Researchers discovered that plant nectar contains secondary compounds, including nicotine, which repel pollinators and attract 'nectar thieves'. This finding suggests that plants may produce nectar to increase genetic diversity by attracting more visitors despite the potential risk of poisoning insects.
The study found that firms with managers having more social relationships with peers at other software start-ups have a better chance of surviving external shocks. Managers who prefer to talk to larger firms, not among themselves, are also more likely to survive.
Scientists have produced the first 3-dimensional image of a key influenza protein, revealing insights into transmission between birds and humans. The study sheds light on how polymerase mutations contribute to avian flu's ability to jump species barriers.
A team of scientists has confirmed the existence of an enigmatic billfish species, the roundscale spearfish, which overlaps with the distribution of the white marlin. The discovery raises concerns about the true numbers of threatened white marlin populations and suggests that recent population assessments may have been overestimated.
A study of 1,040 stroke patients found that 27% had cholesterol levels higher than recommended by national guidelines. Despite this, only 7% were at their ideal level for preventing future strokes and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of regular testing and treatment.
The ivory trade is driving organized crime in Africa and Asia, with the black-market price rising to $750 per kilogram. Western nations must reinstate strong enforcement efforts to stop the trade and protect elephant populations.
The program provides competitive two-year grants to women junior researchers balancing family responsibilities with research demands. Recipients have remained at MGH, received academic promotions, and secured over $51 million in outside research funding.
A collaborative study by Sanford Burnham Prebys and UC San Diego found that mutations in a molecular channel in fly hearts caused arrhythmias similar to those found in humans. The researchers believe that understanding the regulation of this channel could lead to new treatments for age-related heart disease.
A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that smokers are 40-60% more likely to develop tuberculosis disease after infection, with a 73% increased risk of becoming infected. Smoking may also decrease immune response or damage airway cilia, increasing TB risk.
Research suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus. The study found a significant protective effect in patients with multiple genetic abnormalities.
A feedback mechanism between North Atlantic and tropical hydrology of Central America amplifies the effects of climate change on oceanic circulation. This mechanism, highlighted by scientists at CEREGE1, shows that changes in oceanic circulation influence global water cycle patterns and climatic equator shifts.
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that smoking significantly increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection. Smokers have a 73% greater chance of becoming infected than non-smokers, and if infected, are 50% more likely to develop active TB disease.
Researchers have developed a new diesel exposure model that improves accuracy in assessing air pollution risks, particularly for children. The model takes into account complex factors such as elevation and traffic volume to create 'buffers' around specific sample sites.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool designed a unique crystal structure to capture atomic movement, which may impact future pharmaceutical designs. The study aims to improve chemical reaction control, enabling more environmentally friendly production methods.
A recent USC-led study suggests that long-term recreational physical activity plays a protective role against invasive and in situ breast cancer. Women exercising for five or more hours per week experienced a greater decrease in risk of breast cancer compared to less active women.
Children with cancer are vulnerable to bone fragility, exacerbated by sedentary behaviors and treatment side effects. Early management through exercise and bisphosphonates can mitigate this risk.
Academics have identified significant differences in chemical composition between healthy faeces and faeces from patients with infectious diarrhoea, such as Clostridium difficile. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a rapid diagnosis device, saving time and money.
A study found that natural ventilation through opening windows can reduce airborne disease transmission, including TB, in resource-poor settings. The researchers compared this to mechanically-ventilated rooms and found that natural ventilation provided higher rates of ventilation, reducing the risk of infection.
Researchers found that pressure and oxygen isotopes have a similar effect on electronic properties of high-temperature superconductors, with vibrations in the lattice structure playing a crucial role in their superconductivity. The study reveals new insights into the behavior of these mysterious materials.
The study challenges conventional thought on sediment transport in the GBR, showing large plumes of terrestrial material traveling up to 65-130km beyond the inner reef. This poses new risks for reef corals and highlights the need for rethinking hydrological modeling.
A UVM study reveals that reed canarygrass's invasive power comes from its history of multiple introductions and interbreeding with European strains, allowing it to adapt quickly to new conditions. This phenomenon has significant implications for the potential invasiveness of other horticultural and agricultural plants.
