A new study has identified several specific white matter regions and deep gray matter areas of the brain sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to map brain structure, revealing widespread diffusion abnormalities beyond the corpus callosum.
Researchers found that Saharan dust storms provide essential iron minerals, enabling plants to thrive in nutrient-poor regions. This discovery sheds light on how the Atlantic Ocean supports plant growth despite being referred to as an 'ocean desert',
A new study maps brain cells in midshipman fish larvae to reveal the neural network behind sound production in vertebrates. This research sheds light on the evolutionary origins of human verbal communication and social behavior, linking it to ancient fish species.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has awarded four large grants to researchers addressing significant social and economic challenges. The grants will support investigations into business taxation, health inequalities, time use, and emotional regulation.
New research from Michigan State University found that overweight and obese adults are not significantly less conscientious, emotionally stable, or socially agreeable than their normal-weight colleagues. Employers are urged to prevent weight-based stereotypes in hiring and employment decisions.
Researchers analyzed medication orders that were withdrawn within 45 minutes and found a 66% rate of errors. The study suggests a systematic method for identifying prescribing errors, which can be used to screen for errors and as a teaching tool.
A study found that AA attendees drink more coffee than the general population and smoke to reduce depression, anxiety, and irritability. Coffee consumption may also have health benefits, including reducing the risk of death from suicide and certain cancers.
A new study found that prenatal drinking has a significant impact on neurotrophins in rats, but environmental enrichment does not mitigate these effects. Researchers discovered that prenatal alcohol exposure generally increased brain neurotrophin levels, which may serve as a compensation for damage to the developing brain.
Researchers successfully grew functional human blood vessels in mice using adult human donor cells, creating a new model for tissue engineering. The study used a combination of two types of progenitor cells to form a small ball of healthy blood vessels, with the ability to rapidly grow two-layered vessels without embryonic stem cells.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that loud music in bars increases drinking behavior. The research, conducted by Nicolas Guéguen and his colleagues, discovered that high sound levels led to increased drinking within a shorter time frame.
A Johns Hopkins study found that giving children preventive antibiotics within one hour of spinal surgery significantly reduces the risk of serious infections. The study, published in Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, suggests that timely prophylaxis is crucial in preventing complications and reducing hospital stays.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified Top2A and Top1 enzymes as significant contributors to chemotherapy drug resistance. The team developed a novel screening technique to investigate the genetic basis of cancer therapy response, which could be applied widely to explore genetic mechanisms underlying drug resistance.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is providing $4.4 million in funding to support three research teams investigating ways to improve the application of mental health research in Canada.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has selected eight scientists for its annual awards competition, recognizing their contributions to science. The award winners include David Davies, John Kuriyan, Sarah Spiegel, Susan Lindquist, Douglas Rees, Phillip Zamore, Sandra Schmid, and Rochelle Schwartz-Bloom.
Researchers found iTunes can efficiently manage PDF files for radiologists, providing richer information than conventional textbooks. The study's lead author, Li Jun Qian, MD, discovered that drag-and-drop functionality allows users to easily search, rate, and organize articles.
Japanese researchers successfully observed individual molecular rotors caught in motion using a novel microscopy technique. The study focused on rotaxanes, two-part molecular systems that rotate around an axis, revealing rapid rotational and vibrational motion when wet.
Researchers at UC San Diego are using statistical pattern recognition and image processing to help the U.S. military better detect hidden roadside explosives. They aim to identify suspicious objects like camouflaged bombs using visible and infrared images analyzed by algorithms.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that HIV-1 cripples the immune system earlier than previously believed, with significant cell death occurring within five to seven days after infection. The study suggests a new approach to vaccine design, requiring multiple arms of the immune system to be activated and targeted.
New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council explores standards in stem cell research, balancing scientist autonomy with data comparability. The study suggests that standardizing practices could lead to automation technologies, but also raises concerns about exclusivity and robustness.