Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh is developing two new immunoassays to detect fish allergens and pork fat in raw and processed food products. The tests aim to protect consumers with allergies or dietary restrictions, particularly Muslims and Jews who avoid pork consumption.
The 1918 influenza pandemic created a viral dynasty that persists to this day, with all human-adapted influenza A viruses being descendents of the founding virus. The novel 2009 H1N1 virus is yet another manifestation of this enduring viral family.
A team of scientists has discovered that burrowing frogs can survive for years without food or water by changing their cell metabolism to maximize energy efficiency. This radical adaptation could have significant medical applications, particularly in treating energy-related disorders like obesity.
Scientists at Leiden University have successfully developed an artificial leaf that can convert sunlight into fuel and clean energy. The breakthrough, which is the first step in creating an artificial photosynthesis system, involves modifying chlorophyll molecules to resemble the efficient light antennae of bacteria.
Scientists at Stanford University have created a new method to analyze isotopes, which are used to solve crimes, date ancient artifacts, and identify chemicals. The device uses laser-based spectroscopy to measure the ratios of isotopes in a sample, providing accurate results within one to three parts per thousand.
Research reveals that desert dust accelerates snowmelt in Colorado alpine meadows, changing how plants respond to seasonal climate cues and affecting their annual growth cycles. This could lead to increased competition for resources among plants and potentially alter the composition of alpine meadows.
A new UCF study is using population genetics to aid in the conservation of the Lower Keys marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), which are estimated to have less than 300 individuals remaining. The research aims to identify genetically diverse populations and relocate them to create a new habitat.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is investigating possible links between insulin glargine and increased cancer risk based on 2009 Diabetologia study findings. The organization emphasizes that people needing insulin should not stop taking the drug, urging them to consult their doctors for advice.
A new study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers suggests that zolpidem, a powerful sedative, activates brain circuits when neural activity is silenced. This 'activation' occurs due to changes in inhibitory neurons responsible for stopping neural activity, allowing excitatory neurons to re-awaken.
Research explores how exercise at high altitudes impacts the body's response to decreased oxygen levels. The findings reveal adaptations that help maintain oxygen delivery to muscles during exercise and long-term benefits for athletes training at moderate altitude.
Scientists have found that when sulfate and soot mix in the atmosphere, the sulfate shell enhances the absorption of light by coated soot particles. This mixing happens quickly and affects the role of soot in climate change, potentially leading to more warming.
The Ecological Society of America presents the Eminent Ecologist Award to Steven Hubbell for his neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography, while Jerry Jenkins, Glenn Motzkin, and Kirsten Ward receive the Cooper Award for their work on plant succession. The Mercer Award is given to Richard Lankau and Sharon Strauss for their pape...
Prof. Noam Eliaz's electrochemical coating process improves implant functionality, longevity, and integration into the body. The new coating reduces materials failure by 33% and has potential to spur new bone growth.
The IU School of Optometry has been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support its vision research program. The grant will enable researchers to improve their infrastructure, including electronics, machine shop, and scientific computing resources.
The first comprehensive global assessment reveals accelerating losses of seagrasses, threatening the health and sustainability of coastal ecosystems. Seagrasses disappear at rates similar to coral reefs and tropical rainforests, with a loss of 110 square-kilometers per year since 1980.
The World Health Organization estimates that 2.8 billion people will face water stress or scarcity by 2025. Access to clean water can reduce global disease burden and is essential for health.
Researchers created a genetic linkage map for S. mansoni, a blood fluke infecting 90 million people in Africa and the New World. The map will facilitate high-resolution population genetic studies and improve understanding of transmission patterns.
Researchers at Penn State's Center for Network-Centric Cognition and Information Fusion are working on a $1.2 million MURI grant to develop unified research on network-based hard/soft information fusion. The team will use data from various sources, including cell phones and social media sites, to improve data fusion capabilities.
Pitt researchers describe the 90-year evolution of H1N1 swine flu, tracing its genetic roots back to a 1918 respiratory illness in pigs. The current strain shares common ancestry with older flu strains, potentially offering partial immunity to new pandemic viruses.
Researchers developed a computer model to help medical doctors choose the optimal time to begin statin therapy in diabetes patients, reducing cardiovascular risk. The new model incorporates patient-specific data and accounts for the progression of diabetes and cost-benefit analysis.
