Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that the Clock gene, regulating biological clocks, is involved in developing bipolar disorder in mice. The study reveals behaviors similar to humans with bipolar disorder, including hyperactivity and euphoria, which are restored by lithium treatment.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that bdelloid rotifers, microscopic aquatic animals without males, have evolved into distinct species after over 40 million years of asexual reproduction. Genetic and jaw-shape evidence revealed adaptation to environmental differences as the primary driver of speciation.
A UBC discovery reveals a protein that changes tumour cells' shape and adhesive quality, allowing them to grow and spread. Researchers aim to develop targeted, non-toxic treatments using 'smart' molecules to block its function.
Researchers found a significant link between smoking and skin damage in non-facial areas, such as the inside of the upper arm. Smoking was associated with an increased degree of skin aging, with smokers showing more severe fine wrinkling than nonsmokers.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of charged, rod-like block copolymers that can self-assemble and form stable structures similar to DNA. These unique polymers could have potential applications in drug delivery and gene delivery systems.
Researchers at PNNL have developed QPAS, a technique using lasers and tuning forks to detect gaseous nerve agent surrogates with extreme sensitivity. The instrument can be miniaturized for field environments and operates unattended for long periods.
A team of researchers from six universities, led by the US Department of Defense, is awarded $6 million to explore precise biological assembly for studying quantum physics in nanoparticle arrays. This research aims to produce fundamental understanding of quantum electronic systems and could impact future electronics.
A team of 9 scholars from six universities will use precise biological assembly techniques to study quantum physics in nanoparticle arrays. This research could lead to new mechanisms for computing, signal processing and sensing.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have found that spontaneous mutations in DNA are more common in sporadic cases of autism than in familial or healthy children. The study, published in Science, reports that at least 10% of children with autism carry a genetic alteration not found in either parent.
Researchers found a correlation between smoking and increased fine wrinkling in photo-protected skin, particularly among participants over 65. The study used a novel grading scale to assess the severity of skin aging, which was not previously available for photo-protected areas.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used brain scans to identify three brain regions responsible for nicotine cravings and dependence. These regions include the thalamus, striatum, and anterior cingulate cortex, which play roles in stress relief, pleasure, and cognitive function.
Research by Nicholas Foulkes and colleagues found that peripheral clocks require cortisol to generate daily rhythms of cell proliferation. Constant levels of cortisol can restore normal cell-division rhythms in cortisol-deficient strains.
Researchers found that participants could learn a complex sequence of motions by viewing and remembering it without actually reproducing it. This suggests that imitation learning is crucial for acquiring many skills used in daily life, such as sports and rehabilitation after an accident.
A British study of 5,500 children found that low physical activity levels are a significant contributor to the development of obesity. The researchers used advanced techniques to measure fat mass and activity, finding a strong statistical association between lower activity and higher fat mass.
Researchers found that asexual bdelloid rotifers have evolved independently into distinct entities, with genetic and morphological cohesion within populations and divergence between them. This suggests that factors other than interbreeding control species cohesion and divergence in these organisms.
Researchers found that measures of spirituality increased significantly in recovering alcoholics, with daily spiritual experiences and feeling of purpose in life strongly linked to sobriety. This suggests that including spirituality into recovery services may be beneficial, regardless of the individual's faith or belief system.
A new report published in PLoS Medicine suggests that making small increases to daily exercise routine, such as walking to school, could have dramatic long-term results. Researchers found that doing 15 minutes of moderate exercise per day lowered a child's chances of being obese by almost 50%.
A study on rheumatoid arthritis found that flexible use of drugs with close patient follow-up can effectively control the disease. Additionally, a trial on men with prostate cancer showed that an osteoporosis drug strengthens bones and reduces bone loss.
Researchers have identified a vital protein, PAWP, essential to human reproduction and fertilization. The study suggests that regulating this protein may increase the chances of pregnancy by enhancing fertility.
Researchers found termites prefer blocks with more wood content, even without touching them. The study suggests termites use vibrations to assess food quality, which could lead to new methods for controlling feeding termites and mitigating termite damage in buildings.
A team of researchers from VCU and UC Cincinnati have made a significant breakthrough in spintronics by extending the spin relaxation time in organic nanostructures to over a second. This discovery has the potential to enable the development of smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic devices.
Researchers used Genomatix tools to identify novel cancer-associated genes in a colon cancer model. The study validated the findings using siRNA knock-down and RT-PCR, confirming the importance of these genes in cell proliferation.
Research reveals that nearly one in three women experience painful sex a year after childbirth and over half have at least one sex-related health problem. Asian women were more likely to report health problems than white women, while Afro-Caribbean women displayed similar levels of ill health.
A team of physicists proposes a new mechanism to produce cosmic gamma rays from starlight, challenging existing theories. The new mechanism involves the interaction of fast-moving nuclei with ultraviolet light, producing cosmic gamma rays without requiring extreme electromagnetic fields.
A new study identifies a key molecular pathway in neurons that contributes to brain cell degeneration, a process linked to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. The Rho protein plays a crucial role in this destruction of neurons, and blocking its activity can prevent cell death.
Scientists have developed tiny gel particles that can be injected into damaged intervertebral discs to restore mechanical properties and regain mobility. The 'microgels' have the potential to offer a non-surgical alternative to spinal fusion surgery, reducing recovery time and preserving disc flexibility.
Researchers found that red-breasted nuthatches can distinguish between high and low danger threats from the alarm calls of black-capped chickadees. The nuthatches' behavior suggests they learn to interpret the calls through complex social interactions, highlighting their intelligence and adaptability.
