Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered that leaf-cutting ant larvae can switch development based on environmental stimuli and colony needs. This flexible genetic coding allows colonies to adapt to changing workforce demands.
A new survey reveals that chronic hepatitis B patients often misunderstand the nature of their disease and its treatment. Despite being aware of the long-term consequences of the virus, many patients do not comply with their medication regimens, highlighting the need for improved patient education. The study suggests that enhanced pati...
A new study found that binge drinking is linked to poor decision making among college students, regardless of impulsivity. Long-term neurocognitive effects are unclear, but researchers suggest heavy alcohol use can impact decision-making abilities.
Skills being used in British workplaces have been rising for the last two decades, but at a slower pace in recent years. The study found that computing skills are becoming more essential, while jobs requiring 'influence skills' such as writing reports and teaching others are also on the rise.
Researchers found that C. difficile expresses its pathogenicity during periods of nutrient deprivation, potentially leading to a new treatment approach. A five-gene region, known as the tcd locus, plays a crucial role in toxin production and cell membrane disruption.
An international team of researchers led by MIT Professor Subra Suresh has demonstrated that the parasite protein RESA causes red blood cells to become less deformable, a hallmark of deadly malaria. The study's findings could lead to treatments targeting this protein.
A study using dynamic sonography found that 46 of 50 male soccer players had muscle tears and/or hematomas in the thigh and calf regions. The imaging modality successfully diagnosed complete muscle tears surrounded by hemotomas and partial tears with pseudo-tumor-like appearances.
New research at the University of Rochester found that smokers who were counseled in a manner that encouraged them to reflect on whether they wanted to smoke or not were more likely to maintain their abstinence for two years. Participants who received personalized quit plans with input and perspective on how smoking fit into their live...
The 2007 L’Oréal USA Fellows are recognized for their innovative research in earth science, neuroscience, oceanography, physical chemistry, and biomedical engineering. Their work tackles key scientific issues and has the potential to shape the future of science and address global challenges.
Researchers found that ICUs with higher staffing levels had lower incidence of hospital-associated infections, including central line associated bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Higher overtime hours were associated with increased rates of infection and skin ulcers.
Researchers found that traditional theories on career anchors do not apply to women's career choices, which are motivated by multiple factors. Human-resources personnel need to adapt hiring and retention practices to fit individual needs, rather than relying on static policies.
A team of scientists discovered a 15-meter-long trackway with 12 consecutive prints that provide definitive evidence of a non-avian theropod dinosaur's swimming ability. The tracks show an underwater stride of 243-271 cm and suggest the dinosaur swam in approximately 3.2 meters of water.
Researchers uncovered new details about how proteins orchestrate cell division and how curcumin boosts the immune system to fight cancer. Additionally, scientists provided new insights into the toxic effects of tau protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease.
Early onset type 2 diabetes in adolescents is associated with rapid progression of complications, including hypertension, nephropathy, retinopathy, and psychiatric disorders. The unborn children of pregnant young women are also at increased risk.
A new project by Carnegie Mellon University aims to boost book digitization efforts by using reCAPTCHAs to correct OCR mistakes and improve internet security. The system, developed by Luis von Ahn, uses words from troublesome passages to replace artificially distorted letters and numbers in CAPTCHAs.
A US-Asian teaching gap exists in math instruction, with US teachers utilizing fewer spatial supports and gestures that encourage active reasoning compared to Hong Kong and Japan. This could contribute to lower US student performance on international math tests.
Research at University of Chicago found that stereotype-induced math anxiety undermines working memory and spills over into other academic areas. Girls who experience math-related worries may struggle with verbal portion of standardized tests after taking a math test.
A study by UBC researcher Whitney Weikum found that infants can distinguish between languages based on visual speech patterns. Babies from bilingual homes outperform those from monolingual environments in this skill at four and six months old, but this ability declines by eight months.
Researchers mapped the stiffness of bovine shin bone using a molecular force probe, revealing non-uniformity in bone's mechanical properties within a single region. The study's findings could lead to improved diagnoses and treatments of bone diseases, as well as the development of new materials with improved toughness.
A recent study has found that maternal alcohol use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of extreme preterm delivery. The effects are more pronounced among women aged 30 years and older. Researchers also found that cocaine use was associated with an increased risk, while smoking had a lesser impact.
