Researchers at the Salk Institute used fruit flies as a model to study gliomas, the most common malignant brain tumors. They found that activating specific signaling pathways in the fly brains resulted in tumor-like growths, mimicking human disease.
A large study found that early transition from intravenous to oral antibiotics in children with acute osteomyelitis is as effective as continued IV therapy. The study, conducted by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, showed a reduced risk of treatment failure and complications related to central venous catheters.
Researchers have discovered a transient protective effect of herpesvirus infections in mice, suggesting possible benefits against bacterial pathogens. The findings, confirmed by Dr. Marcia Blackman's team, contradict previous suggestions that vaccinated individuals may experience unintended negative consequences.
A new critical care pathway, ACSETS, was implemented at four western New York hospitals to improve treatment and outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndrome. The study found that ACSES patients had a 19% lower mortality rate one year after discharge compared to pre-ACSES patients.
Researchers from MIT indicate that underlying gastrointestinal infections increase severity of acute diarrhea and delay recovery. The analysis provides a model for evaluating new preventive strategies or therapeutic treatments.
Researchers discovered that omega-3 fatty acids protect against liver damage and insulin resistance caused by obesity. The study found that lipids called protectins and resolvins derived from omega-3 fatty acids reduced the incidence of liver complications in obese mice, leading to improved insulin tolerance.
A research team has successfully observed the quantum spin Hall effect, where electrons flow without external stimulus due to internal material structure. This breakthrough could lead to the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers and spin sources suitable for quantum computing and information processing.
Climate change is expected to drastically impact world fisheries, with US Atlantic cod populations projected to decline by 50% by 2050. The study, led by William Cheung, simulates changes in ocean temperature and current patterns caused by various climate scenarios.
A new UK study shows that using NIOX MINO to measure inflammation in asthma patients can lead to a £341-£554 annual cost saving. This is achieved by optimizing treatment, reducing visits to casualty and hospital admissions, and lowering cortisone inhaler doses.
A hallucinogenic compound found in a plant indigenous to South America has been discovered to activate the sigma-1 receptor, a protein abundant throughout the body. This finding may have implications for treating drug abuse and depression, with potential applications for developing new, highly selective drugs to inhibit the receptor.
A Montana State University study has found that the coldest daily temperatures recorded in Bozeman, Mont., and Coldstream, British Columbia, have occurred less often over the past several decades. Extreme warm nighttime temperatures have become more frequent at a rate of about one percent per year or 10 percent per decade.
Researchers estimate that truth saved $1.9 billion in health care costs associated with tobacco use by preventing youth from starting to smoke. The campaign's expansion would be an excellent public health investment due to its cost-effectiveness.
Researchers from the University of Granada and CSIC have studied the growing mechanism of gastropods' nacre. The study reveals that nacre grows in terraces due to a membrane that covers and protects it from seawater, and proposes new possibilities for its use in biomedicine.
Thomas Robertson is researching the consequences of American rural development in Nepal, while Seth Tuler focuses on improving environmental health communications in Thailand. Their work aims to better understand the impacts of science and technology on humanity.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen have developed a general method to study membrane proteins, reducing the development time for useful drugs substantially. The method uses amphipols to immobilize membrane proteins on surfaces, allowing for faster and more accurate testing.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute and 454 Life Sciences Corp. have completed a draft version of the Neandertal genome, providing insights into their genetic relationship with modern humans. The study reveals significant differences between the Neandertal and human genomes, shedding light on how our species diverged.
Research shows that inhibiting MMP enzymes slows down dental filling deterioration, preventing bacteria entry and decay. Chlorhexidine use can rapidly inhibit MMP activity, offering a practical solution for improved dental care.
Researchers developed a synthetic atherosclerosis drug, DMHCA, which targets the Liver X Receptors and reduces plaque formation without increasing fat levels. The study found significant therapeutic promise, with DMHCA significantly reducing arterial lesions in mice by 45-48%.
A UK survey found that only 30% of mental health workers discuss sexual health issues with service users, despite 80% agreeing it's an important part of their role. The study also revealed low levels of awareness about HIV risks among people with schizophrenia, leading to concerns about infection rates and staff safety.
