The European Commission has allocated €12 million to the AGRON-OMICS project, a collaborative research effort aiming to enhance understanding of plant growth and development. The project will focus on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, exploring molecular components controlling growth and their interactions.
Researchers have discovered a bacteriophage with a structure similar to human rotavirus, providing new information on the formation of viral particles and genetic distinction. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary origins of viruses, which likely share common ancestors across species.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has developed core recommendations for rheumatology care in Europe, focusing on key disease areas such as musculoskeletal disorders and gout. These guidelines aim to enhance the standard of care across the continent and provide valuable resources for healthcare professionals.
Researchers identified minocycline's role in blocking poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a protein linked to inflammation and cell death. The study suggests minocycline's potential as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, but raises concerns about its effects on cancer risk and gender differences.
Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center highlight the dangers of lightning during National Lightning Safety Awareness Week. The study reveals that over 8 million cloud-to-ground lighting strikes occur daily worldwide, with an average of 67 deaths annually in the US.
Researchers found that participants receiving growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) experienced improved physical function and increased lean body mass. The treatment also led to higher levels of growth hormone and IGF-1 in the bloodstream, suggesting potential benefits for reducing aging-related effects.
Xiaodong Wang's groundbreaking discoveries in programmed cell death have provided new directions for cancer treatment, highlighting the balance between cell birth and death. His work has also revealed key proteins like cytochrome c involved in apoptosis.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that mice lacking a specific gene produce fewer parasites in their livers, preventing the disease from developing. This discovery may lead to the creation of new drugs to treat different diseases affecting the liver.
A team of researchers is developing new diagnostic tools to identify biological markers that predict brain injury in children with FASD, aiming to minimize the effects on development. Simple eye movement tasks can assess brain function and will be used to develop individualized therapeutic interventions.
Oregon researchers used germ-free zebrafish to study how gut bacteria influence development. They found that specific bacterial components can restore normal enzyme levels and regulate sugar expression on intestinal cells. These findings could lead to better treatments for diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers found that early pubertal boys and girls were more likely to engage in abnormal eating behaviors and experience anxiety as young adults. The association suggests long-lasting changes in brain circuitry during early puberty, influencing behavior and cognitive functions.
Researchers found that people tend to consume a single unit of food when served in a small portion, despite the actual quantity being larger. This 'unit bias' helps explain how environmental factors influence eating habits and may contribute to obesity.
A new lemur species has been named Microcebus mittermeieri in honor of Conservation International President Mittermeier. The discovery was made by researcher Mireya Mayor and her team, highlighting the importance of protecting Madagascar's vital lemur habitat.
Scientists at Rice University and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a method to load multiple anticancer drugs into a single antibody, increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The use of buckyballs, soccer ball-shaped molecules of pure carbon, allows for the creation of targeted therapeutics with unique properties.
A new study found that dopamine agonist cabergoline reduces hemoconcentration, ascites, and moderate to severe OHSS incidence in women at risk. The treatment could lead to better understanding of the mechanism of OHSS development and effective treatment options.
New X-ray data from Chandra reveals that magnetic fields are responsible for the prodigious amounts of radiation emitted by super-massive black holes. The discovery uses a scale model in our galaxy to understand how all black holes work, including those powering quasars.
Research suggests a protein derived from fat tissue, adiponectin, may play an important role in longevity. Boosting growth hormone production also shows promise in extending independent living among the elderly.
The task force identified rapidly expanding research on vitamin D's benefits beyond bone health, as well as growing interest in nutrient-dense foods. Probiotics and prebiotics were also discussed for their intestinal and immune health benefits.
Sheryl Tsai receives $240,000 to pursue her work on polyketide synthases, enzymes that produce natural products used in pharmaceuticals. Her research aims to develop new drugs for cancer and other diseases.
A study found that education and retraining programs reduced serious bloodstream infections associated with central venous catheters by 21%. The intervention, which included updating ICU policies and training modules for clinicians, also prevented 131 serious bloodstream infections and avoided over 250 additional hospital days.
A study found that improving education on the risks of twins improved IVF patients' understanding and reduced their desire for multiple births. However, despite increased knowledge, many patients still prefer to have twins due to a desire to complete their family quickly with minimal treatments.
