A new role for the protein PrP has been identified in regulating food intake, with mice lacking PrP becoming obese in adulthood. Additionally, a protein FHL1 has been found to help heart muscle cells respond to high pressure, while a protein AIP1 regulates blood vessel formation under inflammatory conditions.
The journal features two articles with detailed instructions for setting up experimental culture systems. These methods allow researchers to study and manipulate developing cells and tissues in the laboratory, enabling the identification of neural progenitor cells and the analysis of cell migration between organs during development.
The ASPB Education Foundation and NSF fund won first place in the Science magazine 2008 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge with their interactive biology gaming module, Genomics Digital Lab (GDL). The GDL game proved its worth among a strong field of competitors and is now available for free educational use.
Medication overuse headaches (MOH) are associated with severe disability and unmet treatment needs. Recent research suggests that treatments developed to prevent migraine may be effective in patients with MOH before withdrawal, pointing to the need for clinical trials to re-evaluate current strategies.
Dr. Wendy Levinson urges Canada to implement mandatory revalidation for all physicians to ensure competence and protect the public's trust in the healthcare system. Currently, most provincial standards lack external verification of actual practice skills, leading to a gap in self-regulation.
Researchers at NYU's Center for Genomics and Systems Biology identified approximately 300 genes that break phenotypic robustness when knocked out, leading to physical differences in the species. These findings provide new understanding of how organisms develop and function reliably despite environmental changes.
The study found that individuals with depression exhibit increased activation in the right amygdala during painful stimulation, while displaying decreased activation in areas responsible for pain modulation. This suggests a relationship between depression and pain perception, with potential implications for treatment outcomes.
A study published in Neurology found that people with Alzheimer's disease who also have diabetes are twice as likely to die sooner, while those with high blood pressure are two-and-a-half times more likely. Hispanic individuals lived four years longer than non-Hispanic whites after diagnosis.
A study found cone-beam CT to be highly sensitive and specific in detecting cortical defects before and after percutaneous vertebroplasty, comparable to MDCT. Cone-beam CT also identified cement leakages without the need for additional radiation exposure.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that at least 421,000 envenomings and 20,000 deaths from snakebites occur annually worldwide. The countries with the highest estimated annual envenomings and deaths are India, followed by sub-Saharan Africa.
A new study finds parents receptive to being screened for alcohol problems during pediatrician visits. Many would prefer being screened by a doctor over other options.
A recent study by Saint Louis University reveals a significant increase in the use of type 2 diabetes medications among American tweens and teens between 2002 and 2005. The study also found increased utilization patterns for blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, ADD/ADHD, depression, and other medications.
The rapid spread of West Nile virus in North America has had significant effects on wildlife, with many bird species still recovering from large population declines. Research is ongoing to understand the factors influencing species vulnerability and mosquito transmission, which could lead to better predictions and public warnings.
A new method for overcoming two major hurdles facing solar energy has been discovered and demonstrated by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The antireflective coating boosts the amount of sunlight captured by solar panels, allowing them to absorb the entire solar spectrum from nearly any angle.
A study of 110 patients found that brain edema, known as perilesional oedema (PO), is common and associated with seizures in patients with calcified neurocysticercosis. PO may be a preventable cause of seizures in endemic countries, suggesting a unique treatment target.
A team at Montana State University has discovered a fungus that produces diesel fuel, which could offer an alternative to fossil fuels. The fungus, called Gliocladium roseum, can grow in cellulose and produce medium-chain hydrocarbons.
Researchers have developed a technique using soft lithography to create 'snapshots' of immune cell populations, offering insights into antibody diversity and potential for vaccine development. This innovation could lead to more effective diagnostic tools and personalized treatments.
Researchers analyzed 3006 species and found a narrow range of metabolic rates, averaging 0.3-9 Watts per kilogram, which may be linked to the organization of life on Earth. This optimal rate may have favored complex adaptations like breathing and leaf shape.
A new study finds that accelerating the pertussis vaccine schedule by two weeks could prevent at least 1,236 cases of the disease each year. This shift would also reduce hospitalizations and deaths attributed to pertussis, a disease that can be life-threatening in young infants.
The Precourt Institute has awarded seven Stanford faculty members $824,000 in seed grants to develop energy-efficient technologies and behaviors. The research projects will focus on promoting energy efficiency within buildings, transportation, and other areas.
