The Lancet Editorial warns that rising food prices are causing starvation and pushing millions into poverty. The article highlights the need for long-term solutions to tackle biofuels, agricultural subsidies and trade distortions contributing to the crisis.
Scientists at Newcastle University have developed a highly energy-efficient technology to convert waste carbon dioxide (CO2) into cyclic carbonates, which can be used in various industrial applications. The technology has the potential to use up to 48 million tonnes of waste CO2 per year, reducing UK emissions by about four percent.
The University of Alabama team of Drs. Guy and Kim Caldwell has been awarded the first HudsonAlpha Prize for Outstanding Innovation in Life Sciences for their research on diseases of the nervous system, specifically Parkinson's disease. The $20,000 prize recognizes exceptional talent and research of superior merit.
Biologists call for making detailed maps of biotech crops available to researchers, allowing them to analyze the effects on wildlife and water quality. The government's current data collection system is limited in spatial resolution, making it difficult to answer key questions about genetically engineered crops.
Researchers will develop and test wireless handheld devices called Blue Boxes to track patient health status and provide early warnings of decline. The project aims to improve quality of life for people with chronic diseases living in working-class communities.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have improved the argon-argon dating method to provide more precise absolute dates for geologic events, including the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary and dinosaur extinction. The new date is 65.95 million years ago, with an uncertainty of 40,000 years.
Cure Lab, Inc. has developed a new technology that combines two forms of vaccine antigens: one easily processed by the proteosome and another resistant to it. This combination elicits a stronger immune response than using either form alone, promising improved vaccine efficiency.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new 3-D ultrasound technology that can see in real-time the arteries within the brain, improving stroke diagnosis and care. The technology uses advanced imaging techniques to compensate for the thickness and unevenness of the skull, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnoses.
Key findings from The Lancet report show that Ethiopia and Rwanda reduced malaria cases by 51% and 64%, deaths by 60% and 66% between 2005-2007 through expanded access to bed nets and artemisinin-based combination therapies. An ambitious campaign is proposed to expand access to malaria control interventions, targeting everyone at risk,...
Astronomers are looking for Earth-like planets with liquid oceans in the habitable zone of their star. By monitoring the light curve of a distant planet as it spins on its axis, they can determine if the planet has water.
The 1600 Huaynaputina eruption in Peru led to a cold year worldwide, causing crop failures and famine in Europe, China and Japan. The study also reveals exceptional cold winters in Russia, late peach blooms in China, and a record-breaking early freezing date in Japan.
University of Missouri researchers discovered that the human brain has a fixed capacity for holding information in working memory, with an average capacity of 3-4 items. This finding has significant implications for understanding attention-deficit disorders and improving learning outcomes.
Researchers at NIMH found that brain activity responds to social hierarchy, influencing motivation and health. The ventral striatum activates equally for monetary rewards and changes in rank.
Researchers found that technically efficient screening and diagnostic colonoscopy requires experience with 150 cases or more. The trainees' skill at cecal intubation improved significantly after performing 150 procedures.
Researchers at Florida State University have discovered an autoimmune-like response in the blood of malaria-infected African children that helps explain why existing DNA-based anti-malaria vaccines have repeatedly failed to protect them. The study sheds light on the unique medical needs of malaria's smallest, most vulnerable victims an...
Researchers have identified menstrual blood as a valuable source of multipotential stem cells, which can differentiate into various cell lineages. The study found that these cells exhibit self-renewal and multipotency properties, making them suitable for regenerative transplantation therapies.
Researchers have successfully grown aligned and straight single-walled carbon nanotubes in large numbers using a quartz surface as a template. The achievement marks a significant step forward for the development of nano-scale electronics, which could enable the creation of ultra-tiny chips with improved performance.
Scientists at Brown University found evidence of recent glaciation on Mars, challenging the notion that the planet's active climate was confined to the distant past. The team discovered ice packs up to 2.5 kilometers thick existed along Mars' mid-latitude belt as recently as 100 million years ago.
Researchers at Brown University found that flies live longer when they don't produce germline stem cells, which create eggs and sperm. This suggests a general principle in biology where reproductive signals directly control lifespan and metabolism in the whole organism.
Geologists found that the central Sierra Nevada attained its present elevation 12 million years ago, 8-9 million years earlier than previously thought. This discovery has implications for understanding ancient global climates and modeling past weather patterns.
