A new report highlights the benefits of reducing emissions from deforestation, including conservation of carbon and biodiversity hotspots. However, it also warns of challenges in implementing REDD without displacing agricultural activities in lower-carbon but equally biodiverse areas.
A team of researchers has identified a human protein called IFITM3 that blocks the replication of H1N1 influenza virus and other viruses. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective antiviral drugs, including prophylactic drugs to slow influenza transmission.
Actin's behavior has been studied using inhibitory agents and hormones to induce a state of fluctuation in yeast cells. The findings suggest that mitochondria recruit actin-related proteins to assemble into extended fractal-like structures, coordinating movement and supporting the idea that intracellular transport is achieved through a...
Oceanographers using WHOI-operated ROV Jason discovered the first video and still images of a deep-sea volcano actively erupting molten lava on the seafloor, nearly 4,000 feet below the surface. The high-definition camera system captured the powerful event in detail, providing scientists with a unique up-close view of the eruption.
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has won a contract for a European knowledge and innovation community, focusing on sustainable energy systems. The consortium plans to develop a climate-neutral energy supply by 2050 and create 65 energy patents and 90 new products in the field.
A study found that patients with kidney disease experienced disrupted sleep when using a widely used blood pressure monitor, leading to inaccurate results. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring test, which measures blood pressure during sleep, can interfere with sleep patterns, causing an increase in nighttime blood pressure.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant associated with preserved lung function in children with asthma and adults who smoke. The study found a significant reduction in the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adult smokers with this variant, offering new insights into the mechanisms of COPD.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded $1.2 million to develop high-throughput screening tests that will help identify potential small molecule therapies for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. The project aims to modulate the activity of the LRH-1 receptor, which plays a crucial role in hormone-driven breast cancer.
A study published in Cortex found that synaesthetes can exhibit automatic color experiences when presented with numbers or patterns, regardless of their conscious awareness. The research suggests that learning may contribute to the development of these associations.
A network of cameras deployed around the Arctic captured vast curtains of aurora borealis colliding, producing explosive outbursts of light. Researchers believe these collisions reveal a common sequence of events connected to events in Earth's plasma tail.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are developing a curriculum that uses real-world applications of renewable energy technologies to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This project aims to foster cognitive skill development and promote critical thinking among students.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new tool to induce controlled mutations in human cells, allowing them to study rescue signalling pathways and cell suicide. The tool helps understand the cellular response to accumulated errors in proteins, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that nutrient enrichment caused a steady increase in organisms lower on the food chain but had no effect on predators like salamanders and macroinvertebrates. The study suggests that maintaining patterns of energy flow between predators and prey is critical for healthy ecosystems.
A new study found that 25% of Arab Americans in Greater Detroit experienced abuse due to race or religion since 9/11, leading to increased psychological distress and poorer perceptions of health. The study highlights the need for partnerships with community organizations to encourage mental health services among this population.
Scientists discovered that membrane ruffles are not essential for Salmonella to penetrate host cell membranes. A new factor called WASH promotes bacterial invasion by contributing to cytoskeletal filament formation.
Researchers found a family of naturally occurring antiviral agents in human cells that protected against most virus particles, including influenza A strains and West Nile virus. The proteins, called IFITM, worked by preventing the virus from attaching to cells, offering potential new ways to prevent and treat viral infections.
A Carnegie Mellon researcher notes that data-mining techniques are increasingly being applied to personal activities and movements, raising concerns about privacy. Technical means can help limit these risks, but a public discussion about data collection, ownership, and privacy is also necessary.
A new study reveals that over half of pregnant women experience physical risks at work, including standing or lifting heavy objects and exposure to stress. The study highlights the need for improved workplace protection in Spain to safeguard reproductive health.
Researchers at Washington University have discovered a channel protein that shields and transports the crucial heme molecule across cell membranes. The channel, found in plants and bacteria, helps protect heme from oxidative damage as it makes its journey outside the cell.
Researchers pinpointed prime factors identifying elderly persons at high risk for developing major depression, including low-level depressive symptoms and poor social support. Preventive treatments hold promise for providing the greatest health benefit at the lowest cost.