Researchers found elevated rates of psychoses among black and minority ethnic subgroups compared to white British individuals. The study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, analyzed data from 484 patients who developed psychoses between 1996 and 2000.
A new study reveals that substance abuse disorders (SUDs) and other psychiatric disorders are prevalent among French prisoners. Dual diagnosis (DD), a co-existence of SUD and any Axis I disorder, is a major risk factor for suicide, with mood and anxiety disorders being the most frequent disorders found in DD prisoners.
New practice guidelines in Canada recommend prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities be offered to all pregnant women. The guidelines aim to balance reproductive autonomy with the potential legal liability of failing to screen, which could harm disabled children.
A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that children aged 3-5 whose parents were deployed to war zones exhibited more behavior problems than peers without deployed parents. The study analyzed data from 169 families with children age 1½ to 5 who had a parent deployed for an average of 3.9 months.
A new book provides a comprehensive overview of air pollution research, focusing on wildland fires' impact on humans and the environment. The 686-page book includes 26 research papers by 85 experts, covering regional perspectives and current tools for managing forests affected by fire and climate change.
A recent study published in Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that childhood anxiety and nervousness can protect young men from committing crimes until they turn 21. However, after this age, these traits no longer provide protection, and individuals are more likely to engage in criminal behavior.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discovered a gene that helps control stomach acid production, which could lead to new therapies for overproduction. The study found that eliminating the Slc26a9 transporter gene stops acid secretion in the stomach.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE suggests that anti-VEGF drugs used to treat macular degeneration could cause the death of photoreceptors and Muller glia cells in adult mice. The research highlights the need for caution when using these drugs, as their effects on the retina may be more complex than previously thought.
A new study found that stimulating growth hormone release in healthy older adults increased lean muscle mass, but not thigh muscle area. Another study revealed a decrease in cardiogenic shock rates among patients with acute coronary syndromes, possibly linked to improved angioplasty treatments
A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that commercial chicken breeds have lost up to 90% of their native genetic diversity, leaving them vulnerable to new diseases. Interbreeding with native or non-commercial bird species may help restore genetic diversity and improve disease resistance.
A study published in CMAJ found that longer wait times are associated with more emergency department visits and a greater risk of incarcerated hernia. The study suggests that all inguinal hernias in infants and young children should be repaired within 14 days after surgical consultation.
A study found that surgical removal of small colon polyps is not necessary due to low risk of cancer development. The study suggests that imaging surveillance for isolated small polyps detected during CT colonography may be an alternative to unnecessary colonoscopy procedures.
A recent study found that HPV vaccination can reduce the incidence of HPV-caused cancers, particularly oral and anal cancers, which are rising in incidence. Researchers propose a simple oral screening test using 'swish and spit' rinses to detect high-risk infections.
According to University of Miami professor Ira M. Sheskin, the strength of the Jewish-American vote is not measured by its numbers but by its geographic concentrations. The Jewish population has shifted from Northeast and Midwest to South and West, maintaining a significant influence on US politics.
A GSU study confirms that administering morphine prior to a painful procedure in infancy blocks long-term negative consequences of pain in adult rodents. Infant rodents who did not receive preemptive pain medication were less sensitive to morphine in adulthood, highlighting the need for pain relief in newborns.
The number of students studying soil science as a major is declining across the United States, according to Mary Collins' article published in the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education. The decline affects not only students but also courses offered, quality of graduate students, and potential department mergers.
A CU-Boulder study found that women's hands harbor a significantly greater diversity of microbes than men, with an average of 150 different species detected. The researchers also discovered that the diversity of bacteria on individual hands was not significantly affected by regular hand washing.
A study of 107,693 Canadians found Aboriginal people with severe kidney disease were 43% less likely to visit a nephrologist and almost twice as likely to be hospitalized for preventable conditions. Understanding the barriers to healthcare is crucial to addressing these inequities.
A four-year study of Baltimore inner-city teenage girls diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease reveals a high rate of subsequent sexually transmitted infections. Researchers emphasize the need for individually tailored counseling and strict follow-up care to prevent future infections.
