A new collection of papers explores how solar energy, winds, asteroid impacts, and changing magnetic fields shaped early Mars' environment. These findings suggest that the planet may have supported life during its history.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a new mechanism for DNA biosynthesis in certain organisms, which may be targeted by new antibiotics. The discovery has the potential to combat multiple drug-resistant diseases such as tuberculosis.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a cell survival pathway that protects against degenerative diseases and promotes longevity. The study found that nematode worms live longer when their genetic make-up permits them to turn on this pathway under normal oxygen conditions.
Researchers analyzed primary care records of 5,477 colorectal cancer patients and 38,314 controls to quantify the exact risks posed by eight clinical features. The study found that rectal bleeding carries a high risk warranting investigation regardless of other symptoms.
A study found that combining senna with magnesium citrate improved the quality of colonoscopy preparations, resulting in better completion rates and diagnostic accuracy. The addition of senna also reduced the need for repeat procedures and was generally well-tolerated by patients.
Researchers have discovered that nocturnal mammals' rod cell nuclei are inverted, allowing for reduced light scatter and enhanced low-light vision. This unusual organization enables these animals to perceive light as much as a millionth of daylight's intensity.
Researchers at Harvard University and Dartmouth College discovered hardy microbes living in isolation beneath an Antarctic glacier. The microbes, similar to those found in modern marine environments, have adapted to survive in extreme conditions by breathing iron and using sulfur catalysts.
A University of Houston research team is helping NASA develop a navigation system to track and direct explorers on the moon. The system must be adaptable, robust and provide accurate information despite sensor failures or changes in input data.
A Michigan State University nursing researcher is using a $400,000 grant to develop an intervention targeting middle school girls' physical activity. The study will focus on counseling and after-school activities to motivate girls to engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity.
A new study by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers suggests that the size of male crested auklets' crests may be an indicator of their quality as mates. Males with larger crests have been found to have lower levels of stress hormones, indicating they are better equipped to cope with the challenges of reproduction.
Researchers propose alternative explanation for anomalous sulfur isotope composition in ancient rocks, suggesting early oxygen-rich atmosphere may have been present. Laboratory experiments show that organic material and thermal sulfate reduction can produce similar isotopic signatures.
The new guidelines outline advances in diagnostic tests, treatments, and preventive care for HIV-infected individuals. Effective antiretroviral therapy is crucial in preventing and managing opportunistic infections.
The UCLA center aims to prevent second strokes in survivors by exploring innovative models of care and neighborhood interventions that reduce risk factors. Researchers will collaborate with community partners on studies to develop effective preventive treatments.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology has discovered a significant link between aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression and gastric cancer. The research suggests that AhR may be a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in creating ultra-precise atomic clocks using fermions at near absolute zero temperatures. The new method enables the control of fermion interactions and avoids the loss of precision, leading to a three-fold increase in clock accuracy. This advancement has great potential for applications...
Researchers found that alpha-fetoprotein is highly expressed in developing rat colons, particularly at embryonic day 18.5, and decreases significantly as the animal matures. The protein is localized to mesenchymal cells throughout different developmental stages of the colon.
Scientists discovered an ancient ecosystem trapped beneath Taylor Glacier in Antarctica, which survived without light or oxygen by transforming sulfur and iron compounds for growth. This unique ecosystem has the potential to explain how life might exist on other planets and serve as a model for life under ice.
The organism Methanopyrus kandleri has a mutation that shuts down cellular activity, but an enzyme converts it back to normal. This discovery may combat viruses and provide insights into protein biosynthesis.
A team from IRIC has successfully produced a large quantity of laboratory stem cells from a small number of blood stem cells. This breakthrough could lead to major implications in fields with no current treatment, such as transplantation and organ rejection prevention.
Scientists at Cornell University have successfully created a new ferroelectric material that can store electronic information instantly, paving the way for next-generation memory devices. The research involves depositing strontium titanate on silicon to create a special state called ferroelectric.
The Australian ocean glider, launched in February, successfully completed a two-month, 1,500 kilometre voyage to measure changes in the East Australian and Leeuwin Currents. The glider's sensors measured temperature, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity, providing valuable insights into Australia's $94 million marine observing network.
