A University of Alberta study reveals that consuming natural trans vaccenic acid (VA) can lower cholesterol levels and improve metabolic health. Results show significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, suggesting a potential benefit to using diets with enhanced VA.
Scientists identified the MMADHC gene responsible for a rare genetic disorder, isolated and combined homocystinuria and methylmalonic aciduria. The research provides clues to how vitamin B12 works in the body and offers earlier diagnosis and treatment options for the serious disease.
Researchers found that poor neighborhoods with high concentrations of African Americans had significantly more off-premise alcohol outlets and lower prices for 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor. Malt liquor is a concern due to its association with heavy drinking and public safety issues, particularly among inner-city youth.
A large-scale study has found a specific gene variant that increases the risk of lung cancer. The researchers also discovered a connection between this gene and nicotine dependence, as well as smoking behavior.
Researchers propose that bdelloid rotifers' efficient DNA repair capacity and whole-genome duplication enable them to thrive without sex. Their extraordinary resistance to radiation and ability to survive desiccation suggest that their DNA repair mechanism may provide the benefits of sex.
Researchers found that erotic images stimulated a positive emotional response, increasing activation in the nucleus accumbens and leading to bigger financial risks. The study's findings have implications for effective emotional appeals in various fields, including finance and marketing.
A large study of six grade students found that early intervention is imperative to prevent teen alcohol abuse. The researchers identified several key factors, including parental influences, peer influences, environment, and involvement in sports and other activities.
Researchers warn that modern agriculture can lead to major disruptions of the world's water flows, particularly in the world's poorest regions. Ecosystem flips can have significant and sometimes devastating effects on human well-being, as global populations suddenly lose resources they are dependent on.
A broad-based global partnership will focus on developing improved rust-resistant wheat varieties to protect resource-poor farmers and consumers from catastrophic crop losses in vulnerable regions, particularly India and Africa. The project aims to combat the emergence of deadly new variants of stem rust that can spread quickly.
Emory University geneticist Madhuri R. Hegde was honored with the 2008 Signature Genomic Laboratories Travel Award for her scientific merit and selected presentation at the 2008 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting. The award recognizes outstanding young researchers in medical genetics and covers travel costs to future meetings.
A recent study found that female veterinarians are twice as likely to miscarry due to exposure to anaesthetic gases and pesticides. Researchers call for clearer advice on reproductive risks for young female vets planning to become pregnant.
Researchers found that lactic acid bacteria in Feta cheese can kill off dangerous food-poisoning bacteria like Listeria. The unique taste of local cheeses is mainly due to the enterococcal bacteria they contain, which have natural anti-bacterial properties.
A daily dose of caffeine has been shown to protect the blood-brain barrier from damage caused by high cholesterol, a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Caffeine maintains tight junction protein expression, preventing unwanted molecule entry into the central nervous system.
Gabor A. Somorjai has been recognized with the 2008 Priestley Medal for his pioneering work in surface science and catalysis, driving significant advancements in materials science and nanoscience. His research has led to thousands of publications over 40 years.
A newly found fish in Indonesian waters has sparked excitement among scientists due to its unique appearance and possible connection to an unknown family. The fish, resembling a glass sculpture, can burrow into crevices with its soft and pliable body, and its eyes appear to be directed forward.
Researchers found that a geological province previously thought to prevent giant earthquakes broke through, potentially increasing the risk of more severe quakes like those occurring in Cascadia Subduction Zone. This discovery could have significant implications for earthquake preparedness and response worldwide.
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) presented numerous prestigious awards and recognitions to distinguished scientists, researchers, and students in oral health research. The AADR Distinguished Scientist Award was presented to Kenneth M. Yamada, while the Jack Hein Public Service Award went to Joan Steen Wilentz.
Climate change affects indigenous people through increased diseases, droughts, and extreme weather events. They face displacement, human rights violations, and loss of land and resources due to biofuel production and renewable energy projects.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new environmental impact model to help Canada reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. The model identifies farming and power generation as the largest sources of Canadian emissions per dollar output, emphasizing the need for alternative fuels and solutions to combat global warming.
A research team has identified a massive superfamily of genes in plant pathogens that manipulate plant cells to facilitate infection. This discovery could lead to new strategies for protecting crops from devastating diseases.
