A cohort study of over 320,000 Swedish men found that short birth length more than doubles the risk of violent suicide attempts. Catch-up growth during childhood does not mitigate this risk. The study also suggests a link between low serotonin levels and impulsivity, aggression, and suicidal behavior.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a contact lens with an electronic circuit and light-emitting diodes, paving the way for potential applications such as virtual displays, improved vision correction, and enhanced gaming experiences. The device was tested on rabbits without adverse effects.
Theoretical physicists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have uncovered a simple mechanism describing how an HIV peptide penetrates cell membranes. The discovery could help treat other human illnesses by exploiting similar molecules.
Twenty research projects have been awarded access to Argonne's 556-teraflops IBM Blue Gene/P supercomputer through the Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program. Researchers will conduct cutting-edge simulations in fields such as nuclear simulation, high-energy physics, and climate modeling.
The grant will support research into the proteins on TB bacteria's surface that are vital for infection, aiming to develop a map for drug developers. The goal is to create a new family of TB drugs that can effectively target the disease in a new way.
A weight control program has been shown to reduce weight gain and improve cholesterol levels in patients taking antipsychotic medication. The study found that participants who engaged in regular physical activity and healthy eating experienced significant improvements in their lipid profile and body mass index.
Researchers found that old wood floor finishes in some homes can lead to significant PCB exposure, even exceeding levels found in the general population. The study suggests that these finishes, particularly those containing the chemical Fabulon, may harbor high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls.
A collaborative mapping tool developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) allows emergency management officials to better coordinate event and incident planning. The system can track resources such as hospitals, transportation equipment, and water in real-time, enabling effective response and evacuation plans.
The MESSENGER spacecraft has captured high-resolution images of Mercury's surface, revealing detailed features such as the Vivaldi crater and ancient depressions. The images show craters as small as 1 kilometer in diameter, providing new insights into the planet's geology.
A new study reveals that maternal and child undernutrition is responsible for one-third of child deaths and 11% of global disease burden. The authors estimate that stunting, severe wasting, and other deficiencies cause significant mortality and disability among children under five years.
Researchers at German Cancer Research Center discovered a new molecule Akirin that plays a crucial role in triggering the innate immune response in fruit flies, mice, and humans. Inhibiting this pathway may lead to new cancer treatments.
The LSUHSC School of Dentistry is being honored for its innovative efforts in rebuilding dental education in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. The institution has been recognized for its pioneering work in restoring a functional dental school, despite the devastating flood that rendered the campus unusable.
A new research tool, OWNFOR, will enable scientists to study how tiny coral reef fish larvae locate their habitat across vast expanses of water. The system uses a drifting observational device with an infrared camera to observe marine larvae naturally influenced by ocean currents.
A study in rural South Africa found that young people in school reported fewer sexual partners and engaged in protective behaviors, leading to lower HIV infection rates. The researchers suggest that increased access to education can play a critical role in HIV prevention.
A newly discovered parasite transforms its ant host into a ripe red berry, tricking birds into eating infected ants to spread the infection. The parasite, Myrmeconema neotropicum, causes the ant's gaster to turn red and become sluggish, making it easy for birds to consume.
Mathematicians at UC Davis and University of Wisconsin-Madison develop program to model snowflake growth, revealing complex structures and rare patterns. The model generates a wide range of natural snowflake shapes, including novel forms like the 'butterflake', which could appear in nature but would be fragile.
Researchers found serum PG levels in Chinese are significantly skewed from normal distribution and influenced by factors such as age, sex, gastric mucosa lesions, and H pylori infection. The PG I/II ratio is a better indicator for atrophic lesions on gastric mucosa than either PG I or II alone.
A recent study has found that human genes have evolved additional safeguards to boost the p53 regulatory network's ability to guard against DNA damage. This enhancement is thought to be linked to humans' increased need for coordinated control of molecular repair activities during DNA replication.
A study of 929 Catholic clergy members found no link between statin use and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. No association was also found between statins and slowed cognitive decline among older adults.
A study found that selective publication in antidepressant trials significantly overstates their effectiveness, with nearly all positive studies being published and most negative ones not. However, when combining all studies using meta-analysis, each drug was superior to a placebo, but less effective than reported.