In Nigeria's 2003 polio vaccination campaign, Muslim religious leaders in three northern states boycotted the campaign citing mistrust of Western medicine. The boycott led to new polio cases in Nigeria. Ayodele Samuel Jegede suggests examining this event within historical and political contexts.
A study by Haojie Li and colleagues found that vitamin D deficiency is common among US men, affecting prostate cancer risk. Genetic variations in the VDR gene are also associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Researchers design a custom mask to camouflage abnormal gene splicing, restoring the correct genetic blueprint. The approach shows promise in treating cancer and other diseases caused by genetic mutations, with future testing planned in mouse models.
Researchers have identified a novel pathway in Trypanosoma brucei parasites that can be triggered to shut down the synthesis of a crucial RNA molecule, leading to parasite death. This discovery has implications for eradicating other parasitic diseases such as Leishmania and Chagas disease.
A recent study reveals that oil levels in Prince William Sound's sands remain unchanged since tests five years ago, with oil seeping down 4-10 inches. Researchers will conduct field studies to understand the motion of water and effects of waves on beaches, focusing on micro-organism limitations and environmental factors.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that digitally expressing happiness can improve the effectiveness of online product presentations. Participants preferred interacting with a happy avatar over a sad one, regardless of the product's emotional tone.
TB patients must take long-term therapy due to a correlation between bacterial burden and time to cure. Researchers suggest that non-replicating bacteria are not TB-specific and that understanding this phenomenon can lead to shorter treatment durations for recalcitrant bacterial infections.
A University of Missouri study found that negative news stories about clinical trials deter people from participating in medical research. The study analyzed 216 New York Times and 124 Washington Post articles, revealing a significant correlation between negative coverage and decreased willingness to participate.
Scientists at USC have identified a small molecule, IQ-1, that prevents embryonic stem cells from differentiating into specific cell types. This discovery allows for the potential growth of human stem cells without risk of contamination from mouse feeder cells.
Researchers predicted 3D structures for yeast proteins using de novo methods and integrated with biological data, providing a global view of protein relationships. The study assigned domains to families of evolutionarily related proteins, generating testable hypotheses about their mechanisms of action.
Researchers found that radiation-resistant bacteria like Deinococcus radiodurans are protected from protein damage by a chemical mechanism involving manganese ions. This new model of radiation toxicity highlights the importance of protein protection in bacterial survival, contradicting traditional views that prioritize DNA damage.
A study published in Neurology found that family caregivers of people with ALS experienced significant increases in depression and feeling burdened over nine months, while those with the disease showed little change. This highlights the need for interventions to enhance communication between patients and caregivers.
Researchers found that infants looked significantly longer at impossible figures, indicating they can detect some three-dimensional features at a young age. This ability provides insights into the development of mechanisms for processing pictorial depth cues.
Researchers discovered that Src activates PMR1, a protein that destroys specific messenger RNAs, leading to halted production of tumor-suppressor proteins. This mechanism could contribute to cancer development.
A new calibration technique helps plastic surgeons use computer imaging software to analyze and balance facial features before and after surgery. The study found that patients who underwent combined rhinoplasty and chin correction showed improvements in facial proportions, with increased distances between key landmarks.
Current Congressional proposals could significantly reduce the number of uninsured Americans and decrease overall healthcare expenditures. Representative Stark's AmeriCare proposal would cover nearly all of the uninsured as well as strengthen employer-based health insurance, reducing overall health spending by $60.7 billion.
A survey of 500 Medicare patients found that physicians served as the main decision-makers one-third of the time, with men and those in worse health more likely to report this. The study highlights the need for further research on patient involvement in surgical decision-making.
Rough and tumble play in animals has been linked to improved social competence and coordination. The study found that deprivation of peer interaction led to impaired movement coordination and perception of social cues in rats. These findings suggest that horseplay is essential for the development of social skills in humans.
A recent study found that antibiotics are prescribed for approximately 82% of acute and chronic sinus infections, despite viruses being the most frequent cause. This overprescription has significant concerns, including drug resistance and virulent bacteria, as well as increased healthcare costs.
Two recent studies published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that Americans are not meeting the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Despite recommendations since 1990, only 28% of adults meet the guidelines for fruit consumption, while less than 11% meet both fruit and vegetable guidelines.
Medication errors are common and difficult to detect among outpatient transplant patients, with adverse events associated with 32% of errors. The root causes were identified as patient error (68%), financial issues (5%), and healthcare provider error (27%), highlighting the need for improved processes to prevent such errors.
Studies found that TP53 mutant tumors in breast cancer are sensitive to a dose-dense epirubicin-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy regimen. This suggests the regimen may be effective for patients with these specific tumor types.
A two-year study found that the drug risedronate reduced hip fractures in people with Parkinson disease by three times compared to placebo. Risedronate also increased bone mineral density and decreased biomarkers for bone loss, effectively controlling osteoporosis progression.
The number of spinal cord injuries among senior citizens has increased significantly over the past 30 years, with admissions by geriatric patients increasing five-fold. Mortality rates are also higher for elderly patients, with approximately eight times the mortality rate as younger patients.
The Ohio State University software analyzes crash data to pinpoint traffic accident hotspots, revealing surprising patterns such as increased speeding accidents during weekday rush hours. The tool also indicates that drunk-driving accidents tend to occur on specific interstates and routes near major cities.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine identified key risk factors associated with increased hospital admission rates following outpatient surgery. These risk factors include age, operating time, cardiac diagnoses, and certain medical conditions.
Dennis Hong, a Virginia Tech professor, has developed a robotic locomotion mechanism that mimics the motion of an amoeba. The Whole Skin Locomotion (WSL) mechanism enables robots to squeeze through narrow spaces and navigate challenging terrain with ease.