Researchers identified an essential protein that plays a key role in myelination and remyelination, processes vital for healthy brain development and repair. The discovery has major implications for treating brain damage in newborns and may lead to treatments or interventions to enhance brain health.
Scientists identify rapid evolution of plant defense genes as a cause of hybrid incompatibility, leading to sterility and defective offspring. This phenomenon may contribute to the formation of new species through gradual genetic incompatibilities.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have identified a common genetic risk factor for colorectal and prostate cancer. The study found that one variant previously associated with prostate cancer also increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
A new study reveals an alternative distribution mechanism in female sex cells that cause chromosome disorders, leading to infertility and irregular numbers of chromosomes. This fundamental mechanism may help explain the common occurrence of such disorders in females.
A successful bioeradication program in Lake Victoria reduced fish populations, improved hydroelectric power generation, and decreased malaria and schistosomiasis cases. The program used natural enemies of the invasive water hyacinth to control its spread, eliminating the need for pesticides.
Researchers have identified a gene, GLIS2, that protects against a serious kidney disease called nephronopthisis. Mutations in this gene cause the disease, which leads to kidney degeneration and failure.
A recent meta-analysis confirms that combining trastuzumab with chemotherapy reduces mortality by -34% and increases disease-free survival by 38% in women with operable HER-2 positive breast cancer. This treatment strategy also decreases the risk of locoregional and distant recurrences.
Researchers have found a new virus, NV1020, to be effective against colorectal cancer with minimal side effects. The treatment has shown promising results in reducing tumor masses and improving patient survival.
A study found that Canadian fifth-graders prefer larger portions of snacks and fast food but smaller portions of vegetables, with a significant gender gap in portion sizes. The researchers also discovered that children who frequently eat at fast-food restaurants or watch TV while eating are more likely to consider large portions as 'us...
Researchers at JILA discovered a previously unseen type of collective electronic behavior in semiconductors, shedding light on interactions between microscopic particles. The study used ultrafast lasers to analyze the phase shift of light, confirming the importance of collective exciton behavior and its superiority over simpler models.
A new study by Professor Michael Rowlinson reveals that nearly all UK and US companies produce historical accounts of themselves, but the quality is extremely variable. Many UK companies could improve the way they present their history to the public, which can impact consumers' views of their longevity and trustworthiness.
A new Rhode Island Hospital study shows a significant increase in trampoline-related injuries, with 531,378 reported cases over the decade. The majority of injuries (71%) were to extremities and occurred on home trampolines, prompting researchers to urge parents not to purchase these equipment for their children.
Murat Arcak, a researcher at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, received the 2007 SIAG/CST Prize for his work on passivity approach and robustness in largescale networks. His research has enhanced performance and robustness for wireless and biological networks.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers found that individuals with better parasympathetic tone had lower levels of inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP). Exercise has been shown to improve parasympathetic tone, leading to a quicker heart-rate recovery after physical activity.
A landmark study finds that HIV/AIDS patients are 11 times more likely to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma, while transplant recipients face a similar increased risk for several types of cancer. Immune deficiency is the common factor driving these higher cancer rates in both groups.
Research by the University of Illinois found that elevated CO2 levels increase the susceptibility of soybeans to Japanese beetles and enhance their invasive abilities. This study highlights the potential risks of climate change on crop defenses, particularly for highly usable crops like soybeans.
A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases reveals 35 genes whose expression patterns correlate with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. These findings may provide clues about the disease's underlying nature and potential mechanisms.
A new search engine mashup uses intelligent virtual robots to scan data quickly, assessing keywords and context, and combining it with meta search tools to retrieve relevant results. This approach improves the precision rate and recall rate of traditional search engines.
A Canadian study found that paracetamol overdose rates decreased significantly between 1995 and 2004, with a notable drop in hospitalizations among young women and Aboriginal populations. The lack of package size restrictions in Canada contributed to this decline, contrasting with the UK's successful implementation of smaller pack sizes.
USC researchers applied nanoscale imaging to study Anabaena oscillarioides, clarifying the mechanism of nitrogen fixation. The study revealed a key step in the nutrient cycle, allowing for better understanding of global carbon and nitrogen dynamics.