Scientists developed a new mouse model that closely mimics human cancers, enabling researchers to identify cancer-causing genes and improve laboratory drug testing. The model's genetic instability was found to be similar to that in human tumors, suggesting its potential for guiding gene discovery.
Yersinia pathogen uses effector protein YpkA to target Gaq, a messenger protein that transmits alarm signals into the host cell. This study identifies a novel molecular target for preventing disease and fighting antibiotic-resistant strains.
A new database developed by researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provides a detailed portrait of the army of over 700 proteins that helps maintain DNA's integrity. The study reveals that two critical enzymes, ATM and ATR, act as sensors to detect trouble and initiate repair pathways.
A new study found that both heavy drinking and neighborhood characteristics can contribute to mutual intimate partner violence among married/cohabiting adults. Women who are the heaviest drinkers are at elevated risk for mutual IPV regardless of their neighborhood context.
A study by Arlette Darfeuille-Michaud and colleagues reveals that CEACAM6 expression promotes adherent-invasive E. coli's colonization in intestinal epithelial cells of patients with Crohn's disease, indicating a potential diagnostic marker for the condition. Meanwhile, another study by Andrea Hevener and colleagues shows that macropha...
Researchers at Duke University found that music tones correspond to the same numerical ratios as human speech frequencies. The study suggests that our ears favor these relationships due to exposure through everyday speech. This discovery may explain why certain tuning schemes sound more natural, like just intonation.
Researchers found that partners who engage in sacrifices out of genuine desire for their partner are more satisfied and committed. Additionally, those who perceive these actions as selfless can also experience positive outcomes. The study's findings have practical applications for individual and couples therapy.
Saint Louis University research found that a diet of 40% fat and high-fructose corn syrup leads to fatty liver disease and type II diabetes, even in sedentary mice
Researchers developed a data-driven computational approach to analyze seismic data and discover unique patterns of gene expression. The technique, which combines inverse scattering and modern statistics, allows for the automatic generation of an appropriate model from raw data.
Dr. Brian Sauser, Stevens Institute of Technology Assistant Professor, has been awarded a NASA Faculty Fellowship to conduct research at the Johnson Space Center. He will focus on growing systems engineering competencies and team formation indices to support NASA's return to the Moon and Mars missions.
Scientists found that genes present in primitive bony fish like paddlefish are also found in tetrapods, overturning the long-held theory of limb acquisition. The study reveals a pattern of gene activity similar to that seen in tetrapod limbs in paddlefish fins.
A long-term study of REMICADE found that patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis maintained improved clinical symptoms for up to two years after treatment. The study showed that 92% of patients had mild or no disease activity at week 56 and 97% at week 104, indicating sustained efficacy.
Quasicrystals, crystal-like materials with atomic structures in between order and disorder, are shown to not conduct electricity like traditional crystals. Mathematician David Damanik offers a key proof for this, revealing that electrons behave uniquely within quasicrystals.
New studies examine factors that affect colonoscopy quality, including age, location, and technician training. Research suggests that competence in efficient colonoscopy requires more than 150 cases, with success rates improving significantly after this threshold.
Researchers from NHLBI Asthma Clinical Research Networks and ALA ACRC Network will present new findings on the effect of inhaled steroids on children with asthma, as well as the impact of overweight and obesity on asthma severity. Substudies and subgroup analyses for three ACRC studies will also be presented.
Researchers have identified a check and balance system for neuron activity managed by neuregulin-1, revealing new treatment targets for psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. The findings also provide insights into the cognitive deficits associated with these conditions.
Studies found that small pieces of genetic material known as miRNAs are more likely to be located near genes affecting cancer susceptibility. This discovery could lead to new insights into cancer risk and potentially inform the development of targeted therapies.
Researchers at the University of Warwick found that sexual orientation affects mental tasks like navigating, but age does not discriminate based on gender. The study revealed that homosexual and bisexual individuals outperformed heterosexual counterparts in certain tasks.
A new study by Dr. Guyden and colleagues reveals that thymic nurse cells regulate T cell development by selecting thymocytes to live or die. The findings suggest that these cells have the capacity to internalize both non-functional and positively selected thymocytes, leading to a revised understanding of their function.
Long-term treatment with VYVANSE shows significant efficacy in ADHD, with 95% of children experiencing overall improvement after 12 months. The study also found consistent time to maximum concentration of d-amphetamine from patient to patient.
