A new study found that teenage girls' peer groups significantly influence their weight control behaviors. Girls who identified with non-conformist peers were more concerned about their weight and appearance, while those who skipped school and got into trouble believed their peers valued thinness and dieting.
Researchers have identified a short-acting protein GILZ that may disrupt the fat production pathway, leading to increased bone formation and decreased fat accumulation. Dr. Xingming Shi believes sustained GILZ action could be used to develop targeted therapies for osteoporosis and obesity.
A combined analysis of European cancer incidence, mortality, and survival reveals encouraging trends. However, variations between countries in healthcare access and treatment policies reflect in different cancer rates.
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center used CT scans to compare wood densities of classical and modern violins. The results suggest that the homogeneity in wood density may explain the superior sound production of Cremonese violins.
Researchers have discovered that choanoflagellates, single-celled organisms, possess similar levels of proteins used for cell communication in more complex organisms like humans. This finding confirms their role as an evolutionary link between single-celled and multi-cellular organisms.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute develop a technique to produce genetically identical induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, offering new efficiencies in embryonic stem cell research. This breakthrough allows for the creation of large numbers of IPS cells without genetic variation.
Penguin populations are declining rapidly due to climate change, oil pollution, and habitat destruction. Conservation biologist Dee Boersma calls for regular monitoring of penguin colonies to understand the impact of environmental changes on the world's oceans.
Research reveals that life-extending proteins can have damaging effects on brain cells, depending on the circumstances. The findings suggest a complex role for sirtuins, which can both protect against aging and promote oxidative stress.
A study by researchers at the University of Rhode Island suggests that eating slowly can lead to significant decreases in food consumption, even if the meal duration is longer. Additionally, a study from Oklahoma State University found that parents' feeding practices can predict their overall parenting style.
Research suggests that passive smoking poses a significant risk to lung cancer development, with sidestream smoke potentially more carcinogenic than mainstream smoke. The study proposes using DNA-lesion footprinting and mutagenicity analysis to identify unique biological markers for assessing lung cancer risk in relation to SHS exposure.
Researchers found that shorter work rotas significantly improved patient care, with a 32.7% reduction in medical errors. However, there were concerns about reduced educational opportunities for junior doctors and potential delays in patient health investigations.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that editors' expectations for quality reporting have a strong relationship with journal quality. Italian journals, which lack international standards, perform poorly compared to UK journals, indicating the importance of editorial leadership in promoting high-quality research.
USGS scientists investigated pesticide occurrence in ground water at four US sites. Herbicides triazines and chloroacetanilides were most frequently detected, with degradation products often exceeding parent compounds. Redox conditions, residence times, oxygen levels, and nitrogen gas influenced pesticide concentrations.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that antipsychotic medications can reduce community violence in schizophrenia patients, but only among those with psychotic symptoms. Childhood conduct problems, substance abuse, and poverty remain significant predictors of violent behavior.
Dr. Dennis Scanlon will evaluate the impact of 'Aligning Forces for Quality' in 14 US communities, focusing on chronic illness care and hospital processes. The initiative aims to improve healthcare quality, reduce racial disparities, and provide models for national reform.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a method to predict IVF success with 70 percent accuracy. The new method uses four critical factors, including total number of embryos, eight-cell embryo percentage, and follicle-stimulating hormone level, to determine a woman's chance of becoming pregnant.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a potential new way to vaccinate against avian flu by using synthetic DNA vaccines that induce broad immune responses against pandemic flu. This approach could allow for quick mobilization during an epidemic and has implications for non-avian types of flu.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that able-bodied mobile users replicate errors made by physically impaired desktop computer users, such as pressing wrong keys and clicking incorrectly. The study suggests that software solutions developed for disabled users can be applied to reduce errors on mobile devices.
Lodamin, a novel oral angiogenesis inhibitor, has shown promising anticancer results in mice, demonstrating its potential as a preventive therapy for patients at high risk of cancer. The drug selectively accumulates in tumor tissue, blocks angiogenesis, and inhibits primary tumor growth without apparent side effects.
