Researchers have discovered two types of satellite cells in muscle that behave like stem cells, allowing them to regrow and repair muscle tissue. These findings could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and potentially even help maintain muscle mass with age.
Astronomers have discovered a massive transiting planet, TrES-3, with a 31-hour year, orbiting its parent star about 1,500 light-years away. The planet is twice the mass of Jupiter and one of the planets with the shortest known periods.
A study by Frank de Paoli and colleagues reveals that lactic acid and adrenaline work together to protect muscles from potassium ion imbalance. This finding contradicts the long-held idea that lactic acid causes muscle fatigue.
Researchers found that the p53 gene activates microRNA miR-34a, which kills cells with damaged genes. This microRNA plays a crucial role in stopping tumor development and is often missing in pancreatic cancer cells.
A 120-foot sediment core from the Gulf of Guinea reveals a 155,000-year record of continuous monsoon history, tied to Northern Hemisphere climate shifts and local solar radiation. The study demonstrates the sensitivity of the monsoon region to global climate conditions.
A study at Yale University found that older drivers who underwent a physical conditioning program showed improved driving performance, including reduced critical errors. The program, led by researchers, aimed to enhance flexibility, coordination, and speed of movement relevant to driving.
Five new species of nudibranchs, a group of mollusks lacking outer shells, have been discovered in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The discovery may provide cures for diseases currently untreatable due to the sophisticated chemical defense mechanisms developed by these organisms.
Research found that anger can increase participants' analytical thinking, yet is often driven by mental shortcuts. The study suggests that angry individuals can process information analytically, but are influenced by cognitive biases.
A new study identified a genetic mutation in the DAPK1 gene that increases the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The mutation reduces the gene's protective activity and can be followed by a chemical change called DNA methylation, which leads to leukemia.
A recent study by Cornell University found that most US call centers are operated within the United States, not in India or other overseas locations. The report also highlights high staff turnover rates and costs, as well as the importance of collective representation in managing call centers.
Researchers used optical interferometry to produce the most detailed stellar picture ever made, revealing surprising new insights about rapid rotators like Altair. The image shows equatorial darkening, a phenomenon predicted by astronomer Hugo von Zeipel in 1924.
A meta-analysis of eight trials found folic acid supplementation lowers the concentration of homocysteine in the blood, reducing stroke risk by an average of 18%. The study also revealed greater reductions in risk when treatment lasted over 36 months or reduced homocysteine levels by more than 20%.
Researchers found that modifying irrigation and waste treatment practices, along with providing medicine and pesticide, can reduce the spread of schistosomiasis. These changes include lining irrigation ditches with concrete to eliminate snail habitats and using biogas digesters to destroy Schistosoma eggs.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that tropical cyclones and hurricanes cool the tropics by forming 'cold wakes' that transport heat and maintain the climate of North America and Europe. The findings suggest an additional factor is needed in climate models to accurately predict future climate scenarios.
Researchers developed biodegradable magnesium stents to treat blockages in coronary arteries, showing safe degradation and immediate results similar to conventional stents. However, patients require close follow-up due to higher angiographic restenosis rates and potential complications with drug-eluting stents.
A Vaxfectin-formulated measles DNA vaccine has elicited protective levels of neutralizing antibodies and sterilizing immunity in juvenile and infant nonhuman primates, offering proof of concept for the technology. The vaccine showed no vaccine-related adverse events and was well-tolerated.
A study by researchers found that wild orangutans' upright walking, or bipedalism, may have arisen in tree-dwelling apes, rather than in human ancestors. The discovery challenges the long-held savannah hypothesis and suggests that early human ancestors abandoned high canopies for forest floors, where they remained bipedal.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate individual carbon-13 atoms in diamond to create stable quantum mechanical memory and a small quantum processor operating at room temperature. This breakthrough brings solid-state materials into the realm of quantum computing, revolutionizing scientists' approach to the technology.
The quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. The study found that the vaccine was 99% effective in women who had never had sex, but efficacy decreased to 44% when data from women who could have been exposed was included.
Researchers used a recombinant adeno-associated virus to study genomic instability in sporadic cancers, identifying breakage-prone palindromes that can contribute to cancer and aging. The discovery provides an opportunity to study these sequences on a whole genome scale.