Research finds gastric cancer patients post-gastrectomy have high prevalence of osteoporosis (38.3%) and vertebral deformities. Screening by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is recommended for those over 60 or with anemia/back pain.
A new genomics research found that a simple blood test can determine which men are likely to develop prostate cancer. Researchers identified five genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk, which combined could account for 40% of cases.
A gigantic palm has been discovered in Madagascar with an unusual and spectacular lifecycle, growing up to 18m high and dying after fruiting. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this critically endangered species, with the aim of disseminating it to botanic gardens and growers globally.
The Lancet Series highlights the devastating impact of undernutrition on maternal and child health, with over a third of all child deaths attributed to this cause. Proven interventions like breastfeeding counselling, vitamin A supplementation, and zinc fortification can help address this issue.
Workers with extended work schedules face higher risks of losing their jobs after injury, according to Ohio State University research. Injured employees in nonstandard schedules are more likely to be fired or quit, emphasizing the importance of tailoring return-to-work plans to individual employees' schedules.
Researchers at USC have identified a novel signaling mechanism that coordinates stem cell activity and regulates hair regeneration in large populations of hairs in animal models. The study found that periodic expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) in the skin macro-environment is key to coordinated hair stem cell activation.
NASA researchers found that 2007 was tied with 1998 for the second-warmest year on record, with significant warming in the Arctic region. The study used temperature data from various sources and confirmed a strong trend of global warming over the past 30 years.
A sense of personal control over sexual behaviors significantly impacts Latina women's decisions on timing their first sexual intercourse. The study reveals a strong correlation between young Latina women's perceptions of family expectations and their own beliefs regarding the optimal age for sex initiation. This unique research contri...
Research reveals hereditary hemochromatosis is more prevalent among men with the genetic marker C282Y, posing a significant risk for liver fibrosis and joint disease. The study emphasizes the need for careful clinical assessment to detect the condition in high-risk individuals.
The international nutrition system faces substantial shortcomings in four functional areas: stewardship, resource mobilization, provision of services, and human resource strengthening. The current funding provided by donors is grossly insufficient and poorly targeted, hindering efforts to combat undernutrition.
Childhood undernutrition is associated with reduced adult height, lower levels of schooling, and economic productivity. Children who experience rapid weight gain after infancy are at high risk of chronic diseases related to nutrition.
The BBVA Foundation Award for Conservation Biology recognizes Harold Mooney and Peter Raven for their contributions to understanding the evolutionary and co-evolutionary processes that shape plant diversity. Their work has shifted the focus of conservation biology from species-centered approaches to ecosystems and services provided to ...
Pig-tailed langurs on Mentawai islands show no alarm at tiger and leopard sounds but flee quickly from human voices. The study suggests animal behavior changes under relaxed selection pressures.
The Lancet study highlights the urgent need to address undernutrition in 20 countries accounting for 80% of the world's undernourished children. Interventions with proven effectiveness should be implemented at scale, and programme efforts should focus on the critical window of pregnancy to 24 months of age.
Researchers discovered that midkine can protect liver cells from damage caused by cadmium exposure, promoting hepatocyte proliferation and preventing apoptosis. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic application for midkine in treating cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity.
The tobacco industry has formed a global network of manufacturing associations to challenge local tobacco control measures and promote smoking. The International Committee on Smoking Issues (ICOSI) played a key role in this strategy, with documents revealing strategies to undermine public health efforts.
Researchers discovered Ginsenoside Rb1 prevents hepatic microcirculatory disturbance and liver injury in mice subjected to intestine ischemia and reperfusion. The compound is a major effective ingredient of Panax notoginseng, a traditional Chinese herb medicine.
American teens are confident they can invent solutions to environmental challenges, but many feel unprepared for tech careers. A majority of teens believe there is value in hands-on STEM education and more funding is needed.
A new injectable drug, etanercept, has been shown to dramatically reduce psoriasis flare-ups in pediatric patients. The study found that 57% of patients achieved a 75% or greater improvement in symptoms, compared to 11% on placebo.
A study of 136 Bulgarian patients with HCV found that 76.5% had extra-hepatic manifestations, with common symptoms including fatigue, renal impairment, and paresthesia. The risk of developing B-cell lymphoma was higher in cryoglobulin-positive patients.
