Udayan Mohanty, a physical chemist at Boston College, received a 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship to study rare chemical reactions using new computational models. He aims to discover unknown reaction pathways, particularly those surrounding DNA and RNA behavior.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute discovered that heat transfer between materials is directly proportional to their bonding strength. By simulating various surface chemistries, they created a new thermometer to measure interfacial bonding properties.
A randomized controlled trial in Kampala showed that home delivery of prepackaged artemether-lumefantrine had little effect on clinical outcomes and led to overuse of the drug. The study suggests that standard care in health facilities is a more effective approach, especially in urban areas with low malaria transmission.
Researchers at the Burnham Institute developed a protocol to differentiate human embryonic stem cells into committed neural precursor cells, which can be used for transplantation. The C-NPCs were transplanted into mice and became active neurons without generating tumor outgrowth.
Researchers developed a technology that detects damage to critical suspension components in military vehicles by driving over a speed bump-like cleat containing sensors. The system uses signal processing software to interpret sensor data and identify damage, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
A new study led by USC neuroscientists found that admiring others' virtues or feeling compassion for physical or social pain takes time to fully respond to, unlike faster reactions to fear and pain. The research suggests a need to allow for reflective moments in digital media culture.
Researchers at UQ have found a new treatment approach for dysarthria patients who have suffered a stroke or brain injury. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program has shown positive effects on voice clarity and communication confidence, improving quality of life for those affected by the disorder.
Smoking both marijuana and tobacco significantly increases respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk. A study of 878 adults aged 40 or older found that those who smoked both substances were 2.5 times more likely to have respiratory symptoms and almost 3 times more likely to have COPD.
Patients with heart disease who develop depression are at a greater risk for heart failure, with a two-fold increased incidence. Antidepressant therapy did not appear to lower this risk, suggesting that depression may be an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes.
Researchers at UCL have identified a protein, SAP, as a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. CPHPC, a new small molecule drug, removes SAP from the blood and brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, showing promising results.
Researchers used acoustic equipment to analyze the spectral patterns of stridulations produced by Guam's coconut rhinoceros beetle, revealing distinct temporal patterns that aid in communication among beetles. The method allows for early detection of feeding grubs, saving money and lives of coconut trees.
A team of researchers has identified a class of drugs that may enhance the therapeutic effects of imatinib mesylate in treating chronic myeloid leukemia. They also developed a zebrafish model for screening potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease and identified a molecular mechanism underlying aggressive prostate cancer.
Age-related macular degeneration is projected to increase substantially by 2050, but new therapies may help mitigate its effects. Simulation modeling predicts that combining antioxidant vitamins for prevention and anti-VEGF and laser therapy can reduce the rate of visual impairment and blindness due to AMD from 0.73% to 0.48%.
Research found that children with sickle cell disease are less likely to receive transcranial Doppler ultrasound screenings due to limited lab access, despite increased overall screening rates.
A study by Ohio State University found a link between Facebook use and lower grades in college. College students who use Facebook spend less time studying and have lower GPAs, with STEM majors being more likely to use the site.
Ken Golden's research on percolation-based models of sea ice has revealed key features that control polar climate dynamics, including the 'rule of fives'. His work has also led to the development of mathematical approaches to predict changes in sea ice permeability.
Resistance to the antimalarial drug sulfadoxine has emerged independently in multiple sites across Africa over the past decade. The study suggests that coordinated control campaigns may be more effective in reducing the African malaria burden by addressing regional differences in parasite strains and levels of resistance.
Young adults who have been incarcerated are more likely to develop high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy. They also face barriers to accessing regular medical care.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a new cooling method for carbon nanotube electronics by utilizing nonconventional radiation in a near-field zone, dissipating heat into the substrate. The method increases effective thermal conductance over the interface between nanotubes and polar substrates.
Scientists found that temperatures alone can kill drought-stressed piñon pine trees 28% faster, leading to 5 times more frequent die-offs. Carbon starvation is the primary mechanism behind tree mortality, and understanding this relationship is key to predicting future patterns.
Researchers found SIRT1 curbs cell division by speeding up the destruction of the tumor promoter c-Myc, a key finding that may aid cancer treatment. This study supports previous research suggesting SIRT1's anti-cancer effects while also identifying its role in regulating c-Myc levels.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a laser technology that allows control over the polarization direction of emitted radiation. This innovation has vast implications for various applications, including satellite communications, biomolecule detection, and quantum cryptography.
Researchers aim to understand how sensory integration goes awry in autism and its implications for clinical management. They will compare multisensory integration in subjects with autism to healthy control subjects using high-density electrical recordings.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have received a $3.557 million grant from NIAID to develop vector-specific, resistance-breaking insecticides that could render traditional ITNs ineffective. The new compounds are designed to be safer for humans while maintaining significant insecticidal activity against malaria mosquitoes.
FAK coordinates movement of migrating cancer cells by balancing the number of invadopodia that create a path for migration and the number of focal adhesions that hold the cell back. In its absence, breast cancer cells sprout extra invadopodia and form large, sticky focal adhesions.
