A recent Harvard study found that individuals with an active social life may experience a slower rate of memory decline compared to those with lower levels of social integration. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,000 US adults aged 50 and older, suggests that strong social networks can help preserve memory function.
The Boston University Clinical and Translational Science Institute will integrate research across departments and schools, facilitating interactions and incorporating community-based needs. The award aims to improve treatment efficiency and access to patient care.
The UK is launching a Synthetic Biology Initiative with £900,000 funding to establish a world-leading research community. The project aims to bring together biologists, engineers, and computer scientists to tackle future challenges such as sustainable power generation and medical applications.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have created new vaccines for West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses, showing promise in providing immunity against these deadly diseases. The 'pseudoinfectious' vaccines use genetically modified viruses that can only infect a single cell, mimicking a viral infection without am...
The NIH has expanded its Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium, investing $533 million over five years in 14 new academic health centers. The initiative aims to reduce the time between laboratory discoveries and treatments for patients, while training the next generation of researchers.
The UN's strategy on dealing with HIV and illicit drugs needs a complete overhaul, according to a Comment published in The Lancet. The authors argue that the International Narcotics Control Board undermines recognition of HIV prevention measures for those who use drugs.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) will search for answers to long-standing questions about dark matter, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts. With its extraordinary sensitivity and wide field-of-view, GLAST has the potential to detect thousands of hitherto unknown gamma-ray sources.
Researchers at Boston College developed a 'perfect' metamaterial capable of absorbing all incident radiation, transforming it into heat. This breakthrough showcases the team's ability to design materials with tailored responses to radiation.
Scientists at Harvard University have discovered that bdelloid rotifers can capture and incorporate genetic material from plants, fungi, bacteria, and animals into their genomes. This finding challenges traditional notions of sexual reproduction and may provide insight into the animals' ability to adapt to new environments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have established a human cell-based system for studying sickle cell anemia by reprogramming somatic cells to an embryonic stem cell-like state. The new method improves reprogramming efficiency and increases the total number of reprogrammed cells, enabling future studies on blood diseases.
Bacteria with large metabolic networks and those living in diverse environments tend to be more modular. This makes sense as they adapt to changing environments by developing separate processes for different environments.
Research reveals that forest canopies influence nitrogen fixation rates by controlling the amount of nitrogen deposited on mosses. High canopy nitrogen levels reduce nitrogen fixation, while low levels increase it.
The TEEB report presents a comprehensive economic case for conserving biodiversity, citing severe consequences if current decline continues. Economic valuation studies show that the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services has significant human costs, particularly for the poor.
A study found that Black and Hispanic women are less likely than white women to receive follow-up radiation for early breast cancer, suggesting thousands may be undertreated. The disparity is attributed to various barriers, including logistical problems, insurance status, and patient preferences.
The Florida Department of Health has approved the use of Cyanokit 5g, a hydroxocobalamin injection, in emergency medical services (EMS) and fire vehicles. This treatment is intended to help first responders quickly respond to suspected cases of cyanide poisoning at the scene of an accident.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center a five-year, $22 million grant to establish the Einstein-Montefiore Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. The institute aims to expedite the transfer of research discoveries from academia to patient care.
NIST researchers have discovered that a single layer of molecular 'salve' can significantly reduce surface stress, which is crucial for applications like chemical and biological sensors. The 'salve' reduces stress by allowing atoms to adopt the molecules into their family, resulting in a more stable and tension-free surface.
A review of scientific evidence found that only a minority of children with hyperactivity are affected by their diet, suggesting a combination of factors is more likely to be involved.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that chemotherapy can diminish ovarian reserve, making it harder for premenopausal breast cancer survivors to get pregnant. The research suggests that tracking breast cancer survivors' fertility after treatment is crucial.
A study published in Strategic Management Journal reveals that financial markets reward green firms due to their perceived lower risk, resulting in reduced total cost of capital. Additionally, individual investors favor greener firms, leading to increased ownership and lower equity capital costs.
Researchers explored coping strategies for vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (vvs) in heterosexual couples. They found that treating the couple, not just the woman, and developing a shared sense of meaning about vvs helped alleviate tension and improve communication.
