A team of researchers from Caltech and University of Copenhagen have discovered a new chemical compound in the atmosphere that may help explain how clouds form over forests. The compound, dihydroxyepoxide, is formed when tree-released hydrocarbons interact with atmospheric compounds, providing a missing link in cloud formation.
Researchers at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory detected a large effect of the weak interaction in Ytterbium, about 100 times bigger than seen in Cesium. This finding opens up new opportunities for sensitive searches for new physics using tabletop atomic physics techniques.
A study of 23,513 German adults found that four healthy lifestyle factors—never smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and following a healthy diet—were associated with an 80% reduction in the risk of developing chronic diseases. The largest reduction was seen in individuals with a BMI lower than 30.
A recent review suggests that limb-sparing surgery does not provide a significant benefit to patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas. The study found that early and late complications are more common with limb-sparing surgery, but some advantages were seen for higher surgical sites in the lower limb, such as the hip.
Researchers found that H5N1 flu infection causes a 17% loss of dopamine-producing cells and accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, key findings linked to Parkinson's disease. The study suggests the virus primes the brain for further damage from environmental toxins or other infections.
Researchers found that professionals influenced executions by emphasizing propriety and efficiency, leading to modern, rational execution events. The scientific gaze has been turned onto itself, prompting innovations to reduce pain and suffering.
Researchers have successfully created various types of mature white blood cells from embryonic and adult stem cells, opening up new possibilities for studying disease development and treatment. The technique could produce cells tailored to specific infections or tumors, making it a potential tool for safety screening of new drugs.
Researchers developed a tool to simulate blood flow in children's hearts before surgery, allowing surgeons to optimize blood flow and energy efficiency. The tool helped plan the surgery of a four-year-old girl with a single ventricle defect, improving her oxygen levels and reducing complications.
Researchers identified eight risk factors for the transformation of choroidal nevi, benign flat pigmented growths inside the eye, into melanoma. These factors include tumor thickness greater than 2mm, fluid beneath the retina, and orange pigment.
Researchers investigated chronic acid-reflux esophagitis in a rat model, discovering epithelial thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration in the middle to lower esophagus. Ecabet sodium inhibited these changes, suggesting its potential role in preventing reflux esophagitis.
Biophysicists at TUM develop a new technique to observe calmodulin in action, allowing them to study its binding sequences and regulate its target proteins. The results reveal new insights into the protein's hierarchy of folding and unbinding events.
Researchers found that single-parent households receive greater financial contributions on average than nuclear families, particularly those with fewer marital/family transitions. This trend may perpetuate poverty across generations as young adults make choices that impact their future financial prospects.
A new research method uses both conventional tags and ultrasonic telemetry tags to estimate mortality rates of sub-adult red drum. This approach provides more precise data on natural and recreational fishing mortality, enabling informed decisions for long-term fish population health.
The protein Atf4 plays a crucial role in regulating energy generation in osteoblasts, which control biochemical reactions that produce energy. Mice lacking Atf4 exhibit lower fat mass and blood glucose levels due to increased insulin sensitivity, highlighting the importance of Atf4 in glucose metabolism.
Tiny mechanical devices called resonators can filter electronic signals by cancelling out certain frequencies and allowing others to pass. The devices, made of silicon, are manufactured using a standard procedure and have the potential for advanced applications in medical and homeland-defense fields.
Burnham will partner with NCI and private-sector companies to translate basic research into new cancer treatments. The consortium aims to accelerate the development of innovative therapeutics for high-risk areas of cancer biology.
Researchers at NYU have created molecules with a twist, allowing them to selectively interact with target molecules and catalyze chemical transformations. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new drugs and complex chemical structures.
A Kansas State University biochemist is studying the lens in diabetes patients with a focus on protein kinase C gamma (PKC gamma) and gap junctions. Researchers hope to design drugs that can prevent diabetics from losing PKC gamma, which leads to lens cell damage.
The ongoing Somali civil conflict has severe consequences on public health, particularly in southern Somalia. Researchers from PLoS Medicine present evidence for concerted health interventions and access to food aid. In a related debate, experts discuss approaches to reviewing complex health interventions.
Typhoon Morakot brought catastrophic rainfall to Taiwan and China, with over 40 inches of rain recorded in central and northern Taiwan. The NASA TRMM satellite provided critical data on the storm's impact, allowing researchers to map areas of potential flooding and track its movement around the globe.
