A new research study published in the FASEB Journal reveals that UVB light is more likely to cause DNA damage and lead to skin cancer than UVA light. This finding has significant implications for public health officials and government regulatory agencies, who can now use this information to develop more effective sunscreen products.
This July/August issue of BioScience features articles on avian genomics, penguin populations, and the impact of human activities on wildlife. The journal also explores the role of biofuels in energy policy and genetic literacy among nonscience majors.
A study published in Decision Analysis warns that long-term climate change policy is likely to change slowly, requiring stronger short-term goals. The researcher argues that considering path dependence in decision-making justifies greater near-term emissions reductions as a hedging strategy.
A new biologically inspired material enhances tissue healing, improves bone growth around the implant, and strengthens its attachment to the bone. The coating presented controlled amounts of an engineered protein that mimics fibronectin, directing cell surface receptors to enhance bone formation.
Researchers at Indiana University are leading a national effort to prevent hospital-acquired infections through data collection and implementation of effective strategies. The team will evaluate approaches from five collaborative groups and identify best practices for hospitals nationwide.
Research by James H. Fowler and colleagues shows that genes influence voter turnout and a range of political activities, with identical twins exhibiting significantly more similar voting behavior than fraternal twins. The findings also suggest that family upbringing has little effect on children's future participatory behavior.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that giving infants and children 100% oxygen after a brain injury can cause more harm than good. The study suggests that brief exposure to 100% oxygen during resuscitation worsens white-matter injuries, leading to increased brain-cell death and coordination problems.
The Argonne-developed Diesel DeNOx Catalyst can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel-fueled engines by 95-100 percent. The technology uses inexpensive metals and diesel fuel as a reductant, making it economical to produce and use.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have uncovered a gene mechanism that induces a bystander effect, selectively killing cancer cells through apoptosis. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating metastatic disease.
A University of Michigan study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment. The research suggests targeting specific inflammatory processes in the body could lead to more effective treatments for MS patients.
A federally funded consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine found that children treated for HIV are at higher risk of developing asthma. CD4 cells increase in these children, leading to inflammation in lung tissue and worsening asthma symptoms.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that athletes who ingested caffeine with carbohydrate after exhaustive exercise had 66% more glycogen in their muscles four hours later. This suggests that post-exercise caffeine consumption can aid in muscle refueling and potentially enhance athletic performance.
A new study by the HealthEmotions Research Institute found that anxious brains consistently respond more strongly to stress and show signs of anxiety even in safe situations. Anxious monkeys showed higher brain activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain that regulates emotion, which corresponded to higher levels of stress hormones.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that the relaxation response influences stress-related genes, affecting inflammation, programmed cell death, and free radical handling. Long-term practitioners of relaxation response techniques showed pronounced changes in gene activation patterns compared to non-practitioners.
Van H. Vu recognized for developing fundamental concentration inequalities applicable to various contexts, including projective geometry and theoretical computer science. He will receive the George Pólya Prize, an engraved medal and a $20,000 cash award.
Studies of 40 speakers from four languages show consistent use of subject-object-verb order in gestures, contradicting linguistic assumptions. This natural ordering suggests that humans may shape language through nonverbal thought processes.
The Tongue Drive system allows individuals with severe disabilities, such as high-level spinal cord injuries, to control a computer and powered wheelchair using only their tongues. The system uses a small magnet attached to the tongue to direct cursor movement on a screen or joystick function in a powered wheelchair.
A newly discovered life history among tetrapods reveals a Malagasy chameleon spends most of its life in an egg, hatching after just 4-5 months. This rapid growth rate is unlike any other known four-legged animal.
Max Gunzburger, a FSU professor, will receive the Reid Prize for his contributions to control of distributed parameter systems and computational mathematics. He will also deliver the Reid Prize Lecture on July 9, showcasing his research interests in various fields including geophysical flows and partial differential equations.
Scientists have engineered fortified cassava to provide a complete day's worth of nutrition in a single meal, overcoming its carbohydrates-only composition and cyanide toxicity. The BioCassava Plus project aims to translate this innovation into field-tested products for malnourished populations in Africa.
