Scientists have discovered a way to eliminate the negative effect of M2 protein on anti-flu vaccination, increasing efficacy while maintaining safety. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and strain-specific vaccines against seasonal flu.
Children whose mothers experience chronic stress during early years have a higher asthma rate than peers. Long-term maternal stress was associated with an increase in nearly a third of childhood asthma prevalence. Maternal distress also intensified risk under specific home environments, such as high-income households or sibling presence.
A study finds that HIV prevalence falls more consistently among highly educated groups than less educated ones in sub-Saharan Africa. The research suggests that while HIV education campaigns led to a decline in infections among the well-educated, they had little impact on the least educated populations.
A study by MIT researchers reveals that genetic differences between males and females contribute to the higher incidence of liver cancer in men. The research suggests that chronic inflammation and male sex hormones play a role in this increased risk.
Researchers found Plasmodium knowlesi, a monkey malaria parasite, is widely distributed in Malaysia and sometimes fatal. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent rapid onset of complications and death.
A new technique developed by Dr. Eli Peli's team allows people with low vision to improve their ability to see and enjoy television with enhanced image contrast. The method, which can be easily incorporated into digital TVs and internet video, enables visually-impaired individuals to select the desired level of enhancement.
Research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin reveals that associating Asian-Americans with positive qualities increases feelings of threat, leading to more negative attitudes. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering the costs of ethnic stereotypes on perceptions of other groups.
The Advanced Energy Consortium aims to improve oil and gas production by developing intelligent subsurface micro and nanosensors. The technology will help characterize reservoirs in three dimensions, increasing recovery rates of existing and new hydrocarbon resources.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that hormonal components in over-the-counter dietary supplements can stimulate cancer-cell growth and make anti-cancer drugs less effective. The study's findings highlight the need for patients to inform their doctors about any herbal or hormonal supplements they are taking.
A study published in Clinical Cancer Research demonstrates that a novel mass-spectrometry based proteomic profiling method is more accurate than traditional biomarkers in distinguishing liver cancer patients from patients with hepatitis C liver cirrhosis. The technique, SELDI-TOF MS, identified an 11-protein signature that accurately d...
A new study published in Molecular Systems Biology reveals that probiotics can significantly alter the biochemistry of gut microbes and affect metabolism. Researchers found that different probiotic strains triggered distinct biochemical changes, including modifications to bile acid metabolism, which could influence fat absorption.
Researchers are using UAVs to detect and monitor the spread of Phytophthora infestans, a fungus-like organism responsible for the Irish Potato Famine. The study aims to track the movement of the pathogen in the atmosphere to inform management decisions.
Postmenopausal women taking combined estrogen/progestin hormone-replacement therapy for three years or more face a significant increased risk of developing various forms of lobular breast cancer. The study, which confirms previous reports, suggests that even short exposure to such hormones may confer an increased risk.
Researchers created tiny carbon-based pipettes that can probe cells with minimal intrusion and inject fluids without damaging cell growth. These nanoscale devices have potential applications in nanosurgery and the development of new drugs and therapeutics.
Jacobo Bielak has been awarded $1.6 million from the NSF PetaApps program to develop advanced earthquake computer simulations that can improve disaster planning and preparation. The new grant will enable the creation of three-dimensional models simulating how earthquakes impact buildings, bridges, and other critical urban infrastructures.
Children of BRCA mutation carriers are more likely to support genetic testing, despite potential risks and benefits. A study found that 40% of parents and their adult offspring supported testing minors, with half in favor only in certain circumstances.
Researchers analyzed medical records of 249 IPF patients and found that current smokers had longer survival times due to milder disease. However, non-smokers had better survival rates, suggesting a possible link between smoking damage and progression of lung disease.
The MIT Energy Initiative has partnered with Eni to develop novel photovoltaic materials and design solar power plants. The five-year collaboration will focus on six areas of research, including nano-structured thin film photovoltaics and water splitting.
