The Pichia stipitis fungus has been harnessed for improved biofuels production through the characterization of its genetic blueprint. The research identified key genes responsible for xylose fermentation and analysis of metabolic pathways. This knowledge can be applied to improve cellulosic ethanol production.
A Stanford/Packard study found that severe PTSD damages children's brains by reducing the size of the hippocampus, a crucial structure for memory processing and emotion. Children with PTSD were more likely to experience a decrease in hippocampal volume, which can lead to prolonged symptoms and impaired brain development.
A new study provides four quick and easy-to-administer tests to assess a child's early processing skills, which underpin language development. These tests have been shown to be reliable and can help identify potential language disorders in pre-schoolers, enabling earlier and more targeted intervention.
Researchers are using solid-state NMR spectroscopy to explore the properties of natural antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are produced by virtually all animals. AMPs have shown promise in targeting microbes without harming healthy host cells.
Researchers used COSMOS field data to measure large-scale distribution of matter, revealing concentration of luminous and dark matter. The 3D map provides insight into the formation and evolution of galaxies and may shed light on dark energy.
Men who receive false-positive prostate cancer results experience heightened anxiety about their risk of developing the disease and report issues with sexual function. The study emphasizes the importance of discussing the pros and cons of screening with patients to minimize adverse effects on quality of life.
Computer simulations reveal that freshwater fish play a crucial role in recycling nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Overfishing could lead to declines in nutrient cycling, highlighting the importance of conserving key species.
Waste products like grass clippings and wood chips can be converted into ethanol using gene-tweaked bacteria. The discovery reveals how a bacterium selects enzymes to break down specific biomasses, enabling more efficient ethanol production.
Researchers at Emory University have developed an algorithm that can predict which sensitized patients on the national waiting list for kidney transplants are compatible with a given donor. This new method, based on innovative technology, has increased transplant rates from 15% to 25% in highly sensitized patients.
A new study by Dr. Vivian Ho found that Certificate of Need regulations have minor benefits for open heart surgery but no benefits for angioplasty. The regulations may inadvertently increase the number of procedures performed to meet minimum volume quotas.
Researchers at NIST found that multiple robots' radio transmissions can interfere with each other, degrading search and rescue performance. The study identified ways to improve urban search and rescue wireless communications, including changes in frequency coordination and transmission protocols.
Scientists at IGBMC have identified SHP protein as a major player in controlling testosterone synthesis and differentiation of germ cells in mouse testes. Mice without SHP protein reproduced earlier than controls, suggesting its role in regulating sexual maturity.
New research reveals that shyness in children may be linked to the interaction between genes and stressful family environments. A genetic variant associated with stress sensitivity is more prevalent among shy children raised by stressed-out parents.
Researchers found that exposure to smoke during pregnancy causes permanent cardiovascular damage in children, increasing their risk for stroke and heart attack. The study suggests that smoking in pregnancy has an independent effect on the child's health.
Researchers at NIST created a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cell-stretcher to measure living cell mechanical properties like adhesion and elasticity. The device can study bulk mechanical properties of single cells while they spread and adhere to substrates.
Scientists have discovered a new phase transition in metal YbRh2Si2 at absolute zero, revealing additional changes to electronic properties. This study extends our understanding of phase transitions and is relevant to complex systems like high-temperature superconductors.
Researchers from French and international institutions have discovered that global warming has also affected the ice cap on Mount Everest. By analyzing air bubbles trapped in ice cores, they found a marked decrease in gas content in 20th-century ice, indicating recent increases in summer melts.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has been selected by the NIH as a Center of Excellence for training future generations of scientists in pediatric research. The center, led by Dr. David Perlmutter, will provide mentorship and training to up to four junior scientists annually.
A biology professor at Northern Arizona University is developing ways to help rivers rebound to their natural ecosystems after dams are removed. Her team has successfully restored Fossil Creek's ecosystem, serving as a national case study in dam decommissioning.