The Nipah virus is a deadly brain and lung disease that spreads through contact with infected animals or contaminated food, particularly date palm sap and fruit bitten by bats. Researchers are working to identify transmission pathways and prevent further outbreaks.
Researchers from Université de Montréal found that sleep deprivation can trigger sleepwalking in predisposed individuals. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, showed that sleepwalkers who experienced one night of sleep followed by one night of wakefulness had a significant increase in behavioral episodes.
A new study by University of Utah meteorologists finds that current climate models are accurate and can be valuable tools for reversing global warming trends. The study shows that coupled models can simulate present-day climate with accuracy approaching conventional observations.
The GBIF seed money awards will provide information on over 75,000 species and 1.8 million records, as well as two software tools. The funded projects tackle major global issues such as climate change, invasive alien species, and conservation strategies.
Researchers have discovered a potential solution to store raw hydrogen in a compact and efficient manner. MOF-74, a porous crystalline powder, can adsorb more hydrogen than any unpressurized framework structure studied to date at low temperatures.
Overweight children ages 6-18 show a decreased risk of caries compared to their normal weight peers. The study suggests that diet and lifestyle factors may play a role in the unexpected finding, highlighting the need for further research to better understand the relationship between obesity and oral health.
A team of researchers has identified a molecular switch controlling multidrug resistance in fungi, which could lead to novel therapies for resistant fungal infections. The discovery was made using genetic, biochemical, and molecular approaches, and found to be similar to the regulatory switches controlling drug detoxification in humans.
Dr. Richard Stein has been awarded the Barbara Turnbull Award for Spinal Cord Research, a $50,000 prize, for his work on direct, microelectrical spinal cord stimulation. His innovative device aims to record sensory feedback from muscles and nerves in legs and hips to help paralyzed individuals walk.
A large-scale study found that men are more likely to tolerate discrimination than women, but both sexes tend to accept prejudice against poorly educated immigrants and Arab-American airplane travelers. The study also revealed a significant sex gap in tolerance levels, with men more willing to accept discrimination.
Research suggests that households with children with autism spend thousands on educational, behavioral, and healthcare expenses each year. Additionally, they miss out on household income due to the 'money in, money out' equation, resulting in a loss of $6,200 annually.
A recent study found that patients who received a discussed breast reconstruction had higher odds of undergoing the procedure. Researchers recommend improving communication between physicians and patients to reduce disparities in breast reconstruction rates.
Researchers at NIST tested two variations of fingerprint matching technology for PIV cards and found that one method, 'match-on-card', offers improved security without sacrificing speed. The technology uses the card's processor chip to verify fingerprints, eliminating the need to transmit biometric data wirelessly.
A recent study has identified two common genetic variants associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. The variants, present in about half of the Caucasian population, were found to increase the risk by 28-81%.
The FDA's proposed guidelines would reduce oversight of off-label drug use, allowing companies to market more drugs for unapproved uses. Stanford researcher Randall Stafford criticizes this move, arguing that physician judgment is critical and that evidence-based practice should be prioritized.
Long-term mental health problems in childhood are associated with mid-life depression and anxiety in adulthood. Workplace stressors such as lack of control and low social support significantly increase the risk of these conditions.
Soil scientists have created a new mathematical model that can accurately calculate the quantities of nitrous oxide produced during wastewater treatment processes like anammox and denitrification. This breakthrough aims to improve wastewater treatment effectiveness and reduce N2O emissions, a key concern for climate protection.
A new study published in Nature argues that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has underestimated the technological challenges of reducing CO2 emissions. The authors suggest that the IPCC's assumptions are overly optimistic, as spontaneous advances in technology will not carry most of the burden of achieving future em...
Research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that the berries of Solanum villosum have potential for keeping mosquitoes at bay. The study found that S. villosum was particularly effective at eliminating Stegomyia aegypti larvae, which can spread diseases like dengue fever.
A study found that both short and long sleeping times are associated with an increased risk of future body weight and fat gain in adults. Adults who slept less than 7 hours or more than 10 hours per night gained more weight over six years compared to those who slept for 7-8 hours.
