A new gene, kalirin, has been discovered that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. The research suggests a biological mechanism never before linked to the disease and could lead to novel ways to treat or prevent it.
A new report highlights Alaska's successful ocean conservation efforts and calls for continued vigilance to address climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. The 'Alaska Model' has been cited as a leading example of science-based management, with catch limits set below recommended harvest levels.
A new study by Group Health researchers found that phone-based therapy can lead to long-term positive effects on depression symptoms. Patients who received telephone psychotherapy soon after starting antidepressant medication showed strong positive effects at 18 months, with 77 percent reporting improved depression symptoms.
The Kirk A. Landon-AACR Prize for Basic Cancer Research recognizes Dr. Richard Kolodner for his work on DNA mismatch repair and its connection to human cancer. The Dorothy P. Landon-AACR Prize for Translational Cancer Research honors Douglas Lowy and John Schiller for their development of the human papillomavirus vaccine.
A new nasal spray treatment using a virus enzyme shows promise in preventing acute otitis media and secondary pneumonia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The treatment uses lysine to eliminate bacteria from the ear, reducing the risk of middle ear infection.
Research suggests that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids can have deleterious effects on newborns, impairing growth, glucose regulation, and cortisol production. High levels of dexamethasone impaired postnatal development, leading to increased blood pressure and changes in cardiometabolic function.
The NIH is launching a large-scale clinical trial to explore the potential of creatine as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study aims to slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life for patients.
Perry L. McCarty's work in environmental biotechnology has led to the development of economical wastewater treatment processes, including anaerobic systems that utilize beneficial microbes. His research aims to protect ecological and drinking water resources by treating wastewater.
A recent report by Brandeis University reveals that health insurance fails to provide financial protection for millions of Americans, leading to widespread debt and access problems. The study highlights the need for clearer rules and standards of accountability for health insurers.
Researchers at UCL induce dyscalculia in normal subjects using TMS, finding a causal link between right parietal lobe malfunction and the math learning disorder. This breakthrough study has implications for diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to earlier interventions and more effective remedial teaching.
Researchers at Purdue University found that adding manufactured fullerenes to soil had no adverse effects on microorganisms or soil function. The study's results provide baseline data for future research on the impact of various types and sizes of nanomaterials on the environment.
Researchers at UC San Diego and University of Hawaii will analyze avian flu genomes using bioinformatics software and a computational grid. The project aims to combat emerging bird flu pandemic threats using reverse genetics techniques and promotes global cooperation in case of a flu pandemic.
A study shows that a wearable robotic therapy device improved arm function by an average of 23% in severely impaired stroke patients. The device, developed by MIT engineers, uses electrical muscle activity to provide power assistance and facilitate movement.
The ForsythKids program provides elementary school children with oral health education, dental exams, cleanings, and preventive care. After two rounds of treatment, there was virtually no new tooth decay among enrolled children. The program has already met and exceeded Healthy People 2010 goals in just three years.
A geophysicist from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute urges officials to consider all subduction-type tectonic boundaries as lethal due to the unpredictability of massive earthquakes. The expert highlights the importance of warning systems and educational outreach to coastal communities to mitigate the impact of tsunamis.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a small RNA molecule that regulates the contractility of the heart under stress. The study found that blocking this molecule might become a way to prevent or treat heart damage.
Researchers at MIT developed a new biopolymer suture made from material produced naturally by the human body, which is 30% stronger and more flexible than current sutures. The sutures have been cleared by the FDA for use in abdominal closures and tendon stitching, offering a potential solution to re-opening wounds.
The DOE JGI's 'Shake 'N Plate' instrument, designed to alleviate bacterial culture plating fatigue, has been recognized for its team-driven workplace solutions. The innovation has led to a steady decrease in OSHA-recordable ergonomic injuries and improved productivity at the production genomics facility.
Research by Michael Kisley and Stacey Wood found that older adults exhibit a better balance in processing emotional information, as they tend to pay equal importance to both positive and negative images. This change in emotional priorities develops gradually from age 18 to 80.
Researchers have developed a software-based approach to detecting osteoporosis using routine dental x-rays, analyzing specific trabecular bone pattern features. This technique can predict osteoporotic conditions with the same accuracy as Bone Mass Density measurements.