PNNL scientists Scott Chambers, Yuehe Lin, Moe Khaleel, Philip Rasch, John Wacker, and Sotiris Xantheas recognized for their groundbreaking research in semiconductors, nanotechnology, computational engineering, climate modeling, nuclear signature analysis, and aqueous systems.
Researchers unveil fossil skeleton 'Ardi,' a 4.4 million-year-old hominid species that changes our understanding of human evolution. Led by Dr. C. Owen Lovejoy, the team presents groundbreaking findings in 11 papers published in Science.
An international team of researchers has identified a gene associated with DFN2, a rare form of progressive deafness that primarily affects males. The discovery offers therapeutic implications and may lead to treatments for other types of deafness.
Researchers found that emotionally mature students experience positive benefits from sex, while immature students face negative emotions. The study highlights the importance of considering individual readiness and motivations before engaging in sexual activity.
Researchers at UAB have discovered that restricting glucose consumption can extend the life of healthy human-lung cells and speed the death of precancerous cells. The study found that calorie reduction aids the body's natural ability to kill off cancer-forming cells through epigenetic control of telomerase and p16 expression.
Researchers found substantial racial and ethnic disparities in cancer survival, particularly in more treatable cancers like breast and prostate cancer. The study suggests that social disadvantage contributes to these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted health policies and interventions.
Patients with a rare, deadly disease experienced significant reduction in breathlessness using treprostinil, shifting from Class III to Class II NYHA functional class. The treatment improved walking distance and reduced Borg scores, offering substantial improvement in daily capabilities.
A study found that negative emotions associated with exercise in health clubs are stronger for overweight individuals than intellectual facts, controlling their regular exercise. Exercise professionals can help by minimizing intimidation and promoting the benefits of exercise to personal health and wellbeing.
Researchers at UCLA have created a new intracellular delivery platform using nanocapsules with a single-protein core and polymer shell that can degrade or remain stable based on the cellular environment. This technology shows high efficiency and activity of multiple proteins delivered to cells with low toxicity.
Researchers at Harvard University developed an all-optical technique to measure how neurons excite or inhibit each other. The study successfully mapped the interplay of four neurons, revealing that multiple neurons can influence their neighbors' activity.
A new study found that antidepressant medication during inpatient treatment can significantly reduce the risk of hospital readmission among suicidal adolescents. The research also highlights concerns over the use of multiple medications in this population, which was associated with a three-fold increased risk of readmission.
A 30-year-old man died of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) with a unique genetic profile, highlighting potential cases with long incubation periods. His heterozygous PRNP gene may indicate silently infected individuals, posing concerns for public health.
A large-scale analysis of 1.3 million US citizens revealed a close correlation between people's subjective life-satisfaction scores and objectively estimated quality of life, using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and environmental indicators.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified a biodegradable substance with higher activity than existing adjuvants, paving the way for therapeutic vaccines to be used as cost-effective treatments for diseases like cancer and allergies.
Researchers have identified a crucial step in apoptosis, a process that removes unwanted cells to prevent cancer development. Understanding the role of proteins Bak and Bax could lead to the development of drugs regulating cell death, with potential applications in treating cancer and degenerative disorders.
Researchers have discovered the deepest undersea erupting volcano, West Mata Volcano, located nearly 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The eruption has produced unique boninite lavas and acidic water conditions, providing a rare opportunity to study magma formation and oceanic cycles.
A UAB study found that boys scored higher than girls for using their cell phones to play games, share pictures and videos, listen to music and/or send e-mails. Girls, on the other hand, tend to use their phones more as a phone book or contact list, while boys see the phone as a gadget.
The study analyzed 54,679 violent events in various countries and found a common statistical distribution for insurgency attacks, which is significantly different from traditional wars. The model can be used to create scenarios, make predictions, and assess risks for present and future insurgent wars.
The publication of the Tehran Declaration on Human Rights and the Environment 2009 has brought attention to the human rights and environmental nexus during COP-15 negotiations. The declaration aims to encourage representatives to give significant emphasis to the environment and human rights nexus.