A recent study found that middle-aged men with strong masculine beliefs are almost 50% less likely to obtain preventative healthcare services. The research suggests that deep-seated masculinity beliefs reduce compliance with recommended health services, and even education level can moderate this effect.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE suggests that heart attacks and strokes were rare in human history. The Tsimane Amazonian tribe, with a traditional lifestyle, shows low levels of atherosclerosis, contradicting the expected high risk of cardiovascular disease.
A cache of cuneiform tablets dating back to the Iron Age period has been discovered in a 2,700-year-old Turkish temple by University of Toronto archaeologists. The tablets may provide insights into Assyrian imperial aspirations and highlight the imperial ambitions of ancient powers.
Research found that childhood cancer survivors who received total body or abdominal radiation had a higher prevalence of diabetes, with those receiving abdominal irradiation at highest risk. The study suggests that clinicians should screen for diabetes and prediabetes in these patients and implement aggressive risk-reducing strategies.
Clemson University professor Rhett Smith receives $598,000 to study novel materials that can conduct electricity in thin, flexible plastic devices. The goal is to develop ultrathin displays and efficient thin-film solar cells.
Researchers found that perianal disease, current smoking, prior steroid use and early azathioprine or biological therapy are predictors of disease behavior change in CD patients. These findings may aid clinicians in choosing the treatment strategy for their patients.
A systematic review of 20 studies found that individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk of violence, but this risk is greatly outweighed by the effect of substance abuse. Substance abuse significantly increases the risk of violence for those with a psychotic illness, similar to those without a psychotic illness.
A NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center simulation found that the universe's first black holes grew slowly due to a lack of gas, contrary to expectations. The findings have significant implications for understanding galaxy formation and the role of black holes in shaping the universe.
A new molecule known as soluble VEGFR-2 has been identified that selectively blocks lymphatic vessel growth but not blood vessel growth. This breakthrough could lead to targeted treatments for diseases such as lymphedema, transplant rejection, and tumor metastasis.
Scientists at Stanford University have identified a gene variant that may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. The study found that cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes produce two forms of the Deaf1 gene, one functional and one nonfunctional. Increased levels of the nonfunctional variant were found in people with type 1 d...
A new study found that short sleep times may contribute to insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance, increasing the long-term risk of diabetes. The research suggests a healthy lifestyle should include adequate sleep, healthy eating habits, and physical activity to prevent diabetes.
A study found that MRSA was present in 12.7% of hospital patients before discharge to home health care, and nearly one-fifth of infected patients transmitted the organism to household contacts. Household contacts who played a role in providing healthcare were more likely to be colonized with MRSA.
Researchers at UBC have created a method to extract high-quality DNA from diluted or contaminated samples using electric fields. This breakthrough has significant implications for forensic investigations and basic life-science research.
Nanobees, nano-sized spheres carrying the toxic melittin from bee venom, successfully delivered and killed tumor cells in mice. By targeting cancerous tissue with precision, nanobees showed promise in treating established and early-stage cancers.
Recent methane discoveries on Mars suggest either biological or geological activity, with scientists investigating its disappearance after initial detection in 2003. The source of the methane remains unknown, but theories include surface trapping and chemical reactions.
Computer scientists demonstrate that hackers can steal votes using a malicious programming approach called return-oriented programming. The study shows that even voting machines designed to resist takeover can be compromised if not updated with the latest security patches.
Researchers at MIT have successfully grown carbon nanotubes without a metal catalyst, using zirconium oxide instead, which could improve electronic performance and material strength
Widespread misuse of fluoroquinolones is creating a strain of fluoroquinolone-resistant TB, according to new research. Patients who use fluoroquinolones within 12 months of diagnosis are almost five times more likely to have resistant TB.
Tropical Storm Felicia is expected to weaken as it affects Hawaii, with residents anticipating large ocean swells, gusty winds, and heavy downpours. CloudSat and Aqua satellites captured images of the storm's clouds, revealing temperatures and height, aiding meteorologists in their forecasts.
The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) has announced the eighth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, funded by a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies and John A. Hartford Foundation. The program aims to increase internal medicine specialists' capacity in caring for elderly patients with research projects focused on geriatric as...
