Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have successfully used uniparental embryonic stem cells to replace blood stem cells in immunocompromised adult mice. The study demonstrates the potential of androgenetic as well as parthenogenetic ES cells for regenerative medicine applications.
Nathan Ball, a 23-year-old MIT graduate student, has invented a device that enables rapid vertical mobility, reducing the time to reach the top of a building from six minutes to just 30 seconds. He also developed an improvement in needle-free injection technology with potential applications in animal husbandry and mass inoculation.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a technology that improves soy processing by increasing protein yield by 46% and sugar content by 50%. This breakthrough could generate up to $230 million per year in revenue through the production of low-cost, sugar-enriched whey.
Charles M. Vest was awarded the 2006 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his exceptional service to science and society. He has made significant contributions to public policy, education, and university research during his tenure as president emeritus of MIT.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a simple, disposable sensor for detecting hazardous uranium ions using DNA. The sensor provides fast, on-site testing for assessing uranium contamination and remediation strategies, with detection sensitivity rivalling sophisticated laboratory instruments.
Researchers mapped genetic makeup of type-2 diabetes in unprecedented detail, identifying four loci that correspond to a 70% genetic background risk. The study also reveals a mutation in the zinc transporter SLC30A8, potentially leading to new treatments for insulin deficiency.
Researchers at University of Texas Medical Branch have discovered a way to identify the biochemical profile of an inappropriate immune response to viral infection. The study uses a protein-scanning chip and computer database to examine over 1,200 protein interactions in guinea pigs infected with two different strains of Pichinde virus.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered the role of PanK2 enzyme in detecting fatty acid buildup in mitochondria, a crucial step in cellular energy production. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene.
A new key review by Gotelli and McGill provides an overview of the current status of neutral models in ecology, highlighting their role relative to older ecological models. The paper demonstrates parallels in theory development between neutral models and null models, shedding light on community patterns and species interactions.
A new study reveals that biomedical researchers often use social and historical explanations to define race and ethnicity, rather than biological differences. The research highlights the imperfect science of defining ethnic groups and emphasizes the importance of considering structural inequalities in understanding health disparities.
A phase III clinical trial found that the first antisense drug, oblimersen, improved response rates in CLL patients who remained sensitive to chemotherapy drug fludarabine. The study showed a four-fold increase in 'CR/nPR' in these patients compared to those no longer responding to fludarabine.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine found that living in poor neighborhoods significantly raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Researchers analyzed data from over 1.9 million people and found that those living in high-deprivation neighborhoods were 1.9 times more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke.
Researchers found that wider road shoulders, right-turn lanes, and angle intersections no sharper than 90 degrees enhance driving skills in both older and younger drivers. The study used a one-hour road course to test the Federal Highway Administration's guidelines for highway design.
Researchers propose explanation for formation of dwarf spheroidals, faint galaxies composed almost entirely of dark matter. Simulations suggest environmental effects, including ram pressure and tidal shocking, strip away luminous matter, leaving behind dark-matter shadow.
A new study found that grizzly bears in the foothills of Alberta have a varied diet, eating everything from ants to moose and berries. The research team identified 40 different food items, with moose being the most common prey, and found that the bears' activity patterns vary depending on the season and environment.
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that investing in news quality directly impacts a newspaper's profitability. The study, which analyzed financial data from small- to medium-sized newspapers, revealed that spending more on news content leads to increased circulation and advertising revenues.
Researchers have identified several genes linked to nicotine dependence, including CHRNA5 and NRXN1, which play a role in regulating communication between nerve cells. These findings could lead to the development of more effective smoking cessation therapies tailored to an individual's genetic traits.
Researchers found that disrupting the brain's stress-response mechanism exacerbates behavioral withdrawal symptoms in mice. Administering corticosterone alleviates these symptoms, suggesting new approaches to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Genetic changes indicate impaired stress-response circuitry in the brain.
Researchers at UCI have identified a novel approach to treating tinnitus by applying a low-pitched sound through an MP3 player, providing temporary relief from high-pitched ringing tones. The treatment, which is only effective while applied, suggests customized stimulation and balanced stimulation as key to suppressing tinnitus.