The 'Besieged in Britain' report reveals the psychological damage caused by extreme denials of civil liberties, including severe mental health problems and suicide attempts. The policy has led to men being held under house arrest for long periods, subjected to random police searches, and forced to leave their families.
A study of 22,211 people found that abdominal obesity increased the risk of migraine headaches in those aged 20-55, especially in women. Losing weight around the stomach area may be beneficial for reducing migraine risk in this age group.
A study found that chewing gum with a phosphate-binding ingredient can help maintain proper phosphate levels and prevent cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients. Salivary phosphate levels decreased significantly after two weeks of chewing, while blood phosphate levels also showed a notable reduction.
Long-term research reveals a quarter-century of data on penguin numbers, showing a decline of over 20 percent in the last 22 years. Penguins are struggling with food scarcity, leading them to nest outside protected areas where they fall prey to predators.
Research at the University of Chicago found that children who convey more meanings with gestures at 14 months have larger vocabularies at 54 months, indicating better school preparedness. The study also showed differences in parent gesture use between high- and low-income families.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have identified a single defective gene that affects both eye function and normal tooth development in two Gaza strip families suffering from Jalili syndrome. The discovery may lead to better treatments for inherited blindness and bone diseases.
Human ancestors' large brains required high-energy diets, while modern humans consume more calories and nutrients. The imbalance between energy intake and expenditure contributes to obesity worldwide.
Gene duplication in our ancestral species may be responsible for uniquely human characteristics, and also contribute to diseases like autism and schizophrenia. Research estimates that these duplications slowed down after humans diverged from chimpanzees.
Researchers found that knocking out the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) gene improves cardiovascular function in genetically fat mice with diabetes. The study suggests that PTP1B contributes to insulin resistance, which can lead to impaired nitric oxide dilation and vascular remodeling. By improving fine control of blood glucos...
Recent studies suggest that humans use multiple senses for speech perception, including lip-reading, teeth movements, and facial features. The McGurk Effect demonstrates the integration of visual and auditory information, showing how our brains blend these senses together to process speech.
A UK research team discovered a new molecular cue that promotes limb regeneration in newts, which could help guide the field of regenerative medicine. The finding was recognized with the 2008 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize.
Richard A. Meserve, Carnegie Institution president, receives the AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Award for advancing public interest and exceptional scientific contributions. The award recognizes his dedication to international science advancement.
A multi-centre study found that osteoblast cell injections accelerated fracture healing, with increased bone growth and no significant patient complications. The treatment is considered a safe and effective alternative to traditional methods, allowing for faster recovery without surgery.
Researchers found that men with rare surnames share similar Y chromosomes, indicating a common ancestor within the past 700 years. This challenges the 'one in ten' figure for children born through infidelity, which may be an exaggeration.
A new article suggests that gorilla lice evolved to infest pubic hair around 3.3 million years ago, possibly due to human-gorilla contact. This divergence occurred despite humans and gorillas diverging from a common ancestor at least 7 million years ago.
A team of scientists has developed an enzyme-based process that converts cellulose from wood chips and water into high-quality hydrogen fuel. The breakthrough could enable the production of renewable hydrogen for transportation, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Fox Chase researchers have shown that manipulating the amount of Hsp70 can restore function to mutated proteins, which could potentially reduce severity or correct certain hereditary diseases. By modifying the chaperone environment, they hope to give Hsp70 better opportunities to rescue broken proteins.
Kenneth R. Miller received the 2008 AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology for his sustained efforts in communicating evolutionary science. He made an extraordinarily persuasive public case for the power of science to explain the natural world, upholding the integrity of U.S. science education.
Scientists have developed a method to produce biodegradable plastics from plants, which can be used to replace petroleum-based plastics. The new plastic, called polyhdroxybutyrate-co-polyhydroxyvalerate (PHBV), is flexible and moldable, and can be naturally degraded into water and carbon dioxide by bacteria in the soil.
Pragmatically licensed statements, which sound natural and informative, don't hinder the brain's understanding of negative statements. In contrast, pragmatically unlicensed statements elicit similar ERPs to true words, suggesting negation is not more challenging when useful.
Research reveals that sleep consolidates cortical plasticity through strengthening responses to non-deprived eye stimulation. Key mechanisms include NMDAR- and protein kinase A-mediated intracellular cascades, promoting synaptic strengthening and neuronal remodeling.