Researchers have identified the FT protein as a key player in signaling flowering in squash plants, using an obligate short-day plant system. The study provides strong evidence that FT protein acts as a florigenic signal, and its presence in the phloem sap of flowering plants supports this conclusion.
Researchers have captured an image of Altair, a hydrogen-burning star like our own sun, for the first time. The image was made possible by a novel system to clean up distortions from Earth's atmosphere and a multi-telescope system that combines information from small, distantly spaced telescopes.
Climate models predict the West Antarctic ice sheet and Arctic sea ice will collapse due to continued global warming. The researchers estimate that additional global warming of 1ºC above 2000 levels is likely to be 'dangerous'.
A new survey by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that the majority of doctors in North Carolina do not probe for signs of postpartum depression in new mothers. The study, to be published June 6, 2007, highlights the need for physicians to screen patients for depression during postpartum visits.
A study by researchers at the University of Iowa found that veterinarians with occupational exposure to birds have significantly higher levels of antibodies against avian influenza viruses. The greatest risk factor for infection was examining sick birds, highlighting the need for priority access to pandemic vaccines and antivirals.
Researchers Gene Cooperman and Dan Kunkle used advanced techniques to solve the cube in 26 moves or less, surpassing the previous best of 27 moves. They utilized 7 terabytes of RAM and a new computational method to achieve this feat.
Child maltreatment is a worldwide problem with far more prevalence than recognized. Medical responses typically occur after the event, but prevention is advocated through measures like parental education and home visits. Diagnosis involves detecting injuries that cannot be explained by medical history or other circumstances.
Researchers found high levels of phosphorus and low organic carbon in vegetable growing soils, leading to reduced crop yields. Compost made from recycled garden offcuts can help improve soil quality and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai are studying a gene that may play a role in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by insulin resistance, hirsutism, and other symptoms. The study aims to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying PCOS and potential markers for risk.
Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed improved radiation detectors that can be used at room temperature, enhancing detection of X-rays and gamma rays. The new sensors use shielding methods to focus electrons toward the anode, improving energy resolution and efficiency.
Researchers have developed protocols to maximize post-release survival of commonly caught species, including luderick and Murray cod. Key recommendations include cutting lines on fish that swallow hooks, resulting in improved mortality rates for some species.
An international team of researchers has been awarded £2 million to study the genetic causes of dwarfism and develop future treatments. The EuroGrow project aims to investigate the most common bone disorders that lead to short stature, with a focus on achondroplasia, pseudoachondroplasia, and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita.
International studies show high efficacy for HPV vaccine. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing pre-malignant changes of the cervix and protects against serious HPV-related diseases, including high-grade cervical pre-cancers.
Trials at NSW DPI's Wollongbar Agricultural Institute found agrichar, a black carbon byproduct of pyrolysis, triples wheat yields and doubles soybean production when applied at 10 tonnes per hectare. The technology also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% compared to traditional farming methods.
The University of Southern California has developed a risk analysis system called Risk Analysis Workbench (RAW) to aid policymakers in quantifying risk estimates. The system, which will be used at all eight DHS research centers, uses data from web resources and artificial intelligence to perform 'what-if' risk analyses in a uniform way.
A new method for predicting cross-pollination between GM and conventional crops has been developed by the University of Exeter. The study reveals huge variation in cross-pollination levels depending on wind direction and speed, highlighting the need to increase minimum field-to-field distances.
A NASA-funded robotic sub, DEPTHX, explored Mexico's El Zacatón sinkhole, revealing new information about the geothermal sinkhole. The vehicle mapped the cenote's interior using sonar technology and collected samples of water and biofilm coating its walls.
Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia have been awarded a grant from US Department of Energy to develop and test low-pressure hydrogen storage materials. The goal is to increase hydrogen storage capacity for use in vehicles, aiming to meet DOE's 2010 targets.
Researchers successfully used gene therapy to block pain response in an animal model of neuropathic pain. The study involved delivering a genetically engineered herpes simplex virus to rats with the goal of activating the glycine receptor, which alleviated pain response. This breakthrough suggests that gene therapy may be effective for...
A study conducted in Cambodia found that directly observed therapy significantly boosted immunity and reduced drug toxicities in HIV-infected children. The method, which involves trained childcare workers administering medication twice daily, is an effective and economical way to ensure adherence.
