Researchers have identified a natural compound, sulforaphane, found in broccoli that may treat a genetic skin disorder called epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Sulforaphane has been shown to induce the production of missing keratins in basal epidermis, potentially restoring skin integrity in EBS patients.
A new study suggests that the universe's first stars were dark, invisible 'dark stars' powered by dark matter. These massive stars could be billions of years old and would generate gamma rays, neutrinos, and antimatter.
A study by Chengyan Yue found that consumers prefer conventionally grown apples with minimal blemishes due to their better appearance. Organic apple producers must weigh the trade-off between cosmetic damage and production costs in their decisions.
A study by Andrew Chambers found that rats with damaged amygdalas showed abnormal behavior related to fear and fearlessness, as well as greater cocaine sensitivity. This suggests that brain conditions may alter addiction vulnerability independently of drug history.
Researchers at EMBL and AMOLF discovered a new experimental approach to study microtubule end tracking proteins, which are crucial for cell shape development. The study sheds light on the interaction between proteins and the cell's skeleton, revealing how +TIPs recognize dynamic microtubule ends.
Scientists found that inactivating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) helps prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a leading cause of death in premature babies. Blocking TLR4 signals could potentially treat NEC by regulating the intestine's immune response.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics analyzed mutant sperm cells to identify genes involved in disease, revealing that duplications are less frequent than deletions in certain regions. The findings suggest improved diagnosis for genomic diseases and a new approach to predicting disease-causing variants.
Researchers have identified a key Lupus gene that increases risk by 50%, prompting a need for more patient DNA samples. The OX40L variant is crucial in the immune system and may hold the key to diagnosing and treating the disease.
A low-carb diet has been shown to reduce inflammation and blood saturated fat levels in patients with metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with diabetes and coronary heart disease. The study found that reducing carbohydrate intake led to greater improvements in inflammatory markers compared to a low-fat diet.
A recent study by the University of Georgia found that southern highbush blueberries have a viable and profitable industry potential. With a 92% chance of profit margin, farmers can expect positive returns on investment, leading to increased production and job creation.
Researchers at UCLA used Atomic Force Microscopy to measure the softness of living cancer cells from patient samples, distinguishing them from normal cells. This method may aid in diagnosing cancer and personalizing treatments.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have developed a new method to measure covert attention, shedding light on how the brain directs attention. By recording muscle activity in the neck, scientists can now detect when someone's eyes are not moving but still focusing on something.
Researchers at Yale University discovered a novel gene, VGF, that plays a crucial role in exercise-induced antidepressant effects. The study found that enhancing VGF expression can function like a powerful anti-depressant, providing a potential new treatment target for depression.
Researchers discovered that some flower bulbs can move down into the ground in search of better growing conditions. Exposure to blue light triggers this movement, which is achieved through a hydraulic shift in cortical cells.
A study of 10 postmenopausal women found that lower estradiol levels and higher luteinizing hormone (LH) levels correlated with poor sleep quality. Higher body temperature before and during sleep also contributed to poorer sleep efficiency and increased LH levels.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has updated its practice parameters for the treatment of narcolepsy and other central hypersomnias. The guidelines recommend a comprehensive approach to managing symptoms, including modafinil, sodium oxybate, and tricyclic antidepressants. Regular follow-up with healthcare providers is crucial to ...
A randomized study found that napping is a more efficient countermeasure to sleepiness in young people compared to middle-aged individuals. Young participants who napped slept more and had more delta sleep than their middle-aged counterparts.
A study published in SLEEP journal found a strong correlation between sleep disorders and poor academic performance in teenagers. The Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) was used to measure the impact of sleep-related breathing disorders on teens' grades, with results showing that snoring and apneas were independent predictors of...
A study found that hospital staff nurses who work extended hours, struggle to stay awake at work, or obtain less sleep are more likely to experience a drowsy driving episode. The risk increases with longer shift durations and is particularly high for night shifts.
