A new study found that excellent parenting can help even the most challenging infants succeed in first grade. Infants with difficult temperaments who received high-quality care from their mothers performed just as well, if not better, academically and socially than their easier-to-parent counterparts.
A recent MUHC study reveals that cystic fibrosis-related bone problems are an additional pathology stemming from the Cftr gene mutation, not a side effect of treatment. The study found that mice with the mutation have lower bone mineral density and mass than control mice, without pancreatic insufficiency or steroid treatment.
A new study suggests that living in poor neighborhoods can lead to poorer parenting, which in turn affects preschoolers' verbal and behavioral outcomes. The study found that less neighborhood cohesion and family dysfunction are associated with inconsistent and punitive parenting styles.
The Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University School of Medicine increased its sequencing capacity with the acquisition of five new Genome Sequencer FLX Systems from Roche Diagnostics. The center will be able to support a wide variety of projects, including transcriptome analysis of individual tumors and human microbiome studies.
Two European hematologists will pursue research projects in the US through the EHA-ASH International Fellowship Award. Lapo Alinari and Serena Kimi Perna will gain invaluable experience and advance their careers in hematology, with funding support from the American Society of Hematology.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a six-amino acid protein sequence, EAR domain, which ensures plants are neither all root nor all shoot. The study clarifies the purpose of the EAR motif and explains how mutations in TOPLESS gene can switch plant cell's fate from shoot to root.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that Americans subconsciously associate blacks with apes, leading to a higher likelihood of condoning violence against black criminal suspects. The research also highlights the historical roots of this association, dating back to scientific racism in the US.
The Rutgers Center for Military Biomaterials Research has developed a spray-on dressing called GelSpray Liquid Bandage, which received FDA clearance for marketing. The dressing is designed to conform to wound geometry and adhere to intact skin while resisting abrasion.
A genome-wide association study identified a new gene locus associated with LDL cholesterol levels, potentially providing insight into biological mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. The discovery may aid in the development of new drugs to fight cardiovascular disease.
A recent study found a significant association between the combination of aprotinin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors during off-pump cardiac surgery and postoperative renal dysfunction. The study, published in The Lancet, analyzed data from over 9,700 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 2000 and 2007.
Researchers at UTMB will study brain's electrochemical signaling system to develop new anti-addiction drugs, potentially benefiting compulsive overeaters as well. The four-year program aims to find effective treatments for substance abuse and addiction.
Research findings suggest that children born to mothers receiving multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMN) exhibit increased weight and body size compared to those born to mothers given iron and folic acid supplementation alone. These effects persist into the first three years of life, with an average increase of 2% in weight.
Cities face significant sustainability challenges, but urban ecologists can help by applying ecological principles to design and develop projects. By integrating biodiversity and ecosystem function into urban planning, researchers aim to create sustainable environments that support human well-being.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center tested the novel drug KAI-9803 in a clinical trial, finding promising signs of beneficial activity. Early data suggest that KAI-9803 may limit damage caused by reperfusion injury following PCI.
A study found genetically similar lice on 1,000-year-old Peruvian mummies, challenging the idea that all diseases were transmitted from the Old World to the New World at the time of Columbus. The discovery sheds new light on human migration patterns and may help understand the origins of epidemic typhus.
A new study identifies autophagy as a crucial virulence-associated trait for Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal pathogen that infects immunocompromised individuals. Autophagy helps the pathogen survive during nutrient scarcity and is essential for its virulence.
A study discovered a 'fat-burning' gene that plays a crucial role in insulin sensitivity. When this gene is impaired, it can lead to increased risk of obesity and worsening diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are using zebrafish to investigate the causes of Lowe syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting only boys. The team aims to identify key factors, including the gene OCRL1, and explore potential treatments for the condition.
Researchers found that treatment with myriocin can significantly inhibit the progress of established atherosclerosis in mice, coinciding with decreases in sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. In contrast, statins may increase PCSK9 levels, which limits their benefit.
A study by María Luisa Jiménez Rodrigo explores the reasons behind women's rising cigarette consumption in Spanish society over the past 50 years. Women use cigarettes as a tool for stress relief, social interaction, and to control appetite and body weight, reinforcing traditional feminine norms.
A new study reveals that girls' close friendships with peers who excel academically lead to increased participation in higher-level math classes. Social factors play a more significant role in girls' decisions about math coursework than for boys.