A new course at Ohio State University has been shown to increase the odds of college graduation for struggling first-year students, with those taking the class being 45% more likely to graduate within six years. The course teaches skills such as risk-taking and using feedback to improve academic performance.
The article discusses various risk factors that contribute to suicide, including male sex, psychiatric disorders, unemployment, and easy access to means. Mental health problems, such as depression and bipolar disorder, significantly increase the risk of suicide.
Researchers have found that cold and brown fat cells play a significant role in metabolism, raising the prospect of a new method for treating obesity. The discovery suggests that increasing fat burn could be a more effective approach than solely reducing energy intake.
A nationwide study reveals that enforcing federal and state laws against tobacco sales to minors drastically decreases underage smoking rates, with daily smoking rates among 10th graders falling by half between 1997 and 2003.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that calcium dobesilate did not prevent the development of clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) in patients with mild-to-moderate diabetic retinopathy. In fact, patients who received calcium dobesilate were more likely to develop CSME than those given a placebo.
A new evolutionary study of the X chromosome shows that it plays an active role in sex chromosome differentiation. The researchers found that the X chromosome undergoes periods of intense adaptation as it compensates for the degeneration of the Y chromosome, which has lost many genes since it stopped recombining with the X. This findin...
A team of researchers identified two critical microRNAs that lead to abnormal ear development and progressive hearing loss when removed. The study also found potential for using these molecules as a regenerative tool to treat deafness and balance disorders.
Researchers have identified a group of cells as direct targets of deep brain stimulation (DBS) using optogenetics, which reduces disease symptoms by preferentially activating neurons linked to the subthalamic nucleus region. The technique allows precise stimulation and measurement of treatment effects simultaneously in animals with Par...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a way to change one cell type into another by flooding it with specific messenger RNAs from another cell type. This approach, called Transcriptome induced phenotype remodeling (TIPeR), offers the possibility for a new type of cell-based therapy for neurodegener...
Researchers have identified Mcl-1 as a critical protein in melanoma cell resistance to anoikis, enabling metastasis and survival. Depletion of Mcl-1 makes melanoma cells susceptible to apoptosis, suggesting a viable treatment strategy.
Researchers developed a novel approach to isolate high-quality RNA from Kupffer cells, overcoming technical obstacles. The method uses laser capture microdissection with India ink labeling, resulting in enriched mRNA and significant gene expression changes.
A new study published in Neurology found that prenatal meth exposure is associated with abnormal white matter structure and maturation in the developing brain. This can lead to delays in developmental milestones, increased stress and lethargy, and poorer quality of movement in infants.
A new study found that early prenatal exposure to the Hong Kong flu may have interfered with fetal cerebral development and caused reduced intelligence in adulthood. The study involved over 180,000 men born between 1967 and 1973 and showed a significant association between prenatal exposure to the virus and lower intelligence scores.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that treating sleep disorders in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not lead to improvements in daytime sleepiness. Despite significant reductions in sleep apnea severity, participants showed no changes in mood, quality of life, or cognitive performance.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new method to produce mass quantities of graphene nanoribbons, which are essential for electronics applications. The technique uses plasma etching to slice open carbon nanotubes, creating uniform ribbons with smooth edges.
The University of Miami's 5th annual Underwater Photography Contest attracted over 918 images from 23 countries, with winning entries chosen by a panel of experts. The Best Overall winner was Marchione Giacomo for his image of Boxer crabs, while student winners included Neil Hammerschlag and Evan D'Alessandro.
The study suggests that neural pathways governing sensory and motor associations accomplish task switching through learning and communication of distinct populations of MT neurons into a downstream decision system. This finding is important for understanding both normal cognition and psychiatric disorders.
Scientists at the University of Cincinnati have identified the RGS17 gene as a major suspect in familial lung cancers. Further investigation may lead to genetic testing for high-risk patients, enabling early detection and treatment.
The World Federation of Hemophilia launches a video podcast on comprehensive care, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary teams to provide accurate diagnosis, prompt treatment, and support for families. Comprehensive care is crucial in both developing and developed countries to improve patient outcomes and prevent complications.