A study found that households implementing environmentally sustainable behavior reported a reduction of approximately two tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions per year. Key factors influencing adoption included financial cost, lack of time and knowledge, and lifestyle factors such as household size and vehicle ownership.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that eating broccoli rich in glucosinolates can help men stay healthy and reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. The research, led by Professor Richard Mithen, showed that relatively low amounts of cruciferous vegetables can have large effects on gene expression.
The discovery at Tell Edfu sheds light on the emergence of urban life in ancient Egypt, revealing a prosperous urban center with grain silos that functioned as banks and food sources. The site provides new information about the development of cities in Egypt, challenging traditional views that focused on monumental architecture.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that lowering levels of signaling molecule Myc to a specific threshold reverses cancer cell growth and returns tumor cells to their normal state. This breakthrough could lead to more effective cancer chemotherapy with fewer side effects for healthy cells.
A study published in JAMA found that HIV-infected individuals in industrialized countries now have mortality rates similar to the general population in the first 5 years following infection. However, longer-term excess mortality remains evident, with higher risks for older age groups and injection drug users.
A study investigates the potential of a Simple Inverse Yield Model (SIYM) for estimating plant-available water capacity in fields. The results show that measured plant-available water capacity correlates with corn yield better in dry years, but SIYM estimates are weaker in claypan soils.
Researchers have developed a treatment using hydrogen sulfide to induce reversible metabolic hibernation, significantly improving survival rates for rats after extreme blood loss. The study found that 75% of treated rats survived at least two weeks compared to 23-14% in control groups.
A study of newborn intensive care found that many painful procedures are performed without pain medication or therapy. Neonates experience high rates of repeated and prolonged pain exposure, which can alter their subsequent pain processing and behavior.
A study at the Joslin Diabetes Center found that children with type 1 diabetes who closely adhered to prescribed dietary recommendations had lower A1C levels and reduced risk of diabetes-related complications. The study highlights the importance of dietary adherence in achieving optimal glucose control.
A study found that children tend to overestimate the relative numbers of certain taxa, such as mammals and birds, while underestimating others, including social insects and annelids. This knowledge is crucial for inspiring future conservationists.
Researchers have identified a novel activity, called mitotic checkpoint factor 2 (MCF2), that prevents cells from dividing with improperly separated chromosomes. This finding may help increase the efficiency of cancer drugs and improve our understanding of mitosis.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that a significant proportion of Chinese consumers admit to purchasing tiger products, despite widespread support for the country's ban on selling these products. The researchers also discovered that 71% of respondents preferred products made from wild tigers over those from farmed tigers.
Penguin populations are declining globally due to human influences such as climate change, commercial fishing, and oil spills. The threats to these species are likely to intensify in the coming years, highlighting the need for coordinated conservation efforts.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia discovered a genetic variant linked to all types of childhood arthritis, which may be a key factor in the development of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The study suggests that targeting this gene could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Researchers discovered that calpain inhibitors restore normal signaling between nerve cells, improving memory in APP/PS1 mice. Calpain inhibition may slow down or stop Alzheimer's disease progression by addressing impaired cognition.
A new review from the University of Cincinnati found that workplace-based weight loss programs are moderately effective at promoting weight loss among participating employees. The studies showed that face-to-face contact and high-intensity interventions were more effective than low-intensity programs in achieving significant weight loss.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials suggests that an invasive treatment strategy is associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization, heart attack, or death in men and high-risk women with certain coronary syndromes. However, low-risk women may have an increased risk of heart attack or death with this treatment.
Researchers at Uppsala University develop new image analysis methods to study the release of insulin and cAMP in beta cells. The findings show that ATP causes an increase in cAMP concentration, which varies rhythmically and coincides with variations in calcium signals, resulting in pulsatile insulin secretion.
A new design for slope marine docks aims to minimize damage from strong waves, enabling them to withstand increased swells without breaking. This innovative solution, developed by Spanish engineers, has the potential to significantly reduce costs associated with construction, maintenance, and upkeep of maritime structures.
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has sequenced 300 human genomes in six months, producing over 1 trillion letters of genetic code. This data will revolutionize human medical genetics and allow researchers to answer questions previously unthinkable.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that study subjects on strict diet and exercise programs tend to lose weight more slowly than expected because they eat more on weekends than during the week. The investigators report their findings in the advance online publication of the journal Obesity.