Researchers identified a protein, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), that regulates melanocytes' decision to ward off cancer by entering a programmed hibernation or committing suicide. This discovery offers new hope for treating deadly melanoma by harnessing the body's natural defense pathway.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that high CO2 levels impair lung function and increase the risk of edema. The study suggests reducing CO2 levels to improve treatment outcomes for patients with respiratory distress.
A study found that children with close, positive relationships with their mothers showed better self-regulation skills at preschool age. Similarly, fathers' interactions with children in the first two years were also associated with improved outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved found that elderly adults are more likely to deny smoking when asked. Researchers used biomarkers like cotinine to validate self-reported nicotine use, revealing a significant discrepancy between true smokers and those who denied it.
The study found that couples related at a third cousin level have the highest number of offspring, with an average of 4.04 children and 9.17 grandchildren. The correlation holds true across different eras and urbanization levels, suggesting a biological basis for the association.
Researchers found that lower-income neighborhoods are associated with higher obesity rates due to limited access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities. The study highlights the importance of neighborhood-level services and structures in influencing weight-related behaviors.
Researchers have reidentified the main cause of necrotic enteritis in chickens as Clostridium perfringens, producing extracellular toxins that attack the bird's intestines. The discovery of a new toxin, NetB, has led to hope for the development of effective vaccines within two years.
The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) received a $500,000 grant to create global and systems engineering curriculum modules for high school students. The project aims to introduce concepts and skills of global and systems engineering to approximately 700 teachers and at least 100 schools across the US a...
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a wearable mechanism that captures energy lost during walking to generate electricity. The device, which works similarly to regenerative braking in hybrid vehicles, has shown promise in powering devices with minimal user effort.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a link between locusts' reaction to stress and human migraines. The study shows that the locust's coma-like state is similar to what happens in people during a migraine, suggesting an evolutionary connection.
Researchers question the environmental sustainability of hybrid vehicle technology, citing its high cost and potential to slow the adoption of more innovative technologies like fuel-cell cars. The study suggests that the current craze for hybrids may be a red light for climate change and emissions reduction efforts.
A new Nature Conservancy study finds that converting land for biofuel crops results in significant carbon emissions and worsening the problem of global warming. The study analyzed various benefits of using biofuels as alternatives to oil but found they fall short of the carbon losses, leading to a 'carbon debt'.
Michael Davis has made significant advances in understanding the neural basis of fear and its applications to psychiatric research, including a proposal for using NMDA receptor signaling to enhance fear extinction. His work has shown promise in treating disorders such as PTSD, OCD, and social phobia.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found that natural variability in the Earth's atmosphere is masking the overall effect of global warming in the North Atlantic Ocean. Heat stored in the North Atlantic has a complex pattern, suggesting that natural changes in the atmosphere also play a role.
A specific gene variant associated with a better response to naltrexone in treating alcohol dependence has been identified, according to a large-scale analysis of the COMBINE Study. Patients carrying the variant experienced significantly improved clinical outcomes compared to those without it.
The researchers' successful sequencing of the cyanobacterium's genome has revealed its genetic secrets, shedding light on how it produces chlorophyll d and absorbs far-red light. This discovery holds potential for plant research and could lead to the development of crops that can harness a wider range of light spectrum.
A recent study by Vanderbilt University reveals that shrews, despite their small size, employ highly developed hunting strategies. The researchers discovered that these tiny mammals can detect water movements, identify prey shapes using their whiskers, and utilize their sense of smell underwater.
New research reveals VEGF-B's protective effects on nerve cells without inducing angiogenesis, providing new hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases. VEGF-B treatment has shown to inhibit brain cell death in mouse models of stroke and ocular neurodegenerative disorders.
A USC biomedical engineer examines the intricate circuitry between hand manipulation skills and specialized neural circuits in the brain. The study found that the human nervous system employs a time-critical strategy for tapping and pushing, which is necessary for executing fine finger movements.
A new study finds evidence of an ocean 'thermostat' regulating sea-surface temperatures in the Western Pacific Warm Pool, protecting coral reefs from severe warming. This discovery lends support to a long-debated theory that naturally warm waters may be more resistant to climate change.
A team approach to treating depression in older adults reduces total healthcare costs, with patients receiving IMPACT care having lower average costs over a four-year period. The cost-effectiveness of the IMPACT model makes it an attractive option for health organizations, which have already implemented it to improve patient outcomes.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and The Nature Conservancy found that turning native ecosystems into biofuel farms releases 17 to 420 times more carbon than the annual savings from replacing fossil fuels. This 'carbon debt' must be paid before biofuels can mitigate global warming.
