Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a drug that slows and may halt the progression of Parkinson's disease by rejuvenating aging dopamine cells. Isradipine, a widely used hypertension medication, restores stressed-out dopamine neurons to their youthful state, potentially extending the time L-DOPA works effectively.
Researchers found that combining brain scans with reading skills tests can predict future decoding skill more than four out of five times. This dual diagnostic approach can help identify children at risk for ongoing reading problems as early as possible, allowing for targeted intervention to improve outcomes.
A study has identified a new genetic risk factor for coeliac disease, which lacks a protective DNA sequence in the interleukin-2 and interleukin-21 gene region. This discovery could pave the way towards improved diagnostics and treatments for the condition.
A simple oxygen treatment can extend the shelf life of organic produce, reducing losses and costs. This technique has shown promise in preventing scald formation and physiological diseases in apples, with potential applications for other organic fruits and vegetables.
Researchers found that people with damage to their left frontal lobe are more likely to correct mistakes, while those with right-brain damage struggle to track changing task rules. This study highlights the crucial role of self-monitoring functions in everyday situations.
Researchers have developed a dual-imaging technique that combines functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor tractography to outline important areas of brain function and their connections prior to surgery. This approach has been used in 20 cases at Cincinnati's University Hospital and shows promising results in o...
Fossilized dinosaurs exhibiting wide-open mouth and head-back poses were likely victims of brain damage or asphyxiation due to trauma, according to two paleontologists. This new explanation challenges the long-held notion that the pose resulted from water currents or muscle contractions.
The research provides the first synoptic view of industrial logging in Central Africa, enabling conservation agencies and governments to better gauge its impact on forests and their inhabitants. The expansion of logging poses a significant threat to biodiversity and climatic change.
The exercise will test robot performance on emerging standard test methods using actual training scenarios for emergency responders. Robots will face challenges such as searching for victims in a simulated structural collapse and investigating a train wreck, utilizing various sensors like laser scanners and thermal imagers.
Dr. Hugh Hendrie receives prestigious Jack Weinberg Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to geriatric psychiatry research and clinical practice
A new study suggests that increasing calcium and vitamin D intake can lower the risk of breast, colon, lung, and other cancers in women. The four-year clinical trial found a significant protective effect with a 77% reduced risk for those taking calcium and vitamin D.
A year-long clinical trial shows that diets focusing on foods with low calorie density can lead to significant weight loss and improved hunger control. The study found that women who added water-rich foods to their diets lost more weight during the first six months compared to those following a reduced-fat diet.
Researchers found that sonographically-guided alcohol injections showed a high success rate and were well-tolerated by patients with Morton's neuroma. The study reported partial or total symptom improvement in 94% of patients, with 84% becoming totally pain-free.
Researchers at NIST have built a prototype high-speed quantum key distribution (QKD) system that can transmit secure keys in real-time over distances of at least 10 kilometers. The system achieves dramatically lower noise levels than similar systems, enabling theoretically unbreakable encryption and decryption.
Research by Cass Business School reveals annual reports fail to capture the full value of companies' innovative activities, particularly in the services sector. The study highlights the importance of human capital and relational capital in innovation, but notes conventional measures are often overlooked.
Research finds genetic links between bipolar disorder and comorbid conditions like anxiety disorders, ADHD, and autoimmune disorders. Comorbidities can complicate treatment and lead to poor health and decreased life expectancy.
A study found that a highly reactive autonomic nervous system paired with family stress leads to increased maladaptive personality change in children. The interaction between biological characteristics and family adversity is associated with longitudinal changes in childhood personality.
Researchers found that early life sun exposure increases the risk of melanomas with BRAF gene mutations. Patients who reported high levels of sun exposure before age 20 were more likely to have this mutation. In contrast, patients with NRAS gene mutations had higher exposure between ages 50-60.
UCLA researchers found that 90% of PG-13 rated films feature 'happy violence,' which can increase aggression and fear in young viewers. The study highlights the importance of media depictions on youth violence, with potential long-term consequences.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a potential new target for treating type 2 diabetes, a protein that regulates fat metabolism. The study found that insulin stimulates the addition of a phosphate group to this protein, preventing the activation of genes involved in fat metabolism.
A pair of researchers propose a tug-of-war theory model that explains the selection pressures driving the evolution of advanced eusocial groups, such as superorganisms. According to the model, intergroup competition ultimately leads to the emergence of these societies.