Researchers have developed a new genomic microarray test that accurately identifies the ER and HER-2 status of breast tumors, which can inform personalized treatment planning. The test showed 90% accuracy for both receptors, comparable to existing pathology tests.
A collaboration of researchers has developed a new accelerator technique that doubles the energy of particles in just 1 meter. The breakthrough, published in Nature, uses plasma to amplify the energy of electrons, paving the way for more efficient and affordable future accelerators.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human nerve stem cells into rats' damaged spinal cords, which survived, grew, and formed connections with native cells. The breakthrough establishes a new doctrine for regenerative neuroscience, suggesting the spinal cord can support transplanted cell development.
A new research project at WPI aims to create a reconfigurable computing device that combines speed and power efficiency with low cost and flexibility. The smart cell will use parallel computing to perform hundreds of calculations simultaneously, making it up to 300 times faster than microprocessors.
Researchers have discovered a reflex mechanism in insects that allows them to maintain constant speed and altitude, even in strong headwinds. By controlling lift force using the optic flow regulator, insects can fly safely without measuring their speed or altitude.
A mathematical model created by researchers shows that South African migration played a major role in the spread of HIV, increasing high-risk sexual behavior among migrant men and their partners. Without migration, peak HIV prevalence would be less than 5 percent.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that deaf children with two cochlear implants can more accurately localize sounds over time. The study, led by Ruth Litovsky, suggests that having two implants allows children to better integrate sound information from both ears in their brain.
Researchers have found that mature trees in the Eastern Desert of Egypt are in significant decline, with over 50% disappearing between 1965 and 2003. The traditional resource management practices developed by desert people are being replaced by commercial charcoal production, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable forest management.
A new DNA sequencing approach allows researchers to analyze ancient ecosystems in just a few hours, providing more accurate and complete information. This breakthrough helps scientists better understand past climates, species decline, and potential causes of extinction.
A new study reveals that giant noctule bats feed on songbirds during nocturnal migrations, contradicting earlier suggestions that they only eat insects. The researchers used stable isotopes to track the bats' diet and found a significant presence of songbird flesh in their stomachs during autumn.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a method to precisely control the movement of water through carbon nanotube membranes. By applying low-voltage electricity, they can switch between repelling and pumping water, paving the way for technologies like instant drinking water purification and DNA separation.
A team of scientists at WashU Medicine has discovered that the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase I plays a critical role in promoting the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Without this enzyme, mice do not develop aneurysms due to reduced recruitment of inflammatory cells.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that the N1 protein in seasonal flu vaccines can trigger an antibody response to avian flu virus, offering cross-protection to some individuals. The study suggests that annual influenza vaccines may be beneficial to populations in areas where H5N1 poses a threat to humans.
A study using DNA chips has identified four genes associated with type 2 diabetes, accounting for up to 70% of the genetic risk. The genes include TCF7L2, HHEX, EXT2, and SLC30A8, which play major roles in insulin production and pancreatic function.
The International Research Network, ECSAW, aims to improve air quality and water treatment by reducing NOx emissions and developing new fuels for fuel cells. The four-year collaboration will also focus on decontaminating air and water using photocatalysis and green chemistry.
A new type of protein discovered by Queen's University researchers may be useful in developing treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The protein, called YihE or RdoA, has been shown to be a potentially good target in a wide range of bacteria that cause infectious diseases.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found significant regional variation in depression rates among households in Lahore, Quetta, and Karachi. Middle-aged females with secondary school education were most affected, highlighting the need to revise existing mental health policies.
A new class of computational methods, called LoCoH (local convex hull) methods, has been developed to construct distributions of where monitored organisms are most likely to be found in space and time. These methods have proven especially useful in evaluating the spatial needs of threatened species and designing parks to conserve them.
A recent study published in JAMA found that reducing body iron stores through phlebotomy in patients with peripheral artery disease did not significantly decrease the risk of death or nonfatal cardiovascular events. However, younger patients and those without diabetes showed apparent improvement with iron reduction.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a novel RPA-like complex that specifically targets the short single-stranded DNA tail end of yeast chromosomes. This complex helps maintain telomere integrity and prevent premature senescence or cancer development.
