A twin study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that flossing can decrease gum disease-causing bacteria. Regular flossing can help reduce the amount of periodontal disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, contributing to healthy teeth and gums.
Researchers found that girls who participated in the HORIZONS intervention were less likely to contract a STD and more likely to consistently use condoms during sex. The study suggests that gender-tailored and culturally-congruent interventions can reduce bacterial STD infections and enhance HIV-preventive behaviors.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria bind to human proteins fibronectin, shedding light on serious heart infections. The study could lead to the development of new treatments for rare but life-threatening conditions like infective endocarditis.
Researchers found that excluding participants from a game led to automatic mimicry of another person's behaviors, influencing feelings of belonging. This phenomenon suggests that nonconscious mimicry is an automatic response to social exclusion, with implications for human behavior.
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board and NJIT have jointly agreed to license four patents for corn-derived isosorbide, a chemical with applications in plasticizer, UV-absorbing product, and epoxy coating. This alternative has been shown to be safe for use in baby bottles, infant toys, and other children's products.
A study found that people with gastrointestinal bleeding after a stroke are more likely to die or become severely disabled than those without GI bleeding. Gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with a higher risk of mortality and severe dependency, even after adjusting for other factors.
A study found that rituximab significantly reduces kidney injury in patients with membranous nephropathy, reversing functional and biological abnormalities. The treatment achieved complete remission in 10 patients, including significant healing of kidney damage.
University of Manchester researchers have taken a systematic approach to studying anti-mitotic drugs, revealing a profound variation in cell behavior among different tumors. The study aims to improve the effectiveness of these drugs while reducing side effects such as nerve damage.
A new study from Tel Aviv University finds that people's response to risk is driven by personal experience and simple strategies for coping in nature, rather than logical rationales or statistics. This behavior may not be well-suited for the modern world, where risks are more complex and unpredictable.
The five-year grant supports an interdisciplinary doctoral program in polar sciences and engineering with a focus on rapid environmental change. The program will integrate science, policy, and human aspects of climate change.
Researchers discover a drug-like molecule called Wnt that can substitute for the cancer-causing gene c-Myc to create embryonic-like stem cells. This breakthrough aims to develop safe and efficient methods for treating diseases such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes using induced pluripotent stem cells.
The Scripps Research Institute team has identified a protein called Nrm1 that plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle. When DNA replication stalls, Nrm1's repression of certain genes is blocked, allowing those genes to be expressed again, which enables the production of proteins needed to correct the problem.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has discovered a significant increase in western lowland gorillas, with a census showing over 125,000 individuals in the Republic of Congo. The census data revealed high densities of gorillas in some areas, indicating successful conservation efforts and a food-rich habitat.
Endovascular repair, using stent grafts to fix blood vessel injuries, is shown to save more lives and decrease chance of paraplegia compared to open surgery. This minimally invasive technique reduces mortality rates by half and diminishes risk of paraplegia by 75 percent.
A new study suggests that the social context of a person's facial expression and individual attachment style can affect how our brains interpret its social meaning. The study found that happy faces activated reward centers in the brain, but this response was weaker in participants with an avoidant attachment style.
A study by the University of Tennessee investigates the temporal patterns and statistical persistence of total coliform bacteria in a stream. The research found that short-term persistence is dominated by runoff events, while longer-term persistence is likely related to baseflow, or groundwater supply.
Researchers at the University of Montreal and Argos Therapeutics have developed a novel method to create personalized immunotherapy treatments for HIV. The treatment uses dendritic cell-based therapies that stimulate the expansion of HIV-specific T cells, which attack and kill infected cells.
To reduce HIV transmission, radical behavioral change is necessary, involving a range of strategies including increasing HIV knowledge, decreasing risky behaviors, and providing access to treatment. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable commitment and proper resources to implement these prevention strategies.
Researchers argue that structural approaches can significantly reduce HIV risk and vulnerability, particularly in addressing gender inequality and economic dependence. Examples of successful initiatives include needle exchange programmes and empowering sex workers to take control of their own health.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered that an enzyme called telomerase is released by cells in the inner lining of the womb during the menstrual cycle, contributing to endometriosis. The abnormal length of telomeres and expression of telomerase in endometrial cells may lead to severe pain and infertility.