A recent study highlights the immense economic burden of life-extending cancer treatments in the US, estimated to be over $400 billion annually. The authors argue that interventions with survival advantages of two months or less should be prioritized to address this issue.
The US Department of Homeland Security is developing a new technology using ground-penetrating radar to detect tunnels along the US border. This innovative system will help agents locate and plug tunnels almost as fast as criminals can dig them, reducing the threat of drug smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorist attacks.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified genes that regulate flower color change, revealing a predictable pattern of evolution. The study found that hawkmoths prefer white or yellow flowers over red ones, driving natural selection to shift flower colors.
Research finds fish kept alone or with one companion show increased aggression, while larger groups exhibit natural behaviors like shoaling. The study aims to establish welfare guidelines for home aquaria by examining healthy stocking densities and novel object use.
High ozone conditions decrease oilseed rape yield by 30% and increase toxic glucosinolate compounds, affecting crop resistance and animal fodder quality. This could lead to significant income loss for farmers and impact human health in future climates.
A clinical trial in Sri Lanka found no significant improvement in survival rates among patients treated with the WHO-recommended antidote pralidoxime, suggesting it may be harmful. Further trials are needed to explore the risks and benefits of oximes and dosing regimens.
A new UCLA study found that conversing with children is more effective in promoting language development than just reading to them. The study, which measured the effects of adult-child conversations on language development, found that back-and-forth conversation was strongly associated with future improvements in the child's language s...
Researchers found marine mammals have higher myoglobin solubility due to increased net positive charge, and stronger divers have more histidine, aiding lactic acid management. This adaptation helps marine mammals cope with aquatic life demands.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism linking a common single-base variant in chromosome 8 to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. This variant is carried by nearly all African populations and contributes significantly to the disease at a population level, yet its impact on individual susceptibility is minimal.
A new ovarian transplantation technique has successfully restored fertility in two patients who had lost their ovaries due to cancer treatment. The two-step procedure involves grafting small pieces of frozen ovarian tissue before the main transplant, allowing for faster recovery of ovarian function and improved response to stimulation.
A study by French and American scientists found that enzyme synthesis of steroids in humans is unrelated to those in insects, snails, octopuses, and corals. This discovery suggests a 'snail-centered viewpoint' for understanding the effects of environmental chemicals on steroid synthesis.
A study from the University of Gothenburg reveals Helicobacter pylori manipulates immune cells to develop a chronic infection. The bacterium also increases regulatory T cells in the stomach lining, which may lead to new treatments against peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
The Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) initiative uses portable photometers to measure aerosol concentrations over the oceans, contradicting satellite measurements at high latitudes. Researchers hope to improve confidence in aerosol measurements to better predict climate responses to global temperature increases.
Researchers found that human female embryos inactivate one X chromosome prior to implantation, which may affect laboratory culture conditions and embryo survival. This process is thought to have remained unchanged throughout evolution and has implications for human embryonic stem cell research.
Research finds that mice fed sunflower oil (n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) run faster than those on linseed oil (n-3 fatty acids), achieving a 6.3% boost in sprint speed. This effect is significant for small mammals, such as mice and their predators.
Black gay men are more likely to have tightly interconnected sexual networks, increasing the rapid spread of HIV. Social barriers and racism contribute to these networks, perpetuating health disparities among Black gay men.
A recent study shows that telemedicine can diagnose retinopathy of prematurity faster than traditional bedside ophthalmoscopy. By reducing travel and communication time, telemedicine can improve the efficiency of care for ophthalmologists.
The DOE JGI has selected 71 new genomic sequencing projects for its 2010 Community Sequencing Program, focused on bioenergy, climate, and environmental applications. The program aims to improve the clean energy pathways and understanding of the global carbon cycle.
Researchers at University of Nottingham found that quinine blocks cell's ability to take up tryptophan, a key amino acid. Dietary tryptophan supplements may improve quinine performance and combat side effects.
Researchers found that most pairs of black-legged kittiwakes avoid inbreeding more often than chance, suggesting they can detect relatives in large populations. Inbred pairs produced fewer hatching eggs and chicks with lower survival rates.
