Researchers have directly imaged a faint brown dwarf companion to the star HD 3651, which hosts a planet. The discovery provides valuable information on planetary formation and offers a unique insight into the co-formation of planets and brown dwarfs around the same star.
A study has identified a human 'memory gene' called Kibra that plays a significant role in memory performance. The research, conducted by the Translational Genomics Research Institute and other institutions, found a strong association between Kibra and improved memory function.
Research identifies receptor on host cells that triggers immune response to tuberculosis, which could enable novel vaccine development to boost immunity. The discovery also highlights the importance of targeting TB in HIV-infected patients, who are highly susceptible to the disease.
The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program supports innovative research in conservation, environmental science and park management. Eight scholarships were awarded to doctoral students from the Americas to conduct research critical to national parks.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that a regulatory protein PGC-1a switches on the brain's anti-oxidant system when free radicals accumulate. Increasing PGC-1a activity in brain cells protects against nerve toxins and oxidative stress.
A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that the protein CIB1 plays a critical role in proper sperm formation in mice. Mice missing both copies of the gene are infertile, while those with only one copy are fertile. This discovery sheds light on fertility genes and their potential impact on human infertility.
The UK government needs to show vocal support for NICE to ensure equity in the country's health system. NICE's guidance on restricting Alzheimer's disease drug use is necessary due to limited funds in the tax-funded health system.
Researchers have discovered a new gene, HTRA1, that significantly increases the risk of developing Age Related Macular Degeneration. This discovery may lead to new treatments and preventive strategies for patients with AMD.
Researchers found a self-sustaining community of bacteria that rely on radioactive uranium to convert water molecules into usable energy, living 2.8 kilometers below Earth's surface. The discovery expands Earth's biosphere and raises excitement about the potential for life on Mars.
A team of researchers has identified a new genetic mutation responsible for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a condition that makes bones more likely to break. The study found that mutations in the CRTAP gene reduce the ability of a protein involved in collagen formation, leading to weaker bone and increased risk of fracture.
For most children with middle ear infection, an observation policy is justified due to limited benefits from antibiotics. The study found that only some children under the age of two benefit from antibiotic treatment, while others may require more treatments to prevent extended disease cases.
The team created a cloak using metamaterials arranged in concentric circles, which confers specific electromagnetic properties. The cloak appears to have properties similar to free space when viewed externally, reducing reflection and shadow detection.
A team of researchers has discovered that DNA ligase changes shape from an open to a closed conformation as it joins DNA strands together. This finding reveals new insights into the genetic repair mechanism and its potential as a target for cancer treatment.
A study in fruit flies reveals how genes respond to alcohol, offering insights into human susceptibility to abuse. The researchers found that exposure to alcohol modifies the expression of many genes in flies, some of which are also present in humans.
Researchers have found that beaked whales can dive as deep as 1,900 meters in search of food, with a maximum duration of 85 minutes. The team's analysis suggests that the whales' extreme diving behavior does not pose a decompression risk from naval sonar exercises.
Researchers at Salk Institute and collaborators found that antagonists, not agonists, are more effective in targeting tumors. Antagonists can bind to a greater variety of receptor conformations, making them a more efficient target.
The new center will apply advanced engineering techniques and life science knowledge to control molecular interactions in cells, aiming to enhance disease treatment methods. Researchers will investigate optimal drug cocktails and mapping of molecular events that trigger stem cell differentiation.
A German-French research team found specialised microorganisms thriving in the ice-cold Arctic deep-sea, which feed on methane and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study showed that high flow velocities of mud volcano water reduce the efficiency of natural gas filters by 60%.
Mars Express's OMEGA instrument reveals a thick slab of dry ice in the cryptic region, but dust contamination is caused by geysers triggered by sunlight heating the soil beneath. The geysers create spots and fans, which suggest a process that could significantly contribute to the dust contamination observed.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute and Collège de France developed two protocols for controlled membrane fusion, revealing that the process is surprisingly fast. The fusion process can be completed within 200 nanoseconds, with an average expansion velocity of centimeters per second.
Scientists project that most of the world will face enhanced risks of heat waves, intense precipitation, and weather extremes by 2080-2099. The study used advanced climate models to analyze how weather extremes could change in the next century.
