Researchers found that MMP-9 is highly expressed by colon cancer cells and is key to initiating metastasis. By blocking the enzyme, colorectal cancer cells cannot metastasize to other tissue, suggesting a new target for preventing metastasis in colon cancer.
A randomized study of 140 COPD patients found that a combination therapy significantly reduced inflammatory cells and improved lung function. The treatment, salmeterol/fluticasone propionate, decreased inflammation by 36% and showed improvements in lung function similar to other anti-inflammatory treatments.
The Jackson center aims to understand how genes interact to develop healthy individuals or lead to diseases, leveraging the power of the mouse model. Collaborators will use computational approaches to identify clusters of genes associated with complex diseases, shedding light on their evolution and causes.
Recent excavations at Suba Cave have uncovered a second, unexcavated cave, suggesting a major complex of uncertain function during the Iron Age. The team found evidence of heavy use during the early Roman period and discovered seven rough stone pillars in a corridor leading to what appears to be another chamber.
A new study comparing healthcare systems in Australia and the US found that young patients are more likely to survive cancer in Australia due to universal health insurance. The US system, which relies on private insurance, leads to a higher mortality rate among teenagers and young adults.
Researchers have discovered a 100-kilobase segment of DNA missing from the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene in gibbons. The ASIP gene plays a role in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis, but its deletion may have helped gibbons adapt to arboreal niches. Future studies will examine the physiological effects of this deletion.
Research papers predict increased solar flares and storms due to enhanced solar radiation. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is expected to strengthen with climate change induced by increasing greenhouse gases. Deep atmospheric convection enhances natural greenhouse gas feedbacks, leading to an amplified positive water vapor effect.
The Human Frontier Science Program awarded Young Investigator grants to 29 young scientists from 12 countries, with a focus on interdisciplinary research. The program also provided postdoctoral fellowships and Career Development Awards to support talented young scientists in setting up their independent laboratories.
A study found that elevated BNP levels are associated with increased mortality and significant pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic lung disease. Pulmonary artery pressure above 35 mmHg is a key indicator of this condition.
Researchers investigated how homeoproteins interact with DNA to determine their binding specificity. The findings reveal new insights into the mechanisms underlying these interactions.
A Rice University study found that women exposed to chemicals from fear-induced sweat performed more accurately on word-association tasks than those in neutral or no-sweat conditions. This suggests that human olfaction can detect chemical signals from fear, leading to more cautious behavior and improved accuracy.
The MINOS experiment has confirmed that neutrinos are not massless, with a mass difference of 0.056 eV between two types measured. This discovery opens up a new field of study to understand the universe's formation and disappearance of antimatter.
A study found that Acanthamoeba polyphagam increases MRSA numbers 1000-fold by providing a survival environment. The released bacteria are more invasive and less susceptible to biocides.
Physicists simulated gases in optical lattices to study the behavior of electrons in materials. They found that electron blocking occurs even when the lattice would normally be a good conductor, and interference effects form natural fractal patterns.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that a cancer virus protein is necessary for the virus to successfully infect and reproduce in the body. The protein, p13, plays a critical role in the early phase of infection, and its function could be targeted by new drugs or vaccines.
Researchers at PNNL have linked small organic molecules to create larger molecules that transport charge without interfering with blue light emission, enabling efficient white light generation.
The article discusses how Hurricane Katrina's aftermath revealed poor planning and decision-making by public officials. It recommends changes to the national emergency management system to improve disaster response and recovery. The lessons from Katrina can only be learned by shedding light on current policy and practices.
The MINOS experiment has successfully observed muon neutrino disappearance, confirming the presence of neutrino mass. The study also reveals a significant energy-dependent deficit in neutrino detection, consistent with the hypothesis of neutrino oscillations.
Researchers identified a sequence within the 3' UTR of Her2 mRNA that overrides inhibitory effects of 5' uORF, increasing Her2 translation in breast cancer cells. This mechanism is crucial for understanding post-transcriptional control processes and identifying new molecular targets for cancer treatment.
A new meta-analysis of 54 studies found no clear link between moderate drinking and reduced risk of premature death from all causes. The analysis controlled for age and illness effects that skewed previous findings, suggesting that moderate drinking may not be as protective as thought. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
A large-scale study in the UK found that both respiratory and urinary tract infections increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. The risk is particularly high in the first two weeks after infection. Researchers suggest a causal relation between infections and venous thromboembolism.
