Researchers from Georgia Tech, University of Dayton, and others develop a stronger, more practical dry adhesive inspired by gecko feet. The new material creates directionally-varied adhesive force, with a gripping ability nearly three times that of real geckos.
Researchers have developed an animal model to study the effect of small strokes on nearby neurons, finding that blockages can cause significant decreases in blood flow and death of neurons. A potential new tool for brain surgeons is being developed using optical measurements to detect and protect critical areas during surgery.
Researchers will analyze human blood samples to discover proteins that could serve as biomarkers of infectious diseases. The goal is to identify specific biomarkers present in infected individuals but absent in uninfected people, guiding diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines.
Dr Stephen Todd will investigate the role of beta-secretase in Alzheimer's disease using a novel blood-based assay. The study aims to determine if enzyme activity predicts disease progression and response to dementia treatment.
Researchers found a unique microorganism, Desulforudis audaxviator, living in complete isolation with no sunlight, oxygen, and extreme heat. The bacterium survives by harnessing energy from hydrogen and sulfate produced by radioactive decay of uranium, and has a remarkable genome with 2,157 protein-coding genes.
A study published in Science warns that climate change may exceed life's ability to respond, threatening 53% of species with extinction. The research provides critical insights into the effects of warming on tropical ecosystems, highlighting the need for conservation measures.
The Movement for Global Mental Health aims to scale up mental health services globally through citizen advocacy and action. Key findings include the establishment of national taskforces in Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as progress in Brazil.
Herpes simplex virus type I is kept under constant guard by the immune system, which actively holds the infection in check without destroying the neurons harboring it. CD8 T cells target infected sensory neurons with lytic granules that attack viral infections without killing the neurons.
A novel nerve stimulator alleviates pain in patients with hemicrania continua, a rare form of chronic daily headache. The study found that five of six patients reported sufficient benefit to recommend the device.
Research finds UK baby boomers have limited retirement plans, preferring to maintain current lifestyles. They demonstrate a changing attitude towards inheritance, with a focus on enjoying life rather than leaving a legacy. Baby boomers also show diverse generational views, varying in their perceptions of age, identity, and consumerism.
Scientists have developed a rapid new technique called Rapid Virulence Annotation (RVA) to identify toxins and virulence factors made by bacteria that allow it to infect different types of organisms. This discovery could lead to new vaccines and anti-bacterial drugs, as well as help prevent diseases caused by disease-causing bacteria.
Researchers have discovered how water snails can drag themselves across a fluid surface using the slime they secrete. By distorting the soft surface, the snail creates waves in the mucus layer that generate propulsive forces and move.
A team of researchers found that magma is continuously supplied from deep in the crust but a valve acts below a shallower magma chamber, releasing lava to the surface periodically. The upper reservoir is open and the lower reservoir refills at half the rate it was lost during lulls in eruption.
The new NIAID-funded programs aim to identify molecular features that distinguish bacterial and viral species, which may be targets for potential medical interventions. Researchers will use computational and experimental methods to analyze the dynamics of molecular components within microbes and their interactions with human cells.
A study by University of California, Berkeley biologists found that small mammal populations in Yosemite National Park have shifted to higher elevations in response to warmer temperatures. The study, which compared data from 1914 and 2014, also revealed changes in community composition due to climate change.
A low-cholesterol diet can trigger an increase in bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in the gut, according to a new study. This may help limit the absorption of toxins in the intestine.
Scientists have found that magma recharges volcanoes repeatedly, causing episodic eruptions at the surface. This new understanding increases the challenge of predicting future eruptions, with implications for volcanic monitoring and management.
Researchers found that SREBP-2 induces expression of type 2 taste receptors in cultured mouse intestinal cells and enhances T2R-induced secretion of cholecystokinin. This mechanism may inform the gut about food-borne toxins and initiate a response to limit their absorption.
Researchers have identified a new gene, Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), that may contribute to human vulnerability to pulmonary tuberculosis. The study found that males are more susceptible than females to the disease.
A new drug class, ranolazine, has been approved for the treatment of chronic stable angina, providing a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments. Ranolazine has been shown to reduce anginal episodes by one attack per week and extend exercise time before an angina attack develops, with benefits seen in men more than women.
A new imaging study reveals two distinct brain regions competing for control: one associated with risk aversion, the other with a desire for risk-taking. The prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in risk assessment.
A new laboratory-engineered mouse model shows slowed AMD progression with retinylamine treatment, providing biochemical evidence for a potential therapeutic intervention. Researchers aim to prevent rapid eye degeneration and slow disease advancement.
A study found that nearly half of children with cystic fibrosis were vitamin D deficient, despite receiving recommended doses. Increasing vitamin D intake is crucial to address deficiencies and prevent bone loss in this population.
Researchers at MU and MRI develop new hydrogen storage material using corncobs and boron, increasing storage capacity and reducing tank size. The project aims to create more flexible and less bulky fuel tanks for vehicles.
A study by Cardiff University scientists has revealed that common earthworms in the UK are composed of multiple distinct species, each with unique roles in food chains and soil ecology. The discovery, published in Molecular Ecology, sheds new light on the importance of earthworms in agriculture.
Scientists found that mussels alternate between eating and growing genes in response to changing environmental conditions. The study suggests that mussels use a survival strategy similar to circadian rhythms, allowing them to separate physiological processes and reduce damage from free radicals.
Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine discovered a novel enzyme linked to anencephaly, a rare fatal birth defect. The study suggests that a genetic test may be developed to diagnose the condition early in pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that the small intestine can detect bitter toxins in food, slowing digestion and producing hormones that suppress appetite. This finding has potential applications for treating ailments like cancer and diabetes, and may explain why certain populations adapt to eat local foods that are toxic to outsiders.
A new gene, Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), has been identified as having a probable role in human susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. The study found that males are more susceptible than females.
Researchers have developed a new technique using Granger causality to analyze brain activity, revealing the flow of information between brain regions. This breakthrough could advance efforts to help patients recover from brain injuries and mental disorders.
North Carolina State University is developing a multimedia training course for forensic crime scene investigation, standardizing protocols across the state. The online coursework aims to improve death investigations and reduce costs for law enforcement agencies.
The CarTel project uses a network of mobile sensors to monitor traffic conditions and provide drivers with real-time information on congestion and potential engine problems. By analyzing data from multiple vehicles, the system can identify historical and current traffic patterns, enabling more efficient routing and reducing commute times.
A University of Illinois expert argues that traditional corporate governing systems failed to prevent risky business deals, contributing to the financial meltdown. In contrast, partnership-based firms have better weathered crises through controls like tying managers' compensation to company fortunes.
A new study by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds that wildfires can boost ozone pollution to levels violating US health standards. The research focused on California wildfires in 2007 and found that they repeatedly caused ground-level ozone to spike to unhealthy levels across a broad area.
Researchers at NYU Langone's Skirball Institute have discovered the missing link between Agrin and MuSK, essential molecules for neuromuscular synapse formation. This breakthrough may lead to new insights into causes of myasthenia gravis and ALS.
Global warming may threaten tropical plant and animal species living in mountainous regions, forcing them to move uphill in search of suitable climates. This could lead to the extinction of half of the studied species in Costa Rican lowlands unless they develop tolerances for higher temperatures.
A multi-centre study of 863 patients from 14 countries found that solifenacin significantly improved overactive bladder symptoms, with a 70% reduction in severe urgency and urgency incontinence. Patients reported reduced urine frequency and fewer incontinence episodes within three days.
The AAAS study found 626 points of destruction affecting civilians in 24 villages near Tskhinvali, with significant fire damage and evidence of military activity. The analysis contradicts Russia's claim that Georgian troops inflicted most of the damage.
University of Houston professors Matthew Franchek and Ralph Metcalfe receive a $2.8 million NIH grant to create a pulseless total artificial heart (TAH) with advanced control systems. The device aims to improve reliability and adjust to physiological needs, offering hope for those waiting for a heart transplant.
A case report highlights the risk of thiamine deficiency disease after gastric bypass surgery for obesity, which can lead to severe neurological symptoms. Patients are advised to take multivitamins and monitor their thiamine levels to prevent this condition.
A team of Penn State researchers has developed a new approach called Automatic Linguistic Indexing of Pictures in Real-Time (ALIPR) that enables computers to recognize the contents of photographs. The system uses statistical models to assign keywords to images based on pixel information, improving accuracy rates up to 90%.
The Indonesian government and World Wildlife Fund announce a commitment to protect Sumatra's forests and critical ecosystems, home to endangered species. The agreement aims to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable development on the island.
A Northwestern University-led research team has identified a new material that can transform thermoelectric technology into one that converts waste heat into electricity, potentially improving gas mileage by 5-10 percent. The discovery is promising and could lead to widespread use in the automotive industry and other applications.
Research by Anthony Norman identifies vitamin D's potential contributions to good health in immune systems, insulin regulation, heart and blood pressure, muscle strength, brain activity, and reducing cancer risk. Adequate intake is essential for 36 organs, including bone marrow, prostate, and breast tissues.
Researchers discovered that children with autism spend less time looking at a teacher's face when imitating new skills, compared to typically developing children. This finding sheds light on why children with autism struggle to learn from others and may lead to potential interventions.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual survey ranks top biopharma employers based on driving characteristics such as financial strength and research-driven environment. This year, Genentech regained top honors, followed by Monsanto and Genzyme in the top three.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully grown blue crabs in freshwater ponds, showing that they can thrive in these environments. The method has the potential to provide a sustainable source of crabs while reducing pressure on coastal populations.
A group of internationally recognized scientists urges the U.S. to adopt sustainable standards and practices for cellulosic biofuel production to minimize environmental harm. The experts emphasize the need for incentives to promote environmentally friendly growing practices among farmers.
Researchers found that a heat shock protein, Hsp90β, helps stabilize rapsyn, an unstable protein responsible for anchoring receptors to catch messages from neurons. This discovery could lead to new treatments for muscular dystrophies and neurological disorders.
Mussels have an active physiological barrier in their gills that protects them from harmful substances in the water. The two recently discovered proteins, both ABC transporters, ensure that substances that don't belong in the cell are transported out again.
Researchers at Yale University have created a blueprint for artificial cells that can outperform natural cells in generating electricity. The new design shows promise for powering tiny medical implants without releasing toxins into the system.
A multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that hydrocortisone treatment in preemies has little to no benefit and may increase the risk of brain bleeding. Low cortisol levels in premature babies do not appear to be harmful, contrary to common belief.
A new hand transplant has shown emerging sense of touch in a 54-year-old man's former 'hand area' of the brain 35 years after amputation. The brain's map of the individual fingers is still evolving with increasing sensation, but researchers are optimistic about the potential for future recovery.
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