A survey found that Americans favor keeping employer role in paying for health insurance and believe covering all should be a shared responsibility. The report also evaluates the Presidential candidates' health reform plans, highlighting key differences between Democratic and Republican proposals.
A recent Argonne National Laboratory study found that proteins can move in more configurations than previously thought, especially in dilute solutions. The researchers discovered that environmental conditions influence which state a protein prefers to enter, and this knowledge may help understand how proteins interact with drugs.
Researchers have identified cyclin D1 as a key player in ER+ breast cancers, which are the most common type of breast cancer. The study found that inhibiting cyclin D1 function may provide a new treatment strategy for these tumors.
Researchers reveal a climate-driven phenomenon that reverses overexploitation of deep-sea resources, enhancing recruitment and total landings of the shrimp Aristeus antennatus. This finding has significant socio-economic impact and highlights the importance of considering global cascading effects on biological processes.
The Gishwati Forest Reserve in Rwanda will become the country's first national conservation park, focusing on restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and promoting local economic development through ecotourism. The project aims to create a model for Africa's ambitious forest restoration efforts.
A recent study by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that adolescents and young adults with cancer are less likely to be enrolled in clinical trials for cutting-edge treatments. This can lead to lower survival rates compared to younger children, who have seen significant improvements in cure rates over the past 30 years.
A study found that two microRNAs, miR-191 and miR-199a, are associated with patient survival in high-risk acute-leukemia patients. These molecules may serve as targets for future therapies, offering hope for patients with limited treatment options.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have created a more efficient method for producing butanol from lignocellulosic biomass, offering a promising solution to the world's energy needs. The new technique uses a mixed culture of microbes to convert plant biomass into butyrate, which is then converted into butanol.
A University of British Columbia study found that popular osteoporosis drugs like Actonel, Didrocal, and Fosamax nearly triple the risk of developing bone necrosis. Researchers also discovered that this condition primarily affects shoulders, knees, and hips.
A recent study by the University of Sheffield reveals that Greenland's ice sheet has experienced its most extreme melting in 50 years, primarily triggered by regional climate changes. The research highlights a striking correlation between Greenland's ice melt and global temperature variations.
The University of Arizona is a dominant force in Arizona's astronomy and planetary research endeavors. A new study reveals that these industries have a significant impact on the state's economy, generating more than $252 million and creating over 3,300 jobs in the 2006 fiscal year.
A new Mayo Clinic study identified several gene variations that predict people at high risk for ALS and Parkinson's disease. The researchers found a high-risk prediction factor for ALS (2,000 times greater than average) and for Parkinson's disease (nearly 400 times greater than average).
The department has received grants totaling over $1.6 million in the past 11 years, with a focus on identifying causes and treatments for blinding diseases such as corneal cataracts and macular degeneration. The grant will support research into diabetic retinopathy, ocular inflammation, and genetic eye diseases.
Researchers found that children from food-insecure households are two-thirds more likely to experience developmental risks compared to those from food-secure households. The study suggests providing nutritional interventions to young children and their families can decrease the need for later interventions.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new pathway involving BRCA1 in repairing damaged DNA, which may explain the increased breast cancer risk in women with mutated BRCA1 genes. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for women with and without BRCA1 mutations.
A recent study by Gerald Haeffel and colleagues found that genetic and environmental factors interact to increase the risk of depression in adolescents. The researchers discovered that boys with rejecting mothers and a specific form of the dopamine transporter gene were at higher risk for major depression and suicidal ideation.
A study by McGill University researchers found that certain immunoregulatory T-cells lose potency with age, leading to the onset of autoimmune diabetes. This discovery provides insight into the mechanism of type 1 diabetes and may lead to new immune system-based therapies.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study finds that meltwater clogging and speeding of Kennicott Glacier may help explain the acceleration of glaciers in Greenland. The excess water causes water pressure to increase, causing the glacier to slide more rapidly down its bedrock valley.