Archaea use ammonia as their primary energy source in hot springs, a metabolic mode not previously found. This discovery sheds light on the earliest stages of evolution, suggesting crenarchaeota thrive in both extreme and low-temperature environments.
Research suggests that food can be an important avenue for antibiotic-resistant bacterial evolution and dissemination through horizontal gene transfer with commensal bacteria. Many food samples tested contained antibiotic-resistance gene-carrying bacteria, highlighting the prevalence of these microbes in the retail food supply.
Researchers found that exposing Fragile X knockout mice to an enriched environment restored normal neuronal plasticity and increased synaptic strength in the prefrontal cortex. This suggests that stimulating environments can facilitate the development of synaptic plasticity in cortical areas involved in higher cognitive function.
A recent study found that guanfacine extended release significantly improved all core symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 to 17 years. The investigational nonstimulant medication demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy for up to 24 months of treatment.
A double-blind study found DAYTRANA significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in boys and girls aged 6-12 by 56.5% and 57.4%, respectively. The patch offers a favorable safety profile and provides a platform to discuss gender differences in ADHD treatment.
Researchers have identified a bacterium that repels a deadly fungus causing worldwide amphibian deaths and extinctions. The discovery could lead to procedures for 'vaccinating' endangered populations.
In a six-week study, Aripiprazole demonstrated significant improvement compared to placebo on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total Score. The study found that approximately 85% of patients completed the study, and both doses of Aripiprazole showed improvement compared to placebo.
A Stanford University School of Medicine and VA Palo Alto Health Care System study found that tiny newborns who died in California between 1991-2000 might have lived if born at highly experienced regional medical centers. Consolidating risky deliveries at these centers could improve survival rates for very-low-birth-weight infants.
A team of scientists found that limiting food intake during pregnancy impairs nutrient supply to fetuses and slows soft tissue growth. Adequate weight gain by pregnant teen girls is crucial to reduce low-birth-weight infant risk, suggesting a need for personalized dietary advice.
Researchers used a combination of methods to pinpoint contamination sources in the Plum Creek watershed, identifying cattle and wildlife as dominant sources of fecal bacteria. The study highlights the importance of using multiple tools to track fecal contamination and inform pollution-control strategies.
Researchers found that bone marrow stem cells can take on the appearance of malignant cells but do not have the same cellular behavior, casting doubt on the theory that they seed cancer. This discovery has implications for cancer treatment and study methods.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that newly made nerves in an adult brain's learning center experience a one-month period of child-like learning. This discovery suggests that new adult nerves play a deeper role than simply replacing dead ones, and may help explain how adults adapt to new experiences.
Researchers found that COX inhibitors like traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may counteract the potential heart-protective effects of estrogen therapy. Women who used NSAIDs with hormone replacement therapy had a lost protective effect against heart attack and stroke.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have successfully developed a protocol for performing coronary angiography on the same day as elective valve surgery, reducing the need for separate hospital visits and improving patient outcomes. The study, which evaluated 226 consecutive patients, showed that 28.3% had severe coronary artery disease requiri...
Researchers have discovered the controlling enzyme, GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase, which serves as the biosynthetic pathway for plants to manufacture vitamin C. This breakthrough could lead to engineered plants with increased vitamin C content, improving plant resistance and human nutrition.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a technique to close accidental colonoscopy wounds using small metal clips inserted through an endoscope. The new method has shown promising results in animal studies, with successful closure of perforations and reduced adhesions compared to surgical closure.
The Dyson Foundation has awarded $5 million to support the development of a state-of-the-art eye care facility at Weill Cornell Medical College. The new floor is expected to open in spring 2008 and will provide advanced treatment options for patients, honoring Dr. Jackson Coleman's legacy.
Researchers found that adult men and postmenopausal women require significantly higher amounts of choline to prevent fatty liver and muscle damage. Eggs are an excellent source of this essential nutrient, providing nearly half the recommended daily supply per serving.
A systematic review of rosiglitazone trials suggests a 43% increased risk of heart attack and 64% risk of death from heart attack. However, recent studies DREAM and ADOPT suggest these findings may be overstated, warranting a more considered approach to its safety
New guidelines provide a rational treatment approach for managing skin reactions caused by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors (EGFRIs), which are used to treat various types of cancer. The recommended treatment involves using moisturizers, protecting against sunlight, and targeted medications to manage the severity of the rash.