The 'Energy Up' program successfully tackles behavioral issues in adolescent girls by promoting healthy lifestyle habits and addressing food addiction. Participants experienced significant weight loss, with obese girls losing the most weight, while normal-weight girls gained expected weight for their age.
A research review found that men worry more about their penis size than women, with average-sized penises being just as desirable. Despite this, many men experience anxiety and small penis syndrome, which can be treated with conservative approaches such as therapy and education.
NASA is exploring the possibility of adding a lightweight grapple fixture to the James Webb Space Telescope to enable safe emergency servicing operations in space. The feasibility study aims to determine if the feature will be added to the telescope before its planned launch in 2013.
Almac Diagnostics plans to develop and clear its In Vitro Diagnostic for colorectal cancer using the 510(k) approach, accelerating regulatory submission. The company's prognostic gene signature was developed from FFPE samples and aims to help clinicians determine cancer recurrence risk in stage II CRC patients.
Researchers at UCR have successfully demonstrated the remote operation of micromachines using light to change the Casimir force. The study uses silicon plates with varying carrier densities and training a beam of light on them to alter the plate's properties.
A recent study by Mayo researchers found that about 40% of patients referred for a second opinion on long QT syndrome (LQTS) did not show sufficient evidence to merit the diagnosis. The study highlights the challenge in diagnosing LQTS, which can be lethal if not diagnosed correctly, and emphasizes the need for cautious evaluation by e...
A new system, TAME, assesses toxicity burden of cancer treatments by placing adverse events into three concise risk domains: short-term toxicity, long-term effects, and mortality risk. The method has identified differences of up to 500% in acute toxicity burden between certain cancer treatments.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a physics-based virtual model to simulate real-time organ motions for radiation therapy. The 4-D VIP-Man will allow doctors and medical physicists to accurately predict and monitor anatomical changes, providing the most effective treatment possible.
Researchers identify distinct genetic profile associated with rapid progression of IPF, highlighting the need for targeted therapies and closer monitoring. The study's findings may lead to the development of biomarkers for disease progression and more effective treatment strategies.
A NASA-led research team has measured critical areas of Greenland's ice sheet and glaciers, finding a significant loss of ice over the past several years. The data suggests that the island's major glaciers have sped up in thinning since the turn of the century, with documented changes of up to 100 feet per year.
The study reveals that the Sun's magnetic field allows the release of wave energy from its interior, enabling sound waves to travel through fountains into the solar chromosphere. This discovery sheds light on why the chromosphere is hotter than the star's surface and has significant implications for climate variability.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University found that deep brain stimulation alleviates disease symptoms by creating an informational lesion through rapid-fire electrical pulses. This technique can be reversible and adjustable, offering a promising treatment for movement disorders and other conditions.
A phase III clinical study shows temsirolimus improves overall survival in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma compared to standard treatment interferon. The treatment was also better tolerated, with fewer severe side effects.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that up to 17% of physicians in a single state who claim to be pediatricians are not board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The researchers also discovered that another 12% of pediatricians did not complete a medical residency training program in pediatrics. Parents can check...
A simple exercise test can help predict mortality risk in patients with heart failure and inform personalized treatment plans. The test measures lung efficiency and has been shown to predict future hospitalizations in systolic heart failure patients.
Mercury has been shown to activate phospholipase D enzyme in cells lining blood vessels, causing damage and contributing to vascular disorders. Chelation therapy and antioxidants have been found to suppress this activity, suggesting potential preventive measures against mercury-induced cardiovascular disease.
A study by researchers from Harvard University suggests that children can solve approximate addition and subtraction problems without arithmetic instruction. They demonstrated a natural sense of number, which allows them to think about arithmetic in a way that does not rely on precise knowledge of numbers or place value.
A Dartmouth-led study found surgery to be twice as effective as non-surgical remedies in reducing pain and restoring functionality for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis. Patients who underwent surgery reported significant relief from symptoms within six weeks.
Researchers found that prompt diagnosis and rapid drug therapy improve survival rates of people with urea cycle disorders. The study revealed overall survival rates of 73% for newborns and 98% for older patients who received the therapy.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's 'Warm Waters for Cool Bears' project uses satellite imagery and meteorological data to predict where sea ice will persist, enabling conservation efforts. The study aims to inform management activities such as designating protected areas for polar bears and their prey species.