The UK SME sector is particularly vulnerable to poor information security due to a lack of expertise and awareness. A new report reveals that investing in IT does not ensure adequate information security, with people management being the key factor in preventing breaches.
A University of Michigan study finds that global happiness has risen substantially over the past 25 years, particularly in low-income countries experiencing economic growth and democratization. Economic factors have a smaller impact on happiness than previously thought, with social tolerance and freedom being key drivers.
The DOT1B enzyme helps epigenetically regulate VSG genes, allowing parasites to switch between coat variants. In its absence, silent genes become active, slowing down the switching process.
Researchers at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have found a direct link between neural stem cell development and Autism. Mice lacking the myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) protein showed smaller brains, fewer nerve cells, and behaviors similar to those seen in humans with Rett Syndrome.
The Conservation Leadership Programme awarded 28 research teams in 14 countries with $475,000 support. Winners focus on protecting endangered species and habitats worldwide, including tigers, hooded cranes, and threatened amphibians.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found genetic mutations linked to rare familial hemiplegic migraine type-3 that alter sodium channel function in the brain. These mutations may prompt migraines and suggest medications targeting sodium channels as potential treatments.
Researchers discovered that mammalian clock proteins respond directly to light, similar to plant cryptochromes. In humans and animals, this response affects circadian rhythms differently than in mice, where missing cryptochromes lead to complete loss of rhythm behaviors.
A topical spray has been shown to reduce pain in children undergoing intravenous procedures by 34%, improving success rates and procedure times. The study's findings have significant clinical implications, particularly for busy office practices or emergency departments.
Researchers at Tufts University are developing chemical robots called chembots that can enter confined spaces and perform tasks such as landmine detection and biomedical diagnosis. The robots will be soft, squishy, and biodegradable, allowing them to access areas with openings of arbitrary size and shape.
A new analysis of the devastating May 12 earthquake in China found that it resulted from faults with little seismic activity. The quake occurred at a boundary between two tectonic plates and was caused by the obstruction of rapidly flowing crustal material, leading to a simultaneous rupture of two separate but contiguous faults.
A new study found that mice immunized with an MS-like condition were protected from the disease when consuming six to eight cups of coffee daily. Caffeine stopped adenosine from binding to a receptor, preventing certain T cells from triggering the disease.
A survey of 17 countries found that 16.2% of US adults have used cocaine in their lifetime, with 42.4% using cannabis. The study suggests that drug use is not simply related to policy and that socioeconomic factors play a significant role.
In a study published in PLOS Biology, researchers found that parietal neurons selectively track target location during visual search tasks. Adding distractors decreased parietal neuron firing rates, reducing target-related response and correlating with increased reaction times.
A University of Texas at Austin biomedical engineer has received a $1.5 million grant to develop molecular imaging technologies for cancer screening, diagnosis, and therapy using nanoparticles. The project aims to detect and treat cancer at the cellular level, targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Researchers have invented a new DNA microarray technique that uses electrostatic repulsion to read and evaluate DNA or RNA assays without chemical labeling or sophisticated instrumentation. The technique can be carried out in minutes and has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics.
An interdisciplinary team used computational methods to study myoglobin's structure and function, revealing that oxygen follows two pathways with branches, mainly through alpha helices. The simulations showed ligand migration is local and short-lived, and occurs between protein scaffolds.
The study reveals social confrontation between GMO proponents and opponents, with difficulties in defining technical measures for coexistence. Organic farmers face uncertainties in measuring contamination levels and potential damages, leading to reduced cultivation areas.
Scientists have identified a key step in ATP recycling and its low-energy counterpart ADP's interaction with the mitochondrion. The simulation reveals how ADP disrupts ionic bonds to unlock the door to mitochondrial entry.
A new study reveals that perinatal death takes a significant emotional toll on obstetricians, with three-quarters reporting an emotional impact. Obstetricians often struggle with feelings of guilt and self-blame after a stillbirth or infant death, and worry about disciplinary action from no identified cause. Improved bereavement traini...
A new laser-powered treatment has been shown to kill a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, without causing significant heat damage. The treatment uses indocyanine green dye activated by near-infrared light, which penetrates deep wounds and increases the area cleansed.
