Calculations suggest low-oxygen dead zones in the ocean will expand significantly over the next century. Marine animals will need more oxygen to survive as carbon dioxide levels increase, exacerbating the effects of 'dead zones'.
A study found that even low levels of lead in children's blood can increase vascular resistance and decrease aldosterone levels, which may predispose them to hypertension. The researchers also discovered increased sympathetic nervous system activity during rest and a paradoxical depression of this response during stressful tasks.
Microbes adapted to manipulate sulfur and iron compounds to survive in the absence of photosynthesis. The discovery provides insights into the origins of life on Earth and offers a unique laboratory for studying life in hostile environments.
The US Navy has successfully demonstrated a revolutionary new counter-mine technology for ships, utilizing superconducting ceramic materials to neutralize the magnetic signature of the ship. This technology provides a warfighting advantage and can act like a cloaking device to eliminate the magnetic signature of the ship.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has developed a fuel cell powered UAV that can travel farther and carry heavier payloads than earlier battery-powered designs. This technology has the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce noise levels, making it ideal for military surveillance missions.
The Office of Naval Research has awarded 15 young researchers with three-year research grants worth up to $510,000. The winners were selected from 193 proposals and include faculty members at top universities, such as Harvard College and Cornell University.
Research reveals that exercising during pregnancy does not require sacrificing time for other activities. Exercisers actually spent slightly more sleep and reading time, while non-exercisers spent more on TV/computer time. The study also found significant differences in BMI and maternal weight between exercisers and non-exercisers.
A low-dose of naltrexone reduced symptoms of pain and fatigue by an average of 30% in women with fibromyalgia, according to a Stanford pilot study. The drug's use was found to be particularly promising due to its low cost and limited side effects.
A new study finds a significant decline in the number of entering college freshmen needing remedial English and math classes since 2004, with a 6-percentage point drop in Sacramento State's population. This reduction equals about 2,000 fewer students in remedial math and 3,000 in remedial English courses across the CSU system.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that prenatal exposure to maternal antibodies can trigger neurobehavioral changes similar to autism in mouse pups, including increased anxiety and hyperactivity. The study suggests that the immune system may play a key role in some cases of autism.
Researchers used mouse models to study Huntington Disease, finding significant protein alterations as early as 2 weeks before symptoms appear. These changes may affect late-stage disease by altering biochemical activity in the brain.
Research by the University of Massachusetts Medical School found a 20.8% reduction in daily smoking among 10th graders after enforcement of the Synar Amendment. This law makes it financially dangerous for shops to sell tobacco to underage customers, reducing cigarette supply to vulnerable groups.
Astronomers have identified a triple merger of four separate galaxy clusters, the first time such a phenomenon has been documented. The galaxy clusters are involved in a cosmic free-for-all, with one collision after another occurring as galaxies pour into a region already full of galaxies.
A new nucleotide, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, has been discovered in the mouse brain, opening a new front in epigenetic research. This discovery may challenge existing approaches to investigating DNA methylation and could have significant implications for understanding gene regulation.
University of Washington researchers found a combination of nanoparticles and chlorotoxin, a scorpion venom compound, cuts brain cancer cell spread by 98% compared to 45% with chlorotoxin alone. The additive treatment disables machinery that allows tumor cells to change shape, preventing further invasion.
Research using museum specimens found support for alternative hypotheses on the evolution of locally distributed endemism, suggesting multiple processes develop local endemism. This knowledge can help identify priorities in conservation planning.
Researchers use tightly focused blue and ultraviolet light to create patterned lithography on a substrate, resulting in smaller structures. The new technique has potential applications in constructing nanomotors and may lead to advancements in Moore's Law.
A University of Leicester team is developing a combined diagnosis/therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer using cutting-edge magnetic nanoparticles. The technology aims to identify and treat cancer cells at an early stage, reducing the need for surgical removal.
A new study reveals that droughts in West Africa can last for decades, with some droughts lasting up to four times longer than the current Sahel drought. The research suggests that changes in Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures play a key role in sustaining these long periods of drought.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study found that an in-class writing assignment increased the grade-point averages of African-American middle school students over a two-year period. The intervention reduced the rate at which these students were held back or placed in remediation, suggesting targeted psychological interventions coul...
A single protein called SopB allows Salmonella to invade cells and hijack cellular functions, enabling it to avoid destruction. The study reveals how SopB coaxes cells to mark the protein with ubiquitin, making it recognizable to cellular machinery.
Researchers at Emory University discover a process required for epigenetic reprogramming between generations, shedding light on fertilization, stem-cell formation, and cloning. The study found that histone protein modification can be inherited through cell-to-cell transmission.
Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have synthesized gold nanoclusters that can be used for sub-cellular biolabeling and bioimaging. These clusters are suitable for use within the body due to their lack of toxic metals, enabling scientists to monitor cell nucleus dynamics and study genomic changes.
Researchers at JILA have successfully controlled collisions between fermions, allowing for a significant boost in atomic clock accuracy. By understanding the dynamic effect of measurement processes, they reduced uncertainties in clock operation, making it 50% more accurate than previous results.
A study by Queen's University researchers found that pelvic pain symptoms occur as frequently in adolescent boys as in adult men. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome has a significant negative impact on quality of life, including depression and social relationships.
Researchers found that thermosensory neurons in C. elegans help regulate response to increasing heat by changing steroid signaling pathways, which affect longevity. This system allows worms to reduce the effect of warm temperature on aging processes, similar to how warm-blooded animals control their body temperature.
A North Carolina State University researcher has developed a method to deflect asteroids by attaching a long tether and ballast to the incoming object, changing its center of mass and orbit. This system shows promise in altering the motion of an asteroid to miss hitting Earth.
Researchers are implementing a wireless monitoring system for analyzing the safety of older bridges, utilizing wind and structural vibrations as its sources of power. The project aims to provide real-time data on bridge health, enabling proactive repairs and extending bridge lifespan.
Kansas State University is using a Second Life island called TerraWorld to help high school students learn geology through interactive simulations. Students can explore different time periods, complete quests and scavenger hunts, and interact with virtual role models.
Scientists have identified the two neural centers responsible for regulating sleep patterns, revealing that disruptions to these centers can cause jet lag. The study found that deep sleep is more closely tied to light-dark cycles, while REM sleep follows a separate internal clock, leading to a delay in adaptation to new schedules.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital have shown that certain immune cells in the blood inhibit inflammation after a stroke. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) play a key role in this protection and may offer a new approach to stroke therapy.
Researchers found that countries with high levels of ethnic exclusion are more likely to experience civil war. The study, led by UCLA professors Andreas Wimmer and Lars-Erik Cederman, analyzed data on ethnic power relations in 155 countries from 1946 to 2005.
Researchers have developed an almost year-by-year record of the last 3,000 years of West Africa's climate, revealing that catastrophic droughts occurred every 30 to 65 years. The new research suggests that global warming may exacerbate the normal climate pattern, producing even more severe and prolonged droughts.
Researchers found a key role for disrupted copper regulation in prion disease progression, suggesting that the loss of copper binding ability contributes to neurodegeneration. The study identified a threshold at four extra octarepeats, beyond which changes in molecular properties lead to toxic effects.
A study of 1970 patients found a strong association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and linked angina. Patients with GERD had a higher prevalence of linked angina than those without GERD symptoms, suggesting that GERD may be misclassified as non-GERD heartburn.
Scientists at IBN have successfully converted carbon dioxide into methanol using organocatalysts, a novel approach that offers a low-energy and non-toxic process. This breakthrough has significant implications for the sequestration and conversion of greenhouse gases, providing a viable alternative energy option.
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.