A chromatin modifying enzyme helps compensate for the fact that males have only one copy of the sex chromosome X by binding differently to male and female sex chromosomes. This process, called dosage compensation, ensures that males produce the same amount of proteins as females despite their single X chromosome.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility found that protons are about 20 times more likely to pair up with neutrons in the nucleus. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding the structure of nuclear systems, from light nuclei to neutron stars.
A study by Kellogg School of Management Professor Paola Sapienza found that girls' math scores improve in more gender equal societies, with the number of high-achieving girls increasing. In more equal societies, girls outperform boys in reading as well.
The June issue of GEOSPHERE discusses delamination models for the Columbia River Basalt Group, a USGS Great Basin Paleontological Database with 150 years of fossil data, and 3D modeling techniques in Oklahoma and Ireland. Geochemical processes also contribute to contamination in northern Mexico's Rio Conchos basin.
The 2nd EuroMinScI conference brought together young researchers to present their latest findings on mineralogy, Earth sciences, and the physics-based simulation techniques. Notable awards were given to Olga Narygina and Verity Borthwick for their outstanding work in experimental and theoretical modeling.
A recent study suggests that dehydrated tomato products containing the organic carbohydrate FruHis may have strong anti-cancer properties. In an animal study, rats fed with a diet rich in FruHis and tomato paste showed longer survival from cancer compared to those without these ingredients.
A nationwide study of 2,635 women found a significant link between pregnancy and tooth loss, with women having more children being more prone to missing teeth. The study suggests that biological and behavioral changes during pregnancy and childbirth may contribute to tooth loss.
Researchers found polymorphisms in PSMB4 and TBX21 genes linked to major depression susceptibility and treatment response. Genetic variations may also be relevant to psoriasis and asthma, highlighting the complex interplay between inflammation and mental health.
Researchers found that Amazonian indigenous culture, despite limited education and experience with maps, spontaneously placed numbers on a line in a compressed, logarithmic function. This suggests that humans have a universal predisposition to relate numbers to space, but with culturally variable mappings.
The new GSID HIV Data Browser provides a wealth of data collected during clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine, offering researchers a unique opportunity to study how the virus evolves and causes new infections. The browser links to preserved specimens and clinical information, allowing investigators to study the evolution of the virus an...
A U-M study found that patients with poor physical quality of life, particularly those experiencing pain, eating, and speech difficulties, are significantly less likely to survive. The researchers recommend routine quality of life assessments for head and neck cancer patients to identify potentially aggressive tumors.
The study creates a computational model predicting brain activation patterns for thousands of concrete nouns, with accuracies significantly greater than chance. The model uses text corpus data to identify basic building blocks the brain uses to represent meaning.
A new compound design approach may be enabled by the discovery of an enzyme that can manipulate chemical pathways in bacteria. The enzyme is found to have loose specificity, allowing it to be used to create more controllable compounds from antibiotic chromoproteins. Genetic engineering will play a key role in this process.
A common fruit fly has helped scientists discover a protein crucial for the insect's eggshell formation, which could be a potential target for pesticides. The protein, called palisade, is essential for the formation of the vitelline membrane, a key component of the eggshell.
Scientists at Harvard University analyzed salt deposits in Martian rock and found that the water was more likely a thick brine with salinity exceeding terrestrial life's tolerance. The study suggests that even four billion years ago, Mars' surface would have been challenging for life.
A randomized phase II study found a trend towards increased survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with axitinib plus gemcitabine compared to gemcitabine alone. The median overall survival was longer in the axitinib group, but the finding requires further investigation in a phase III trial.
A study found that doula support during labor significantly reduced cesarean delivery rates by 12% and the need for epidurals by 11%. Continuous presence of a non-medical companion provided benefits even when male partners or family members were present.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that children under 3 years old with diffuse pontine glioma (DPG) tend to respond better to treatment than older children. The study suggests that distinct biological characteristics of DPG in young patients may account for their improved survival rates.
Researchers have identified a combination of novel anti-cancer compounds that can kill chronic myelogenous leukemia cells previously resistant to conventional therapy. The combination involves a Bcr/Abl kinase inhibitor and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, which work together to induce programmed cell death in CML cells.