Research shows that preterm babies can recover from pain faster when given kangaroo mother care, reducing facial expressions of pain and recovery time. This approach could also have benefits for mothers whose parental role diminishes while their baby is in intensive care.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that carrying infants was unlikely to have driven human evolution towards walking upright. Instead, they suggest that this characteristic may have been an adaptation for other benefits, such as freeing up forelimbs to carry objects.
The Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation has been awarded a five-year, $25.5 million contract by the Federal Highway Administration to conduct a 20-year research study on bridge performance. The study aims to collect uniform data on bridge performance nationwide to inform bridge management decisions.
A broad collaboration has produced a first draft of the papaya genome, offering insights into its evolutionary path and genetic changes that make it resistant to the papaya ringspot virus. The findings indicate that papaya diverged from Arabidopsis 72 million years ago, taking a different evolutionary path.
A contaminant in heparin, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, was detected using advanced analytical techniques. The presence of this contaminant can trigger an allergy-like reaction, leading to severe symptoms like low blood pressure and abdominal pain.
LUX detector, funded by NSF and DOE, searches for WIMPs in 4,800ft underground South Dakota mine, aiming to detect rare dark matter particles, the largest discovery since antimatter in the 1930s.
Cancer rates are on the rise in Albania, driven by changing lifestyles and limited healthcare resources. The country is seeking international support to tackle the crisis, with organizations like IAEA working to improve cancer control and palliative care.
A new study reveals that protein-destroying machines in nerve cells play a crucial role in how memories are formed. The researchers found that blocking activity in these machines could potentially strengthen synapses and improve memory, offering new hope for treating Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.
Advances in breast reconstruction techniques, such as nipple-sparing mastectomy, DIEP flaps, and acellular dermis graft slings, are addressing the cosmetic issues left by lumpectomy. These innovative methods aim to create more natural-looking breasts with improved symmetry and aesthetics for breast cancer patients.
In polyandrous female Australian painted dragon lizards, sperm from different males compete to fertilize eggs. Females prefer mating with mixed-color pairs of males, suggesting a strategy to ensure genetic diversity. This unique behavior may contribute to the persistence of both male types in the population.
Researchers mapped brain regions for social standing and money rewards, finding that both engage the same reward circuitry. This discovery sheds light on complex social behaviors and could lead to better understanding of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
A single protein is essential to both innate immune response and hypoxic response, revealing a critical regulator of the hypoxic response. The study provides clues toward new treatment strategies to boost immune function in infected tissues.
Researchers developed a graphical language, VCM, to convey medical knowledge and reduce prescribing errors. The system uses iconic signs akin to road signs to build simple sentences conveying information on drug properties.
Atrial tachycardia is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, leading to NF-kB activation. Blockade of angiotensin II receptors, L-type calcium channels, NADPH oxidase, and inhibition of NF-κB activation can abolish or decrease tachycardia-dependent changes in atrial tissue.
Researchers at University Medical Center Utrecht have successfully grown large numbers of stem cells from adult human hearts into new heart muscle cells. The stem cells can be used to study cardiac arrhythmia, test new medicines, and potentially repair damaged heart tissue. This breakthrough in stem cell research could move forward res...
A team of researchers at UNC Chapel Hill has discovered new targets for cancer treatment by identifying proteins that promote blood vessel formation in tumors. The study found 55 genes overexpressed in breast cancer vessels, offering potential new targets for therapy.
A collaborative effort by Boston University researchers has discovered the TFAP2A gene is linked to Branchio-Oculo-Facial syndrome (BOFS), a disorder marked by clefting, skin anomalies, and eye abnormalities. The study's findings may lead to more precise diagnostic testing and suggest new research directions.
The loss of sea ice due to climate change poses a significant threat to Arctic marine mammals, including polar bears, hooded seals, and narwhals. Conservation measures may help mitigate the effects, but reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial for long-term conservation.
Astronomers used VLBA to watch material winding a corkscrew path and confirm twisted magnetic fields accelerate particles. The team observed BL Lac, a blazar, with unprecedented view of the innermost portion of its jet.
Scientists have determined the crystal structures of two DNA-repair proteins, AlkB and ABH2, which repair alkylation damage to DNA. This discovery could lead to designing molecules that interfere with the repair process, making cancer treatment more effective.