A new screening tool, Everyday Cognition (ECog), evaluates basic mental functioning in everyday activities, revealing potential cognitive impairment. The ECog helps clinicians identify individuals at risk for developing dementia, enabling earlier diagnosis and intervention.
Goddard is launching multiple space missions in the upcoming year, focusing on upgrading the famous Hubble Space Telescope and studying powerful gamma-rays. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) will also make global observations of the region beyond the termination shock, exploring the galactic frontier.
Researchers found that barcoded technology is not fool-proof and nurses develop workarounds to compensate for its limitations. The study highlights 31 causes of problems with barcode systems, including unreadable medication-barcodes, malfunctioning scanners, and non-barcoded-medications.
Research finds that smokeless tobacco products carry a lower cancer risk compared to smoking, particularly for oral and oesophageal cancers. However, users are still at increased risk of other types of cancer, such as lung cancer, especially in countries with high STP use.
A comprehensive study found that laws limiting underage drinking to 21 have led to an eleven percent drop in alcohol-related traffic fatalities among youth. Tougher sanctions on fake IDs also resulted in a seven percent decrease in fatalities among young drivers.
Researchers analyzed the genetic status of six Adi subgroups using microsatellite markers, finding low genetic differentiation among them. The study also reveals a closer relationship between the Adi tribe and neighboring Tibeto-Burman-speaking tribes in India.
A new research study published in the FASEB Journal reveals that UVB light is more likely to cause DNA damage and lead to skin cancer than UVA light. This finding has significant implications for public health officials and government regulatory agencies, who can now use this information to develop more effective sunscreen products.
This July/August issue of BioScience features articles on avian genomics, penguin populations, and the impact of human activities on wildlife. The journal also explores the role of biofuels in energy policy and genetic literacy among nonscience majors.
A study published in Decision Analysis warns that long-term climate change policy is likely to change slowly, requiring stronger short-term goals. The researcher argues that considering path dependence in decision-making justifies greater near-term emissions reductions as a hedging strategy.
A new biologically inspired material enhances tissue healing, improves bone growth around the implant, and strengthens its attachment to the bone. The coating presented controlled amounts of an engineered protein that mimics fibronectin, directing cell surface receptors to enhance bone formation.
Researchers at Indiana University are leading a national effort to prevent hospital-acquired infections through data collection and implementation of effective strategies. The team will evaluate approaches from five collaborative groups and identify best practices for hospitals nationwide.
Research by James H. Fowler and colleagues shows that genes influence voter turnout and a range of political activities, with identical twins exhibiting significantly more similar voting behavior than fraternal twins. The findings also suggest that family upbringing has little effect on children's future participatory behavior.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that giving infants and children 100% oxygen after a brain injury can cause more harm than good. The study suggests that brief exposure to 100% oxygen during resuscitation worsens white-matter injuries, leading to increased brain-cell death and coordination problems.
The Argonne-developed Diesel DeNOx Catalyst can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel-fueled engines by 95-100 percent. The technology uses inexpensive metals and diesel fuel as a reductant, making it economical to produce and use.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have uncovered a gene mechanism that induces a bystander effect, selectively killing cancer cells through apoptosis. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating metastatic disease.
A University of Michigan study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment. The research suggests targeting specific inflammatory processes in the body could lead to more effective treatments for MS patients.
A federally funded consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine found that children treated for HIV are at higher risk of developing asthma. CD4 cells increase in these children, leading to inflammation in lung tissue and worsening asthma symptoms.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that athletes who ingested caffeine with carbohydrate after exhaustive exercise had 66% more glycogen in their muscles four hours later. This suggests that post-exercise caffeine consumption can aid in muscle refueling and potentially enhance athletic performance.
A new study by the HealthEmotions Research Institute found that anxious brains consistently respond more strongly to stress and show signs of anxiety even in safe situations. Anxious monkeys showed higher brain activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain that regulates emotion, which corresponded to higher levels of stress hormones.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that the relaxation response influences stress-related genes, affecting inflammation, programmed cell death, and free radical handling. Long-term practitioners of relaxation response techniques showed pronounced changes in gene activation patterns compared to non-practitioners.