A study published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) who did not require dialysis had a significantly higher risk of death over two years compared to those without AKI. The risk was even higher for patients with more severe AKI and returned to normal after discharge.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that umbilical cord tissue contains a plentiful supply of stem cells that could be used to treat various muscle and bone disorders. The study reveals that these cells can be easily harvested from the tissue, expanded in number, and are remarkably stable.
Researchers developed an animal model showing four commonly used chemotherapy drugs disrupt new brain cell birth and that IGF-1 may partially reverse the condition. The study is relevant to cancer survivors experiencing cognitive decline after chemotherapy.
Researchers have discovered that early Homo sapiens consumed wild sorghum and other pre-domesticated cereals around 100,000 years ago. This finding broadens our understanding of human evolution by showcasing the importance of dietary transformation through cereal consumption.
Kelly Holley-Bockelmann's NSF award will support her research on supermassive black holes and the university's innovative program for underrepresented minorities in physics. The grant also funds initiatives to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups.
The team's analysis reveals a unique hominid skeleton with well-preserved pelvic and foot bones, providing insights into Ardi's locomotion and brain size. The discovery sheds new light on human ancestry, challenging previous assumptions about early human relatives.
Zhi-Xun Shen, director of SIMES, received the E.O. Lawrence Award for his groundbreaking discoveries and pioneering use of high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission to advance understanding of strongly correlated electron systems.
Scientists have discovered a possible way to identify malignant breast tumors without invasive biopsies, using an agent called 64Cu-TP3805 that targets a specific biomarker called VPAC1. This method has the potential to significantly contribute to breast cancer management.
Researchers analyzed mammal diversity data from 30 million years ago and 500 years ago, finding a significant loss of species following human arrival in North America. The study suggests humans are causing another mass extinction event, with potential conservation efforts able to stem the tide.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its Minority Travel Awards for 2010, recognizing minority students who will attend the society's Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Over 6,000 biophysicists are expected to attend the event, where more than 4,000 scientific abstracts have been submitted.
A new method to identify priority areas for whale conservation has been proposed, suggesting that even small protected areas can benefit highly mobile marine predators like killer whales. The research highlights the importance of feeding behavior in conserving endangered southern resident killer whale populations.
NSAID misuse can lead to severe risks such as stomach ulcers and cardiovascular problems. Experts recommend taking these drugs only after injury and in recommended dosages to avoid potential harm.
Research teams analyzed cancer genomes, uncovering over 30,000 mutations in lung cancer and 33,000 in melanoma, which carried records of when and how they occurred. The studies revealed the impact of environmental mutagens, such as cigarette smoke and sunlight, on DNA.
Scientists have discovered that certain food aromas can contribute to feelings of fullness, potentially helping to combat obesity. By analyzing the effects of aroma release during chewing, researchers found that these scents can signal areas of the brain responsible for satiety, leading to reduced food intake.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a technique to image photons of nanoscale structures and visualize their architecture using 4D electron microscopy. The method allows for the observation of fleeting changes in the structure of nanoscale matter, enabling new insights into fields such as plasmonics and photonics.
A new law in Israel prioritizes organ donation for those who have signed donor cards, with increased priority given to first-degree relatives and live donors. The policy aims to increase organ availability despite a low consent rate for donation.
Exposure to common pesticides limits wild salmon growth and size; improving water quality conditions could potentially increase the rate of recovery
A new web-based tool calculates a person's risk of having another stroke within three months by analyzing medical history, brain scans, and other risk factors. The study found that over 96% of patients who developed a second stroke showed signs of one or more risk factor.
A recent study by Brandeis and Rice University sociologists found that families frequently raise the topic of prayer when a child is seriously ill or dying. Pediatricians respond to these requests in different ways, including participating in prayers, accommodating them, reframing prayers for realism, or referring patients to religious...
Researchers identify ineffective communication strategies that can worsen problem behaviors in family members with dementia. Effective communication, on the other hand, can resolve misunderstandings and reduce distress. The study aims to develop empirically derived communication interventions for caregivers targeting both problems.
A large-scale genetic study has identified seven genes that increase an individual's susceptibility to leprosy, a chronic infectious disease affecting skin and peripheral nerves. The discovery highlights the role of innate immune response in leprosy development and may lead to early diagnosis and treatment.