A systematic review found that homeless people in the US, UK, mainland Europe, and Australia have higher rates of mental health problems than the general population. The editorial argues that 'imaginative and collaborative solutions' are needed to address these complex needs.
Researchers have developed a genetic modification that modifies the connections in lignin, making it easier to break down and access cellulose for ethanol production. The modified plants show increased sugar yields without compromising plant strength or lignin content.
Scientists used live animal imaging to study chronic Listeria infection harbored in bone marrow, finding persistent patches of bacteria. The researchers also explored attenuated strains of Listeria for cancer treatment, but it's unclear if bacterial persistence affects therapeutic effects.
A systematic review of carbon nanotubes' cytotoxicity found that various factors affect CNTs' toxicity, including species, impurities, lengths, and assaying methods. The study emphasizes the need for more complete characterization and determination of cell viability to ensure safe application of CNTs.
A new study found that British American Tobacco used a multi-pronged strategy to undermine China's secondhand smoke policy. BAT funded the Beijing Liver Foundation and promoted ineffective ventilation systems, diverting attention from SHS issues. Researchers call for policymakers and media to be aware of these tactics.
Researchers have redesigned factor VIII to increase its ability to drive blood clotting, which could lead to more effective and less burdensome hemophilia treatment. The new design improves the stability of the protein, allowing it to withstand manufacturing processes and exposure to the human bloodstream.
Maura Borrego, a Virginia Tech assistant professor, received the Presidential Early Career Award for her development of methods to prepare faculty and students for interdisciplinary research. Her award marks the first one given to an engineer in this area.
Researchers found that overweight and obese women who thought they weighed less than they actually did at the start of pregnancy had seven times the odds of gaining excessive weight during their pregnancy. In contrast, normal weight women who thought they weighed more than they actually did had twice the odds of gaining excessive weight.
Researchers have determined the atomic-level structure of botulinum neurotoxin subtype E, revealing a unique arrangement that may help explain its faster-acting properties. This finding could lead to the development of faster-acting vaccines and therapeutic agents.
A Princeton-led team discovered a new mechanism for making electronic materials emit laser beams, potentially leading to more efficient lasers with applications in environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. The new laser phenomenon has some interesting features, including reduced photon absorption and improved performance.
A Stanford researcher has quantified the enormous size jumps of life on Earth, finding two major leaps: one 1.6 billion years ago and another 600 million years ago. These increases were triggered by significant boosts in atmospheric oxygen levels, which enabled eukaryotic cells to develop and multi-cellularity to emerge.
A Michigan State University researcher found that specific genes may influence social consequences of behaviors, including popularity among peers. Male college students with a rule-breaking gene were rated most popular by unacquainted peers.
Research at UCL found premature infants who required intensive care or surgery have reduced sensitivity to temperature and pain later in life. This study, published in the journal Pain, suggests that early medical interventions may alter how children respond to painful stimuli.
Researchers found that leptin enlists the sympathetic nervous system to prevent bone-making cells from releasing osteocalcin, which stimulates insulin release. This back-door route could lead to a new treatment for diabetes using osteocalcin.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered a natural product, surfactin, that causes bacteria to form social networks. Biofilm formation is triggered by potassium leakage and subsequent gene activity, leading to the creation of complex communities.
Research found that gene expression and alternative splicing vary significantly between blood and brain tissues, with potential implications for understanding diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's. The study suggests that genetic variation affecting splicing may be more relevant to disease than variations in overall gene expression.
Researchers found that honeybees reduce plant damage by 60-70% when present, even without pollination, due to the caterpillars' inability to distinguish between bees and predators. This discovery highlights the importance of indirect effects in food webs and may lead to a new biological control method for sustainable agriculture.
A trial conducted in northwest Thailand found that artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is safe for pregnant women with malaria, but its efficacy is inferior to single-drug artesunate treatment. The study suggests that longer regimens of ACT may be more effective in treating pregnant women.
A recent study found that nearly 90% of women in eastern Burma gave birth at home without a skilled attendant present, while only a third had any antenatal or postnatal care. The research also revealed high rates of anemia, malaria, and poor nutrition among the population.
Research identified common variants in ABCB1 and ABCC1 genes that increase lung cancer risk. Variants were found more often in patients than controls, particularly in women and younger individuals. These findings may help prevent tobacco-related cancers.
Only 3% of fast-food kids' meals met federal dietary guidelines, with fruit as a side dish and milk being common, while most exceeded sodium and added sugar limits. Researchers call on the industry to develop nutritious options and parents to make informed choices.