A study of patients with type 1 diabetes and healthy individuals found that only one patient with T1DM woke up in response to hypoglycemia, compared to ten healthy control participants. The researchers also discovered that increases in plasma epinephrine concentration preceded polysomnographic signs of wakefulness.
Researchers found that acute colitis was associated with decreased body weight, food intake, and fat content, while chronic colitis led to reduced bone mineral density and lower energy expenditure. Chronic inflammation also altered metabolism, reducing the use of nutrients as an energy source.
The Natural Fat-Loss Pharmacy highlights safe and effective supplements like HCA, MCT, green tea extract, and chromium that can aid in weight loss. Dr. Preuss separates the good from the bad and lists natural weight-loss aids available on the market.
Researchers debate the validity of published research findings, exploring the role of replication in confirming hypotheses. New models suggest that probabilities for accepting false research findings depend on benefits and harms, sparking discussion on acceptable levels of error.
A study led by Danielle M. Dick found that variations in the CHRM2 gene can influence performance IQ scores, which measure visual-motor coordination, spatial perception, and abstract problem-solving skills. The researchers used DNA samples from over 2,150 individuals and found cumulative effects of good versus bad genetic variations.
The prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases has significantly increased in Ghana between 1993 and 2003. According to a study, the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm and atopy doubled over this period, posing concerns for public health in West Africa.
Researchers at UC Davis have made a groundbreaking discovery about the body's temperature sensing capabilities. By reassembling subunits from different ion channels, they found that there are more than six channel types responsible for sensing temperature, which could help solve the mystery of thermosensitivity in animals.
Researchers at ASU are working on a new fuel cell technology designed for large-scale power generation, which can efficiently generate electrical power while minimizing heat management needs. The team aims to develop a membrane that operates at high temperatures, reducing size, weight, and costs.
Researchers identified 50 genes that interfere with genetic activities of genes causing uncontrolled cell division. These genes work by producing proteins that directly attach to cell-division genes, hindering their activity.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered a new therapeutic target, casein kinase 1, which may lead to treatments for Alzheimer's disease that don't cause harmful side effects. By blocking casein kinase 1, production of beta-amyloid proteins can be reduced without affecting Notch signaling.
A CIHR-funded study found that while antidepressants reduce alcohol consumption in men with depression, this effect is lost for women. Men taking antidepressants consumed significantly less alcohol than depressed men who did not use antidepressants.
Researchers used two-photon microscopy to visualize T lymphocyte infiltration into solid tumours in real-time. T lymphocytes target tumour cells by recognizing the antigen and binding with enzymes, ultimately leading to cell death.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique to capture the movement of white blood cells in real-time, allowing for a better understanding of Sickle Cell disease. The technique, called digital multi-channel videomicroscopy, has the potential to aid investigations and develop therapeutics for this debilitating disease.
A Phase I clinical trial suggests gene therapy is a safe treatment option for patients with poor circulation and blocked blood vessels in their lower limbs. The study found that almost half of patients reported complete resolution of chronic pain and over a quarter experienced complete healing of chronic wounds after one year.
A study of 110,599 women found that long-term strenuous physical activity reduced the risk of invasive and in situ breast cancer by 20% and 31%, respectively. Moderate physical activity did not show a significant impact on breast cancer risk.
Researchers at Emory Health Sciences are developing pig islets as an alternative to human islets for transplant into patients with Type 1 diabetes. Successful development of porcine islet transplants could begin clinical trials within the next three years.
Carnegie Mellon researchers identify improved control of livestock feed, efficient nitrogen use, and low-emission fertilizers as effective strategies for reducing ammonia emissions. These measures can save $8,000 per ton in winter, making them a cheaper alternative to controlling sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution.
A recent survey in Peru found that men who have had anal sex without a condom in an internet café were more likely to meet their partners online. This raises concerns about the use of internet cafés as a venue for unsafe sex and potential HIV transmission.
A unique 'barometer' gauges the ethics of research abroad by rating its compliance with laws and regulations in one's home country. Research deemed too risky or unethical, such as developing chemical weapons, falls into the red zone.