Ancient plant and insect life found in Greenland ice cores, suggesting a more stable southern Greenland ice sheet. The discovery sheds new light on the region's climate history and challenges previous views of sea level rise.
A randomized trial found that darunavir-ritonavir reduced HIV RNA levels by 77% compared to lopinavir-ritonavir at week 48. The treatment was well-tolerated with mild side effects in both groups.
A study from Rice University reveals that cooperative single-celled amoebae use family ties to prevent cheaters from undermining their colonies' health. By associating with kin, the amoebae's social system prevents the spread of selfish mutants.
Researchers at University at Buffalo developed a method to isolate functional smooth muscle cells from bone marrow, which can be used in regenerative medicine for cardiovascular applications. The engineered blood vessels function similarly to native tissue, demonstrating potential as an alternative to venous grafts.
In mice and human patients, researchers found that crippling of protective enzyme Prx2 leads to death of dopamine-producing neurons in Parkinson's disease. Activating Prx2 prevents neuronal loss, suggesting it as a beneficial target for PD treatment.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have found that protein CD36 facilitates the uptake of fatty acids and cholesterol in the proximal part of the intestine. The team believes that targeting this process may provide a useful tool for obesity treatment, as animals without CD36 absorb fat less efficiently and eat less.
The University of Cincinnati has received a $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to research molecular treatment of brain injury. Dr. Kenneth Strauss will study eicosanoids, which can protect healthy brain cells from further damage.
Several phase II and III trials investigate anti-retroviral drug combinations for pre-exposure prophylaxis among at-risk populations. The implementation of such a program requires careful planning and substantial resources to ensure access, minimize risk behavior, and prevent drug-resistant strains.
Dr. Insoo Bae receives $2 million Komen Award to develop novel prevention strategies for women with BRCA1 mutations. His research focuses on identifying environmental carcinogens that increase the risk of breast cancer in genetically predisposed individuals.
Early HIV testing for exposed infants can prevent infection before AIDS or death, allowing for prophylaxis or treatment implementation. Universal availability of prophylaxis or treatment is crucial, but poses challenges such as long-term toxic effects of anti-retroviral treatment.
A Kansas State University researcher has created a way to make fiber-enriched flour that tastes like regular flour, enabling the production of healthier snacking alternatives. The process uses extrusion processing to add varying levels of bran, resulting in improved dough quality and increased soluble dietary fiber.
Researchers distinguish between two classes of brain cells with distinct roles in visual attention and highlight mechanisms by which they mediate attention. They found that neurons respond more strongly when attention is directed to the stimulus in their receptive fields, with narrow-spiking cells firing more frequently under attention.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have observed two-dimensional equilibrium patterns in lead samples when in its superconducting state, below 7.2 Kelvin. These complex patterns differ from the long-held textbook model proposed by Lev Landau and represent a significant contribution to the field of superconductivity.
A study of nearly 400 university students found women spoke an average of 16,215 words per day, while men averaged 15,669. The difference was not statistically significant, and individual variations were large.
A new UCLA AIDS Institute study found that self-monitoring by HIV-positive patients is an effective strategy to reduce high-risk behavior. By answering questions about their sexual behavior, patients reflected on their own behavior and changed their actions.
Research reveals that butterfly mimicry benefits both species involved, as predators avoid eating the most unpalatable species but still learn to distinguish between them. The study provides insight into how insects evolve to resemble one another and change their behavior.
Cancer incidence is higher among people with HIV/AIDS and organ transplant recipients due to immune system dysfunction. The study found a broad range of cancers at increased incidence across various sites.
DNA polymerase epsilon plays a primary role in replicating leading strand of DNA in bakers yeast, influencing genome stability and responses to environmental stress. The discovery advances understanding of DNA replication in higher organisms like humans.
A study published in Science debunks the popular stereotype that females use more words than men, revealing both sexes use an average of 16,000 words per day. The research used a digital voice recorder to track daily interactions over eight years and analyzed transcripts from nearly 400 university students.
The International AIDS Society conference in Sydney drew a record number of 5,000 delegates and featured a new biomedical prevention track, reflecting increasing interest in microbicides and other innovative approaches.