Researchers at New York Medical College discovered a link between bird lack of brown fat and dinosaur extinction. The study found that birds' inability to generate heat may have contributed to the demise of dinosaurs.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School, led by Shan Lu and Katherine Ruiz De Luzuriaga, have received a $1 million grant to develop a pediatric HIV vaccine. The team will study regulatory T cells in infants, breast milk antibodies, and the impact of feeding on infant susceptibility to HIV infection.
The University of Houston has received a $750,000 grant from BP America to recruit and retain top students in engineering, sciences, mathematics, and business. The three-year scholarship program aims to develop the regional workforce through high-quality programs such as summer camps, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new source for biofuels in cyanobacteria, which can be grown on non-agricultural lands using salty water. The microbe produces cellulose and sugars that can be converted into ethanol, offering a potential alternative to traditional sources such as corn and sugarcane.
Researchers found that dominant individuals exhibit a preference for vertically-oriented stimuli, indicating their level of dominance can be measured based on this bias. This study provides new insights into personality processes and suggests a link between thinking dominantly and perceiving power.
Researchers found that perceiving a good reputation activates the brain's reward system in a similar manner to monetary rewards. The study used fMRI experiments on 19 people and found robust activation of reward-related brain areas, particularly the striatum.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered a link between specific antibodies and oral health, finding that healthy individuals have higher antibody levels to a key protein in periodontal disease. This discovery could lead to improved treatment responses and prevention strategies.
A large-scale study found that domestic violence is associated with chronic malnutrition among mothers and children in India. Women who experienced multiple incidents of domestic violence were more likely to be anemic and underweight, highlighting the need for addressing domestic violence as a key factor in combating malnutrition.
A study of 3,546 female twins found that genetics influence the rate of progression to problem drinking and alcohol dependence. Environmental factors played a significant role in the initiation of alcohol use, while genetic factors accounted for up to 47% of the influence on women's alcohol-related problems.
Dr. Martin Fisher's low-cost, human-powered irrigation pumps have enabled over 310,000 people to rise out of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. The pumps improve farming efficiency and allow small-scale rural farmers to grow high-value crops year-round.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have identified a key molecular mechanism controlling synaptic plasticity, which is vital for visual recognition memory and learning. Blocking this mechanism prevents visual recognition memory in rats, demonstrating its importance in brain function.
A 5-year study found that one or two rounds of mass treatment with azithromycin can eliminate trachoma infection in communities with moderate levels of infection. The trial showed a significant reduction in trachoma prevalence from 9.5% to 0.1% after just two years.
Researchers developed an improved OLED sealing process to reduce moisture intrusion, improving device lifetime. The new method uses a thin-film barrier made from a high-density SiON film, resulting in no degradation after seven months in an open-air environment.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a biochemical pathway where adenoviral protein E1A binds to p400, stabilizing Myc, a key oncoprotein. This interaction can lead to the promotion of cancer cell growth and tumorigenesis.
Purdue University researchers have proposed a way to incorporate deforestation into the international climate change treaty, titled Preservation Pathway. This approach would provide carbon credits for developing countries that set aside existing forests and slow deforestation rates.
A new University of Florida study reveals a link between relational victimization in adolescence and depression and anxiety in early adulthood. The study found that having friends or positive social relationships did not lessen rates of depression and anxiety, suggesting that this type of bullying can have long-lasting consequences.
A recent study by Glen McDougall reveals that commercialization of air traffic control organizations has greatly improved performance with respect to cost, safety, and technical modernization. The reforms have resulted in reduced costs, improved service quality, and modernized workplace technologies.
A new study found that companies selectively release information to manage internal trouble, using optimistic language to downplay concerns. The research concludes that company managers may behave unethically, negatively impacting investors and society.
A prostate cancer screening program introduced in the Tyrol region of Austria led to a significant reduction in deaths from the disease, with a 54% decline by 2005. The program's success can be attributed to early detection and effective treatment, which has improved patient outcomes.
A recent study by NOAA scientists shows that certain metals can repel sharks from fishing gear, potentially reducing bycatch and saving millions of animals. The study used a palladium neodymium alloy to alter the swimming patterns of juvenile sandbar sharks, temporarily deterring feeding in groups.