NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has directly observed a planet circling another star, Fomalhaut b. The exoplanet orbits Fomalhaut at a distance of 10.7 billion miles, 10 times that of Saturn from the sun.
A new study found that women with diabetes have a seven times higher risk of severe pelvic girdle syndrome. Hormonal factors, such as relaxin, may play an important role in the development of the condition.
Scientists found that up to two thirds of minerals are biologically mediated, driven by oxygen-rich atmosphere and life's presence. Plate tectonics boosted mineral diversity, creating new environments for mineral formation.
Scientists have found that a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease slows down the brain's ability to export toxic amyloid-beta protein. The study suggests that when ApoE4 is present, the brain becomes less efficient at removing amyloid-beta, allowing it to accumulate and increase the risk of developing the disease.
University of Michigan researchers uncover the key to bleach's bacterial-killing power by studying a molecular chaperone. Hypochlorite in bleach causes proteins to lose structure and form aggregates, killing bacteria. This discovery may also shed light on immune system function and fighting off infections.
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that raising alcohol taxes immediately reduces the number of deaths from alcohol-related diseases. The study shows that two to four times more lives can be saved through tax increases compared to other prevention efforts.
Patients with serious anxiety disorders tend to report more intense physiological symptoms than they actually experience, according to a new study. Physiological tests revealed that these patients are often hyporeactive, contradicting their self-reported symptoms.
Researchers at NIST create a focused ion beam with cold atoms, offering a non-contaminating alternative to hot gallium ions for nanoscale features and imaging. The technique enables precise cutting and enhanced resolution, opening up new possibilities for nanotechnology and microscopy.
The Lancet Editorial suggests that President-elect Barack Obama's administration should prioritize health system strengthening to address the uninsured US residents. The plan includes payment choices, universal children's health insurance, and pre-existing condition coverage.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how plants absorb and release carbon dioxide, a vital step in understanding the impact of climate change. By measuring carbonyl sulfide, a compound consumed by plants during photosynthesis, scientists can now quantify gas flow into plants.
A multi-project study will investigate how cocaine exposure during pregnancy affects maternal-infant interactions, brain development, and hormonal responses. Researchers hope to inform the development of innovative interventions for mothers struggling with substance use.
A study by MIT researchers found that cap-and-trade programs can be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions without a significant economic impact. The study analyzed the European Union's system and similar US programs, confirming that markets emerge to facilitate trading and emissions are reduced efficiently.
The new system, AMSTAR, will provide NCAR with up to 30 petabytes of storage capacity and enable scientists to conduct increasingly sophisticated computer studies of Earth's climate. The system is based on the Sun StorageTek SL8500 Modular Library and will allow NCAR to store its valuable scientific data for the next 15-20 years.
A new cross-Canada study found that breast and prostate cancer treatment can cause significant bone loss, affecting up to 46,000 people each year. The researchers discovered that medications called bisphosphonates can help combat osteoporosis and fractures in cancer patients.
The new guidelines prioritize reperfusion therapy and timely emergency response, with a focus on reducing hospital waiting times. By adopting these recommendations, Europe can significantly increase STEMI patient survival rates and reduce fatality numbers.
Researchers found that cockroaches choose between four primary escape routes at fixed angles from threats, avoiding predictability and allowing them to stay one step ahead of predators. This study challenges the idea that 'unpredictable' behavior is random, suggesting instead that animals may be choosing between multiple strategies.
Researchers identify key gene transferred from Sicilian plant to British Groundsel weed, allowing for natural genetic exchanges and evolution. This discovery challenges traditional views of evolution as a one-way process.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses foamy macrophage formation to survive in infected individuals. These 'foamy' cells provide a nutrient-rich reservoir for the bacteria, allowing it to persist in a dormant state.
Researchers found ultrafine particles (UFP) with diameters between 2-10 nanometers emitted by kitchen appliances, outnumbering larger particles detected before. This range affects indoor exposure to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University identified four potent chemical compounds that slow neuron degeneration, a key cause of old-age diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The compounds, called 3-substituted indolin-2-one derivatives, are non-toxic even at high doses, offering hope for halting neurodegenerative diseases.