Researchers access interaction between single magnetic adatoms on a metal surface by comparing experimental results with detailed theoretical analysis. They observe novel magnetic state for chain of three cobalt adatoms and improve understanding of fundamental interactions between single spins.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new method to simulate the hidden properties of water, resolving long-standing ambiguities in its structure and behavior. The study uses quantum mechanics to predict the properties of liquid water, opening up new avenues for understanding its applications in various fields.
The study found that survival rates for patients with hepatitis B who need liver transplants are similar between those with and without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the higher likelihood of transplantation, 5-year survival rates were comparable between the two groups. The findings suggest that antiviral therapy may have bene...
A team of researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has identified the mechanism by which cancer cells resist chemotherapy. By understanding this pathway, scientists can develop strategies to make tumours more vulnerable to certain drugs, leading to improved treatment outcomes for patients with cancer.
A new study published in International Braz J Urol found that exposure to hot baths or hot tubs can lead to male infertility. However, the effects can be reversible if the practice is discontinued for at least three months. The study showed a significant increase in sperm motility among responders, with a mean increase of 491 percent a...
Scientists at NIST have designed a computer-generated molecule that can cleanly remove fluorine from fluorocarbons. The new compound is designed to mimic the selectivity of enzymes and could potentially replace toxic organometallic compounds, which are currently used but highly inefficient.
A new study by the American Heart Association found that Hispanic women have a similar heart disease risk to Caucasian women who are about a decade older. This challenges the long-held belief that Hispanic women have less heart disease than Caucasian women.
Researchers at JILA propose using fibers to transfer ultra-stable time and frequency signals, offering improved accuracy over traditional GPS methods. This technology could enable synchronization of components in advanced X-ray sources and link geographically distributed radio telescopes to produce a giant telescope's power.
Eating whole-grain breakfast cereals seven or more times per week was linked to a lower risk of heart failure in an analysis of the Physicians' Health Study. The study found that those who ate such cereals had a 28% lower risk of developing heart failure.
The Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) equipped with AMBER has achieved unparalleled astronomical results, probing the formation stages of stars and detecting high-velocity jets in novae. The instrument's high angular resolution enables the observation of complex geometries and stellar winds.
Researchers have successfully targeted the blood vessels that feed tumors, providing a new approach to treating cancer. The study used an antibody called J591 that selectively targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on tumors and not healthy tissues.
A University of Iowa study found antidepressant treatment improves post-stroke cognitive abilities, including executive function, in stroke survivors. The improvements occurred 21 months after treatment ended and were independent of changes in depression.
A new clinical trial has shown that intensive treatment for periodontitis, a common inflammatory gum disease, can improve blood vessel function and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study suggests that treating gum disease could be an important step in preventing cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra and Levitra can reduce heart damage after a heart attack, while nitroglycerin failed to offer similar protection. The study suggests these drugs may have potential as adjunct therapy for patients undergoing high-risk procedures or experiencing cardiac arrest.
Organic transistors consume less energy than silicon transistors and can be constructed on flexible surfaces. Researchers linked p channel and n channel transistors in complementary circuits to save energy and create flexible electronic components.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique that uses noise patterns in ultracold atoms to reveal hidden structural patterns, including spacing between atoms and cloud size. This method has the potential to aid in designing more efficient quantum computers.
Researchers at NIST have created a nanoscale electronic switch that can be turned on and off like a binary switch. The switch works by using silver whiskers to form a short circuit, which is easily detectable. Key benefits include high electrical resistance ratios and simplicity in engineering large arrays of switches.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism controlling how the brain maintains equilibrium in neuronal activity. A rare cell type, Martinotti cell, acts as a safety device by sending inhibitory signals to surrounding pyramid cells when activated excessively.
A study exploring attitudes and beliefs about HPV found low awareness and a stigma associated with the disease, which hinders public acceptance of the vaccine. The research suggests that health education efforts should take a public-health approach to emphasize the prevalence and commonality of HPV infection among sexually active adults.
A RAND Corporation study found that participants in Allegheny County Mental Health Court received more mental health services, spent fewer days in jail, and had sustained declines in jail time over two years. The study confirmed that mental health courts make fiscal sense by reducing government costs.