Researchers discovered that lapatinib activates a protective pathway in heart cells, while trastuzumab does not. This difference may lead to the development of new drugs with fewer cardiovascular side effects.
Researchers use graph theory to analyze Sudoku puzzles, finding that at least 8 of the 9 numbers must appear as given entries for a puzzle to have only one solution. They also explore unsolved problems in graph theory and argue that the number of distinct Sudoku puzzles is around 5.5 billion.
A new UCSD study found that eating at least five servings of vegetables and fruits a day and walking briskly for 30 minutes, six days a week, can reduce breast cancer mortality by 50%. The study also showed that this combined lifestyle pattern is effective for both obese and non-obese women.
A new study found that taking folic acid supplements does not reduce the risk of developing precancerous colon tumors and may even increase it. Researchers also suggest that fortification of grain-based foods with folic acid may be a contributing factor to increased risk.
Researchers at UCSF develop a model describing how simple chemical interactions can lead to natural selection on a micro scale, potentially explaining how life emerged. The model focuses on enzymes and chemical catalysts, suggesting that simple principles of chemical interactions can give rise to complex arrangements.
A new report from NIST and EPA offers building owners retrofit options to improve safety against airborne chemical and biological hazards. The report evaluates 14 alternative techniques, including filtration and air cleaning systems, and provides a life-cycle cost analysis tool.
Researchers have successfully implanted a tiny electrode array in the auditory nerve of cats, enabling them to hear a wide range of sounds. The device has several advantages over cochlear implants, including more precise activation of specific frequency signals and reduced electrical current requirements.
Researchers have successfully observed cell migration in real-time using a specialized liquid culture medium, shedding light on the nuances of organized cell movement. This breakthrough could lead to strategies for regulating both normal growth and cancer progression.
Climate researchers predict salt marshes in Venice Lagoon may not survive future climate changes due to increased sea-level rise. Meanwhile, scientists have observed high-speed streams of charged particles called sprites, which blaze at incredible brightness and brief duration. The Amazon rainforest also emits large amounts of methane,...
A study of 396 children who suffered a first cerebral venous thrombosis found that repeated venous thrombosis occurred in 22 cases, with 13 being cerebral, mostly in children over 2 years old and those without anti-coagulant treatment
Researchers have fabricated a novel memory device combining silicon nanowires with traditional SONOS technology, enabling more reliable data storage and easier integration into commercial applications. The device boasts simple read, write, and erase capabilities, high memory retention, and large on/off current ratio.
Researchers at the University of Bristol and MIT have discovered a key role for the dentate gyrus in rapid place recognition, which may help alleviate confusion among elderly individuals. The study's findings could also inform therapies for learning and behavioral disorders.
Patients treated by chiropractors had lower utilization costs and higher patient satisfaction levels than conventional medical doctors. The study found that patients visiting chiropractors experienced fewer hospitalizations, surgeries, and pharmaceutical use.
Dr. Andrew Stuart was awarded the 2007 SIAM Activity Group on Dynamical Systems J.D. Crawford Prize for his work on stochastic differential equations and their applications in physical models and Kalman-Bucy filters. The prize recognizes his outstanding contributions to the fields of stochastic ordinary and partial differential equations.
Dr. Harry L. Swinney received the Jürgen Moser Lecture Prize for his work on nonlinear dynamics of systems far from equilibrium. His research has elucidated the onset of turbulence in various systems, including water in rotating cylinders.
Researchers found that increased body fat in elderly adults is associated with lower levels of vitamin D, regardless of sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is critical for maintaining bone health and low levels can increase the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.
A recent paper by Dartmouth Professor Ronald M. Green examines six approaches to deriving human embryonic stem cells in ways that avoid destroying living human embryos. These alternatives aim to make hESC research more universally acceptable, while respecting the sensitivities of citizens.
A new approach to teaching chemistry at Brandeis University seeks to capture the imaginations of potential scientists through interactive and technology-driven learning. The program aims to build a 'science posse' of disadvantaged students, providing them with academic support, paid lab jobs, and a two-week boot camp.
A study of nearly 8,000 children found a significant rise in the prescribing of newer antiepileptic drugs, with concerns over their long-term safety. The research highlights the need for greater investment in paediatric drug development and testing.
