A new experimental protocol successfully induced immune tolerance to HLA-mismatched kidney transplants in four out of five patients. The treatment involved a combined organ and bone marrow transplant, followed by immunosuppressive drug withdrawal, resulting in normal kidney function for all patients.
Researchers have designed novel peptide sequences that can detect oxidation and reduction inside cells, providing a new tool for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying complex biomedical problems. The biosensors use Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to measure redox potentials and oxidative stress in live cells.
The NIST team will use the granted time to model concrete flow under various conditions, improving prediction and measurement of flow properties. The access to the Argonne machine allows for advanced computer modeling impossible with existing facilities.
Consumers facing a looming purchase deadline are drawn to products with preventative benefits, rather than those offering positive outcomes. This phenomenon was studied in three experiments, showing a significant preference for prevention-framed ads over promotion-framed ads when time is of the essence.
A new approach extracts optically basic properties of liquid/gel interfaces in strong flows using video analysis, enabling measurements on biological and industrial systems. The researchers discovered that small amounts of 'mechanical noise' produce significant motion at the fluid/gel interface.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that US students from low-income families are less likely to have access to highly qualified teachers compared to their peers globally. The study's findings highlight a significant 14.4% opportunity gap between high- and low-socioeconomic status students.
Companies recognized for diversity may prioritize surface-level recruiting over comprehensive programs, while those in top human resources departments focus on work environment improvements. Researchers found that diversity initiatives are more effective when driven by business goals, such as boosting productivity and profitability.
The NIH is launching a new initiative in epigenomics, a field that studies how genes are regulated, to better understand the role of environment in health and disease. The program aims to coordinate reference epigenome maps, evaluate epigenetic mechanisms, and develop new technologies for analysis.
Scientists at JILA have found a way to suppress the 'blinking' issue in quantum dots, increasing their photon emission rate four- to fivefold. By using an antioxidant chemical solution, they reduced the average time delay between excitation and photon emission from 21 nanoseconds to 4 nanoseconds.
A new study by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University found that individuals with early Alzheimer's disease experience more accidents and perform poorly on road tests compared to drivers without cognitive impairment. However, some individuals with very mild dementia can continue to drive safely for extended periods.
Field mice have sacrificed immunity protection to develop faster fertilization, resulting in instability of the sperm's acrosome. This process may provide insight into human infertility, as humans lack this rapid reaction.
A study found that individuals with fewer years of education are more likely to have a delayed realization of cognitive problems that could be Alzheimer's disease. Patients with lower education levels were also more severely impaired on their first visit, suggesting they may only seek medical attention after symptoms become unbearable.
A Penn State study found that male teenage football players and wrestlers are more likely to get into serious fights compared to non-athletes. The study suggests that the aggressive behavior encouraged by team sports contributes to violence among male peers.
Children as young as 4 years old can use explanation to help them learn and apply what they've learned to other tasks. Listening to an adult's response without providing answers helps children develop critical thinking skills.
Researchers have discovered that cigarette smoke depletes the Sirtuin (SIRT1) gene, which protects against premature aging and inflammation. Testing antioxidant resveratrol may help restore this gene to prevent lung damage and diseases like COPD and lung cancer.
A study by Brown University and Harvard Medical School found that health insurance co-payments significantly reduce mammography use among women. The researchers analyzed data from Medicare managed-care plans and found a 8-11% decrease in breast cancer screening rates among women with co-payments, compared to those with full coverage.
A study by LSU and Yale researchers found that farming practices are responsible for the majority of increased water and carbon in the Mississippi River. The research team analyzed data on precipitation and water export to demonstrate the effects of excess water on river chemistry.
Researchers at Queen's University discovered a genetic link between the nervous system and obesity, shedding new light on the condition's causes. The study found that deleting a specific nerve receptor in worms leads to increased fat accumulation and altered behavior.
A University of Missouri study found that cross-owned television stations produce more local programming news content, with an average of 4-8% more coverage than non-cross-owned stations. Cross ownership also leads to 25% more coverage of local and state politics.
Arizona State University has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative to develop new materials for solar cells, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The grants will focus on exploring photovoltaic potential of new materials that were originally developed for laser applications.