Carnegie Mellon will lead a team to develop and promote a regulatory structure for the safe and economical capture, transport and deep geological sequestration of CO2. The grant is part of a $100 million Climate Change Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner economy.
New research shows that aphids feeding on low-quality Brussels sprouts are smaller and fewer in number, leading to a ripple effect throughout the food chain. This has significant implications for the structure and diversity of ecosystems, highlighting the importance of plant quality in shaping ecosystem function.
A new study found that genetic predisposition interacts with environmental factors, specifically friends' physical aggression, to predict children's physical aggression. In contrast, social aggression was more closely linked to friends' social aggression, independent of genetic factors.
Researchers reconstructed proteins from ancient bacteria to measure the Earth's temperature over billions of years, revealing a massive cooling period between 500 million and 3.5 billion years ago. This study provides insight into how life adapted to the changing environment during the Precambrian period.
Researchers address questions about future city shape and population growth's effects on the environment, highlighting cities as substantive ecosystems with complex human-environmental interactions. Cities' growing footprints contribute to global biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource depletion.
A study found that socio-economic factors and school catchment areas have a greater impact on reported sexual experience among teenagers than classroom discipline. Despite sex education efforts, schools' social organization and culture play little role in influencing pupils' behavior.
A study published in Obesity found that children who slept less were more likely to be overweight or obese. The researchers analyzed data from 17 studies and found that for every additional hour of sleep, the risk decreased by 9%.
The ACP and ACPF Diabetes Initiative has seen statistically significant improvements in clinical measures, including a nearly 50% reduction in office visits for diabetes patients. The team-based approach has also led to increased awareness of high-quality diabetes care among physicians.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has announced six finalists competing for the 2008 Franz Edelman Award, recognizing outstanding operations research-based projects that transform companies, industries, and lives. The finalists include teams from Western Europe, federal agencies, and a Fortune 500 company.
Columbus, a state-of-the-art European research facility, has been successfully deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) via NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis. The laboratory will enable astronauts to conduct extensive scientific experiments in various fields, including life sciences and space science.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that HIV medications Abacavir and Didanosine significantly increase the risk of heart attacks in patients. The risk is higher for those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, but can be mitigated by stopping use of these drugs.
PARP-1 and histone H1 compete for binding to gene promoters, with PARP-1 turning genes on. The study reveals a surprising number of genes are kept on by the presence of PARP-1.
A study on monkeys found that moderate prenatal exposure to alcohol and stress can lead to touch sensitivity in offspring. Researchers suggest that reducing sensory sensitivities at an early age may help prevent behavioral problems associated with fetal alcohol-related issues.
Researchers are exploring ways to manage fisheries in Southern California, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement. The collaboration aims to develop lower-cost, effective management strategies that involve all stakeholders.
A new hybrid vehicle, powered by the heat differences in the ocean, has successfully completed its first oceanic test drive. The 'thermal glider' harvests heat energy to propel itself across thousands of kilometers of water, offering a virtually unlimited energy source for propulsion.
Researchers identify Asian women as a high-risk group for congenital aneurismal fistulas, which can cause heart attack and sudden death. Hypertension is a common risk factor, and treatment involves surgery or coil insertion to prevent rupture.
Research suggests that beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus in the vagina can reduce HIV virus levels in genital secretions, making it harder for the virus to spread. The study found a link between Lactobacillus production of hydrogen peroxide and lower vaginal HIV levels.
A team of researchers used miniature backpacks with accelerometers to study the gliding behavior of Southeast Asian colugos, also known as flying lemurs. The findings show that colugos push off from trees more forcefully for long jumps but quickly reach terminal velocity and land with reduced impact forces.
A researcher at Johns Hopkins has led an international effort to compile a massive online encyclopedia of human proteins, dubbed Human Proteinpedia. The platform allows researchers worldwide to contribute and share experimental data, speeding up their work.
Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory have successfully produced carbon nanotubes in high yields using commercially available aromatic containing resins. The method enables the production of MWNTs in moldable solid forms, films, and fibers with varying amounts of nanotubes and amorphous carbon.
VEGF-B has been shown to inhibit apoptosis in retinal cells and brain cells in mouse models of injury and stroke, suggesting its potential as a new treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Autophagy is also identified as a virulence-associated trait and survival mechanism for the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
A bollworm species has evolved resistance to biotech cotton's Bt toxin in the US, contradicting predictions of rapid pest resistance. The findings confirm the effectiveness of refuge strategies to delay resistance evolution.