A new study reveals that a sudden ocean climate change in the late 1970s may be responsible for Alaska's decline in Steller sea lion population. Climate change affected water temperatures and ocean currents determining the abundance of available fish for the sea lions to eat, leading to a decline.
Researchers found high levels of zinc in deposits in the eye associated with age-related macular degeneration. The discovery may facilitate the development of effective treatments for this leading cause of blindness among the elderly.
A new UCLA study found that practicing Tai Chi chih alone boosts immunity to a level comparable to the standard vaccine against shingles. Combining Tai Chi with the vaccine results in a clinically relevant boost and added benefits for middle-aged adults.
New research from Rockefeller University and St. Jude Children’s Hospital shows that a viral protein-derived lysin can prevent middle ear infections in mice by killing the bacteria that cause them. The treatment was 100% effective against secondary infections, which contribute to much of the sickness and death rates during flu season.
Researchers at Research Australia have made a major breakthrough in understanding how platelet life span is controlled. By regulating apoptosis, two specialized molecules can extend or shorten platelet lifespan, opening up new possibilities for improving patient care and managing diseases such as cancer and blood clots.
A new protein, CADPS2, has been identified as a potential cause of autism. Research found that mice lacking this protein exhibited autistic-like characteristics, including impaired social interactions and hyperactivity.
Researchers found that cellular noise can amplify cell transformation and differentiation in bacteria cells. This discovery provides a systems-level view of gene circuits, revealing a potential role for noise in driving biological processes.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) has recommended Sutent as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Clinical trials have shown that Sutent improves progression-free survival by more than doubling the median PFS compared to interferon-alpha. The new guidelines also highlight Sutent's higher obje...
A team of LSU researchers, led by John Day, join forces with world-renowned coastal scientists to publish a commentary on delta preservation. The article emphasizes the need for science-guided restoration efforts in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain due to climate change and resource scarcity.
Scientists have identified salivary proteins and RNA sequences that are highly discriminatory for oral cancer and Sjögren's Syndrome. The use of saliva as a diagnostic tool is only a few years away, with the potential to revolutionize disease detection.
Biologists have determined the structure of an enzyme that powers 'molecular motors' in viruses, allowing for better understanding of DNA packaging. The motor, essential for inserting DNA into viral capsids, has been likened to a house-building process.
A team of geoscientists has discovered physical evidence of ancient plate tectonics in southern Greenland, dating back to 3.8 billion years ago. The finding suggests that seafloor spreading and oceanic crust formation occurred as far back as the early history of Earth.
The MONARCH system-on-a-chip demonstrates exceptional compute capacity, flexible data bandwidth capability, and beyond state-of-the-art power efficiency. It has been shown to provide sustained throughput of 64 gigaflops in preliminary tests.
Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure has been shown to have long-lasting deleterious effects on cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine function in offspring. Additionally, research has identified a protein implicated in both autism and leukemia, with aberrant splicing detected in individuals with these conditions.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard discover the final piece of vitamin B12's synthesis pathway, solving a decades-long mystery. The enzyme BluB catalyzes the formation of a key fragment, DMB, through an unusual cannibalization reaction.
The Virtual Journal of Nanotechnology Environment, Health & Safety (VJ-Nano EHS) offers the most comprehensive knowledge base on peer-reviewed information focusing on nanomaterial impacts available to-date. ICON's online journal improves access to scientific findings on the benefits and risks of nanomaterials.
Researchers found that mitochondrial genes transfer to the nucleus in clonally reproducing plants and those capable of self-pollination. This contradicts the expectation that such migration is driven by sexual recombination.
A promising pilot study has led to a larger clinical trial of estriol as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. The trial aims to recruit 150 women and measure relapse rates over two years, potentially providing a new, affordable option with dual benefits of reducing inflammation and protecting the brain from damage.
A new nine-category matrix of harm ranks drugs by their physical harm to users, dependence potential, and societal impact. Alcohol and tobacco are found to be more harmful than previously classified substances like LSD and cannabis.
