Tropical lianas are becoming more abundant with rising CO2 levels, potentially choking out trees. Lianas thrive during droughts, growing seven times faster than trees, raising questions about their role in forest dynamics.
A Dutch school teacher, Hanny van Arkel, discovered a mysterious gaseous object with a hole in the center while classifying galaxy images on the Galaxy Zoo project. Scientists are now investigating this phenomenon, known as 'Hanny's Voorwerp,' which they believe could be a new class of astronomical object, possibly a quasar.
Researchers explore the application of ecosystem services approaches to conservation, finding that preserving these benefits is more economically and environmentally valuable. Studies reveal tradeoffs among ecosystem services and highlight the importance of considering long-term perspectives in management actions.
Researchers recommend using prophylactic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to reduce infectiousness among HIV-positive individuals. Male circumcision is also shown to significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Providing contraception for HIV-positive women can further prevent mother-to-baby transmission and unintended pregnancies.
Adults who eat eggs for breakfast lose 65 percent more weight and feel more energetic compared to those who eat a bagel breakfast of equal calories. The study also found that blood lipids were not impacted during the two-month study, supporting previous research on the importance of high-quality protein in diet.
Most countries are not effectively targeting their HIV resources, and new strategies must be implemented to improve prevention interventions. The limited data available indicate that many countries are focusing their prevention resources where the epidemics are concentrated, leading to low coverage rates for effective interventions.
A new study from Indiana University and the University of Montreal provides a model for understanding random synchronization in brain neurons. The findings suggest that spontaneous neural activity can help the brain remain flexible and responsive to external events, potentially leading to better treatments for conditions like epilepsy.
A new decision model seeks to minimize the risk of producing ineffective flu vaccines by deferring production and reevaluating strains based on emerging evidence. The model allows for flexibility in the vaccine composition, prioritizing accuracy over timely production.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a rapid test for hepcidin, which helps diagnose anemia related to chronic illness and diseases of iron overload. The test can distinguish between causes of iron overload, enabling doctors to provide more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that the HIV drug nevirapine persists in the breast milk and blood of infected mothers for at least two weeks, putting them and their babies at risk for developing drug-resistant strains. The study suggests that better combination antiretroviral treatment could prevent this risk.
The Lancet Series on HIV Prevention calls for confident and unified leadership to overcome barriers to effective HIV prevention. The authors urge investment in operational research, HIV vaccine development, and capacity building for national authorities to deliver universal access.
A study by University of British Columbia and Stanford University researchers found that foreign threats can encourage tolerance for diversity domestically while leading to intergroup conflict internationally. Americans endorsed multiculturalism as a domestic policy and assimilation as a foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks.
Researchers created inexpensive blends of pheromones to detect and estimate the population size of invasive pest cerambycid beetles. They identified over 30 species and found reliable characteristics to determine if a new invader uses attractant pheromones.
Researchers found that adult songbirds exposed to a novel environment undergo a significant change in their auditory brain's tuning width, becoming more selective. This process is similar to humans adapting to a new language, with increased sensitivity to fine acoustic details. In contrast, isolation caused the tuning to coarsen.
Children's ability to plan for the future develops around age 4, with 4- and 5-year-olds performing better than 3-year-olds. Additionally, children's current physiological state can affect their ability to imagine themselves in a specific situation, as seen in studies on pretend scenarios and hunger.
The Computation Institute has received a $1.5 million grant to develop the Petascale Active Data Store (PADS), enabling researchers to analyze massive datasets in new ways. The system will provide rich data for computer science research and enable collaborations across disciplines.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded $5 million in grants to six Washington State-based organizations for innovative health research projects. These projects focus on prostate cancer imaging, safer in-home environments, recovery from brain damage, and more.
The Lancet series highlights the importance of combination prevention approaches, combining behavioural, medical, and structural strategies. The authors warn that global prevention efforts are woefully insufficient, with fewer than 10% of individuals at risk receiving key services.
New research reveals that a specific dopamine pathway is responsible for the rewarding effects of nicotine. The mesolimbic dopamine system is also linked to addiction in other substances like cocaine and alcohol.