A study found that enhanced proteolytic activity in the circulation may be the root cause of diverse metabolic problems. The researchers showed that a drug developed for unrelated purposes was effective in counteracting this mechanism, reversing symptoms of high blood pressure, insulin resistance and immune suppression.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel technique to measure the strength of protein bonds using optical tweezers. The technique allows for precise measurement of forces holding proteins together, which is crucial in understanding cell structure and function.
Researchers have identified two integrin receptors on intestinal cells that are used by rotavirus to cause diarrhea. The study provides new insights into the mechanism of rotavirus infection and may lead to the development of treatments to block this interaction.
Researchers created a complete map of millions of neural fibers in the human cerebral cortex, identifying a single network core that may be key to understanding higher level thinking. The study provides a comprehensive map of brain connections and describes a non-invasive technique for mapping neural connections at greater resolution.
Researchers at Rice University have created giant millimeter-sized atoms resembling Bohr's atomic model, with electrons behaving like classical particles for several orbits. The achievement has potential applications in next-generation computers and studying quantum chaos.
Chemical engineers at Rice University have unveiled a set of techniques for cleanly converting glycerin, a major biofuels waste byproduct, into high-value organic acids such as succinate and formate. The new fermentation process uses E. coli bacteria to convert glycerin into these valuable chemicals.
David I. Gottlieb, a Brown University professor and expert in spectral and high-order accurate numerical methods, will be honored as the John von Neumann Lecturer at the SIAM Annual Meeting. He is recognized for his work on partial differential equations and their applications to science and engineering.
A study by the University of Georgia found that southern highbush blueberries have a viable and profitable industry in Georgia. The research estimated total costs of cultivating the crop over four years, showing that 92% of farmers can expect to see positive returns.
The American College of Physicians emphasizes the benefits of tight glucose control remain uncertain for patients aged 60-80 with Type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, USPSTF strongly reaffirms screening recommendations for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women to reduce urinary tract infections and low birthweight babies.
The USDA Forest Service has named the tree-killing fungus responsible for 'laurel wilt', causing devastating disease in redbay and other laurel species. Lead author Tom Harrington and co-author Stephen Fraedrich unveiled the name, Raffaelea lauricola, after publishing an article in Mycotaxon journal.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully modified T cell receptors using zinc fingers to develop a new type of AIDS treatment. The approach involves introducing mutations into the CCR5 gene, rendering it non-functional and preventing HIV entry into immune system cells.
Dr. Philippe Tondeur, a prominent applied mathematician and UIUC professor, will receive the SIAM Prize for his extensive advocacy and support for mathematical sciences. His leadership has left a lasting impact on the field, influencing policy makers worldwide.
Researchers at Montreal Heart Institute and Mount Sinai Hospital discover 21 new genetic risk factors associated with Crohn's disease, more than doubling the amount of genetic information about the disease. This breakthrough study offers hope for better-targeted therapy for millions of people with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Researchers found that autophagy promotes premature activation of trypsinogen, a digestive enzyme that can damage pancreatic cells. In rodents with pancreatitis, high levels of autophagy were observed, and blocking the process reduced symptoms. The study reveals autophagy as a potential trigger for pancreatitis in mice.
Researchers have developed a framework to address the dilemma of disclosing unexpected findings in human subjects research. The new guidelines suggest setting up a process for recognizing and verifying potential health or reproductive importance, and consulting clinical colleagues when needed.
The book offers a holistic approach to understanding nitrogen management, emphasizing accountability and nitrogen budgeting. The authors' broad perspectives address the nitrogen cycle's impact on climate change and soil fertility.
Research from Hospital for Special Surgery found that individuals born with a birthweight over 10 pounds are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as those with average birthweight. A study of 87,077 women identified a significant association between high birthweight and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers evaluate V45 harvester's effectiveness on southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries, reducing labor hours from up to 520 per acre. The study shows improved yields with winter-pruned plants and potential for mechanical harvesting while maintaining fruit quality.
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that rats whose mothers ate an unhealthy diet during pregnancy were more likely to develop obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This effect was even more pronounced in female offspring, suggesting a long-term health impact.
A Cornell University study found that supplementing cows with rbST reduces the carbon hoofprint by easing energy, land, and nutritional inputs necessary for milk production. This results in significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, natural resource usage, and environmental degradation.