David R. Franz, Kansas State University's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center director, warned of the vulnerabilities and threats to the nation's livestock industry due to increased animal concentrations and international transportation. He emphasized the need for a different set of tools to protect against intentional disease int...
A team of scientists has discovered a strong connection between carbon dioxide increase and warming during the Paleozoic Era. The research found that as Gondwana deglaciated and atmospheric CO2 rose, tropical regions became arid and vegetation changed dramatically.
An international team of researchers has identified one gene and a previously unidentified region on chromosome 11 as potential contributors to autism. The study, published in Nature Genetics, is based on genetic samples from nearly 1,200 families with two or more children who have autism.
Researchers found that an excess of SF2/ASF, a critical protein in RNA splicing, can cause cancer. The study identified specific genes whose patterns of splicing were altered by this factor, including a gene encoding a protein kinase required to maintain tumor cells in a cancerous state.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs with RNAi gene therapy, showing its effectiveness in shutting down viruses that cause diseases such as hepatitis and HIV in mice. With three human trials underway, the technique may be on the verge of widespread use for treating various human diseases.
A UI researcher emphasizes the importance of understanding molecular processes in solving environmental issues, as demonstrated by the case of Antarctic ozone thinning. She advocates for further research on molecular assembly and disassembly to safely recycle materials from outdated computers.
Recent studies suggest that flavanol-rich cocoa can enhance brain blood flow, potentially improving cognitive function and learning. Researchers found significant correlations between flavanol consumption and reduced rates of heart disease and cancer among the Kuna Indians in Panama.
Researchers from the Autism Genome Project have made significant discoveries about the genetic basis of autism, implicating previously unidentified regions and genes in chromosome 11 and neurexin 1. The study's findings hold promise for diagnosis and treatment breakthroughs.
A new study by Dr. Kevin Robert Gurney found that boreal North America removes carbon from the atmosphere during warm Spring years, while Boreal Asia emits more carbon with above normal Fall temperatures. These findings have implications for climate change projections and suggest a regional difference in how ecosystems respond to warming.
Researchers found that tumor tissue has random mutation rates up to 100 times higher than normal tissue from the same patient. This may explain why cells in a tumor have so many genetic mutations and could lead to ineffective chemotherapy treatments.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a new strategy against heart failure by targeting the adrenal gland. By blocking GRK2, an enzyme that regulates fight or flight hormones, they were able to reduce hormone production and improve heart function.
The AAAS Board has released its first consensus statement on global climate change, confirming that human activities are causing the Earth's temperature to rise. The statement emphasizes the urgent need for action to address this growing threat to society, citing rapid melting of glaciers and sea level rises.
According to physicist Andrei Linde, recent developments in cosmology have changed our understanding of the structure and fate of the universe. Inflationary theory suggests that our universe could emerge from as little as a milligram of matter or even nothing, with quantum fluctuations creating galaxies along the way.
Researchers from Clemson University have improved inkjet technology to produce live, beating heart cells more efficiently. This breakthrough enables precise placement of cells in soft tissue, a crucial step towards achieving function in the heart.
The largest search for autism genes to date has implicated components of the brain's glutamate chemical messenger system and a previously overlooked site on chromosome 11. Tiny variations in genes may heighten risk for autism spectrum disorders, with evidence pointing to gene variants affecting neurotransmitter systems.
A new approach to teaching biology classes at Ohio State University has led to a four-fold increase in test scores among students who are given more freedom to think for themselves. By using real experiments and encouraging critical thinking, students were able to demonstrate a deeper understanding of biological concepts.
A study by ASU researchers reveals that people's behavior is heavily influenced by their neighbors' conservation efforts, contrary to popular belief. The study found that the belief in neighbors' conservation had the highest correlation with reported energy conservation among participants.
Carnegie Mellon professor Baruch Fischhoff argues that decision science principles can help policymakers and the public make effective decisions on climate change. He emphasizes the need for coordinated action among experts from various fields, including domain specialists, social scientists, and designers.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that an enzyme important in fetal heart-cell development regulates cardiac hypertrophy, a key step in congestive heart failure. The study found that inhibiting this enzyme can prevent the onset of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Commercially prized deep-sea fish are severely threatened by over-fishing and low reproductive success due to long lifespans, while technological advances have made targeting them easier.
US crops are susceptible to attack by terrorists, who could use devastating plant pathogens as weapons. The need for prevention and preparedness strategies is crucial, including border inspections, crop surveillance, and rapid pathogen identification.
A leading U.S. innovator in nanofabrication and assembly processes, James E. Hutchison, emphasizes the need for designing materials and processes that minimize hazard and waste in the production phase of nanotechnology. Green chemistry can sharply reduce toxic solvents and produce safer products with reduced unintended consequences.
A five-year study involving over 1,200 families has identified two new genetic links to familial autism, with one gene associated with neurexin 1 and a previously unidentified region of chromosome 11 implicated. The findings suggest that autism has numerous genetic origins rather than a single cause.
According to ASU researcher Ronald Greeley, Europa is the most promising candidate among four worlds beyond Earth that might contain life. The moon has a thick layer of water and organic minerals, making it an ideal target for NASA's next mission. Scientists hope to measure the ice shell's thickness using tidal flexing measurements.
A scientific consensus on the link between smoking and lung cancer emerged in the mid-1950s, but tobacco industry efforts to sow doubt and delay regulation persisted. Proctor's research shows that consumer letters and phone logs reveal widespread ignorance about tobacco's health risks.
Researchers have assembled a genetic portrait of birdlife in the U.S. and Canada, identifying 15 new species that are nearly indistinguishable from human eyes and ears. The team also successfully logged DNA attributes of 87 bat species of Guyana, revealing six new species.
A massive international study identifies potential genetic links for autism, shedding light on the disorder's neurological basis. The research, involving over 1,400 families, suggests that certain genes increase the risk of developing autism, while environmental factors also play a role.
Researchers propose a holistic approach to fisheries management, emphasizing the need to consider entire ecosystems and monitor catch characteristics. The 'Ten Commandments' outline specific action items to improve sustainability and efficiency in marine management.
Robert C. von Borstel presents cancer as an invasive process similar to species evolution, with mutations and selection driving its progression. He hopes his work will help people re-examine cancer in a new light.
Researchers identified a new route to cancer treatment by exploiting mutations that control cell movement. Understanding the collaboration between Ras and p53 genes may lead to novel therapeutic targets like Rho proteins.
A Carnegie Mellon paper outlines incentives for controlling carbon emissions, warning of the consequences of delaying effective electric sector policy. Implementing an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide from power plants is likely to be cost-effective and reduce environmental impact.
A majority of Americans agree with most scientists that the Earth is getting warmer, but they are uncertain about the seriousness of the problem. The uncertainty stems from a belief that scientists disagree about global warming, despite being on the same wavelength with the scientific community about the basics of the issue.
A team of climate scientists will measure the influence of Greenland's atmosphere on Northern European weather, aiming to improve forecast accuracy. The research will also fill gaps in existing climate change models, enhancing long-term predictions.