A study found that pharmaceutical industry-sponsored breast cancer trials are more likely to report positive results than non-sponsored studies. These trials also tend to use single-arm designs, targeting patients with advanced disease, which may not answer questions about optimal treatment outcomes.
A six-month study found that three forms of garlic, including raw and commercial supplements, did not significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults. The results suggest that garlic may have other beneficial health effects, but its ability to lower LDL cholesterol is uncertain.
Scientists at UCL and Mainz University found that the gene controlling milk digestion was missing from Neolithic skeletons. However, through exposure to milk, lactose tolerance evolved extremely rapidly in European populations. Today, over ninety percent of northern Europeans can digest milk.
A study using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging identified the neural networks involved in processing reward-related functions modulated by female gonadal steroid hormones. The research found that women exhibit increased reactivity in regions dealing with emotions, such as the amygdalo-hippocampal region, during the follicular phase.
The Sloan Foundation has honored three young scientists at Yale with two-year Research Fellowships for their outstanding contributions to physics, computer science, and neuroscience. The fellows will receive $45,000 awards to pursue their research interests without restrictions.
Two large studies found a significant association between common pain-relieving medications and an increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in men. Men who regularly took acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin were more likely to develop high blood pressure over four years.
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have found that a plant extract can be used to stabilize gold nanoparticles, making them nontoxic and stable enough for injection or oral administration. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize cancer detection and treatment using nanomedicine.
Researchers found that those with three or more cancer biomarkers who used aspirin had a 30% risk of esophageal cancer after 10 years, compared to 79% without NSAIDs. The study identified four genetic abnormalities predictive of esophageal cancer progression.
Researchers found a significant circadian rhythm in swim performance, with athletes performing better in the evening and worse in the morning. The study's results suggest that a circadian rhythm affects athletic performance, with peak performance occurring at 11pm.
Researchers from UNC and Dana Farber Cancer Institute found that industry-funded breast cancer trials are more likely to have positive outcomes compared to non-pharmaceutical funded studies. The study also revealed significant differences in clinical trial design and outcome between industry-supported and non-industry studies.
Researchers found that bacteria like E. coli swim 'to the left' due to opposing forces of flow and bacterial motion, allowing them to find crevices and swim upstream. This phenomenon may contribute to high rates of infection in catheterized patients.
Researchers at UTSA and UH found no increased risk of genetic mutations in mouse fetuses produced by assisted reproductive technologies. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used special mice with genetically manipulated DNA to detect point mutations.
The £12 million Grantham Institute will bring together leading researchers from Imperial College London to develop mitigation techniques and impact public and private policy. Current research areas include heatwave forecasting, airplane condensation trail reduction, and climate change modeling.
The South Pole Telescope has achieved its first light, successfully collecting test observations and paving the way for cosmological research. The $19.2 million telescope is designed to pierce the mystery of dark energy, which drives the universe's evolution.
The Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a six-month study on the effects of garlic on cholesterol levels. Despite decades of conflicting studies, the researchers found that consuming raw garlic or two popular supplements did not lower LDL cholesterol levels among adults with moderately high cholesterol levels.
Researchers have discovered that marine turtles use a relatively simple navigation system involving the Earth's magnetic field to return to the same egg-laying site. This allows them to correct any deflection caused by ocean currents, but may also cause them to wander at sea during adverse conditions.
A study of 118 pilots aged 40-69 found that experts demonstrated improved performance over time, outperforming younger pilots in traffic avoidance and scanning cockpit instruments. Pilots with advanced FAA ratings showed the least decline in skills, suggesting a 'crystallized intelligence' mechanism.
Participating in community groups and religious organizations can help maintain psychological well-being after physical decline. Researchers found that individuals with higher levels of personal growth had lower depressive symptoms.
A study of eight hospitals in Peru found that opening windows provided more than double the airflow of mechanically ventilated rooms and 18 times that of closed windows. Natural ventilation was more effective at reducing airborne infection transmission, especially in older facilities with high ceilings and large windows.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine identify Sox17 as critical for transforming embryonic stem cells into cardiac mesoderm, the precursor to heart muscle. The discovery provides insight into generating cardiac muscle more effectively from embryonic stem cells.