Research reveals a metabolic defect underlying Huntington's disease, causing temperature dysregulation in brain regions like the striatum. The findings may explain symptoms like weight loss and could lead to new therapeutic avenues.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have received a $7.8 million grant to develop new treatments for bone fractures and arthritis. The team will explore ways to predict who is likely to suffer from osteoarthritis after injury and create targeted drug therapies to prevent it.
A randomized trial found that high-dose folate supplementation increased the likelihood of treatment failure when used with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria in pregnant Kenyan women. The study advises against using high-dose folate supplements in antenatal clinics where sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is used to treat or prevent malaria.
Researchers found that otoferlin is essential for a late step of neurotransmitter release and may act as the major calcium sensor triggering membrane fusion at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse. The study suggests cochlear implants could benefit individuals with otoferlin-linked deafness.
Researchers discovered that a genetic repair mechanism enables the dynamic assembly and change of shape in proteins to join DNA ends during replication and repair. This mechanism allows DNA ligases to switch between open and closed conformations, enabling efficient ligation of DNA.
Researchers have found that ghrelin stimulates the same pleasure and reward neurons as food, sex, and drugs, leading to increased food intake. Ghrelin binds to receptors in the brain's ventral tegmental area (VTA), triggering dopamine production.
A team of NIAID scientists identified a human protein that helps varicella-zoster virus spread from cell to cell. Interfering with this interaction inhibits the virus' spread, and blocking it may lead to new therapies for shingles.
Researchers will catalog microbial inhabitants, study tourism impact and investigate microorganisms' role in cave formation. The team hopes to find microbes for medical, industrial and biotechnology applications.
Women undergoing drug-induced labor have nearly a two-fold increased risk of amniotic-fluid embolism, a rare but serious delivery complication. The study found that labour induction increases the risk of this condition, with fatal cases being 3.5 times more frequent.
A newly identified gene mutation in the CRTAP gene helps explain a subset of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) cases, where bones break easily due to abnormal collagen protein modification. The finding may also offer clues to as-yet-undescribed connective tissue diseases and provide insight into collagen formation.
Researchers found that spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and American toads employ various defense strategies to avoid water mold infections, including protective jelly layers and early hatching. These mechanisms help reduce mortality rates and increase survival chances for the amphibian species.
Two studies published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveal key roles for PLC-gamma-2 and NF-kappa-B in immune responses. PLC-gamma-2 regulates osteoclast development and B cell differentiation, while NF-kappa-B controls endothelial cell function in models of sepsis and cancer.
A USC study found that grandparents in three-generation households have a more positive attitude than those living alone, thanks to stronger emotional bonds with children and remittance from adult children. This arrangement fulfills China's cultural ideal of tending to kin while fueling the nation's economic expansion.
Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded a six-year, $4.2 million grant to create a new type of reconfigurable integrated circuit for chip manufacturers. Researchers will work on technology that seeks to break the bottleneck by joining mechanical probes with integrated circuits in a design that allows for their reconfiguration.
A University of Washington economic geologist argues that mineral resources, including oil, are virtually unlimited due to technological advancements and changing economics. Despite concerns about climate change, Cheney believes that with proper management, resources will remain available for those who can afford them.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that female rats with a more apprehensive temperament are more likely to develop mammary and pituitary tumors and die earlier. The findings suggest that looking at links between behavior traits and cancer in humans may be crucial for research on the development of cancer.
A Canadian study found that medical induction of labor increases the risk of amniotic-fluid embolism, a rare but serious complication. The study examined three million hospital births in Canada and found a significant association between AFE and medical induction.
Researchers found PLC-gamma-2 crucial for normal osteoclast development and function in mice with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The protein also regulates B cell differentiation, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for controlling joint destruction and bone erosion.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a non-structural gene, duboraya, that influences cilia function and regulates left-right patterning in zebrafish embryos. The gene's activation by Wnt signaling pathway helps create a counterclockwise flow necessary for establishing left versus right asymmetry.
The University of Vermont is introducing a new systems education project to reform its engineering curriculum, emphasizing the connection between traffic and social, environmental, and economic factors. The project aims to equip students with skills to analyze complex problems and provide solutions that consider multiple perspectives.