The new California Solar Energy Collaborative aims to establish consensus among key stakeholders, develop efficient solar technologies, and create an ambitious energy policy for the state. UC San Diego and UC Davis will utilize the grant to collect existing research, facilitate gap areas, and track evolving solar technology development.
A multicenter study found EUS elastography to be highly sensitive and specific in distinguishing benign from malignant tissue, with a sensitivity of 92.3% for pancreatic lesions and 91.8% for lymph nodes. The technique may help characterize pancreatic masses after negative EUS-FNA and increase the yield of EUS-FNA for lymph nodes.
A landmark study found that three-year-olds exposed to valproate during pregnancy had average IQs six to nine points lower than those exposed to other antiepileptic drugs. The study recommends women with epilepsy try alternative treatments before taking valproate.
Researchers successfully transferred a gene to produce a protein necessary for healthy muscle fiber growth, increasing muscle-fiber size and producing the needed protein for at least six months. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of gene therapy for treating limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and other muscle disorders.
Researchers discover that Trypanosoma brucei breaks its DNA to change its surface coat, a key strategy for avoiding immune cells. This finding suggests a common mechanism for DNA rearrangement in parasites and humans.
Scientists at MIT and Brown University developed a microfluidic device to separate right-handed from left-handed bacteria, which can lead to safer pharmaceuticals. The discovery could also impact industries like agriculture and food production.
The discovery of a well-preserved temple in Turkey's Tayinat site has revealed that ruling dynasties survived the Bronze Age collapse, contradicting traditional views. The temple's Luwian hieroglyphics and extensive remains suggest strong cultural connections with the Aegean world during the early Iron Age.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) awards the 2009 Dannie Heineman Prizes to Carlo Becchi, Alain Rouet, Raymond Stora, and Igor Tyutin for their discovery and exploitation of BRST symmetry in gauge theories. Lennox Cowie receives the astrophysics prize for his innovative observations of the distant universe.
Studies using brain imaging have identified distinct regional vulnerabilities within five intrinsic networks, suggesting a class-wide phenomenon of network degeneration. These findings support the hypothesis that spatial patterning of disease relates to structural or physiological aspects of neural network biology.
Researchers at UT Houston are conducting a Phase I safety trial using patient's own stem cells to treat strokes. The study aims to reduce disability in patients and could be an exciting new therapeutic approach.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found a common genetic variant linked to increased ischemic stroke risk in the US, affecting approximately 20% of whites and 10% of blacks. This discovery may lead to new strategies for detecting at-risk individuals and developing targeted treatments.
The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) awarded 15 students with the 2009 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship to conduct meaningful research in plant biology. The fellowship recipients included Kevin Cooper, Ying Goh, Sharon Holifield, Emily Lin, Dianne Pater, Evan Pratt, and Shelley Sianta, among others.
Dr. Piera Pasinelli has received a $300,000 grant from the Margaret Q. Landenberger Research Foundation to investigate critical aspects of drug delivery in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The research aims to overcome the limitations of current treatments by finding ways to inactivate multi-drug resistance transporters.
A new report emphasizes the importance of retrofitting existing UK buildings to reduce carbon emissions. The UK's 24 million existing buildings would need significant attention to reduce their emissions by just 40%, with large-scale refurbishment being only part of the answer.
Researchers identify specific brain regions affected by each disease, suggesting a common disease process among all forms of neurodegeneration. The discovery could lead to earlier diagnoses and novel treatment-monitoring strategies.
Researchers found strong conservation of gene expression in brain tissue across five species, including mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates. This suggests that neurons play a more central role in functional interactions than cells in other tissues.
Researchers identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of stroke, providing strong evidence for specific genes involved. The study, funded by the NHLBI and other NIH institutes, analyzed over 19,000 participants and replicated results in independent samples.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that sleep problems lead to increased ratings of pain and fatigue in cancer patients. The research indicates that addressing sleep issues may improve pain management for this patient population.
Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with PNES, improving their overall quality of life. The study also showed significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and psychosocial functioning.
The DECIPHER database has revealed its developing role in revolutionizing both clinical practice and genetic research, providing a key to unlock the causes of illnesses. The data from around 100 centres has been shared openly worldwide, benefiting researchers, clinicians, and patients.