Researchers demonstrate a blind man's ability to navigate an obstacle course without visual awareness, utilizing alternative brain routes. The study reveals the importance of these hidden pathways in everyday navigation and function.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, simulating extreme hot and cold conditions of space. The orbiter will carry seven instruments to provide detailed maps of the lunar surface and increase understanding of its topography and natural resources.
Researchers found that people from the same racial group as participants are more sensitive to signs of anxiety, such as fidgeting and vocal tension, in interracial interactions. This 'in-group advantage' makes it difficult for those outside the same racial group to detect changes in anxiety levels.
Researchers have discovered that people naturally produce salicylic acid (SA) in their bodies, which is also found in fruits and vegetables. This finding suggests SA may play a role as an animal bioregulator in fighting inflammation and disease.
Researchers at Saint Louis University discovered genetic patterns that can predict which patients are likely to respond to hepatitis C treatment. The study identified 'covariance networks' in the genes of patients who responded and resisted therapy, revealing a complex web of amino acid interactions.
Researchers found that activating Nrf2 can prevent emphysema in mice by reducing oxidative stress and improving lung function. The study suggests targeting Nrf2 could be a novel strategy for preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Scientists identify a common vulnerability in rotaviruses, enabling the development of a broad-spectrum treatment for severe diarrheal diseases. This breakthrough could lead to improved vaccines and medications to prevent or treat rotavirus infections.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method to produce and sort out double-walled carbon nanotubes, overcoming the challenge of sorting valuable tubes from other types. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for advanced solar panels, sensors, and other renewable energy technologies.
A new study finds that hospice services are restricted by eligibility criteria that reduce usage among patients who need it most, particularly African Americans. The researchers suggest revising the criteria to prioritize those with greater needs for specific services like pain management.
Artificial human bone marrow can replicate blood stem cells and produce B cells, key immune cells, in a test tube. This development could lead to simpler drug testing and a continuous supply of blood for transfusions.
Researchers found that high-risk drivers are less likely to drink and drive if they perceive a probability of being stopped or arrested by law enforcement. The study suggests that public safety education, media efforts, and high-visibility enforcement campaigns can effectively deter drunk driving behavior.
Researchers used repeating microearthquakes to estimate the deep slip rate of the Lijiang-Ninglang fault, yielding a value of 5 mm/yr at 23 km depth. This discovery provides a new method for inferring slip rates along active faults and sheds light on earthquake recurrence.
A new prototype cell phone uses holographic lens-free imaging to accurately identify smaller particles such as E. coli in saliva or blood samples, enabling rapid diagnosis of diseases like HIV and malaria. The technology also has potential for monitoring water quality and detecting hazardous microparticles in disaster situations.
Researchers employed intravital two-photon microscopy to study immune cells in mice with viral meningitis. They found that T-cells didn't attack infected cells but instead recruited monocytes and neutrophils, which caused fatal seizures.
Researchers found that CD4+ T cells play a significant role in Parkinson's disease progression. Infiltration of these immune cells in the brain contributes to neurodegeneration. Targeting the immune system might offer a new therapeutic approach.
Researchers studied odorant octanal and its shape-changing properties to understand how our sense of smell works. They found that conformationally constrained odorants can alter fragrance mixture odors by muting flexible odorant activity or activating smaller subsets of olfactory sensory neurons.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center developed a new generation of microscopic particles, called C dots, that are biologically safe and stable. These particles can be customized to target specific molecules on tumor surfaces, enabling earlier detection and more personalized treatment options.
Researchers found that adjusting warfarin doses only when the international normalized ratio is between 1.7 and 3.3 improves patient outcomes. The study used a model to predict optimal dose changes based on clinic visits and anticoagulation control, revealing that patients deviating from predicted changes had worse control.
Researchers created a simple model to predict patients at high risk for chronic kidney disease, using an eight-point risk factor checklist. The model accurately stratifies middle-aged and older patients and has been validated across different cohorts.
Researchers developed an approach that predicted treatment response by analyzing genome-wide amino-acid sequence variation in HCV-infected patients. The data has implications for developing a predictive test to identify individual responses to treatment, which could help target new antiviral drugs and reduce treatment failures.
B. Montgomery Pettitt, a UH chemistry professor, has been recognized as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow for his distinguished work in computational and theoretical chemistry. He is one of only three researchers at UH to receive this honor.