A survey of over 370 food items found that high-calorie foods like candy and baked goods are less likely to increase in price due to inflation. In contrast, low-calorie foods like fresh fruit and vegetables increased in price by 19.5 percent over a two-year period.
Researchers found that former anorexics showed distinct brain pattern differences, particularly in emotional response regions. Their brains were more focused on consequences and planning, suggesting a persistent risk of obsessive thinking. This study may lead to better understanding and treatment development for anorexia nervosa.
Individuals with current or past insomnia are more likely to report a family history of the sleep disorder than those who have never had it. The study also found that subjects with a family history of insomnia endorsed higher scores on measures of insomnia severity and anxiety symptomatology.
Researchers have established a direct causal connection between hypermethylation and colon tumor development in mice. Hypermethylation switches off tumor suppressor genes, boosting tumors by 60-100 percent.
A study found that both short and long sleep durations are associated with an elevated risk of mortality. Participants who slept five to six hours or less at baseline but reported extended sleep hours had lower mortality rates, while those sleeping seven to eight hours had higher mortality rates.
A new study published in the journal Sleep found that short sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study, which followed over 8,992 subjects for eight to ten years, revealed that those who slept less than five hours or more than nine hours per night were more likely to develop diabetes.
A new study found that treatment with ibuprofen is associated with a significantly slower rate of decline in lung function in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The study showed a 29 percent reduction in loss of lung function compared to those who did not use the anti-inflammatory drug.
Scientists are discovering that aquatic nanoparticles influence natural and engineered water chemistry differently than similar materials of a larger size. The review considers nanoparticles formed by natural processes in water and as unintended consequences of human activity, such as mining or water treatment.
CONRAD has received a $28.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop microbicides for HIV prevention, supporting combination microbicide research and testing of novel candidates.
Research by Purdue University associate professor Karen Fingerman found that a majority of parents and children reported positive changes in their relationship as parents transitioned to old age. Despite declining health, many parents felt appreciated and nurtured, while children expressed gratitude for increased help from their parents.
Research by Arizona State University scientists reveals that helium-3/helium-4 ratios can be used to identify areas with high geothermal resource potential. Analyzing samples from over 60 hot springs and shallow wells in the Basin and Range province, they discovered a correlation between helium ratios and deformation rates.
A University of Iowa study found that even when both partners are highly educated and earn a significant income, women tend to sacrifice their careers for their husbands' promotions. The research suggests that entrenched gender roles contribute to this phenomenon.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have published two articles in Nature on their findings about the atmosphere, climate and weather patterns of Venus. The studies revealed the presence of a double vortex at the South Pole, which is similar to those found on Earth's polar regions.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) spacecraft has successfully completed two environmental tests and is now undergoing thermal and vacuum testing at the Naval Research Laboratory. The satellite will study extreme universe phenomena, including black holes and gamma-ray bursts.
Experts warn that the European Water Framework Directive lacks a comprehensive approach to monitoring and addressing chemical pollution in rivers. The current priority list of substances is deemed inadequate, and researchers advocate for prioritizing effects rather than just chemicals.
Three quarters of the universe is dark energy, a mysterious substance that repels gravity. New space missions and improved observation methods will help uncover its secrets.
Research published in PLoS Medicine highlights the high risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in developing countries. Targeting HIV prevention programs to reach these men is crucial to curb transmission and reduce global burden.
A recent study reveals that CMV retinitis is causing blindness in young people with HIV in the developing world, often leading to fatal outcomes. Successful management of the disease requires decentralizing diagnostic capacity and making valganciclovir medication affordable.
Bowel cancer screening has significantly reduced emergency admissions and death rates in a UK pilot study. The study found that the number of emergency operations required halved, and the number of patients dying within 30 days also fell.
A new system has been developed to classify rare lung diseases in infants, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes. The system groups various lung diseases into distinct categories, allowing pathologists to diagnose children's lung disease more accurately.