Experts warn that doctors must discuss future fertility with young cancer patients to provide truly informed consent. Current data indicate room for improvement in fertility counselling, with only 34% of patients receiving pre-treatment advice.
Scientists detect novel gammaretrovirus more frequently in men with RNASEL gene mutations, sparking questions about a potential viral cause for prostate cancer. The discovery raises several questions for future experimentation, including the relationship between the virus and the disease.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a link between estrogen, progesterone, and allergic responses in women. High levels of IgE antibodies against these hormones are associated with symptoms such as premenstrual asthma, menstrual migraines, and fibromyalgia.
Researchers have found that subsurface bacteria can release phosphate, which converts uranium contamination into an immobile form. This biomineralization approach uses phosphate precipitation to immobilize uranium, offering a novel strategy for remediation.
Researchers have developed a novel technique using standard surgical stents and synthetic endografts to effectively treat patients with severe blunt thoracic aortic trauma, reducing the risk of death from blood loss. The method provides a reliable way for emergency surgeons to repair difficult injuries using readily accessible materials.
Researchers found that 83% of college girls try to control their weight, regardless of their weight status. Unhealthy weight loss methods include skipping breakfast (32%) and smoking (9%). Only 19% of girls exercise regularly to lose weight.
Researchers spin a molecular stick, creating a shock wave that destroys friction in the surrounding liquid, allowing it to rotate freely. The discovery challenges traditional models of liquid behavior and has significant implications for understanding chemical reactions.
Researchers create atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe to actively initiate chemical reactions on surfaces, increasing spatial resolution to one nanometer scale. This technique has potential applications in designing more efficient catalysts and solar cells, as well as refining chemical sensor technology.
Red Storm excelled in the High Performance Computing Challenge test suite, demonstrating exceptional communication bandwidth and floating-point computation capabilities. The supercomputer achieved 40 times more communications power per teraflop than IBM's Blue Gene system, marking a significant milestone in its architecture.
A new magnetic-guided catheter has successfully treated atrial fibrillation in 38 of 40 patients, with no reported complications. The robotic device offers more precise control than conventional catheter ablation devices, potentially reducing procedure duration and improving outcomes.
PET scans can accurately predict prognosis and five-year survival rates in cervical cancer patients. Tumors with high glucose uptake have lower survival rates and disease-free survival rates.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective pretreatment process that integrates three technologies to produce bioethanol from corn stover. The new process generates four valuable products, including amorphous cellulose, hemicellulose sugars, lignin, and acetic acid.
Researchers have discovered a plant enzyme called Mir1-CP that protects corn from pests by degrading insects' peritrophic matrix. The enzyme accumulates at feeding sites within an hour of caterpillar feeding, causing impaired nutrient utilization and inhibiting growth.
Researchers developed a novel capacitor design to measure breakdown voltage in air at the micrometer scale, providing insights into electrical behavior. The device enables accurate measurements of arc formation and can be used to optimize microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and larger electrical systems for automobiles.
The MINOS collaboration has observed a significant fraction of muon neutrinos disappear, consistent with neutrino oscillation. This finding indicates that neutrinos have some mass, which helps explain how galaxies formed and the origin of matter in the universe.
The DOE Joint Genome Institute has released a new tool for analyzing metagenomic data, IMG/M, which integrates aggregate genome data from diverse microbial communities with isolate genome data. The system allows for the examination of functional annotation profiles and strain-level heterogeneity within species populations.
The study reveals how ozone reacts with carbon-carbon double bonds to form crosslinked networks within the thin film, degrading organic surfaces with prolonged exposure. Understanding this reaction mechanism may lead to improved films for organic coatings and polymeric materials.
Renowned clinicians call for collaborative effort to revive clinical pharmacology in the UK. The Lancet experts advocate for joint action by medical schools, government bodies, and industry partners to bolster this crucial field.
Yuzbashyan will use the funding to attend technical conferences and collaborate with specialists globally, aiming to promote new technologies like quantum computing and superconductivity. He plans to bring researchers from Great Britain to Rutgers and fund graduate research assistant positions.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued new quality standards for testing herbal products, focusing on the analysis of ephedra and potentially toxic heavy metals. These standards will aid in ensuring the accuracy of laboratory analyses and maintaining product safety.
