Researchers propose safer nicotine alternatives to reduce tobacco-related deaths and illnesses. The authors suggest the creation of dedicated regulatory authorities to oversee nicotine product regulation.
The University of Iowa has been awarded a four-year $1.2 million grant to develop evidence-based guidelines for caring for elderly patients with mental health issues. The grant will support the creation of new curricula and competencies in geropsychiatric nursing, aiming to improve mental health care for America's older population.
The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities is leading a nationwide project to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on children's health. The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21 to prevent and treat pressing health problems like autism, diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers at UF discover a powerful link between protein evolution and metabolic rate across various species, including fish and mammals. The study reveals that rates of protein evolution are strongly influenced by individual metabolic rates.
A genetic region on chromosome 9 containing two genes, TRAF1 and C5, has been identified as a potential contributor to rheumatoid arthritis risk. The study suggests that understanding the role of these genes may lead to new targets for therapy.
The study aims to develop a model that combines audio, tactile, visual, and vestibular stimulation with teaching programs for mothers of premature infants, reducing behavioral problems and improving early infant health. By reducing hospital stays by three days, the grant hopes to save over $2 billion dollars annually.
Researchers at A*STAR in Singapore discovered that epigenetic modifications influence gene expression in human embryonic stem cells. The study found that genes modified by H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 contain DNA recipes for protein proliferation and are crucial to sensory processes, immunity, and drug metabolism.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a hormone released during emotional arousal 'primes' nerve cells to remember events by increasing their chemical sensitivity. This process, known as the 'priming effect,' enhances the sculpting of memories into long-term storage.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found a molecular connection between amyloid-beta production and cholesterol levels in the brain, linking early- and late-onset Alzheimer's. This discovery suggests that abnormal brain cholesterol metabolism may play a role in the disease.
Researchers discovered that telomeric RNA is transcribed from DNA on the telomere, challenging previous theories. This finding may uncover new targets for attacking telomere function in cancer cells.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine will use advanced technologies to search the entire X chromosome for genetic abnormalities in 330 patients with autism. The goal is to identify X-linked variation for autism susceptibility, a crucial step towards developing diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches.
A study published in The Lancet found that zinc supplementation did not have a significant impact on child mortality rates in Nepal. However, the researchers suggest that children with specific histories of illness or malnutrition may benefit from zinc supplementation. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Scientists have extracted intact rock samples from 2 miles beneath the San Andreas Fault, a major breakthrough in understanding the fault's composition and behavior. The recovered cores provide unprecedented insights into the mechanism of earthquakes and the movement of tectonic plates.
A team of Brown University researchers has made a major breakthrough in understanding the biochemical process of cytokine receptor signal transduction. They found that acetylation, another chemical process, plays a central role in activating interferon receptors and triggering an immune response.
A recent study found that only 2-3 year olds meet the recommended dairy intake for children. Most children consume more fat-rich dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. To address this issue, experts suggest promoting low-fat dairy options and flavored milk products.
Scientists discovered over 37,000 new kinds of bacteria at two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, exceeding known archaea diversity by 12 times. The findings suggest that comprehensive surveys are necessary to capture the vast microbial diversity in these ecosystems.
The Entomological Society of America has selected nine new Fellows and one new Honorary Member, recognizing their outstanding contributions to research, teaching, extension, or administration in the field of entomology. The honorees will be recognized during the ESA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
University of Michigan researchers developed a composite plastic that's as strong as steel but lighter and transparent by mimicking the molecular structure found in seashells. The new material consists of layers of clay nanosheets and a water-soluble polymer, achieving ideal transfer of stress between nanosheets and a polymer matrix.
A recent University of Georgia study reveals that youth exposure to smokeless tobacco advertising has been significant and stable over the past decade, defying a 1998 settlement aimed at limiting such marketing. The study found that smokeless tobacco companies have largely avoided scrutiny, despite research showing its health risks.
Default options can be used to improve individual patient care, reducing hospital-borne infections by removing unnecessary urinary catheters. Additionally, opt-out organ donation policies have increased donation rates in European countries.