Researchers have produced molecular chimeras by binding fullerene receptors to a fullerene molecule, forming short chains of linked nanopearls. These aggregates exhibit special binding interactions between electrons, making them promising for efficient optoelectronic components.
Researchers at MIT used fMRI to monitor brain development in rats, correcting for changes that occur during early life. The study found a key player in the changing relationship between neural activity and blood response: carbonic anhydrase.
Researchers found that abnormally folded prion protein in brain tissue does not reliably predict disease infectivity; some highly infectious samples had nearly undetectable levels of abnormal PrP. This suggests alternative mechanisms or specific conformation of abnormal PrP may be responsible for prion diseases.
A Purdue University research team captured an image of the protein gate complex that allows materials to enter cells, providing insights into disease mechanisms. The discovery may lead to more effective treatments for diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis by inhibiting or activating this mechanism.
Researchers have discovered 156 new likely imprinted genes in the human genome, including those linked to cancer, diabetes, and autism. The findings offer clues to better disease prevention and management.
Researchers have successfully implemented community-based projects to address cancer disparities among African-American and Hispanic communities, and Navajo Nation population. The initiatives improve data collection, provide insight into social factors, and lead to sustained health improvements.
Researchers have developed a powerful tool to systematically map out pathways and subpathways contributing to inflammation. This study has led to the creation of customized panels for analyzing genetic variations in inflammation pathways for European and African descent populations.
Patients report feeling uncertain about out-of-hours primary care services, with concerns over appropriateness and responsiveness. Staffing issues and slow handling times are also cited as key problems, highlighting the need for better patient experience monitoring.
Researchers from the University of Bayreuth and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that Alpine summit vegetation is becoming increasingly homogenized due to climate change. This has led to an increase in species diversity within individual areas, but a decline in regional biodiversity across ecosystems.
A study by Dr. Groesbeck Parham found that 90% of HIV-infected women presenting for antiretroviral therapy harbor cervical cell abnormalities, increasing the risk of cervical cancer. Access to screening and treatment is crucial to prevent this life-threatening condition in women living with AIDS.
A new study reveals HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is widespread and severe in low- and middle-income countries. MSM are 19 times more likely to be infected than the general population, with rates up to 100 times higher in some countries.
A recent study found that chronic alcohol consumption by lung donors promotes scarring and airway injury after transplantation. The research, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, raises questions about human lung donors with a history of alcohol abuse.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology are developing functional polymers modified surfaces that can prevent bacterial adhesion and sensitize formed biofilms for antibiotic treatment. This project aims to combat the fourth leading cause of death in the US, hospital-acquired infections and diseases.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing poses risks of misleading patients and physicians due to lack of regulation. Physicians recommend consulting with doctors before ordering tests, as results may not be clinically valid or accurately interpreted.
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan has developed a nano-scale voltmeter that can measure electric fields deep within cells. The device, which is 1,000-fold smaller than existing voltmeters, reveals surprisingly high electric field strengths in cytosol, challenging conventional wisdom about cellular processes.
A retrospective case note review of 1000 patients found that 8.7% experienced at least one adverse event, with many preventable, and led to extended hospital stays or permanent disability
A new test vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus has shown promising results, with a high seroconversion rate and good safety profile. The vaccine is considered at least as effective as the existing licensed vaccine, making it a potential candidate for use in travelers and children in endemic areas.
Researchers have found that less carbon is transported to deep water during natural plankton blooms than during the rest of the year, suggesting the Biological Pump leaks. This discovery challenges ocean fertilization schemes, which ignore natural processes and may not remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The new Chlamydia rapid test detects infection in over 4 out of 5 infected women, even without symptoms. The test can provide results in under 30 minutes and is up to twice as accurate as current tests.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes the contributions of researchers and managers in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported, NIH has established a comprehensive trans-NIH research effort to understand HIV biology, develop effective therapies, and prevent new infections.
A recent study by McGill researchers found that the enzyme focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is crucial for tumour progression from a pre-malignant to a malignant state in the mammary tumour system. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing targeted treatments against breast cancer.