New research reveals that alkaline pH activates TRPA1 protein in human cell lines and mouse nerve cells, leading to pain sensation. The study suggests that activation of this protein might be the mechanism underlying some human alkaline pH-related pain sensations.
The discovery of a 1.2 million-year-old female Homo erectus pelvis in Ethiopia provides new insights into the evolution of human brain size. The reconstructed pelvis suggests that early humans were better equipped to produce larger-brained babies, challenging previous theories based on male skeletons.
A new UCLA School of Nursing study analyzes data from the Nurses' Health Study to reveal the consequences of smoking on nursing professionals. The findings show that current smokers are twice as likely to die compared to non-smokers, and quitting makes a significant difference in enhancing longevity.
Researchers at University of Calgary and Royal Tyrrell Museum uncover a one-of-a-kind fossil nest with eggs, shedding light on dinosaur nesting behavior and evolution. The discovery provides valuable insights into the characteristics of modern birds and the ancient behaviors of small theropod dinosaurs.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a new method for identifying proteins that give a cell type its unique identity, offering a breakthrough in cellular analysis. This technique, translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP), can distinguish between any type of cell in any tissue, with applications for research int...
The discovery reveals the planet's massive size and potential for a vast ring system. The images taken with Hubble Space Telescope provide direct proof of the planet's existence and orbit around star Fomalhaut.
A study found that doctors are unsure about the legality of deactivating an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in terminally-ill patients, leading to unnecessary pain. The researchers recommend educating physicians on managing end-of-life care for ICD patients.
A study found that pemetrexed-based treatment is more effective in patients with non-squamous histology than those with squamous histology, indicating improved survival benefits for some lung cancer patients.
Using a novel combination of technologies, researchers identified 13 previously unknown tumor suppressor genes that, when mutated, can lead to liver cancers. These findings may provide new avenues for cancer therapy and have implications for understanding the molecular causes of the disease.
A study led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found a four-drug regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and cetuximab to be safe for patients with advanced lung cancer. The regimen showed modest improvement in survival rate, with 53% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage.
A new study suggests that vigabatrin may prevent human methamphetamine addicts from relapsing by blocking reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. The research found that rats pre-treated with vigabatrin lost interest in spending time in a location where they had previously been given methamphetamine.
A new at-home test, SpermCheck Vasectomy, has been shown to accurately detect low sperm counts in vasectomized men. The test achieved an accuracy rate of 96% in identifying sperm concentrations below a threshold of 250,000 sperm per ml.
Scientists have identified a crucial role for sulfonation in HIV replication, finding that inhibiting this pathway can compromise viral gene expression and render host cells resistant to infection. This discovery provides a promising new target for HIV/AIDS therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that exposure to EPA-approved levels of arsenic in drinking water can lead to cardiovascular disease by closing pores in liver blood vessels. The study found that mice exposed to arsenic had impaired sinusoidal cell functions, leading to a loss of nutrient exchange and waste removal.
Researchers found that consumption of red meat introduces a non-human glycan molecule, promoting chronic inflammation and tumor growth. Anti-inflammatory treatment reduced tumor size in mice, suggesting a potential link between red meat and cancer risk.
A new web site designed for young girls aged 8-11 aims to prevent smoking through online patient education and interactive features. The site, No Smoking Room.Org, engages users with multimedia content and allows them to test their knowledge and share it with others.
A recent study published by the American Society for Radiation Oncology found that males diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer have a higher mortality rate than females. The research also revealed that gender is a significant prognostic factor in lung cancer patients' overall survival rates.
A Japanese research team discovered that the wasabi receptor can sense and respond to ammonia, a base known to cause pain. The study, published in Journal of Clinical Investigation, reveals the molecular entity responsible for this phenomenon, providing insight into the mechanisms behind sushi-induced discomfort.
The new online community aims to accelerate creation of critically needed nanotechnology standards, including reference materials and tests. The initiative will utilize Web 2.0-style social networking technologies to facilitate information sharing and deliberation among experts.
The new solar system orbits a dusty young star named HR8799, with three planets roughly 10 times the mass of Jupiter. The discovery allows scientists to study planets as individuals, providing insights into their atmospheres and composition.