Researchers have found that mutated forms of the angiogenin gene are toxic to motor neurons and affect their ability to grow and extend. Targeting these faulty molecules may help maintain healthy neurons and prevent disease progression.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that negative opinions cause the greatest attitude shifts, both positive-to-negative and negative-to-worse. Consumers are more susceptible to influence when others have negative opinions, especially if they initially held positive attitudes.
A German study found that babies who didn't swim as infants had lower infection rates, especially with diarrhoea. However, no conclusive link was established between swimming pools and atopic diseases in early childhood.
A large-scale industrial expansion into space offers a sustainable solution to environmental concerns, providing unlimited resources and energy sinks for pollutants. This approach reconciles technological optimism with economic scarcity, enabling a unified political vision for the 21st century.
The NIBIB Quantum Grants program funds four innovative projects to develop new technologies for metastatic lung cancer diagnosis, bio-artificial kidneys, insulin-producing cells, and nanoparticles targeting brain tumors. These advancements aim to transform healthcare with potential breakthroughs in disease treatment and prevention.
Scientists discovered a unique method of reproduction in primitive plants named cycads, which heat up and emit toxic odors to repel and attract pollen-covered insects. This 'push-pull' pollination method may represent an intermediate step in the evolution of plant pollination.
Researchers are developing a portable mass spectrometer to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) with greater sensitivity than smear microscopy. The device could automate the process, making it more widely available in resource-poor settings where TB kills two million people annually.
The study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21, collecting data on biological and environmental samples to identify solutions to pressing health issues such as autism, diabetes, and obesity. The research aims to provide valuable insights for developing preventive strategies and guidelines to promote healthy development.
A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified a single change in a viral protein that facilitates the H5N1 avian flu virus's ability to infect the upper respiratory system in mammals. This adaptation enables efficient transmission through coughing and sneezing, potentially setting the stage for a pandemic.
A literature review published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings finds that many patients with chronic heart failure can engage in sexual activity with proper screening and treatment. The authors analyzed studies on the impact of sexual activity on heart rate and blood pressure, showing moderate oxygen consumption levels comparable to normal d...
Researchers found that quail males who learned to associate a stimulus with access to a female were more likely to fertilize eggs, increasing their reproductive success. The findings suggest that learning plays a significant role in reproductive fitness and evolution.
A new study by Oregon State University reveals that rearing steelhead trout in hatcheries causes a dramatic drop in their ability to reproduce in the wild, with reproductive success dropping by up to 40% per generation.
A study published in The Lancet found that daytime and nighttime blood pressure are both predictive of cardiovascular events, with nighttime blood pressure predicting mortality. The study suggests recording ambulatory blood pressure during the whole day for accurate prognosis.
A new study at the University of Alberta has linked transitioning to university with increased symptoms of binge eating in female students. Students who felt dissatisfied with their bodies or lived away from home were three times more likely to experience these symptoms.
Penn State has launched a major research alliance with Chevron to develop advanced coal conversion and carbon dioxide management technologies. The partnership aims to promote energy innovation, train new generations of experts in energy, and educate the public about energy issues.
A new study found that when one spouse improves their health behavior, the other is also more likely to do so, particularly in behaviors like smoking and drinking. This phenomenon suggests that interventions targeting spouses can be an effective way to promote healthy habits.
Larry Hornbeck invented Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs), chip technology behind HDTV, for manipulating light digitally. He received the 2007-2008 Prize for Industrial Applications of Physics from the American Institute of Physics for his pioneering work.
Scientists have successfully selectively blocked pain-sensing neurons in rats without interfering with other types of neurons, offering a new targeted approach to pain management. The method uses QX-314 and capsaicin to target only pain-sensing neurons, preventing them from sending signals to the brain.
Satellite technology has enabled us to monitor the effects of deforestation and climate change. However, there are concerns about the weaponization of space and the creation of space junk.
Researchers have discovered gastric progenitor cells in mouse stomachs, which can give rise to all functional stomach glands. This discovery may aid understanding of normal cell turnover and potentially open doors for investigating gastric cancer origins.