A study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that reducing antibiotic prescribing was associated with an increase in hospital admissions for respiratory infections. The research analyzed data from over 15 million hospitalizations and suggested that limiting antibiotic use may not be beneficial in all cases.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have identified defective immune cells as a primary cause of fungal infections, such as candidiasis, in HIV patients. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for these debilitating conditions.
MIT researchers have discovered that tumor cells become aneuploid due to subtle errors in microtubule attachment. The study sheds light on the role of checkpoint proteins and their interaction with APC and EB1 molecules in maintaining normal cell division.
Studies show that when objects share a common color, people can focus on more than three items simultaneously. This ability is crucial in various activities like sports, poker games, and even organizing events.
A research team, led by Yoshitomi Okura, is returning to Mount McKinley for the fifth time to collect data on the mountain's extreme winds. The team is equipped with two anemometers, a standard and ultrasonic device, to measure wind speed and sensor accuracy.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that tracking computer-based error reports can improve patient safety. The researchers analyzed 1,010 medication errors and found that nearly one-third of all errors occurred with anti-infective medications.
Adam Riess, a 36-year-old astronomer at Johns Hopkins University, has won the $1 million Shaw Prize for his work on dark energy, a phenomenon that accounts for 70 percent of the universe. He shares the award with Saul Perlmutter and Brian Schmidt, who worked on competing teams to measure the expansion rate of the universe.
Researchers created a 'cookbook recipe' to restore lost nerve function using mouse embryonic stem cells, growth factors, and specific agents. The approach showed promising results in recovering paralysis in treated rats, with some regaining muscle strength and mobility.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology reports that assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have led to the birth of over 3 million babies worldwide. The number of ART cycles has increased by 100,000, with the total estimated at one million a year, resulting in approximately 200,000 ART babies born annually.
University of Rochester experts discuss how flu invades and responds to the body, with a focus on understanding its pathogenesis. The research aims to prevent potential modification of the flu virus for lethal use and develop more effective treatments.
Researchers found that injecting IL-7 into mice inhibited weight gain after inducing MSG-induced lesions in the hypothalamus. This discovery suggests a link between immune and neuroendocrine systems, potentially leading to new obesity prevention strategies.
A recent study found that methotrexate can delay and prevent the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in patients. Patients who showed a positive anti-CCP test benefited the most from the treatment, indicating a lower risk of developing full-blown RA.
A study of 14 volunteers found that drinking cherry juice before and after exercise resulted in a significant reduction in muscle pain and a slight increase in muscle strength. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cherry juice were found to be effective in preventing muscle damage.
A study of 165 medical practices found that participating in a pharmaceutical company-sponsored clinical trial had no effect on physicians' adherence to international treatment guidelines. In fact, trial-conducting practices showed increased use of the sponsor's inhaled corticosteroids.
The brain's craving for a fix motivates humans to absorb knowledge at an optimal rate, driven by the release of natural opiates. This theory, proposed by USC Professor Irving Biederman, suggests that knowledge addiction has strong evolutionary value due to its correlation with perceived intelligence.
A 10-year study found that late career job loss significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Individuals over 50 who lost their jobs were nearly twice as likely to experience cardiovascular events compared to those still employed.
A study published by The Reis Group found that the survival rates of young competitive athletes experiencing sudden cardiac arrest are significantly lower than expected, even with proper CPR and defibrillation. The authors suggest that underlying heart conditions may be a major factor contributing to these poor outcomes.
A study found that offspring of type 2 diabetic parents exhibit endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of atherosclerosis, even without diabetes. The research suggests that early treatment may prevent progression of the disease, highlighting the importance of identifying high-risk groups.
A new study finds that high cadmium levels may increase breast cancer risk, while silibinin has been shown to inhibit lung tumor blood vessel formation. Additionally, researchers have identified a potential anticancer compound in milk thistle and explored the role of KGF and FGFR2b in cancer treatment.
Researchers Jing Wang and Bobby Calder found that ads can have both negative and positive effects on advertising. Ads appearing after a story has ended can actually enhance their effect. The study suggests that the timing of ad placement is crucial in determining its impact.