A large retrospective cohort study found that moderate to high levels of regular physical activity slow lung function decline among smokers and reduce the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regular exercise suppresses inflammatory markers in the lungs caused by smoking, reducing COPD pathogenesis.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that brain area sizes must be optimally tuned to perform tasks, with underperforming mice exhibiting reduced tactile and motor behaviors. Genetic manipulation in mice revealed a correlation between area size and performance, which was reversed by genetic rescue experiments.
Researchers found that patients who experienced damage to their residences were nearly twice as likely to fail to completely follow their medicine regimen. The study suggests opportunities for improving disaster planning and prescription refill processes to increase medication adherence in older adults.
Scientists have found a way to activate EBV inside tumors, allowing them to identify patients whose infection can be manipulated to destroy their tumors. The technique uses two agents already on the market to light up tumor viruses, offering a novel approach to treating cancers associated with Epstein-Barr.
Researchers have discovered that rapid hurricane intensity changes can be attributed to clouds outside the eye forming a new eyewall. This finding has significant implications for hurricane forecasting, as it may enable forecasters to predict when a storm will change intensity and how strong it will become.
Research reveals significant differences in gene expression between individuals and populations, with individual-level factors dominating variations. This study challenges the notion of biological races, highlighting the importance of understanding human genetic variation for better disease treatment and drug development.
A study published in SLEEP finds that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including systemic hypertension and heart failure. The study attributes this link to the physiologic effects of OSA on the body.
The number of people with diabetes has increased substantially, making it one of the most costly chronic diseases. Researchers found a 69% rise in diabetes prevalence in Ontario, Canada from 1995 to 2005, exceeding global predictions for 2030.
Two studies published in The Plant Cell reveal the role of NAC transcription factors NST1 and NST3 in regulating secondary wall thickening in woody tissues of Arabidopsis. These genes are found to be redundantly involved in promoting secondary wall formation, with one gene compensating for the loss of function of the other.
Researchers identified a critical molecular pathway in osteosarcoma, finding it also present in cats and dogs. This discovery could lead to advances in palliative care for companion animals with skeletal tumors.
Researchers at Yale University identified a rare defect in the LRP6 gene, which alters Wnt signaling activity and contributes to cardiovascular disease. The study highlights a new approach to improving health by targeting this pathway.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky are exploring a novel gene therapy approach using DNA nanoparticles to deliver proteins beneficial to brain cells. This technology has shown potential in rescuing dormant brain cells, causing them to produce dopamine, and improving symptoms in animal models of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that goalkeepers stood marginally left or right of the goal centre 96% of the time. Penalty takers were more likely to direct the football to the side with more space, suggesting a possible strategy for goalkeepers to influence penalty kick direction.
Primary graft dysfunction is a significant risk factor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), a chronic scarring process that affects lung function years after transplantation. The study found that all grades of primary graft dysfunction were associated with an increased risk of BOS.
Researchers identified a new mechanism for mouse lung protection against inhaled oxidants. Alveolar macrophages express MARCO and SR-AI/II, clearing lipids modified by oxidants that can trigger inflammation.
Participation in sports that emphasize weight loss is strongly linked to unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use among adolescents. Additionally, dieting may predict weight gain in teens due to long-term adoption of counterproductive behavioral patterns.
A study published in SLEEP found that sleep deprivation significantly affects the ability to integrate emotion and cognition for guiding moral judgments. Continuous wakefulness has a particularly debilitating effect on judgment and decision-making processes.
Researchers found that food scarcity is the primary driver of bird migration, contradicting previous theories. The study also revealed that flock foraging is less likely to lead to migration.
Researchers found that a combination of green tea polyphenol EGCG and COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib can slow the growth of human prostate cancer. The study demonstrated a synergistic effect, where both agents triggered cellular pathways that were more powerful when combined.
A study found a link between children's and parents' sleep problems, with mothers more susceptible to daytime sleepiness due to their greater responsibility for responding to child sleep issues at night. Parents need to recognize that their children's sleep disorders can take a toll on them, affecting quality of life.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have made a breakthrough in understanding why some individuals may be predisposed to drug addiction. They found that certain changes in brain chemistry pre-date drug use and are linked to impulsivity. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments for addiction with fewer side effects.