Research on grape seed extract's potential to lower blood pressure, discovery of new elements, and studies on prostate cancer were among the topics presented at the ACS meeting. The conference also featured discussions on improving America's scientific competitiveness and food safety.
Brown University professors and USC colleagues find a molecule spinning at 270 trillion rotations per minute, annihilating friction. The phenomenon challenges old laws of physics, suggesting molecules can move energy without slowing down.
Researchers found that individuals with ADHD were more likely to misuse their medication, particularly selling or taking too much. Immediate release stimulants were most prone to misuse, while extended release formulations were not targeted by abusers.
Experts warn that non-compliance with treatment is a major issue among teenage cancer patients, who are at high risk due to poorer prognosis rates. Improving communication skills and addressing barriers such as family support and information overload can help increase adherence.
A new method for identifying bacteria uses genetically engineered phages that infect target bacteria, releasing biotin-capped phage progeny attached to quantum dots. The resulting phage-quantum dot complexes can be detected and counted using microscopy or spectroscopy, allowing for rapid identification of bacteria.
Researchers at University of Maryland Baltimore County identified successful factors for minority students' success, including early involvement in scientific research projects. The findings suggest that well-prepared minority students are more likely to pursue science and engineering careers.
Researchers pinpointed a single base pair mutation in DNA that causes non-shattering rice varieties, allowing for effective field harvests. This discovery will benefit the world by improving yields and sustainability of food crops, particularly rice, which is staple food for over half of the global population.
Researchers tested genetic resistance in sheep and found PrP absorption is not blocked by gut, but rather by villi. The study suggests alternative mechanisms may exist, leading scientists to reconsider the prion hypothesis for vCJD.
Duke University researchers have developed a technique using ferrofluids and magnetic traps to create 'nanocavities' that can be used as chemical detectors or for data storage. The team uses magnetics to manipulate microstructures, allowing for complex patterns to be assembled.
A new human retrovirus, XMRV, has been found in patients with a rare type of prostate cancer, suggesting a possible link between the virus and cancer development. The discovery was made using a microarray-based screening method and found that prostate cancers with specific genetic mutations were more likely to harbor XMRV infection.
A study of over 6 million births found Asian-Indian women were more than twice as likely to have low birth weight infants as white women. U.S.-born Mexican-American women also faced health challenges, despite higher completion rates and earlier prenatal care.
A team at the University of Bristol has created microphones based on the structure of a locust's eardrum, allowing them to detect extremely faint sounds. By studying the nanoscale movements of an insect's hearing system, researchers have gained insights into developing tiny sensors that can analyze sound frequencies.
The University of Maine is investing $10M in forest biorefining research to create new products from wood, including fuel ethanol, plastics and specialty chemicals. The project will also explore ways to sustain forests and make them more valuable to the economy.
Researchers have discovered the Universe's strongest magnetic field, generated by violent collisions between neutron stars. The discovery sheds light on the mysterious short Gamma-ray bursts, which are the most powerful explosions in the universe. Scientists believe that strong magnetic fields play a crucial role in their formation.
Researchers at NIST are developing a system using RFID tags to help track first responders' locations within buildings. The system uses inertial sensors to correct navigation errors, providing more accurate location and local information. By leveraging this technology, first responders can navigate complex environments more efficiently.
Researchers identify lattice solitons, localized energy waves, in uranium crystals using x-ray and neutron scattering experiments. The discovery has immediate implications for uranium science and solid-state physics.
Researchers have developed a new method for synthesizing tailored nanorods and nanowires using microwave irradiation, enabling faster production of highly versatile materials for medical applications. This approach requires specific chemicals and solvents but offers significant enhancement in reaction rates.
A new study reveals broad-scale climate change across the Antarctic continent, with temperatures rising over three times faster than global average. The finding suggests that greenhouse gases may have a significant impact on Antarctica's climate system.
A new 3D ultrasound scanner is being developed to improve minimally invasive surgeries, offering a more precise view of the target area in real-time. The technology has shown promise in animal testing, particularly for monitoring heart function during cardiac surgery without general anesthesia.