Researchers have created a unique internet facility called Open Ontology Repository (OOR) to store diverse collections of concepts and facilitate complex systems in various sectors. OOR will support advanced logic systems and save time and money in manufacturing control, supply chain management, and biomedical management.
Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveals that smokers with stage III colon cancer have a 22% increased risk of recurrence or death compared to never-smokers. A 20+ pack year smoking history before age 30 was found to be particularly harmful, increasing the risk by 37%
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that men who exercise regularly are less likely to die from cancer than those who don't. The researchers discovered a 33% increased survival rate among men who walked or cycled for at least 30 minutes a day, with more extensive physical activity leading to a 16% lower incidence of cancer.
Researchers found DNA abnormalities in the KIT gene linked to highly malignant skin cancers, offering hope for effective treatments. The study could lead to targeted therapies within 18 months.
Karen H. Antman, MD, will receive the Distinguished Service Award for Scientific Leadership from ASCO at their annual meeting in Chicago. She is recognized for her development of a standard treatment regimen for sarcoma and has made significant contributions to cancer research.
Researchers at Rice University create nanoscale 'baton'-like particles that spontaneously assemble into bag-like sacs around oil droplets in water. This phenomenon could lead to innovative technologies for cleaning up oil spills and polluted groundwater, as well as delivering drugs with controlled release.
Researchers at Brandeis University have uncovered a molecular switch in the 'nature's blowtorch' enzyme cytochrome P450. The protein chain can change its structure through a 180-degree rotation, allowing for precise control over oxidation reactions.
The Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science will provide support services to researchers while fostering collaboration with other medical centers. The grant will accelerate research outcomes at Ohio State and elsewhere, leading to faster development of treatments for patients.
A study led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that black patients with advanced cancer were more likely to die in a hospital intensive care unit than white patients. The findings suggest that black patients may have a stronger preference for life-extending treatment, despite having a terminal prognosis.
UBC and McGill researchers simulated supervolcano eruptions using Plexiglas models filled with corn syrup. The study sheds light on the complex flow effects inside a magma chamber during an eruption. A potential global nuclear winter could result from a large supervolcano eruption, causing widespread devastation and crop failures.
A study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that bilateral cochlear implants significantly improve hearing in noisy environments and overall quality of life. The benefits of the second implant outweighed its added cost, offering improved cognitive skills and emotional well-being for profoundly deaf individuals.
A new geomorphological index has been created to study active tectonics in mountains, identifying four classes of activity and using six geomorphological indicators. The index is based on land forms and direct evidence of active faults, with applications in regions like southern Spain where studies are not widely distributed.
A study published in Cortex found that children who can read but struggle with spelling are more likely to be right-handed. This subgroup of poor spellers was also found to have better hand skills, suggesting a possible link between phonetic skills and handedness.
A study by OHSU Cancer Institute researchers found that nearly 67% of stomach cancer patients are not getting the best therapy, despite compelling clinical data available since 2001. The study also showed a five-month survival advantage for patients who received chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Bdelloid rotifers acquire genes from bacteria, fungi, and plants through environmental DNA incorporation. This process may contribute to their speciation and adaptability.
The Harvard CTSC will transform patient-oriented medical research, creating unity and communication across the University's disparate schools and affiliated medical centers. The center will facilitate collaboration, provide online tools, and distribute pilot grants to junior investigators.
A recent study reveals thousands of times more bacteria on the seafloor than in the water above, with higher diversity and abundance compared to hydrothermal vents. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the deep-sea carbon cycle and the emergence of life.
A new EC-funded project aims to unite Europe's biological data resources into a sustainable, integrative network for life sciences research. The European Life-science Infrastructure for Biological Information (ELIXIR) project will provide a secure funding mechanism and protect valuable data from insecure or short-term funding.
Long-term cancer survivors are experiencing unmet needs for symptom management, leading to a poor quality of life. The European CanCer Organisation is working to bridge the gap between oncology and palliative care to provide comprehensive care for all stages of disease.
A gene therapy called Advexin has shown significant improvement in survival rates for patients with end-stage head and neck cancer by restoring tumor-suppressor gene p53 expression. Patients with a favorable p53 profile experienced a median survival of 7.2 months, compared to 2.7 months for those with an unfavorable profile.