A research team led by Boston University's David Marchant has discovered exceptionally well-preserved freshwater fossils in Antarctica, which reveal the ecological legacy of a unique global climate transition. The findings indicate that tundra and insects went extinct suddenly around 13.9 million years ago due to dramatic cooling.
A study found that sesame seed extract and konjac gum can bind to E. coli and Salmonella bacteria, potentially preventing them from entering host cells. This natural approach may offer protection against gastro-intestinal infections or reduce symptom severity.
A new study identifies a link between warming Indian Ocean and declining rainfall in eastern Africa, impacting food security. The team found that human-caused warming of the Indian Ocean leads to increased rainfall over the ocean, reducing onshore moisture flow and resulting in dry air over Africa.
The discovery of tiny fossilized teeth from India pushes the primate timeline back by almost 10 million years, revealing a new genus and species of anthropoid primates. The findings suggest these early primates lived on a fruit and insect diet and were no larger than modern dwarf lemurs.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that students learn more about sensitive subjects like HIV infection and pregnancy prevention when taught by their regular classroom teacher. Students valued the course material more, reported higher quality discussions, and felt more comfortable with their teachers.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) enrolled over 12,000 patients in 43 studies across 18 countries, providing extensive evidence on malaria medication efficacy. These studies played a crucial role in shaping treatment policies in conflict-affected regions.
A new study by Purdue University researchers found that mothers who use verbally aggressive language with their children tend to direct them less and more negatively. The study, which observed 40 mothers playing with their children aged 3-8, revealed that verbally aggressive mothers were less cooperative and undermined their child's se...
A handheld device, 'electronic tongue', can identify grape variety and vintage of wine at the press of a button. It uses six sensors to detect substances characteristic of specific wines, preserving quality and preventing fraud.
Researchers focus on two muscle fibre types to achieve tastier cuts of meat without sacrificing production values. The study aims to identify genes important in slow muscle growth, enabling farmers to breed naturally flavorful and succulent meat.
A randomized, double-blind study involving 102 women with schizophrenia found that estrogen estradiol improved psychotic symptoms more effectively than antipsychotic medications alone. No significant difference was observed in negative symptoms, suggesting potential for longer-term treatment or alternative approaches.
A comprehensive review of the world's 634 kinds of primates found almost 50% at risk of extinction, with habitat destruction and hunting being major threats. Conservationists highlight successes in helping targeted species recover, but stress the urgent need for reforestation to protect remaining populations.
Research suggests that schizophrenia may be a by-product of human brain evolution, driven by increased metabolic demands. The study found molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of human cognitive abilities and identified changes in gene expression and metabolite concentrations in both healthy humans and individuals with schizop...
Researchers discovered that the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are not essential for path integration, a key aspect of spatial cognition. The study used memory-impaired patients to test this theory, finding they performed similarly to controls when tracking their start location within short-term memory.
Researchers have discovered a new way that organisms sense light, which may lead to insights into human sensory perception. The study found that exposing paralyzed worms to ultraviolet light restored normal movement levels in the animals.
Researchers calculated the great white's bite force to be up to 1.8 tonnes, making it more than 20 times harder than a human. The team also estimated the bite force of the extinct giant shark Carcharodon megalodon at 10.8-18.2 tonnes.
A recent study found that the provision of psychotherapy by US psychiatrists declined significantly between 1996 and 2005, with a decline in both office-based visits and the percentage of patients receiving therapy. This shift is attributed to reimbursement policies favoring brief medication management visits over psychotherapy.
A study published in Pediatrics found that an average of 12.5% of 10-14 year olds are exposed to graphic violence in R-rated movies, with some films seen by up to 48% of this age group. The researchers recommend rethinking the movie rating system and promoting clearer messages to parents.
Research reveals that children raised by authoritarian parents are more prone to act out bullying behavior, while those from nurturing families are less likely to bully. The study also found that middle-income families are less likely to produce bullies than high- or low-income families.
Immigrant children in the US are less physically active and less likely to participate in sports compared to US-born children. Immigrant Hispanic children were found to be more physically inactive, while they watched less TV than native children.
A study found that a rectal tenofovir gel can prevent the transmission of an AIDS-like virus in macaques. The gel was applied before exposure and protected most animals from infection. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in humans.
