of a cellular trigger causes invasive tumor-like growths in mice, which regress upon removal. The study suggests a possible treatment for lethal brain tumors by targeting PDGFRá B cells.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez is recognized for his significant advances in terrestrial and marine conservation during his tenure as Costa Rica's environment minister. The Blue Moon Fund awarded him the $150,000 prize to support his work on advancing ecosystem services policy and practice.
Researchers identified a new disorder called enteric anendocrinosis caused by a mutation in the Neurogenin-3 gene. Patients with this condition develop type I diabetes and have abnormally low endocrine cells in their intestine, leading to severe malnutrition and growth failure.
A Penn State researcher has developed a process that converts organic matter in corn waste into electricity, with a conversion rate of over 93 percent. This technology could provide a new, sustainable source of energy, reducing reliance on ethanol and other fossil fuels.
Researchers discover a genetic code that determines where nucleosomes are positioned along DNA, affecting access to genes and cellular processes. This finding has implications for understanding diseases such as cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that seniors who give up driving are less likely to enter nursing homes or assisted living centers than those who have never driven. The study included extensive interviews with 1,593 seniors between 65 and 84 years old.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has reported a massive methane blowout from the ocean floor, which may provide answers to historical global warming cycles and current climate changes. The study found that nearly all the methane was transported to the atmosphere during the blowout.
A study found that a gene variant increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but adopting healthy lifestyle changes significantly reduces this genetic risk. The research, conducted by the DPP Genetics subgroup, identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in the TCF7L2 gene as a key risk factor for the disease.
Diastolic heart failure is increasingly common, now accounting for over half of heart failure cases. Women, particularly elderly women, are disproportionately affected. Therapies for diastolic heart failure may need to be distinct from those for systolic heart failure.
Partnerships between UK hospitals and developing world hospitals can be mutually beneficial. Healthcare in Somaliland has improved due to the partnership, including increased trained nurses, physiotherapists, and students. The UK also benefits from these partnerships, with health professionals gaining new skills and perspectives.
A five-year project funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies aims to improve Vietnam's health system by gathering detailed birth and death data. UQ health experts will work with Vietnamese researchers and government personnel to develop policy, advanced mortality, and cost-effectiveness analyses.
Language barriers compromise health care for 50 million U.S. residents who do not speak English at home, resulting in delayed care, preventable injuries, and higher healthcare costs. The article highlights the need for adequate language services to ensure optimal communication, patient satisfaction, and safety.
The NHGRI has announced new sequencing targets, including the Northern white-cheeked gibbon genome, to gain insights into human health and disease. The gibbon genome is unique due to its high number of chromosome rearrangements and segmental duplications.
A new study found a significant link between periodontal bacteria and the risk of heart disease, specifically acute coronary syndrome. The research suggests that specific bacteria, including T. denticola, T. forsythia, and streptococci spp, may contribute to inflammation and increased white blood cell counts.
The ESO ELT Project Office will work closely with experts from the scientific community and industry to design a telescope that will improve performance by over tenfold compared to current telescopes. A baseline design is expected to be presented to the ESO Council in late 2006.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a protein switch that activates chronic pain. The switch is an enzyme called protein kinase G (PKG), which sets off processes generating pain messages when activated. Turning PKG off relieves pain, making it a potential target for therapy.
Biodiversity experts warn of a major crisis and urge creation of an inter-governmental mechanism to provide a united, authoritative scientific voice. Existing organizations lack the structural means to mobilize the expertise of a large scientific community, spanning multiple disciplines.
Researchers from University of California, Irvine, found that transplanted human embryonic stem cells do not cause harm and can be used to treat acute spinal cord injuries. The study confirmed previous findings that replacing a cell type lost after injury improves outcomes in rodents.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a gene mutation causing chaotic electrical activation of the heart muscle and atrial fibrillation. The study found that a specific genetic mutation in the KCNA5 gene leads to susceptibility for atrial fibrillation, providing new insight into its mechanism.
Researchers found that a normal gene involved in mammary gland function helps trigger a lethal type of leukemia when mutated. The discovery suggests that drugs targeting this mutation may have fewer serious side effects in leukemia patients.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how serotonin regulates appetite, finding that it activates certain neurons and blocks others to curb hunger. The dual effect could lead to the development of safer anti-obesity drugs with fewer harmful side effects.
A new study finds that diabetes disease-management programs lead to higher rates of recommended examinations, such as eye and foot exams, and cholesterol checks. However, these strategies had no impact on controlling key factors associated with diabetes complications, like blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a process to create graphene-based composite materials with exceptional properties. The method involves exfoliating graphite into individual layers, which can be mixed into polymers, glasses, and ceramics.
Research shows a survival rate of 84% in third year follow-up, greatly reduced infections and lymphoma-like disorders, with improved quality of life for children after transplantation.
A new study found that neurosurgical treatment of severe anxiety disorders can be effective in relieving symptoms, but also carries a significant risk of side-effects such as apathy and epilepsy. The study monitored 51 patients for up to 23 years after undergoing capsulotomy, a procedure that involves severing nerve fibers in the brain.
The number of women in leadership roles in research studies has increased fivefold since 1970, but they remain underrepresented among medical science investigators. Women are entering the medical profession at the same rate as men, yet few studies and editorials are authored by them.
Researchers discovered that breast stem cells lack receptors for female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, resembling the aggressive 'basal' subtype of breast cancer. The findings support speculation that breast stem cells may give rise to basal tumours, which are more common in BRCA1 carriers.
A study of children and young adults treated with doxorubicin for bone tumors found progressive worsening of heart damage, with nearly half showing diastolic dysfunction. Regular echocardiography is recommended to monitor heart function and prevent further deterioration.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are testing a 12-week prevention program to combat childhood obesity in Meade County, Ky. The program focuses on promoting regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, and parent-child communication to reduce obesity rates.
Queen's University researchers found that two genes cooperate to protect aortic smooth muscle cells from death, pointing to new therapies for preventing heart attacks and strokes. The study's findings suggest that delivering the HO-1 gene using gene therapy may help stabilize plaques and prevent clogging in arteries.