Researchers at Northwestern University successfully synthesized a new natural compound that exhibits promising anti-cancer properties, outperforming existing treatments. By identifying the correct molecular structure, the team is now poised to develop more effective and selective cancer therapies.
Researchers found that asking people to choose among products primes them to think about positive attributes, leading to a more favorable evaluation of subsequent items. In another experiment, participants who ranked hotel prices from highest to lowest were willing to pay an average of $19 more than those who did the reverse.
A new computer-based tool, eTBLAST, compares multiple documents in a database for similarities, helping to detect duplicate or plagiarized publications. The tool has been shown to identify potential plagiarism cases in over 7,000 papers, and may also aid in detecting duplicated publications.
A new chemical synthesis method based on a rhodium-based catalyst has the potential to dramatically improve the design and production of new drugs. The catalyst can produce large quantities of pharmaceutical products with unprecedented structural entities, making it an enabling technology for drug discovery.
Research published by SAGE explores the impact of teachers on education quality and equity, focusing on issues like teacher certification, recruitment practices, and salary effects. The study reveals complex challenges facing disadvantaged districts, including high teacher turnover rates.
Researchers identified genetic variants that affect the efficacy of antidepressants, such as citalopram and venlafaxine. These variants influence the access of drugs to the brain by impacting protective transporter proteins like P-gp.
Researchers have designed an implantable cell retriever and reprogrammer that can isolate and manipulate specific cell populations with great efficiency. The device uses the mechanics of blood flow to capture viable stem cells, which are rare in the bloodstream.
A Stanford study has successfully enabled a patient to thrive for two years after stopping immunosuppressive drugs. The innovative technique, developed by Samuel Strober and his team, involves adjusting the patient's immune system and infusing blood cells from a compatible donor, boosting levels of regulatory T cells to prevent rejection.
Researchers found that consumers experience greater conflict and decision difficulty when choosing between unattractive options, but easier times rejecting them. This suggests that changing the decision task can control the level of difficulty experienced.
Researchers have identified a large number of genes that govern how diatoms build their shells, which are crucial for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The study also reveals a link between iron availability and shell thickness, with implications for climate change mitigation strategies.
A new study by the University of Maryland and colleagues found that touch screen voting systems are easy to use and pass voter confidence tests, but voters still make mistakes and need help. The study recommends improving ballot design, training, and educational campaigns to enhance user-friendliness.
The Politics of Education Association Yearbook explores how fear shapes the education system, impacting beliefs about education and student outcomes. Guest editors Rick Ginsberg and Brice Cooper examine current issues in education and their effects on students, teachers, and administrators.
A 580-meter ice core retrieved from the WAIS Divide project will provide a precise year-by-year record of greenhouse gases over the last 40,000 years. The core contains critical information for predicting human activity's impact on climate.
A new study from Purdue, Indiana University, and UConn examines how consumers evaluate brand extensions. Consumers tend to judge follower products based on their fit with the parent brand rather than solely on performance.
RNA interference represents an innovative strategy for silencing specific genes associated with disease processes, and a series of review articles will focus on its potential therapeutic applications. The technology has been approved for at least six clinical trials and is considered to be here to stay.
A new study by UC Irvine and NASA scientists has found that Antarctic ice loss increased by 75% in the last 10 years due to accelerated glacier flow. The team mapped patterns of ice loss on a glacier-by-glacier basis and detected a sharp jump in Antarctica's ice loss, now nearly as great as that observed in Greenland.
The TEAM 0.5 microscope has achieved unprecedented image resolution of half a ten-billionth of a meter, enabling the precise localization of individual atoms in three dimensions. This capability is made possible by advanced technologies such as ultra-stable electronics and aberration correction.
Researchers at CCNY and Rice University have developed a low-cost, 'green' technique for making antimicrobial paints. The method uses silver nanoparticles to create an antibacterial coating that can be applied to various surfaces, offering a fresh defense against germs in homes and workplaces.
Research by the Whitehall II study found that work stress is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine function. Chronic work stress was associated with lower heart rate variability and poor vagal tone, leading to cardiac instability.