A new study by Imperial College London researchers reveals that parts of the cell nucleus are not arranged randomly, but follow a predictable pattern. The discovery provides valuable insights into how cells work and could eventually lead to a better understanding of cancer.
The National Science Foundation awards Rice University a five-year grant to develop strategies for recruiting and enhancing the pool of women faculty in science and engineering. The university aims to address subtle biases and stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing careers in academia.
TGen researchers used the Affymetrix 500K array to identify a genetic variation associated with human memory performance. The study found that certain alleles of the Kibra gene were consistently present in individuals with good memory, but not those with poor memory.
The Antarctic ozone hole has broken records for area and depth, with an average area of 10.6 million square miles and a record low ozone value of 85 Dobson Units. The large ozone hole is caused by human-produced compounds releasing chlorine and bromine gases in the stratosphere.
Researchers use novel technique to analyze regional changes in Greenland's massive ice sheet, finding dramatic losses concentrated in coastal regions. The study shows an annual net loss of ice equal to nearly six years of average water flow from the Colorado River, with 20% more mass lost than received from new snowfall each year.
A recent study published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology reveals that the last male to mate with a female in polyandrous species has a higher chance of successful impregnation due to the presence of extra seminal fluid from previous partners.
Researchers found that connecting sounds with rewards triggers significant changes in the brain's sensory cortex, enabling better behavioral responses. This study has wide implications for learning and cognitive development, particularly in individuals with language learning impairments like dyslexia.
The Shell Questacon Science Circus has been recognised with a Prime Minister's Excellence in Community Business Partnerships Award for its 21-year association with Questacon, Shell, and the Australian National University. The partnership has exposed countless students and families to science education in rural and remote Australia.
A study found that grape seed extract significantly inhibits the growth of colorectal tumors in both human cells and mice. The extract works by increasing the availability of a critical protein called Cip1/p21, which freezes the cell cycle and often pushes cancer cells to self-destruct.
Ultra-narrow superconducting wires show enhanced superconductivity when exposed to strong magnetic fields. Researchers developed a theory explaining this phenomenon, proposing that oxygen exposure forms magnetic moments on the wire surfaces.
A groundbreaking study shows that fishing can promote fluctuations in targeted fish populations, increasing uncertainty and risk of collapse. The study analyzed CalCOFI data to find that fishing selectively culls larger individuals, leaving a stock of near-juveniles less able to cope with environmental pulses.
The International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON) has reviewed existing efforts to develop best practices for handling nanomaterials in the workplace. The Phase 1 report highlights the need for better information on industry practices, with some documents not publicly available.
A clinical trial is underway to assess the effectiveness of Reparagen in treating moderate osteoarthritis, with findings that it 'silences' genes promoting joint damage while activating the repair gene IGF-1.
A Mayo Clinic study finds that newspaper articles tend to focus on young coma patients who are more likely to awaken and recover, creating a skewed public perception. The study also highlights the need for accurate representation of comas in media, noting that medical sources could provide more thorough information than police reports.
A new study found that using a visual imagery technique, specifically picturing oneself as an outsider, can significantly boost voter turnout. The technique, which involves viewing oneself from a third-person perspective, increased voter participation rates by up to 90%, compared to those who took a first-person viewpoint.
A new study will investigate how Australians navigate work-life balance, with a focus on parents and the role of family-friendly policies. The research, funded by the Australian Research Council, aims to provide insight into cross-cultural differences between Western individualistic societies and more collectivist Asian societies.
Scientists used high-resolution radar signals to create detailed images of the lunar south pole, finding abundant rocks but no evidence of ice sheets. The study suggests that any future lunar base should not rely on ice resources.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that MDMA can increase the survival of dopamine cells during fetal development. This may lead to better therapies for neurological diseases like Parkinson's. The study suggests that preventing dopamine cell death is key to finding lasting treatments.
A recent study highlights the need for increased female representation in clinical drug trials, as acknowledged gender differences in treatment effectiveness have not been adequately addressed. The European Medicines Agency's policies have been criticized for failing to develop gender-specific guidelines or strategies.