Researchers used massive computer-simulation power to model protein aggregation and its role in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. They found that beta-synuclein blocks harmful structures caused by alpha-synuclein, offering a potential treatment for debilitating diseases.
A study by Oxford Internet Institute researchers highlights the challenges of finding credible scientific sources on the web. The findings suggest that search engines play a significant role in shaping access to information, with some topics experiencing more central roles than others.
Research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital shows that leukemic cells receive a protective niche from bone marrow mesenchymal cells, which release the amino acid asparagine to help them survive treatment with asparaginase. This finding suggests new strategies for enhancing anti-leukemic drugs and reducing leukemia recurrence rates.
Researchers discovered platelets' short life span is set by a prosurvival protein that degrades over time, triggering apoptosis. This finding may lead to extending platelet storage from five days to eight or ten days, benefiting patients undergoing chemotherapy and blood transfusions.
Researchers developed a method for effective canker sore healing using CankerMelts patches, which provide anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. The patches reduced pain and shrank canker sores to one-tenth their size after 7 days.
Researchers uncover 95 million-year-old snakelike marine animal with vestigial limbs, challenging previous understanding of limb loss in lizards. The discovery provides clues to the evolution of terrestrial lizards as they returned to water and offers insights into the development of body plans.
Dr. YiJin Ren is recognized for her groundbreaking research on tooth movement mechanisms and cytokine profiles during orthodontic treatment. She has published over 40 papers and received several awards, including the 'Outstanding Young Scientist Award' from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research.
A new study found that college students experience mind-wandering almost one-third of the time, with individual results varying widely. Higher working memory capacity was linked to better focus during concentrated activities.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that fire suppression and other emergency firefighting duties significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease deaths among firefighters. The study revealed a 10-100 times higher risk of dying from CHD while putting out fires compared to non-emergency duties.
A new research program, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, aims to understand the impact of non-governmental agencies on reducing poverty and exclusion. The program will focus on a broad range of groups, including NGOs, advocacy networks, and social movements.
Dr. Russell is recognized for his contributions to understanding the protein antigens on Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium associated with dental caries. His work has led to the development of immunological interventions targeting this adhesin and improved mucosal immune response strategies.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a gene mutation that reduces the number of colon polyps, potentially cutting the risk of colon cancer. The Atp5a1 mutation is found in mice and has been linked to a significant decrease in polyp formation.
Victor Lawrence, a pioneer in digital signal processing concepts, has been awarded the IEEE Simon Ramo Medal. His work on voiceband modems, digital subscriber line technology, and broadband transmission paved the way for worldwide Internet access and high-speed data communication.
Researchers discovered a gene called Atp5a1 that, when mutated, reduces the incidence of polyps in mice. The mutation leads to decreased levels of Atp5a1 gene expression, which may provide insights into its potential role in human cancer.
Research reveals that birds can live with higher doses of sex-related genes due to ineffective dosage compensation. This challenges current thinking about the role and mechanisms of dosage compensation in species with heteromorphic sex chromosomes.
Eugenio Schuster, a controls engineer at Lehigh University, has received a five-year NSF CAREER Award to develop active control systems for nuclear fusion reactors. The goal is to regulate the density, current, and temperature of plasmas in fusion reactors to achieve self-sustaining fusion reactions.
Dr. Arthur R. Hand is recognized for his significant work on salivary gland ultrastructure and function, including the role of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase and lingual lipase and amylase. He has made major contributions to our understanding of salivary glands and their various components.
Researchers at Scripps Institute have developed a new method for producing potential pharmaceuticals from natural compounds, eliminating the need for expensive protecting groups. This breakthrough could lead to significantly reduced production costs and expand interest in natural products for commercial development.
The new CarbonTracker tool will distinguish between natural and human-produced carbon cycle changes, providing verification for climate models. It will also enable policymakers to compare emissions from urban centers and businesses.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found a novel way to manipulate matter and drive chemical reactions along a desired direction. The new technique utilizes mechanical force to alter the course of chemical reactions, yielding products not obtainable through conventional conditions.
The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) presented numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, recognizing outstanding service, scientific contributions, and research in oral health prevention. The IADR Distinguished Service Award was given to Robert Collins, while the E.W. Borrow Memorial Award recognized research in ...