Research shows Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have increased risks of prostate cancer and aggressive forms of the disease compared to those not exposed. The study, conducted on over 13,000 men in their 60s, found twice as many exposed veterans developed prostate cancer.
Researchers found that fibrosis occurs rapidly in the gut, limiting drug effectiveness and making it harder to restore immunity. Early treatment can preserve some elements of the immune system by protecting T-cells.
A Carnegie Mellon University brain imaging study found that intensive remedial instruction can permanently rewire the brain to overcome reading deficits in dyslexic students. The study showed increased brain activity in cortical regions associated with reading and neural gains solidified over time.
A study by Emory University researchers found that black girls who use marijuana have significantly higher rates of incident STDs than non-users. Marijuana users also had more sex partners and riskier sex acts, including those with recently released jail partners.
Scientists are studying zebra finches, a type of songbird, to understand how hormones like estrogen impact brain function and behavior. The research aims to uncover the role of synaptically produced estrogen in learning, memory, and neuroprotection.
A University of Georgia study reveals that common herbs and spices can inhibit tissue damage and inflammation caused by high blood sugar. The extracts of 24 herbs and spices were found to block the formation of AGE compounds, which contribute to aging and diabetes.
Social spiders have developed a unique foraging strategy that enables them to capture larger prey despite declining individual catch rates with colony size. This efficiency allows colonies to thrive in tropical areas but dwindle in higher elevations and latitudes.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center have developed a gene therapy approach that eliminates human pancreatic cancer cells in mice. The therapy combines perillyl alcohol, a natural compound found in citrus plants, with mda-7/IL-24 cytokine to kill aggressive and lethal cancer cells.
Carl Brett, a key figure in UC's paleontology program, has been awarded the second-ever Digby McLaren Medal for his significant international contributions to stratigraphy. The medal celebrates Canadian paleontologist Digby Johns McLaren, who was recognized for his impact theory and advocacy.
Scientists have developed a computer program to analyze human faces for trustworthiness and dominance, identifying key features such as a U-shaped mouth and surprised eyes. This research has implications for various fields, including sales and criminal justice, where facial expressions can greatly impact perceptions.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking procedure using tailor-made regulatory cells to avoid lifelong drug use for transplant patients. The technique shows promising findings and has been tested in clinical trials on 17 kidney transplant patients, with encouraging results.
Tropical lianas are becoming more abundant with rising CO2 levels, potentially choking out trees. Lianas thrive during droughts, growing seven times faster than trees, raising questions about their role in forest dynamics.
A Dutch school teacher, Hanny van Arkel, discovered a mysterious gaseous object with a hole in the center while classifying galaxy images on the Galaxy Zoo project. Scientists are now investigating this phenomenon, known as 'Hanny's Voorwerp,' which they believe could be a new class of astronomical object, possibly a quasar.
Researchers explore the application of ecosystem services approaches to conservation, finding that preserving these benefits is more economically and environmentally valuable. Studies reveal tradeoffs among ecosystem services and highlight the importance of considering long-term perspectives in management actions.
Researchers recommend using prophylactic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to reduce infectiousness among HIV-positive individuals. Male circumcision is also shown to significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Providing contraception for HIV-positive women can further prevent mother-to-baby transmission and unintended pregnancies.
Adults who eat eggs for breakfast lose 65 percent more weight and feel more energetic compared to those who eat a bagel breakfast of equal calories. The study also found that blood lipids were not impacted during the two-month study, supporting previous research on the importance of high-quality protein in diet.
Most countries are not effectively targeting their HIV resources, and new strategies must be implemented to improve prevention interventions. The limited data available indicate that many countries are focusing their prevention resources where the epidemics are concentrated, leading to low coverage rates for effective interventions.
A new study from Indiana University and the University of Montreal provides a model for understanding random synchronization in brain neurons. The findings suggest that spontaneous neural activity can help the brain remain flexible and responsive to external events, potentially leading to better treatments for conditions like epilepsy.
A new decision model seeks to minimize the risk of producing ineffective flu vaccines by deferring production and reevaluating strains based on emerging evidence. The model allows for flexibility in the vaccine composition, prioritizing accuracy over timely production.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a rapid test for hepcidin, which helps diagnose anemia related to chronic illness and diseases of iron overload. The test can distinguish between causes of iron overload, enabling doctors to provide more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that the HIV drug nevirapine persists in the breast milk and blood of infected mothers for at least two weeks, putting them and their babies at risk for developing drug-resistant strains. The study suggests that better combination antiretroviral treatment could prevent this risk.