The research team showed that naphthalene can block enzymes that initiate programmed cell death, leading to unchecked cellular proliferation and cancer. The study used a common worm known as C. elegans to develop a systematic way to screen potential cancer-causing chemicals in humans.
A recent study found that 4.5% of surveyed adults reported being stalked, with women, younger adults, and single individuals being the most vulnerable. The study also revealed significant racial disparities in stalking rates, with African-Americans having lower odds of being targeted.
Studies found that oxytocin nasal spray reduces stress during marital conflict, while testosterone fuels competition in women athletes. Hockey teams experience increased testosterone and cortisol levels before home games, suggesting a hormone surge for defending territory.
Researchers found that the septum can induce rhythmical electrical activity in the hippocampus, reducing epileptic seizures by 86-97 percent. The study suggests a new approach to stopping epilepsy, focusing on inducing theta rhythm generation.
Researchers have found that the most energetic radiation from a quasar's jet comes from extremely energetic particles, not as previously thought. The particles are accelerated locally and produce their emission through synchrotron radiation.
Researchers found a novel tumor suppressor, HLJ1, that slows down lung cancer cell proliferation and reduces cancer recurrence. Patients with high HLJ1 expression lived longer than those with low expression.
A study found that children living near Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Iowa are more likely to develop asthma, with a prevalence rate of 24.6% compared to 11.7% in areas far from the facilities. The results suggest that CAFOs release inflammatory substances that can affect the health of nearby communities.
Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine found that heated blankets can significantly reduce false-positives in cancer scans caused by brown adipose tissue. The blankets reduced the uptake of tracer by 62%, compared to 30% with traditional drugs.
A new study suggests that cortisol levels alone may not be as useful for predicting the ability to quit smoking as the ratio of DHEA to cortisol. Research also found that oxytocin deficiency contributes to sweet tooth cravings, but not fatty snack preferences.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are testing a new damping system to reduce damage in woodframe structures during earthquakes. The NEESWood project uses fluid-filled shock absorbers to absorb energy and reduce strain on the structure, mimicking the effect of shock absorbers in cars.
Researchers detected subtle changes in left ventricle walls using MRI tagging, showing an association between atherosclerosis and reduced heart pumping function. The study found early signs of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries related to fine changes in heart contraction.
A new study found significant racial disparities in seatbelt use among black and white motorists, with blacks less likely to wear seatbelts in states with secondary seatbelt laws. The study suggests that upgrading these laws to primary laws could eliminate the disparity and reduce motor vehicle crash-related injuries and deaths.
A Georgia Tech and IBM research team achieved speeds of half a trillion cycles per second in commercial silicon-based technology using large wafers and low-cost manufacturing techniques. The devices operated at frequencies above 500 GHz at extremely low temperatures.
Dr. Tallie Z. Baram, a renowned UCI researcher, has been honored with the nation's top neuroscience prize for her pioneering work on childhood febrile seizures and their link to adult epilepsy. Her research has defined molecular changes in brain cells caused by early-life febrile seizures.
A study tested 35 volunteers with cheap and sophisticated pedometers to assess accuracy in free-living conditions. Results showed that only one in four pedometers fell within an acceptable range of variation, while overestimating steps taken in nearly two-thirds of cases.
Researchers found that a single dose of Taxol had induced significant testicular weight loss compared to the control group. However, an injection of AS101 a day before Taxol prevented this damage. The study suggests that immune reaction to treatment causes additional testicular damage.
A new test has been developed to detect prostate cancer spread in lymph nodes at an earlier stage, which may lead to better treatments and improved patient outcomes. The test was found to be more sensitive than existing methods and associated with increased recurrence and decreased survival rates.
The overuse of antibiotics in fish farming can lead to increased bacterial resistance and disease risk. Consuming contaminated fish products can transfer these resistant bacteria to humans, posing a significant health threat.
The global MRSA problem is escalating, with increasing rates in Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands. The authors warn of the threat of community-acquired MRSA, which can evolve into 'fitter' strains combining antimicrobial resistance with transmissibility and virulence.