A nationwide study found that approximately 6,500 children are treated for diving-related injuries annually, with most common injuries occurring at heights under 1 meter. The largest age group affected was 10- to 14-year-olds, who were twice as likely to experience head or neck injuries.
A study of 5,952 twins and 1,357 siblings found that voluntary exercise is not associated with reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. Instead, a shared genetic factor may link exercise behavior to mood disorders.
Research reveals that breast cancer survivors must navigate the vulnerabilities of loved ones as they share their diagnosis. Women typically face challenges in asking for help from others while also being perceived as caregivers.
Under high pressure, oxygen molecules interact through their outermost electron clouds, increasing interactions and changing orbital locations. This leads to the formation of molecular clusters like (O2)4 at pressures about 10,000 times atmospheric, with potential applications in new materials and technologies.
Children and adolescents who get less REM sleep are more likely to be overweight. In the study, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night compared to normal-weight individuals.
IGV integrates multiple types of genomic data, allowing for rapid analysis and visualization. The tool provides flexible zooming and panning across all resolution scales.
A recent study found that Multidetector CT (MDCT) is just as accurate as MRI in assessing myocardial infarct size in an emergency setting. The study showed strong agreement between MDCT and MRI, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
New studies presented at the XVII International AIDS Conference confirm a clear threshold response for DNA damage caused by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) in Viracept. The research finds that patients exposed to elevated EMS levels are not at increased risk of cancer, despite levels below this threshold.
Researchers develop powerful tool for investigating gene function using siRNA and lentiviral vectors. The method enables long-term down-regulation of specific target genes in various cell types, facilitating cancer cell biology studies.
Maternal death rates in the US remain constant, but a study suggests reducing cesarean-related deaths by implementing thromboprophylaxis can lower mortality. The risk of death attributable to cesarean delivery is approximately 2/100,000 procedures, which can be significantly reduced with universal thromboembolism prophylaxis.
A Canadian study involving children and a botanical extract (COLD-fX) shows promise for its future development as a cold and flu remedy. The study, published in Pediatrics, found that acute three-day doses of COLD-fX were well-tolerated with no serious adverse events.
A new study has identified a key molecular sensor in worms that allows them to respond to ultraviolet light, which may provide insights into nerve cell communication and learning. The discovery could potentially lead to new treatments for conditions such as depression and sleep disorders.
A study has identified a specific region of the PfEMP1 protein as crucial for attaching to placental walls, which could lead to new drug targets to prevent malaria-related complications during pregnancy. Researchers hope that mimicking this binding domain with pharmaceuticals may help develop immunity in women living in endemic regions.
The USPSTF recommends against routine prostate cancer screening for men over 75 due to insufficient scientific evidence showing improved health outcomes. Men under 75 may benefit from screening with more evidence needed, according to the updated recommendations.
A new study has shed light on the inner mechanics of the thymus, revealing its role in negative selection, which prevents immune cells from attacking the body's own tissues. Researchers genetically engineered mice to contain an antigen only in the cortex, finding that T cells programmed to attack it were absent from mature mice.
A study of HIV-infected crack users found that nearly half reported unprotected sex in the last six months, highlighting a pressing need for targeted interventions. The five-year HOPE study aims to improve engagement in care and prevention services, particularly for female users.
Ecologists assess the impact of human activity on bee populations and explore alternatives with native bees serving as 'biological insurance.' A study found that areas with extreme fragmentation have smaller bee populations and fewer species.
A study found that children with Rett syndrome have different esophageal movements than healthy individuals, explaining persistent reflux and swallowing issues. This may lead to a reevaluation of anti-reflux surgery for these patients.
Rising temperatures can lead to an increase in dry, desert-like conditions, affecting species' survival and natural resources. Climate change scientists warn that individual species indicate wider changes at the biome level, potentially altering ecosystem services for humans.
A UNC study reveals that nanoparticles designed with a specific shape, size, and surface chemistry are taken up by cells differently depending on these attributes. This finding could lead to more effective treatment methods for various diseases, including cancer and diabetes.
A new report reveals that recreation and park professionals are actively involved in health partnerships, with 88% of agencies involved in at least one partnership, and an average of four partnerships per agency. Successful partnerships depend on trust, collaboration and administrative support.