A recent study published in Obesity found that having excess fat around the heart may increase the risk of heart attacks. Researchers discovered that the volume of pericardial fat was related to the development of calcified coronary plaque, a marker for increased cardiovascular risk.
A new method has been developed to accurately determine the severity of heart failure in US hospital patients, using data from 260 hospitals across the country. The model identifies key patient characteristics that predict in-hospital mortality, such as admission creatinine levels and systolic blood pressure.
A recent study found that infants conceived through assisted fertilization had similar birth weights and gestational ages as those conceived naturally. However, they were more likely to experience perinatal deaths if their mother had previously struggled with infertility. The researchers suggest that the underlying causes of infertilit...
Researchers found that fruit flies can dampen their response to intense smells to prevent overload, using a feedback mechanism to navigate the olfactory landscape. This adaptation allows flies to detect subtle changes in odor concentrations and track pheromones, enabling them to find mates.
Researchers discovered a mechanism in mouse brains that may explain why human mothers develop depression after childbirth. The study found that a GABA receptor subunit fluctuates during pregnancy and postpartum, impairing the brain's ability to adapt to hormone fluctuations.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are developing string probe tests to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition where defense cells attack the esophagus. The test uses a swallowed string with gelatin capsule to measure inflammatory proteins and replace repeat endoscopies.
A new study found that those who drink excessively are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 participants and found that most people in the US drink in ways that may increase their risk of metabolic syndrome.
A new study found that microRNA may influence the development of alcohol tolerance by regulating gene expression in brain cells. MicroRNA-9 was shown to block the expression of certain BK channel variants, which exhibited high alcohol sensitivity and low tolerance.
Scientists confirmed a surface liquid lake on Titan, measuring approximately 235 kilometers long and filled with liquid ethane. The discovery was made using the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on NASA's Cassini orbiter.
Researchers at OHSU discovered males from a strain of mice called MRL/MpJ have the innate ability to repair their own knee cartilage. Cartilage injuries heal poorly in humans, leading to osteoarthritis, which affects one quarter of the adult population by 2020.
A UCF professor has developed an oral vaccine that shows high effectiveness against the plague, which could provide a practical solution in the event of a bioterror attack. The vaccine is more expensive to produce than traditional injectable vaccines but offers a cheap and accessible alternative.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a method to etch graphene along flawless, crystallographic axes using thermally activated nanoparticles. This technique enables the creation of atomically precise, macroscopic length ribbons of graphene with potential applications in integrated circuits.
NYU researchers have identified new predictors for Alzheimer's disease, including brain atrophy and biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid. These findings may help predict individuals at high risk of developing the disease, enabling early detection and prevention.
Minority women were significantly less likely to be aware of their odds of survival after five years, regardless of surgeon volume or hospital setting. Women who asked about treatment options had better knowledge, highlighting the need for clear communication from surgeons.
The American Society of Nephrology discusses the merits of using eGFR for early detection and treatment of CKD, highlighting concerns about misclassification and universal screening. Experts emphasize the need for education and proper use of eGFR to ensure accurate diagnosis and management.
Researchers discovered a significant increase in rare deletions and duplications of genetic material in people with schizophrenia, affecting 13.1% of cases and 10.4% of controls. Two new sites on Chromosomes 1 and 15 were implicated as potent risk factors for the disorder.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have identified a crucial gene involved in chloroplast iron acquisition and efficient photosynthesis. The FRO7 gene is essential for plants to take up iron from the soil, particularly in iron-deficient conditions.
Researchers have identified four mutated gene regions linked to schizophrenia, offering new hope for treatment and diagnosis. The findings may lead to individualized medicine and earlier identification of those at risk.
A new technique has successfully revealed a hidden portrait of a woman behind Vincent van Gogh's 'Patch of Grass'. The method, using synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, allowed researchers to reconstruct the concealed painting in unparalleled detail.
Respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and pneumonia, were the primary diagnoses for travelers in China. Dog bites were also a significant concern, with 400 reported cases over 10 years, leading to rabies vaccination needs. Travelers can minimize risks by planning ahead, using common sense, and taking necessary vaccinations.