The Lancet Series on HIV Prevention calls for confident and unified leadership to overcome barriers to effective HIV prevention. The authors urge investment in operational research, HIV vaccine development, and capacity building for national authorities to deliver universal access.
A study by University of British Columbia and Stanford University researchers found that foreign threats can encourage tolerance for diversity domestically while leading to intergroup conflict internationally. Americans endorsed multiculturalism as a domestic policy and assimilation as a foreign policy after the 9/11 attacks.
Researchers created inexpensive blends of pheromones to detect and estimate the population size of invasive pest cerambycid beetles. They identified over 30 species and found reliable characteristics to determine if a new invader uses attractant pheromones.
Researchers found that adult songbirds exposed to a novel environment undergo a significant change in their auditory brain's tuning width, becoming more selective. This process is similar to humans adapting to a new language, with increased sensitivity to fine acoustic details. In contrast, isolation caused the tuning to coarsen.
Children's ability to plan for the future develops around age 4, with 4- and 5-year-olds performing better than 3-year-olds. Additionally, children's current physiological state can affect their ability to imagine themselves in a specific situation, as seen in studies on pretend scenarios and hunger.
The Computation Institute has received a $1.5 million grant to develop the Petascale Active Data Store (PADS), enabling researchers to analyze massive datasets in new ways. The system will provide rich data for computer science research and enable collaborations across disciplines.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded $5 million in grants to six Washington State-based organizations for innovative health research projects. These projects focus on prostate cancer imaging, safer in-home environments, recovery from brain damage, and more.
The Lancet series highlights the importance of combination prevention approaches, combining behavioural, medical, and structural strategies. The authors warn that global prevention efforts are woefully insufficient, with fewer than 10% of individuals at risk receiving key services.
New research reveals that a specific dopamine pathway is responsible for the rewarding effects of nicotine. The mesolimbic dopamine system is also linked to addiction in other substances like cocaine and alcohol.
A research team led by Boston University's David Marchant has discovered exceptionally well-preserved freshwater fossils in Antarctica, which reveal the ecological legacy of a unique global climate transition. The findings indicate that tundra and insects went extinct suddenly around 13.9 million years ago due to dramatic cooling.
A study found that sesame seed extract and konjac gum can bind to E. coli and Salmonella bacteria, potentially preventing them from entering host cells. This natural approach may offer protection against gastro-intestinal infections or reduce symptom severity.
A new study identifies a link between warming Indian Ocean and declining rainfall in eastern Africa, impacting food security. The team found that human-caused warming of the Indian Ocean leads to increased rainfall over the ocean, reducing onshore moisture flow and resulting in dry air over Africa.
The discovery of tiny fossilized teeth from India pushes the primate timeline back by almost 10 million years, revealing a new genus and species of anthropoid primates. The findings suggest these early primates lived on a fruit and insect diet and were no larger than modern dwarf lemurs.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that students learn more about sensitive subjects like HIV infection and pregnancy prevention when taught by their regular classroom teacher. Students valued the course material more, reported higher quality discussions, and felt more comfortable with their teachers.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) enrolled over 12,000 patients in 43 studies across 18 countries, providing extensive evidence on malaria medication efficacy. These studies played a crucial role in shaping treatment policies in conflict-affected regions.
A new study by Purdue University researchers found that mothers who use verbally aggressive language with their children tend to direct them less and more negatively. The study, which observed 40 mothers playing with their children aged 3-8, revealed that verbally aggressive mothers were less cooperative and undermined their child's se...
A handheld device, 'electronic tongue', can identify grape variety and vintage of wine at the press of a button. It uses six sensors to detect substances characteristic of specific wines, preserving quality and preventing fraud.
Researchers focus on two muscle fibre types to achieve tastier cuts of meat without sacrificing production values. The study aims to identify genes important in slow muscle growth, enabling farmers to breed naturally flavorful and succulent meat.
A randomized, double-blind study involving 102 women with schizophrenia found that estrogen estradiol improved psychotic symptoms more effectively than antipsychotic medications alone. No significant difference was observed in negative symptoms, suggesting potential for longer-term treatment or alternative approaches.