A recent study suggests that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may be linked to a genetic mutation in the eye's melanopsin gene. Individuals with this mutation are five times more likely to experience SAD symptoms, highlighting a potential genetic predisposition to the condition.
A new study has found that US Hispanics, belonging to four national groups, prefer beer as their beverage of choice. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, revealed that beer was the preferred beverage among all Hispanic respondents, with variations in preference across ethnic subgroups.
Scientists have obtained visual evidence of how deadly 'superbugs' acquire and disseminate antibiotic resistance. The discovery sheds light on the role of conjugative pili in spreading antibiotic resistance.
A multicentre prospective cohort study found that only 22% of patients' previous visit information was available when they saw another doctor. This limited exchange is crucial for continuity of patient care and may be associated with poorer outcomes.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a rare immune cell, NK-22 cells, that can produce IL-22 to promote wound healing and prevent tissue damage. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Researchers found that smaller mosquitoes have higher infection rates and potential to transmit dengue virus than larger individuals. The study suggests that control strategies may benefit from producing larger, less competent adult mosquitoes in terms of infection, potentially mitigating dengue transmission.
Two pacemakers in the brain regulate breathing by working together in harmony, with the preBotC taking control in adulthood and pFRG kicking in during respiratory stress. This fail-safe network is evolutionarily conserved and appears to be related to cases of crib death and central sleep apnea.
A unique fungus, Gliocladium roseum, has been discovered to produce diesel compounds from cellulose, offering a promising alternative to traditional biofuels. The fungus can make myco-diesel directly from cellulose, skipping a step in the production process.
A University of Maryland researcher warns that voter mistakes can affect election outcomes, with even simple errors leading to three percent of incorrect votes. Experts recommend taking precautions like bringing marked-up sample ballots and carefully reviewing the review screen to minimize errors.
The HPV-positive cancer cells adapted to the hypoxic environment by expressing a protein that activates a cell signaling pathway, helping them survive, grow and spread. The study may lead to new therapies targeting this pathway to interrupt cancer cell proliferation.
A study on eland antelopes found that males use knee clicking to broadcast their fighting ability and settle conflicts without incurring high costs. The researchers also discovered that the size of a bull's dewlap is related to age, while hair darkness reflects aggressiveness.
A new study by UC Irvine finds that fungi in dry spruce forests produce less carbon dioxide when soil is warmed, potentially slowing climate change. This discovery could influence global climate change predictions and policy.
A new study at the University of Melbourne discovered that rare insect clones are favored by evolution, leading to increased genetic variation. This phenomenon, known as frequency-dependent selection, allows rare clones to become more common and produce more offspring.
Researchers identified localized clusters of dengue cases in rural Thai villages, suggesting that targeted mosquito control measures could reduce transmission. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the spread of dengue virus and inform potential prevention strategies.
The US desperately needs more family doctors to address healthcare access disparities and improve patients' outcomes. Incentives are needed to encourage medical students to specialize in general primary care, rather than lucrative but limited specialty options.
New research finds bacteria can directly cause human blood to clot by forming clusters, a process previously thought lost in vertebrate evolution. This discovery may lead to new clinical methods for treating sepsis and anthrax, improving understanding of coagulation during bacterial infections.
Scientists have found that nearly all human genes, about 94 percent, generate more than one form of their protein products through alternative splicing. The phenomenon varies significantly between tissues, with mRNA expression dependent on the tissue where the gene is expressed.
MIT researchers have created a novel scaffold that can aid in the repair of damaged heart tissue and potentially treat congenital heart defects. The biodegradable scaffold has directionally dependent structural and mechanical properties, allowing it to mimic native heart muscle structure and behavior.
Researchers at Boston University developed a nanoscale torsion resonator to measure miniscule amounts of twisting or torque in metallic nanowires. The device has applications in spintronics, fundamental physics, chemistry, and biology.
A new platform has been developed to study how specialized proteins regulate RNA in living, intact cells. By identifying every sequence within every strand of RNA to which proteins bind, researchers can now address questions about how differences in RNA explain the vast differences between humans and worms.
A study found that disease-causing bacteria exploit the killing machinery of immune cells by increasing the production of an enzyme called arginase. This allows them to survive within macrophages, a type of white blood cell. The researchers observed improved outcomes in mice lacking this enzyme when infected with certain pathogens.