A new UCSF study finds that rats that voluntarily use cocaine exhibit persistent cellular memories in the brain's reward center, even after several months of abstinence. This suggests that active choice plays a significant role in cocaine addiction and that environmental cues can trigger relapse.
Studies have found that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (Bifantis) can normalize gut function and reduce IBS symptoms by up to four weeks. Researchers believe that imbalances in gut microflora lead to chronic inflammation, making Bifantis a potential new path for treating inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
A new study found that a protein produced by fat cells may increase the risk of heart attack in older adults. Adiponectin levels were associated with a higher risk of heart disease events, particularly among those with high levels.
Scientists at Arizona State University have developed a simple way to make colorful nanocrystals using colloid chemistry methods. The process involves placing nanoparticles in a drop of water on a superhydrophobic surface and letting it dry, resulting in opalescent colors. This method has the potential to create new materials for photo...
Researchers at UC Davis have created smart contact lenses that can measure eye pressure and dispense medication. These contact lenses, made with a new material, could help doctors better understand glaucoma and improve patient treatment.
Graphene films have been characterized to vary their surface potential with thickness, aligning with predictions of a nonlinear Thomas-Fermi theory. This advancement clarifies electronic interaction between insulating substrates and few-layer graphene films, essential for device engineering.
Researchers discovered that a parasitic plant can intercept host RNA molecules up to a foot from the point of infection, allowing it to synchronize its lifecycle with the host. This finding could lead to new ways to combat parasites that attack crop plants.
A recent study published in the journal Bone found that higher intakes of calcium significantly improve bone health in children. The study, which pooled data from 21 randomized clinical trials, revealed a substantial increase in total body bone mineral content among children with inadequate calcium consumption.
A new study finds that proteins modifying DNA play a key role in major depression and suicide, with brain tissue showing higher rates of epigenetic regulation. The research, led by Dr. Michael O. Poulter, identifies a gene involved in regulating brain activity as being heavily chemically modified in deceased individuals.
Research by Dr Jane Fowler found strikers experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety, but those actively involved in union activities showed lower symptoms. Unions can support members with financial assistance and counselling to reduce psychological impact.
Researchers have discovered a new process that regulates adverse responses to bad memories by working on a tiny group of neurons inside the amygdala. By blocking or activating specific receptors, scientists can speed up or slow down traumatic responses, offering potential new treatments for panic disorders.
A new study provides a mouse model that may lead to the development of new treatments for mood disorders associated with pregnancy. The research found that alterations in GABA neurotransmitter system and GABAA receptor sensitivity during pregnancy and postpartum are linked to depression-like behaviors.
Research suggests that alliteration improves memory for both content and thematic aspects of literature. Participants who read works with similar alliterative sounds performed better in memory recall than those who read without or with different sounds.
A study found that gay couples with children and strong religious beliefs are more likely to formalize their relationship through commitment ceremonies. The study, published in the Journal of Family Psychology, suggests that these couples may be motivated by parenting and religious commitments.
Brain plays a key role in appetite regulation by using fat as fuel, with oxygen-free radicals playing a crucial role. The study suggests that antioxidants could help control weight, and taking them at the right time may affect satiety.
A multinational study has discovered that people with schizophrenia are more likely to carry rare chromosomal structural changes, particularly those altering gene function. Two new genomic areas have been identified as significantly increasing the risk of developing the disease.
Researchers found that individuals with a maternal history of Alzheimer's disease exhibit progressive metabolic reductions in glucose usage, particularly in areas of the brain affected by AD. This study bolsters previous findings and suggests that maternal risk for AD may be mediated through reduced brain metabolism.
Bernardino Ghetti, a renowned Indiana University Alzheimer's disease researcher, has been awarded the Henry M. Wisniewski Award for his lifetime contributions to Alzheimer's research and understanding of dementia mechanisms.
A new storm surge modeling system developed by Stony Brook University researchers will better predict flood levels and timing in NYC, crucial for emergency management. Sea level rise increases NYC's vulnerability to flooding, making it essential to improve forecasting.