The University of Leeds is working on a new type of body armor made from cement, combining super-strong cement with recycled carbon fibre materials to create a material tough enough to withstand most types of bullets. The project aims to provide cost-effective protection for people at risk, such as security guards and reporters.
A study by University of Minnesota researcher Iris Borowsky found that one in seven adolescents believe they will die before age 35, predicting increased risk-taking behaviors. Those who believed they'd die young were more likely to engage in risky behaviors and have poor health outcomes.
Researchers discover that a secondary viral infection can trigger the reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and potentially developing into cancer. Activation of specific toll-like receptors allows the virus to replicate, spreading throughout the body.
Researchers developed a biologically-inspired robot, the Chewing Robot, to study dental wear formation on human teeth. The robot replicates natural bite forces and movements, allowing for improved testing of new dental materials.
Researchers found evidence that magnesium sulfate administration significantly reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in children at risk. However, a roundtable discussion highlighted the need for further clarification on its use due to conflicting results from well-designed trials and observational studies.
A new computer model developed at MIT allows researchers to design more stable antibodies, reducing clumping and aggregation issues. The model identifies regions responsible for aggregation and enables mutation of amino acids to increase stability without affecting function.
A new method detects protein biomarkers in body fluids, increasing the number of diagnostic tests for cancer. The technique is highly reproducible across laboratories and instruments, allowing for early cancer detection.
Researchers have discovered that deleting specific genes can significantly reduce toxic calcium release in pancreatic cells, which can trigger pancreatitis. The study's findings may lead to the development of more effective treatments for the disease, particularly those related to excessive drinking.
A study by McConnell et al. reveals that intestinal microvilli extend their function beyond nutrient absorption, releasing vesicles packed with enzymes into the gut lumen for enhanced nutrient breakdown and defense against pathogens like lipopolysaccharide
Research finds increased toxic compounds and decreased protein content in plants grown under high CO2 and drought conditions. Cassava yields may also be affected, highlighting the need for new crop cultivars to address future climate change.
The study found that Pistorius' energy cost of running is similar to accomplished male distance runners but 17% lower than performance-matched sprinters. His ability to hold speed over longer sprint races is identical to intact-limb athletes, but his sprinting mechanics are dissimilar.
A review in Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an effective treatment for hard-to-treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The therapy, which involves stimulating specific parts of the brain, has shown early results with a beneficial effect on these conditions.
A scientific system developed by St. Michael's Hospital accurately predicted the international spread of H1N1 by analyzing flight itineraries of over 2.3 million passengers. The system, known as The BIO.DIASPORA Project, quickly integrated information on worldwide air traffic patterns with global infectious disease threats.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that flexible moths' wings are better suited for flight due to their ability to generate more lift and airflow velocity. This discovery challenges traditional assumptions about wing structure and function in insects.
Vibrator use is prevalent among adult Americans, reported by 53% of women and 45% of men, associated with positive sexual function and proactive sexual health care. The studies also found no significant differences in vibrator use between heterosexual and gay/bisexual men.
A study published by UCSF researchers found that bone marrow extract is as effective as bone marrow stem cells in improving cardiac function, decreasing scar tissue, and pumping capacity after a heart attack. Both therapies resulted in increased blood vessels and reduced cardiac cell death, showing promise for new treatments.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified three proteins called Toll-like receptors as necessary for the autodestruction that occurs in autoimmune diseases like lupus. The study suggests that these TLRs may be good targets for therapy, potentially leading to new treatments for lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
A new study by the University of Leicester has found evidence that duck-billed dinosaurs, such as Hadrosaurs, had a unique way of eating. The researchers used microscopic analysis of scratches on dinosaur teeth to understand their feeding mechanisms and place them in ancient ecosystems.
A new MRI technique developed by UW-Madison researchers has the potential to reduce breast biopsies in high-risk women. The technology allows radiologists to visually identify cancerous lesions based on characteristics such as shape and smoothness of edges. This could lead to fewer unnecessary biopsies and improved patient outcomes.
The July issue of European Urology reviews prostate cancer screening studies, highlighting the need to balance mortality reduction with overdiagnosis risks. The EAU adopts the conclusions of the ERSPC study and recognizes the benefit of screening for mortality reduction.