Research found that parental education moderates genetic influences on reading disability, suggesting genes play a larger role in high-education families. The study's results have implications for national education policies, suggesting a more nuanced approach to meeting academic standards.
Researchers successfully engineered E. coli to synthesize bacterial aromatic polyketides, a class of natural products including antibiotics like tetracycline and anticancer compounds like doxorubicin. The breakthrough allows for mass production of these vital compounds using simpler organisms.
Researchers have created a family tree of 2,000 protea plant species, revealing that two regions – South Western Australia and the Cape Floristic Region – are experiencing accelerated speciation rates. This surge is linked to climate change approximately 10-20 million years ago, which led to hotter, drier conditions and vegetation fires.
Research in mice reveals genetic and hormonal factors contribute to migraines with aura, affecting women more frequently than men. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly estrogen, modulate an individual's susceptibility to migraines.
A new study found a population of anergic B cells in the blood of healthy adults, which accounted for 2.5% of circulating B cells. These cells may contain precursors to self-attacking immune cells seen in autoimmune diseases like lupus and RA.
A recent FAS survey found that scientists are hesitant to collaborate with law enforcement agencies due to concerns over misinformation and mistrust. The survey suggests that clearer communication and understanding between the scientific community and law enforcement are essential for improving their working relationship.
Researchers at American Museum of Natural History found a close evolutionary relationship between malarial parasites in rats and humans, including Plasmodium falciparum. The study suggests that the most deadly form of malaria may have originated from rodents.
A new study reveals that a Philip Morris scientist established close connections with the Chulabhorn Research Institute in Thailand, which is designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre. This link raises concerns about the tobacco industry's ability to influence medical research and teaching at an academic institution allied with the WHO.
Researchers developed a method to analyze genetic variations in HCV-infected patients, predicting their response to antiviral therapy. This approach may lead to a test that identifies targets for new antiviral drugs.
A genetic variation affecting the CYP2C19 enzyme makes anti-clotting drug clopidogrel less effective in young heart attack patients, increasing risk of death, another heart attack, or stent thrombosis. Carriers of the gene variation are four times more likely to experience cardiovascular events than non-carriers.
Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the mysteries of metallic glass, a class of materials that has resisted analysis for decades. The discovery could lead to the rapid creation of useful new glasses made from metallic alloys with unique physical and magnetic properties.
A recent study suggests that college students can benefit from owning a pet, with nearly a quarter reporting that their pets helped them get through difficult times. Students who lived with dogs or cats were less likely to feel lonely and depressed, highlighting the importance of animal companionship in young adulthood.
A population genetics expert argues that cousin marriage laws are ill-advised due to a smaller risk of birth defects than previously assumed. The laws, which vary by state in the US, reflect outmoded prejudices and oversimplified views of heredity.
Researchers found that maximum size of organisms increased in two distinct time-intervals, correlating with major oxygenation events. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of life on Earth, revealing a pattern of innovation and environmental opportunity.
A simple questionnaire can replace a doctor's exam to qualify for a job, providing a more accurate forecast of competency. The test is highly effective, with 98% accuracy, and can help those previously deemed unemployable find suitable work. This innovation brings excellent news for employers, reducing medical costs and litigation risks.
Researchers have identified a novel zebrafish model of Costello syndrome, a developmental disorder caused by mutations in the H-RAS gene. The study reveals that activated H-RAS promotes overabundant cell growth and hallmarks of Costello Syndrome, including heart defects and physical deformities.
Scientists express human CLN3 gene mutations in yeast cells to study Batten disease, finding that mutated cells' severity parallels human symptoms. The study also opens new avenues for investigating therapeutic compounds to treat the disease.
A new study at Ohio State University Medical Center has successfully grown human blood platelets in a laboratory for transfusion. The three-dimensional bioreactor produced up to 1.2 million platelets per day, continuing production for over 32 days.
Researchers found shade coffee farms support widespread dispersal of native trees, preserving genetic diversity and sheltering native wildlife. The study highlights the ecological benefits of traditional agriculture in promoting biodiversity and connecting habitat patches.
A new study reveals that shade-grown coffee farms promote plant gene flow across fragmented habitats by supporting seed dispersal processes. This helps maintain the genetic diversity of native tree species.
Research found that normal-weight mothers who accurately assessed their pre-pregnancy weight had half the odds of excessive gestational weight gain compared to those who underestimated. Under-assessors were younger, non-white, lower-income, and less educated, with poorer dietary habits.