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a tablet-based treatment for Type 1 diabetes, FTS, which restores insulin production and reduces disease progression. The compound has shown positive results in inhibiting diabetes and has the potential to fast-track through FDA regulatory hurdles.
Researchers at University of Florida have safely given new genes to patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, enabling them to produce trace amounts of the protective protein for up to one year. This potential step toward a gene therapy could benefit approximately 100,000 Americans with the condition.
Research finds that optimistic women have a 9% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 14% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to pessimistic women. A high degree of cynical hostility is associated with a higher risk of death, but not heart disease.
A new study found that antibiotic-resistant TB strains cause longer-lasting infections but with lower transmission rates. The research team estimated the rate of evolution of drug resistance and compared the relative reproductive fitness of resistant and drug-sensitive strains.
A team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a new class of drug-like inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease, specifically targeting tau protein clumping. The discovery, using a large NIH library, reveals 285 compounds with potential interest and focuses on ATPZs that effectively block fibril formation.
A nationwide study found that food stamp users had a 1.15 point higher BMI than non-users, with an average increase of 5.8 pounds for women. The study also showed that people's BMI increased faster when they were on food stamps and increased more the longer they were in the program.
A study by Michelle Burstion-Young explores how black and white high-achieving students negotiate race, identity, and academic success in elite private schools. The research reveals four coping strategies: assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization, highlighting the importance of cultural spaces for minority students.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have identified a distinct population of macrophages that may promote metastatic cancer growth. The study suggests that targeting these cells could inhibit tumor growth and potentially reduce cancer mortality.
Researchers have identified the molecular basis of high-altitude adaptation in deer mice, discovering specific mutations in hemoglobin genes that enable them to tolerate chronic hypoxia. These mutations increase oxygen-binding affinity, allowing animals to survive in low-oxygen environments such as the top of Mount Evans.
A new method for improving quality of care has reduced hospital-acquired infections by 32% and respiratory distress by 15%. The method, developed by researchers at the Canadian Neonatal Network, enables hospitals to select practice changes pertinent to their specific needs.
Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have significantly larger fasting and postprandial gallbladder volumes compared to healthy controls. However, there is no correlation between gallbladder size or emptying and the occurrence of abdominal pain in PSC patients.
A study of 679 people aged 65 and older found that white matter hyperintensities were strongly linked to memory loss, while infarcts predicted non-memory cognitive problems. The results suggest that brain damage visible on scans may be a predictor of memory decline in old age.
A recent IU survey found that Americans are divided on government involvement in health insurance, with support varying by party affiliation and age. The 'public option' and 'Medicare-like plan' garnered more support among Democrats, while the single-payer option appealed to younger respondents.
Researchers found high concentrations of phytoestrogens, hormone-mimicking compounds, in the wastewater discharged from eight industrial sites. Phytoestrogens can be removed through standard treatment, but levels may still harm fish at certain thresholds.
Research suggests humans and African apes have distinct wrist bone features that indicate independent evolution of knuckle-walking behavior in two separate lineages. A study examining juvenile and adult wrist bones found key features associated with knuckle walking present in 96% of chimpanzees, but only 6% of gorillas.
A new study reveals that mental disorders beyond depression, such as anxiety and impulse-control issues, are strong predictors of suicidal thoughts and attempts, especially in developing countries. The researchers found that these disorders were equally predictive of suicidal behavior in both developed and developing countries.
Researchers are testing a tumor-specific protein called recombinant human melanoma antigen A3 (MAGE-A3) to track down and kill cancer cells in patients with recurring melanoma. The study aims to generate a search-and-destroy program targeting deadly melanoma cells through the immune system.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new soybean variety resistant to aphids, but also discovered a new type of aphid that can overcome this resistance. The PI 200538 gene provides additional protection against the new biotype of soybean aphid, offering hope for more durable resistance.
A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin reveals that individuals in positions of power tend to interpret crisis events, such as the 9/11 attacks, in a more abstract manner. The researchers analyzed public comments from September 2001 and found that those with power overestimated their ability to achieve o...
Researchers have identified a new gene, PTRF, which causes mutations leading to muscle weakness and lipodystrophy. The study found that these individuals had deficient caveolin-3 protein in their muscles, despite no mutations in the caveolin-3 gene.