Researchers develop feature frequency profiles technique for organizing large sets of data, including nucleotide base sequences, books, and images. The method provides more comprehensive analysis over standard tools, correctly grouping works by category and author, and shedding new light on Shakespeare's authorship.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who feel connected to their peers and teachers are more likely to intervene if they hear a fellow student planning something dangerous. However, students who don't feel connected are less likely to act.
A study published in the Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education found that workshops improved Iranian pastoralists' understanding of rangeland management techniques, leading to better land utilization. The results showed a significant impact on concepts like animal-rangeland equilibrium and grazing duration.
Ambassador Thomas Pickering received the award for his efforts to extend traditional responsibilities of environment, science, and technology officers in US missions abroad. He supported bilateral science agreements to strengthen diplomatic relations and bring global attention to issues like nuclear affairs and environmental stewardship.
A recent Penn study showed that sleep strengthens neural connections in the brain, leading to improved memory formation. The research discovered that a key molecule called NMDAR plays a crucial role in this process, allowing calcium ions to flow into cells and trigger enzymes that strengthen connections during sleep.
Drummond Rennie receives AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for his efforts to promote integrity in scientific publishing and research. He is recognized for his advocacy on issues such as publication bias, conflicts of interest, and compulsory registration of clinical trials.
A randomized, double-blind study found ustekinumab to be effective in treating moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis, with significant improvements in pain and stiffness. The treatment showed sustained benefits up to 36 weeks after initial dosing.
Researchers found that high crop biodiversity leads to less dissolved nitrogen in surrounding watersheds, suggesting a buffer effect from grasslands and woodlands. This could indicate a reversible impact if policy changes prioritize farming practices like crop rotation, smaller fields, and native perennial grasses.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered that TH17 cells, a subset of immune cells, can cause transplant rejection. The study's findings may lead to the development of targeted therapies to prevent graft-versus-host disease, which is a major complication of transplants.
Research suggests that blocking RHAMM expression can selectively induce fat cell generation, replacing lost cells in the aging process and reducing deposits of unhealthy visceral fat. This technique could provide a non-surgical approach for wrinkle reduction and skin normalization.
A comprehensive analysis of 52 studies found that physical activity significantly lowers the risk of colon cancer. Regular exercise is associated with a 24% lower risk, regardless of intensity or duration.
Researchers found that half of men with high cotinine levels lived with a partner who smoked, increasing their risk of heart attacks. Despite declining smoking rates in the UK, living with a smoker remains a significant risk factor for non-smokers.
A study found that parents of children with genetic conditions are avoiding subsequent pregnancies instead of undergoing pre-natal testing or abortion. This 'ambivalent' response is rooted in a deep-seated concern about the limitations of new reproductive technologies and the risks involved.
Researchers found that ustekinumab significantly improves symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and diminishes skin lesions in patients. The treatment, which targets interleukins 12 and 23, showed good tolerability and a benign safety profile.
Researchers have found that tumor cells release microvesicles that stimulate the growth of blood vessels, allowing tumors to grow. A new molecule called Diannexin has been identified as a potential therapeutic agent that can block this process and starve tumors.
A new study from University College London found that internal choices can be easily overridden by external stimuli, revealing a flexible brain. The researchers discovered that changing an internal choice is easier than making one based on external instructions, highlighting the importance of adaptability in decision-making.
The 2009 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film competition honored 10 authors, one illustrator, and seven books that explore sibling relationships, global climate change, and neuroscience. The prizes aim to foster scientific literacy in children and young adults by recognizing good science writing and illustration.
Sylvia T. Bozeman, a professor at Spelman College, has been awarded the 2008 AAAS Mentor Award for her commitment to mentoring underrepresented students in mathematics. Since becoming chair of the mathematics department, 20 graduates have received doctoral degrees in mathematics or math education.
The March of Dimes has awarded nearly $14 million in grants since 2009 to support innovative research on preterm birth. Researchers will investigate microbes, enzymes, and genetic factors to identify risk factors for prematurity and develop strategies to prevent it.
Richard A. Meserve has been selected to receive the 2008 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his remarkable career advancing science in the public interest. He is recognized for his contributions to institutions, scientific communities, and the general public, both domestically and internationally.