Scientists have found distinct gene expression signatures in the umbilical cords of premature infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a fatal lung disorder. These signatures were associated with chromatin remodelling and histone acetylation pathways, providing a potential proxy for predicting disease risk.
A Norwegian study found that teenagers in Norway increased in height and weight between 1966-69 and 1995-97. The study also revealed a shift in the distribution of body mass index (BMI), with more underweight adolescents than previously thought.
Researchers found a common biochemical pathway disrupted in both premature lung disease and adult COPD, suggesting potential new treatments for BPD. The study's findings also validate the use of umbilical cord tissue as a proxy for studying fetal lung physiology.
A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics has found that administering a combination vaccine to infants does not compromise their immune response or safety. In fact, the study shows that combining three vaccines into one reduces the number of required vaccinations from five to three over six months.
Researchers have discovered that cilia, tiny organelles on cell surfaces, transmit instructions that shape body tissues. Defective ciliary function disrupts the balance of Wnt signaling, leading to developmental errors and childhood diseases.
The study found that too little MeCP2 leads to fewer synapses, while too much causes an overabundance, resulting in mental retardation and autism-like symptoms. Understanding the regulation of MeCP2 is crucial for determining optimal synapse number.
Researchers at University of Bristol show that small drops can climb an incline of 85 degrees by overcoming surface tension through vigorous shaking. The method may aid in understanding fluid manipulation and DNA microarray analysis.
Researchers observed and videotaped four captive caimans and three alligators at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, finding that five of the seven animals teared up as they ate. The cause of the tears is still unknown, but it may be related to air forced through the sinuses during feeding.
A combination of capsaicin and QX-314 selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats, blocking pain without impairing movement or other sensations. The treatment has great potential to improve pain treatment during childbirth, dental procedures, and surgery, offering a promising alternative to current nerve blocks.
The University of Southern California has received a five-year, $8.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to survey the genetic, physical and behavioral profiles of children with autism. The grant will increase the reach and ethnic diversity of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) database.
Researchers from the University of Utah and California's Raymond M. Alf Museum have unearthed a new duck-billed dinosaur species, Gryposaurus monumentensis, in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The creature is estimated to have grown up to 30 feet long as an adult and had over 300 teeth embedded in its thick skull.
A virtual bazaar called PAZAR has been established to share gene regulation data, allowing researchers to access information without charge. This open-access database aggregates data on transcription factor and regulatory sequences, enabling the development of novel cancer therapies and stem cell treatments.
Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin create an 'atomic coilgun' that slows and stops a wide range of atoms using pulsed magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables the study of previously inaccessible elements like hydrogen, with implications for atomic and nuclear physics.
A majority of voters (75%) support a nationwide trauma system, with strong majorities across all political parties. A well-coordinated trauma system can improve survival rates by 25%, making it a critical issue for the nation's healthcare infrastructure.
The John A. Hartford Foundation has awarded a five-year, $5 million grant to the Gerontological Society of America to support 39 doctoral fellows in geriatric social work. The grant aims to address the projected shortage of over 46,000 geriatric social workers and provide training for future aging-focused faculty.
The 2008 IOP Awards have recognized significant contributions to physics across various fields. Notably, Professor Rowan-Robinson's research on galactic dust has shed light on the main populations of galaxies in our universe.
Thermoelectric devices could capture wasted heat from hot engines, generating electricity and saving billions of dollars in the US. Clemson University physicist Terry Tritt discusses promising applications, including waste-heat recovery in cars.
A team of scientists discovered that a cell protein plays a crucial role in protecting cancer cells from chemotherapy drugs. Blocking this protein's expression increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in lung cancer cells, offering a potential target for improving treatment outcomes.
Florida State University researcher Amy Wetherby has received a four-year, $1.4M CDC grant to screen 16,000 North Florida children for early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study aims to identify prevalence at two ages in early childhood and inform early intervention efforts.
Scientists will create biomarkers for environmental risk factors in human disease, including cigarette smoke and obesity. The research aims to understand the interaction between genes and environment, using wearable sensors and advanced technologies.