A new book by Boston College researchers George Madaus, Michael Russell, and Jennifer Higgins explores the unintended consequences of high-stakes testing on students, teachers, and schools. The authors propose reforms to improve test accuracy, provide detailed diagnostic information, and measure essential 21st-century skills.
Cerebral microbleeds, small deposits of hemosiderin in the brain, are more common among older adults taking anti-clotting medications like aspirin. The study found an association between these medications and brain microbleeds, particularly among those taking higher doses.
The College Board's SAT test sends a confusing message to students, teachers, and schools, as it features esoteric items rarely encountered in the classroom. In response, Richard C. Atkinson proposes dropping the SAT in favor of curriculum-based achievement tests in UC admissions.
Researchers discovered a receptor in the colon that has cancer-killing potential and is silenced by cancer. Activating this receptor with butyrate or a related compound may provide a new treatment for colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
Methodspace, a Facebook-like social networking site, will offer live demos at the American Educational Research Association annual meeting. The platform supports researchers in methodology discussions and resource sharing.
UC Davis researchers found that low levels of PCBs alter brain cell development and excitability, explaining the association between PCB exposure and behavioral deficits in children. The studies show how PCBs affect dendritic plasticity, a key characteristic of neuronal development.
Researchers found racial disparities in cancer survival rates disappear when analyzing smaller geographic areas like neighborhoods. The study suggests that modifiable factors such as socioeconomic differences and access to medical care contribute to these disparities.
A randomized placebo-controlled study found no significant differences in electroretinography, visual function tests, or eye anatomy between men taking tadalafil or sildenafil and those taking a placebo. The study suggests that PDE5 inhibitors do not cause cumulative damage to the retina over six months.
Researchers found Rad60 DNA repair factor mimics SUMO to maintain genome stability during replication, preventing genetic defects and promoting cell viability. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of genome protection and potential implications for cancer and aging.
A new program, Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE), aims to reduce teacher stress and improve student behavior. By teaching mindfulness techniques, teachers can create a positive learning environment, increasing student engagement and reducing disruptive behavior.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a new green catalyst using iron that could replace expensive and toxic platinum metals in industrial chemical processes. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce costs associated with drug production by avoiding costly purification techniques.
A review of 146 prospective cohort studies and 43 randomized controlled trials found strong evidence for a causal relationship between protective dietary factors such as vegetable, nut, and monounsaturated fatty acid intake and lower heart disease risk. The Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with coronary heart disease.
Researchers found that adding chloroquine to imatinib improves its therapeutic effect by inhibiting autophagy, which helps leukemia cells evade death. The combination eliminates most CML stem cells and increases imatinib-induced cell death.
A NASA experiment has successfully 'hindcasted' the path of Cyclone Nargis, which killed over 135,000 people in 2008. The new data integration and mathematical modeling approach uses satellite imagery and atmospheric profiles to provide multi-day advance warnings for cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
A team of scientists has discovered a compound that can block the growth of brain tumors by reversing the effects of an altered enzyme. The mutation in the IDH1 gene impairs the body's ability to control a protein that promotes tumor growth, but adding a modified form of alpha-KG can restore this balance.
A team of researchers has identified a class of drugs that may enhance the therapeutic effects of imatinib mesylate, a commonly used treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. By inhibiting autophagy, these drugs can increase the effectiveness of imatinib mesylate and improve outcomes for patients with CML.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal reveals that poor nutrition during pregnancy can lead to permanent genetic changes in the offspring, causing health problems such as diabetes, growth retardation, and cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that rat fetuses receiving inadequate nutrition became genetically primed to be b...
The study found that people with ecologically-friendly attitudes are more likely to actively commute, while a lack of bike racks, showers, and supportive office culture hinder active commuting. The researchers emphasized the importance of designing communities that facilitate physical activity and eco-friendliness.
Researchers develop method to target genes in Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite responsible for malaria and diarrhea. The breakthrough enables the creation of safe and effective genetically modified vaccines and drug therapies.
Researchers found that HIV's invisibility comes at a cost: reduced replication, and only in certain individuals with specific HLA proteins
Researchers at Kansas State University have created a graphene-based DNA sensor that can detect cancer cells in blood, leveraging the unique properties of this single-atom thick carbon material. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment, offering a new frontier in materials science and biology.
The university is exploring the impact of molecular pathways on inner ear dysfunction in Usher Syndrome, a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder causing congenital deafness and retinitis pigmentosa. The grant aims to prevent hair cell death and promote otoprotection therapy.
A survey of 2,400 practicing clinicians found that only 65% were aware of at least one major clinical trial on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Clinicians who were aware of CAM trials reported greater ability to interpret evidence and acceptance of its value.
Researchers identified abnormalities in nerve pathways connecting key brain areas, suggesting a possible cause of writer's cramp. The study used diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) to assess white matter changes, finding differences between patients and healthy controls.
A study found that black patients with non-small cell lung cancer are 37% less likely to receive recommended surgery and 42% less likely to receive recommended chemotherapy than white patients. The disparity remains despite efforts to address inequalities in medical treatment.
Researchers used GPS tracking collars and analyzed carbon isotopes in elephant tail hair to monitor the elephants' movements and diet. The study found that when rains begin, satellite measurements show increasing greenness as grasses grow, indicating peak levels of high-protein grass in the elephants' diet.