Researchers found that the N-myc gene coordinates retina growth to ensure proper thickness, a crucial process for converting light into images. The study provides new insights into retinoblastoma, a rare pediatric eye cancer, and may lead to improved understanding of eye formation.
Research team finds PCBs and DDE in Chicago night-heron eggs, but no negative effects on reproduction. Populations remain stable amidst ongoing contamination from Lake Michigan.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that Fu-Zheng-Jie-Du-Decoction increased PTEN expression in hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting a promising future for TCM as a combined therapy. The decoction was shown to decrease tumor metastasis and improve survival rates compared to chemotherapy.
Researchers found that higher lymphatic vessel density and angiogenic microvessel density were associated with increased risk of metastasis in colorectal carcinoma. These findings suggest that LVD and MVD could be independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.
Breastfeeding counseling and vitamin A supplementation have the potential to cut child deaths by 25%. Implementing these nutrition strategies alongside other interventions could reduce mortality between birth and 36 months by around 25%.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered that increased numbers of neutrophil cells in the lungs of IPF patients are associated with a 30% increased risk of mortality. This finding may lead to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment options for those affected by idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Researchers developed a new method to observe weak interactions in nanoscale systems using high-powered lasers and quantum dots. The technique allows for the detection of the Fano effect, enabling scientists to explore new frontiers in quantum optics.
A computer program successfully identified and classified dog barks in different situations, achieving 43% accuracy in the first experiment. In a second test, the algorithm demonstrated a 52% success rate in recognizing individual dogs based on their unique bark patterns.
New research suggests that stunting among children under three in poor countries can be reduced by up to a third, and deaths by up to a quarter, with existing maternal and child nutrition interventions. The Lancet series aims to highlight the impact of undernutrition on child health.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a complex metabolic pathway in mosquito species, which they aim to disrupt with a harmless molecule. This could lead to an insecticide that kills both mosquitoes and their eggs, slowing the spread of diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
A study found that Salmonella enteritidis primarily penetrates the jejunum and ileum of the gastrointestinal tract after oral challenge. The bacteria can persist in these regions for up to 18 weeks, raising questions about its potential as an opportunistic pathogen in humans.
Research suggests that insulin inhibits resistin expression and secretion in adipocytes, but resistin induces cellular insulin resistance in hepatocytes and myoblasts. Serum resistin levels correlate negatively with insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obesity rats.
Recent studies have compared carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in high-risk patients, yielding comparable results. However, its role in 'low-risk' patients remains unclear, with ongoing trials needed to determine the best approach.
A $7 million statewide shaken baby prevention project launched in North Carolina, aiming to reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by caregivers shaking crying babies. The project provides an intervention program called 'The Period of PURPLE Crying' to educate parents on normal infant crying and healthy ways to cope with frustration.
A panel of genetic markers, derived from a study of Swedish men, has been identified as common causes of hereditary prostate cancer. These markers, combined with family history, increase the risk of the disease by nearly nine times, accounting for nearly half of all cases in this population.
A study compared ligase detection reaction (LDR) and real-time PCR methods for detecting low abundant YMDD mutations in hepatitis B patients. LDR was found to be more sensitive than real-time PCR, but the latter was faster and less expensive.
The marsupial lion's 'bolt-cutter' type teeth allowed for rapid killing of prey, while African lions used a 'clamp and hold' technique that could take up to 15 minutes. Research suggests the marsupial lion was an efficient predator that could inflict mortal wounds on large prey.
Research suggests that Acanthus ilicifolius, a popular Indian medicinal plant, can prevent hepatic DNA alterations and sister-chromatid exchanges in tumor-bearing mice. The study also showed that ALE treatment was able to limit liver metallothionein expression and lengthen the mean survival of animals.
Researchers at Iowa State University's Center for Transportation Research and Education have tested the performance of the country's first hybrid school buses. The buses feature electric drive trains that can move at street speeds, capturing energy from braking to recharge their batteries. Initial results show improved fuel efficiency ...
A large comparison of blood samples found Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection may increase schizophrenia risk in people diagnosed with the disorder. People exposed to toxoplasma had a 24% higher risk of developing schizophrenia.