A team of Iowa State physicists, including Soeren Prell, are part of an international research team testing the Kobayashi-Maskawa theory, which explains the difference between matter and antimatter. The BaBar experiment has confirmed the theory's predictions and provided insights into the universe's origins.
A gene essential for organ growth also regulates female but not male embryo sexual development, supporting a controversial hypothesis about mammalian sexual development. Researchers found that beta-catenin acts as an internal regulator of the pathway, which includes Wnt4 and R-spondin1 genes, leading to the formation of ovaries.
A recent study published in European Urology found a significant relationship between prostate inflammation and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men. The study, which analyzed data from the REDUCE trial, revealed that chronic inflammation was associated with higher IPSS scores and a greater degree of LUTS.
A study in Mexico City found that asthmatic children are more likely to experience worsening respiratory symptoms when living near high-traffic areas. The study, led by Dr Isabelle Romieu, suggests that diesel particles have a significant impact on respiratory health.
Stickleback fish follow a consensus decision-making process to choose their leader, prioritizing size, fatness, and health. As group size increases, accuracy improves, but occasional errors occur due to submission to peers and cascades of incorrect decisions.
SHIMMER successfully observed Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) during the northern season of 2008, measuring diurnal variation with a single peak per day. The observation is unique among satellites that have studied PMCs and has important implications for inferring long-term trends from historical space-based observations.
A national survey by North Carolina State University and Arizona State University found significant public support for nanotechnology applications improving human health. However, there was little support for non-health research endeavors, highlighting the need for differentiated views on public policies and research funding.
A multi-center phase II clinical trial found improved survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy and targeted therapies bevacizumab and cetuximab. The combination showed no safety concerns, indicating a potential future treatment option for lung cancer.
SLU researchers found a way to get a promising treatment for Alzheimer's and stroke into the brain, reversing symptoms. They discovered a unique approach to delivering drugs past the blood-brain barrier, which had blocked treatments in the past.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast trace the family tree of octopuses, revealing a link between climate change and their global distribution. The study suggests that many deep-sea species evolved from Antarctic ancestors, highlighting the impact of thermohaline circulation on marine biodiversity.
A new study found that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of CRP, a central biomarker of inflammation linked to heart disease and diabetes. The study also found no benefit from daily doses of vitamin E.
The 'Cradle & Grave' white paper examines seismic changes in birth, health, and death trends, influencing the future administration and Americans contemplating their futures. Gary Stockman highlights outdated assumptions shaping unrealistic expectations and poor choices.
Researchers have identified a new biomarker for heart failure, resistin, which can independently predict an individual's risk of developing the condition. Resistin levels were found to increase the risk of new-onset heart failure by 38% and were a stronger predictor than other inflammatory markers.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego identify cells responding to illumination by producing dopamine, a chemical message controlling pigmentation in tadpoles. This finding suggests that stimulating specific neural circuits could selectively alter brain chemistry to remedy low levels of neurotransmitters underlying human a...
Researchers found that patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) respond differently to medications depending on their unique genetic makeup. The study suggests that developing individualized treatment plans tailored to the specific mutations in each tumor could improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the analysis of Sutent'...
A new study by Tel Aviv University and the University of Utah found a significant link between brain cancer and family history. Researchers discovered that a four-fold increase in risk exists for individuals with a family history of brain tumors, highlighting genetic predispositions.
Scientists at Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory found that highly oxidized iron in mantle minerals is crucial for heat transfer in the lower mantle. The discovery challenges current models of mantle dynamics and has significant implications for understanding material movement throughout the planet.
Researchers have developed nematode-resistant varieties of bell peppers, such as Charleston Belle and Carolina Wonder, which can be used as viable alternatives to methyl bromide for managing southern root-knot nematode. These varieties are stable in sub-tropical climates and can increase the availability of parasite-resistant vegetables.
Medicare's funding cut for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may discontinue critical health services for osteoporosis patients. The test is essential for identifying those at risk and monitoring bone health, potentially leading to increased fractures and costs.
A new study found that hospital mortality rates for women and men have narrowed significantly over the last decade, particularly among younger patients. Women under 55 years old showed a 53% reduction in mortality, compared to 33% for men of the same age group.