Autophagy, a normal process in which cells recycle proteins, may paradoxically contribute to the progression of heart disease. Mice with amplified autophagy fared worse in cardiac stress tests than those with muted responses.
Researchers developed a one-step test using holograms to diagnose astigmatic error, a key factor in prescribing glasses. The new technique is simpler and faster than traditional methods, which involve multiple lenses and complex processes.
Researchers identified the lateral occipital complex as a region affected by both working memory load and pain, but found that pain influences visual processing through the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. This modulation affects accuracy in recognizing images.
Researchers at USC have found that norepinephrine transmits a 'low blood sugar' message from the hindbrain to the paraventricular hypothalamus, triggering the release of energy stores to replace missing sugars. This discovery provides new insights into glucose sensing mechanisms in the brain and may hold potential for treating diabetic...
HIV's uniformly fatal outcome and absence of natural immunity pose significant hurdles for vaccine design. The authors call for increased funding for research and clinical trials to address these challenges and accelerate progress in finding an effective AIDS vaccine.
The sea anemone genome shows similarities with the human genome, providing a new view of our common ancestors. The study found that many genes are conserved across species, allowing scientists to infer features of the ancestral genetic blueprint for animals.
Ancient DNA from trees, plants, and insects in a boreal forest reveals temperatures were around 10C in summer and -17C in winter. The findings suggest the global ocean was one to two meters higher during that time compared to current levels.
Research at University of California, San Diego reveals that male mice produce more IL-6 in response to liver injury, leading to a higher incidence of liver cancer. The study suggests therapies targeting IL-6 production or estrogen-like compounds may reduce liver cancer risk in males.
Cancer is a major cause of disease and mortality worldwide, requiring a strong political signal for alliance and concerted actions. The Round Table on Health Strategies in the European Union will focus on creating capacity building for effective policies and programs to address cancer.
A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that South Asian Scots are more likely to suffer a heart attack than the rest of the Scottish population. The research, which linked census data to hospital discharge records, revealed an 80% higher incidence of heart attacks among South Asian women and a 45% higher incidence among men.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that soil particles can increase the infectious nature of rogue proteins causing CWD. Binding to common soil minerals like montmorillonite significantly increases oral transmissibility, with a nearly 700-fold difference observed.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and UC Berkeley developed irreversible electroporation (IRE) to target cancer cells, successfully abling tissue in rat livers. IRE preserves vessel architecture and kills cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
A new NNRTI etravirine has been shown to be effective in suppressing HIV viral load in treatment-experienced patients with documented resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The DUET trials 1 and 2 found that 56% and 62% of patients achieved viral loads below 50 copies/mL, respectively.
Researchers at USC are training a new breed of robotic dog, called LittleDog, to navigate challenging terrain. After 15 months of experimentation, the dogs can now move, albeit slowly, and will be trained to run faster in the next phase of the study.
Researchers identified promising biomarkers in urine samples, including one linked to liver and ovarian cancer. The goal is to create a simple, fast, and noninvasive test for early detection, potentially avoiding painful procedures.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a unifying principle explaining how different causes and treatments for depression converge. Changes in electrical signal flow through the brain circuit appear to be the cause of depression-related behavior.
A new study is providing community pharmacists with education and advice on controlling blood glucose levels through individual glucose meter uploads. The project aims to determine whether lifestyle advice from pharmacists improves glycaemic control and potentially reduces the burden of Type 2 Diabetes on healthcare systems.
Stevens Institute of Technology has joined the IDS Scheer Innovation and Education Network, allowing for the application of its academic research to industry. The network aims to generate a constant stream of ideas for innovations and support education initiatives in Business Process Management (BPM).
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered why some mosquitoes are resistant to malaria, focusing on a protein called TEP1. The study found that genetic differences in TEP1 manifest in a region dubbed the 'warhead', which grabs onto malarial parasites.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers found that wives exhibit greater situational power and domineering behaviors during problem-solving discussions in marriage. The study of 72 married couples revealed that wives were more likely to draw favorable responses from their husbands, indicating a healthy marriage dynamic.