In Maryland, the absence of health insurance coverage costs $1.47 billion in annual expenditures, with individuals without insurance contributing $2,371 each year. State and federal funds, as well as private payers and physicians, absorb much of this burden.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology confirms the effectiveness of genetic testing in diagnosing complex retinal diseases. The research found that genetic testing confirmed a clinician's diagnosis in half of the tested cases, providing crucial information for healthcare professionals.
A recent study by Yale University researchers found that BPA alters the expression of key developmental genes necessary for uterine development, potentially leading to infertility in females. The study used pregnant female mice exposed to varying doses of BPA, revealing a link between BPA exposure and fertility defects.
The new high-performance mirror, called the high-index contrast sub-wavelength grating (HCG), packs the same reflective punch as current mirrors but is at least 20 times thinner. This characteristic presents critical advantages for today's ever smaller integrated optical devices.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients and therapists share similar physiologic responses during moments of high positive emotion, leading to higher ratings of therapist empathy. The study suggests a biological basis for empathic connection during psychotherapy, with implications for improving therapeutic tec...
Researchers have discovered unique properties in a molecular magnet that could significantly increase the resolution of MRIs, leading to more accurate diagnoses. The new material, Fe8, is non-toxic and water-soluble, making it safe for injection into the body.
Researchers have identified a new protein super-family called DANGER, which plays a crucial role in cell growth and differentiation. The discovery has significant implications for understanding animal evolution and development, as well as potential treatments for diseases such as Smith-Magenis syndrome and chronic myeleoid leukemia.
A NASA study suggests that a warmer future climate will increase droughts in the southwest United States and other parts of the world. The researchers found that changes in solar output in the past increased surface warming and altered atmospheric moisture and circulations, leading to severe droughts.
Researchers have identified a genetic variation associated with a mild form of schizophrenia, which also confers improved overall survival. The HOPA12pb gene variation affects dopamine-releasing neurons and may hold the key to developing new treatments for schizophrenia and other related illnesses.
A new theory proposes that cold, ice-containing climates created by strong algal growth in the oceans led to the rise of multicellular animals. This climate-biosphere interaction mechanism may have facilitated complex life around more massive and short-lived stars.
Researchers found that garlic tablets are effective in reducing morbidity for upper respiratory tract infections and resolving warts in children. However, more research is needed to explore its effects on cardiovascular disease and potential adverse effects when applied topically, which can cause second-degree burns.
Researchers discovered that nonconscious exposure to a significant person's name can cause individuals to act in defiance of their partner's or boss's wishes. People with high levels of reactance tend to be more resistant to these influences.
2006 was the fifth warmest year in the past century, according to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Global temperatures have been increasing steadily, with the greatest warming occurring at high latitudes and most ocean areas.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully integrated in-vitro synthesized membrane proteins into artificial lipid membranes, overcoming previous difficulties due to protein solubility. This breakthrough enables the creation of biosensors that can detect poisons, explosives, or drugs.
The NASA Goddard Space Science Center has won several prestigious awards this season, including the Bruno Rossi Prize for high-energy astrophysics and the Annie Jump Cannon Award for female astronomers. These awards recognize the center's outstanding research efforts and achievements in space science.
Researchers developed and validated two clinical algorithms to predict global cardiovascular risk in women, showing improved accuracy and reclassification of 40-50% of those at intermediate risk. The Reynolds Risk Score calculator is freely accessible online.
A study found that routine upstream administration of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors reduced composite ischemia events, while deferred selective use resulted in fewer major bleeding complications. However, the criterion for noninferiority was not met.
A new risk-factor list for postmenopausal women could help reduce cardiovascular disease deaths by incorporating family history and C-reactive protein. The updated criteria may change the risk scores for at least 20% of studied women.
Researchers found females mature earlier when shown males with long 'swords', while young males delayed maturity to avoid competition. This is the first evidence of a species adjusting sexual maturation based on visual cues.
Communicators and researchers are working together to develop effective science communication strategies, exploring ways to identify common goals and potential funding sources. This collaboration aims to create rich, complete stories about what scientists do and why, benefiting taxpayers and advancing policy.
Researchers mapped zebrafish axonal projections to reveal dual receptor expression and epigenetic programming. The study also explores the interaction of 'liking' and 'wanting' responses associated with compulsive behaviors, and investigates the role of ADAM10 in APP processing.