Women with migraines, especially those with aura, may be at higher risk for heart disease and stroke due to a specific gene variant. A study found that women with this gene variant had more than three times the risk of cardiovascular disease, including four times the risk for stroke compared to those without the gene.
Researchers found that elevated calcium levels near amyloid plaques can disrupt neuronal function, leading to cellular degeneration. This study provides a new understanding of the connection between amyloid plaques and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers from UC Davis and Los Alamos National Laboratory have found a simple way to calculate the temperature at which the Kondo liquid emerges in heavy-electron materials, leading to new understanding of superconductivity. The discovery may help researchers find organizing principles of heavy-electron superconductivity.
Researchers will explore how HIV infection causes immune activation and depletion, with potential for clinical applications in AIDS treatment. The grant supports four projects ranging from basic lab research to experimental models and translational research.
The DZero collaboration at Fermilab has observed pairs of Z bosons, a rare event that makes its discovery an essential prelude to finding or excluding the Higgs boson. The observation was made possible by analyzing nearly 200 trillion proton-antiproton collisions.
A study found that high levels of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of bone disease, are associated with an increased risk of death in dialysis patients. Patients with elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were 25% more likely to die over a three-year period.
A study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that affluent mothers living within 200 meters of highways are at a higher risk of delivering low-weight infants (81% increase) and preterm babies (58% increase). The research team evaluated data from Quebec's birth registry over five years.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in schizophrenia research, identifying three microdeletions and several single nucleotide polymorphisms that contribute to the illness. These genetic variations increase disease risk, with one of the microdeletions found on chromosome 1 having a moderate to large impact.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have developed a way to confine light in incredibly small spaces, potentially leading to breakthroughs in optical communications, miniature lasers and optical computing. The technique could give remarkable control over light, allowing for the creation of compact optical transistors.
UC San Diego bioengineers identified a previously unknown mechanism allowing yeast to shut down galactose metabolism when glucose is present. This discovery provides new insights into gene regulation and could lead to understanding of human metabolic diseases like diabetes.
Five University of Miami students received top honors with prestigious American Meteorological Society (AMS) awards, bolstering the university's reputation for academic rigor in meteorology. The Rosenstiel School's undergraduate program, one of only 70 nationwide, has seen notable success with these scholarships and fellowships.
A small sample of adults with mild age-related memory loss showed increased brain metabolism and normalized brain function after taking Aricept for 18 months. The study suggests treating early symptoms of memory loss may protect the brain and help with mild age-related cognitive decline.
A cholesterol-lowering drug, lovastatin, has been shown to improve bone healing in an animal model of NF1. The study found marked improvements in bone healing compared to control animals.
Britt Glaunsinger's research using herpesvirus aims to understand cellular machinery for RNA stability, with potential implications for human health. The five-year grant supports her work on a mysterious viral protein that evades the immune response.
Research at MIT shows how insects trap air on their bodies to create an external lung, enabling them to stay underwater indefinitely. The stability of the bubble depends on the spacing of hairs on the insect's abdomen, which must be balanced with surface area for breathing.
Researchers at Caltech have found a signaling molecule in nematode worms that serves as both a population-control mechanism and a sexual attractant. The discovery could lead to new strategies to control parasitic nematodes, which affect the health of over a billion people.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a key membrane protein, Rv3671c, essential to Mycobacterium tuberculosis' defense against immune cell acidification. Disabling this protein makes the bacterium vulnerable to acidification and killing.
Researchers found that Miscanthus can produce about 2.5 times the amount of ethanol per acre compared to corn, requiring only 9.3% of current agricultural acreage to meet the US biofuels production goal. Miscanthus also accumulates more carbon in the soil than annual crops like corn and soybeans.
The study found that patients treated with IGIV demonstrated significantly better cognitive function, daily functioning, and activities of daily living compared to those receiving placebo. The benefits persisted over 9 months, showing promise for IGIV as an antiamyloid immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A CU-Boulder study using a space-age, low-gravity training machine found it reduced impacts on muscles and joints by nearly half when subjects ran at 50% of their body weight. The G-Trainer, built by Alter-G Inc., was retrofitted with force-measuring technology to quantify its effects.