Researchers propose that pika leptin's adaptive functional evolution may be driven by cold environmental stress, not hypoxia. This discovery has significant implications for understanding small mammals' adaptation to extreme environments and identifying new candidate therapies for human diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Researchers create a localized and controlled drug delivery system that is invisible to the immune system, providing a potential solution for cancer and other diseases. The system uses nanoscale polymer films to slowly release anti-inflammatory drugs, reducing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy.
A study by Dan Warner from Iowa State University found that the jacky dragon lizard thrives when born at temperatures suitable for its gender, affecting sex ratio and population viability. The research has significant implications for the species' adaptation to changing climate conditions.
Researchers developed DNA sensors that can detect odors in the vapor phase with high specificity. The study demonstrated a previously unreported property of single-stranded DNA molecules, showing they can respond to odor pulses in a sequence-selective manner on solid surfaces.
Researchers have identified a newly discovered active fault under the Adriatic Sea that is actively building more of the Dalmatian Islands and Dinaride Mountains of Croatia. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that these geological formations stopped growing 20-30 million years ago.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a way to manipulate the immune system by introducing virus components that activate killer T cells. This discovery may lead to more effective vaccines against diseases like influenza or HIV, as well as enhanced immunology treatments.
Swedish researchers have identified several genes that regulate the autoimmune disease SLE, including BANK1, which affects B cells and auto-antibody production. The findings may lead to new treatments targeting B cell functions.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center identify chemical compounds from common foods that activate human bitter taste receptors, providing a practical means to manipulate food flavor. The findings may help make health-promoting bitter foods more palatable.
Researchers found that strong Aha! sensations involve minimal metacognitive processes and unconscious restructuring, contrasting with conscious mental restructuring. The study provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive insight.
A new study found significant racial and ethnic differences in the treatment and survival of patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. Blacks had lower rates of surgeries that would have saved their arm or leg, higher death rates, and were least likely to receive additional treatments for improved survival.
A study of pharmacists reveals that drive-through windows lead to increased processing times, reduced efficiency, and dispensing errors. The survey found that automated dispensing systems can reduce errors and enhance efficiency by minimizing workflow interruptions.
A study of 8,028 individuals found seasonal weight changes increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. Regular physical exercise counteracts this effect.
A new study has discovered a link between gene variations and the effectiveness of blood pressure medications. Patients with certain gene variations experienced varying results with different types of medication, suggesting that tailoring treatment to an individual's genotype may lead to more favorable outcomes.
A series of commentaries in Human Gene Therapy explores key controversies surrounding patient recruitment and trial management in gene therapy trials. The authors discuss the challenges of patients comprehending lengthy and technical study descriptions and consent forms, and propose innovative strategies for improving informed consent.
A new UCLA study found that only half of children diagnosed with ADHD exhibit cognitive defects, challenging the common method for diagnosing the disorder. The research also suggested that medication is not always effective in treating ADHD, highlighting the need for alternative approaches to address long-term problems.
Researchers are enrolling patients in a new study that transplants stem cells from a kidney donor's bone marrow into the recipient, with the goal of gradually eliminating the need for antirejection drugs. The study aims to improve post-transplant quality of life for recipients.
A research team led by Dr. Alexandre Prat has identified a new therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis, ALCAM/CD166, which plays a major role in the migration of immune cells to the brain. The study suggests that blocking this molecule could dampen neuroinflammation and decrease lesions characteristic of MS.
A Queensland University of Technology researcher has discovered two new pigments at the famous Maya archaeological site in Honduras that would have had a lustrous effect. The pigments, including green and mica, were found on stucco masks and revealed that the Rosalila temple was built using over 15 layers of paint and stucco.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a system that uses cell phones with radiation sensors to detect and track radioactive material, making it difficult for terrorists to go undetected. The system can pinpoint the location of radiation sources using data from multiple cell phones.
A new simplified scoring system accurately assesses overall cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and individual component risks. The system, developed from 12 years of patient data, shows significant correlation with 10-year CVD risk.
A new study found no association between current or past smoking and ovarian cancer risk. However, an inverse trend of risk was observed with total caffeine and caffeinated coffee intake, particularly in women who had never used oral contraceptives or postmenopausal hormones.