A study reported in Current Biology shows that captive chimpanzees can acquire new traditions and spread them to other troops. This suggests a considerable capacity for cultural spread of innovations among chimpanzees, similar to what is seen in the wild.
Long-term monitoring programs help society understand environmental issues like acid rain, clean air, and global warming. The absence of monitoring hinders evaluation of environmental policies and contributes to the development of appropriate experimental design.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that mismatched cord blood transplants performed as well as matched bone marrow transplants in terms of leukemia-free survival rates. Additionally, patients receiving matched cord blood had a 20% higher survival rate than those with matched bone marrow.
Salvatore Torquato received the 2007 Ralph E. Kleinman Prize for his groundbreaking work on heterogeneous materials, bridging mathematics and applications in engineering and science. His research has led to highly original advances in various problems, including microstructure characterization and percolation theory.
Researchers found that unrelated umbilical cord blood transplants can provide similar five-year survival rates to allele-matched bone marrow transplants for children with acute leukemia. However, matched cord blood transplants showed greater survival rates but required further study to confirm.
A study published in The Lancet found that sputum-submission guidance increases positive tests for tuberculosis in women by 63%, making it a promising intervention to improve case detection. The guidance aims to address cultural and knowledge barriers, resulting in higher quality samples and early morning returns.
A new study finds that the TRPM8 ion channel plays a crucial role in detecting cold temperatures by activating neural impulses. The research suggests that TRPM8 is not the sole receptor responsible for detecting extreme cold, indicating possible alternative pathways.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from woolly mammoth bones, teeth, and tusks to understand their disappearance. The study found a genetic signature indicating a range expansion after the last interglacial period, followed by leveling off and eventual extinction of one lineage.
A study of 2,046 women found that misoprostol administration under the tongue or vaginally can be effective, but sublingual administration causes more side effects. The optimal interval for vaginal administration is between three and 12 hours, while sublingual administration requires shorter intervals to minimize side effects.
A new study has identified a direct link between Plasmodium falciparum antigens and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, increasing the risk of Burkitt lymphoma in children living in malaria-endemic areas. The researchers found that certain proteins from P. falciparum can spur latent EBV-infected cells into active production.
A new study published in Science analyzed the environmental impact of genetically modified (GM) crops and found that they can have benefits for sustainable agriculture. The research used data from field experiments worldwide and found that Bt-crops, which produce an insecticide internally, can reduce the need for chemical spraying.
Researchers used nanotechnology to study exciton mobility on carbon nanotubes, revealing that each excition travels about 90 nanometers and visits some 10,000 carbon atoms during its lifespan. The unique properties of carbon nanotubes made them an ideal system for observing single-molecule reactions.
Researchers at Institut Gustave Roussy found that a combination of radiation and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome HIF-1–dependent tumor radioresistance in mice. This breakthrough suggests a new approach to treating cancer by shifting tumor resistance towards apoptosis, according to the study published online on June 7.
A recent study found that acute allergic-like reactions to newer nonionic contrast agents are rare in children, occurring in only 20 out of 11,306 pediatric IV administrations. The study confirms the safety and better understands the risks of these agents in children.
Researchers have found that a combination of radiation treatment and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome tumor radioresistance by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. This dual therapy approach shows promise in treating tumors resistant to radiation, offering a new potential treatment strategy.
Researchers used supercomputers to simulate galaxy mergers, revealing the formation of a new type of structure - a central disk of gas that can be thousands of light years wide. The simulations predict that the gas in this disk will extract energy from the orbiting black holes, causing them to merge and produce strong gravitational waves.
Researchers at Burnham Institute have discovered that gamma-secretase acts as a tumor suppressor by altering the EGFR pathway, which may limit treatment options for Alzheimer's and other diseases. The study also found that APP metabolite AICD negatively regulates transcription of the EGFR gene.
The Lancet Editorial emphasizes the need for dramatically increasing legal organ donations to meet demand, as punitive measures only drive organ trafficking further underground. The Iranian model of paying and caring for donors is considered the gold standard, but its commercialization raises moral concerns.
Two studies presented at the Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder have identified novel pathways and markers for diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder. The findings suggest a new avenue for treating the underlying cause of the disease, rather than just treating symptoms.
A recent study by researchers from the US, China, and Japan found consistent positive implicit self-esteem among university students from three countries. The study used the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure automatic attitudes towards oneself, revealing high levels of positive self-associations across cultures.