A study by McMaster University finds that most errors are repeated due to the act of making a mistake constituting learning. Testing 30 students, researchers found that those who spent longer time trying to retrieve words were more likely to repeat the same error state.
Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered the key to controlling polyketide ring formation, enabling the creation of new drugs for cancer treatment and cholesterol reduction. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in pharmaceuticals, with potential applications in obesity treatment and stem cell research.
Dr. Gitlin emphasizes the need for research on childhood diseases and their potential prevention through genetics and nutrition. His work aims to identify key factors leading to diseases in infancy, which may affect them later in life.
Scientists evaluate the impact of grain-based ethanol production on water quality in the US. The study recommends advanced conservation measures to minimize nutrient losses from corn production, but a viable cellulosic ethanol industry could provide water quality benefits.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists performed a 400-year high-resolution global ocean-atmosphere simulation using the Community Climate System Model (CCSM). The study achieved substantial improvements in simulated surface winds and sea surface temperatures, as well as improved tropical variability and Arctic sea ice thick...
A long-term study of twins has led USC researchers to find potential links between Hodgkin lymphoma and levels of an immune response protein, interleukin-12. Lower levels of this protein may increase susceptibility to the disease.
A JAMA study found that using MC-1 before and after CABG surgery did not lower the risk of heart attacks or cardiovascular deaths. The treatment showed no benefit in any subgroup or other outcomes.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are exploring the use of algae to produce hydrogen gas through photosynthesis. This method could potentially create a large amount of hydrogen gas comparable to oxygen production, with benefits including reduced competition for food resources and easier harvesting.
Researchers have developed new methods to block salt crystallization, a major cause of damage to historic buildings. These techniques have been tested on sodium nitrate and have shown effectiveness in reducing damage to ornamental porous materials.
Scientists will investigate how air pollution contributes to climate changes in the Arctic by analyzing air and aerosol samples collected during the campaign. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric chemistry and climate effects in the region.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that synthetic hormone replacement therapy can promote breast cancer growth, but an antibody and small molecular drug may prevent tumor cell expansion. The study suggests a potential link between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer progression.
Researchers have developed an assay to identify antibodies specific to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), distinguishing MAC-related pulmonary disease from tuberculosis in under eight hours. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
A genetic screen revealed that Drosophila mutants with lower arousal thresholds have difficulty staying asleep, likely due to hyperarousability. This finding suggests that changes in arousal threshold may be a common mechanism underlying sleep regulation and is relevant to human insomnia.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have developed a clinicogenomic model to test for lung cancer with increased sensitivity and specificity. The model combines gene expression and clinical risk factors, offering improved accuracy in identifying patients who would benefit from further invasive testing.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel approach to minimize radiation exposure during coronary CTA, while maintaining diagnostic image quality. The 'Low-dose Coronary CT Angiogram' technique exposes patients to full-dose x-rays for only a fraction of the heart cycle, significantly reducing radiation exposure.
A landmark study shows that corneas from older donors (up to 75 years old) are as successful for transplants after five years as those from younger donors. This finding allows for the expansion of the donor pool, addressing a shortage in the Dallas area.
A large randomized study found that angioplasty and stenting offer no benefit over medical therapy for patients with renal artery stenosis. After one year of follow-up, there were no differences in kidney function, blood pressure control, or major cardiovascular illness rates.
Phytoplankton in major oceans produce half the world's oxygen through photosynthesis, while cyanobacteria are infected by viruses that provide genetic material for photosynthesis machinery. This symbiotic relationship highlights the essential role of viruses in planetary processes and global cooling.
A study found that children with fathers who were clinically obese at a young age had higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, indicating a potential genetic connection between early-onset paternal obesity and increased risk of liver disease. The results persisted among non-obese children, suggesting an independent association.
Research finds extreme bacteria dominating areas with high levels of heavy metals, potentially changing pollutants into more toxic forms that can leak into reservoirs. Bacterial diversity shifts could affect the delicate ecosystem balance and impact plant and animal health.
A study by Birte Forstmann and colleagues found that two areas in the medial frontal cortex contribute to decision-making: the rostral cingulate zone (RCZ) for choosing among options, and Brodmann area 10 when making completely our own choice. The study suggests context and agency play a crucial role in decision-making.