Scientists have discovered a way to regenerate insulin-producing beta cells from non-insulin-producing alpha cells, offering new hope for treating type 1 diabetes. The research found that modifying the expression of a specific gene in alpha cells can drive their conversion into functional beta cells.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel mechanism by which elastin-like polypeptides increase recombinant protein accumulation in tobacco plants. The study found that ELP fusions targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum induce the formation of mobile protein bodies, enhancing protein yield.
Researchers at UCI have identified TOMM40 as a gene that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by twice its presence in healthy individuals. The study also found that those with ApoE-4 are three to eight times more likely to develop the disease, highlighting new potential therapeutic targets.
A study found that college students who spent more time on Facebook were more likely to feel jealous towards their partners, triggering a vicious cycle of online behavior. This excessive Facebook usage can lead to negative influences on relationships and behavior, with some participants describing their use as addictive.
A new electronic device, developed by Queen's University Belfast's ECIT team, will enable complex imaging of clouds at short wavelengths, providing unprecedented data on atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough is expected to lead to more accurate global weather forecasts and valuable insights into climate change.
Researchers identified a genetic variation associated with an increased susceptibility for inflammatory disease, linked to nonfunctional CARD8 gene. The study suggests that loss of function of this gene may be one way in which populations evolve a more robust host response to deal with infectious diseases.
Researchers found that rooks can learn to use stones to raise the level of water, bringing a floating worm within reach. The birds demonstrated impressive accuracy and problem-solving skills.
Category 4 hurricane Felicia is currently near 140 mph sustained winds, while Tropical Storm Enrique maintains 50 mph sustained winds despite being close to Felicia.
Researchers found that individual fibers in a fibrin blood clot align with each other when stretched, causing the clot to stretch and decrease in volume. This unusual property is made possible by protein unfolding, which exposes hydrophobic parts of the molecule and expels water.
A new study estimates that sub-Saharan Africa will only have one-third of the needed healthcare workers by 2015, with a shortage of 240,000 doctors and 551,000 nurses and midwives. The cost of scaling up the health system is projected to be $19 billion per year.
Researchers found stem-like cancer cells that share characteristics with healthy stem cells, including unlimited lifespan and migration properties. These cells were localized in the same tissue location as bladder stem cells and showed increased activity in genes related to cell proliferation and metastasis.
The EMBO organization has introduced a new private pension plan for its fellows, providing a benefit package tailored to the needs of highly mobile scientists. The plan allows contributors to continue in the plan as they move from country to country, offering flexibility and portability.
A new study published in The Lancet found that adding a TNF antagonist like infliximab to methotrexate treatment improves symptoms for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded well to methotrexate alone. This approach can prevent overtreatment and reduce side effects and costs.
A new study found no daily or weekly pattern to earthquakes in Western U.S. due to human activity. Seismic stations struggle to detect M>1 earthquakes, making it appear like more occur on Sundays and late at night. Researchers explored speleothem records in caves for accurate quake documentation.
Researchers have found that slight shifts in solar radiation caused by Earth's rotation and axis are linked to the demise of ice ages. The study, published in Science, confirms a theory developed over 50 years ago and provides a more precise understanding of how ice sheets melt in response to radiative forcing mechanisms.
NASA satellites observed Typhoon Morakot's rapid expansion from a 528-mile-wide storm to a massive 1,056-mile-diameter system. The typhoon's cold cloud tops indicate powerful thunderstorms and a significant threat to Taiwan and China.
The study found that bilateral liver resection was safe with zero surgical mortality and a postoperative morbidity rate of 28.7%. The short- and long-term outcomes were also satisfactory, with a stone recurrence rate of 7.9% and an acute cholangitis rate of 6.5%.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $377 million to fund 46 new energy frontier research centers, aiming to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in clean and renewable energy. The centers will focus on advancing solar energy, biofuels, transportation, energy efficiency, and nuclear energy.
The project aims to create symbols that can guide users with varying reading levels and languages in hospitals. The student-designed symbols will be tested at four US hospitals and surveyed among Midwestern city populations.
Researchers have found that certain orchids, including the Dendrobium sinense species on the Chinese island of Hainan, produce a chemical mimicry that fools hornet pollinators. This unique deception is achieved through the production of Z-11-eicosen-1-ol, a rare compound that attracts hornets and other wasps.
A new study found that adding psychosocial therapy to medication can improve depression scores short-term and long-term in stroke patients, leading to better perceived recovery, physical condition, and social participation. Depression following stroke is a significant public health problem affecting one-third of patients.
A study of marine clams found that closely related clusters vanish together more often than expected, indicating that vulnerability to extinction is linked to evolutionary family history. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting the most fragile families to preserve evolutionary history.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a common molecular pathway used by breast cancer stem cells and normal breast stem cells when reproducing. Increasing the levels of miR-200c suppresses their ability to divide and reproduce.
A team of researchers will survey Kasatochi Island to monitor its recovery from the 2008 volcanic eruption. The interdisciplinary research focuses on the island's ecosystem development, with an emphasis on insect and bird species.
A new study in Cell Metabolism has found that leptin, a hormone produced by fat tissue, influences baseline dopamine levels and our motivation to eat. Leptin-responsive neurons in the brain's lateral hypothalamic area feed into the mesolimbic dopamine system, controlling motivation for food, sex, and other desires.
Researchers sequenced a second leukemia patient's genome, discovering genetic changes also found in gliomas and AML-linked mutations. The study highlights the potential of genome sequencing to unravel cancer's genetic basis, paving the way for more effective treatments.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that hormone levels play a crucial role in stress resilience among military combat divers. Soldiers with higher dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels performed better during stressful underwater navigation exercises.
A recent study at the University of Alberta found that most pharmacy pamphlets fail to meet guidelines for accessibility, with only 23% meeting 9 out of 10 Canadian recommendations. The study highlights a need for improved accessibility and readability in pharmaceutical information.
Primary care physicians will receive web-based training on melanoma screening through a new program developed with a team of researchers. The goal is to improve detection and reduce mortality rates from melanoma.
A Penn study reverses conventional wisdom on fertility declines, showing high development levels can actually increase fertility rates. Researchers analyzed 24 developed countries over 30 years and found a positive association between HDI and fertility at advanced levels of development.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that historically based blockbuster movies can be a double-edged sword when it comes to helping students learn and retain information. When film clips were consistent with textbook material, correct recall increased by 50%, but misinformation from the film led to false recall...
Researchers have developed a new approach to treat ischemic pathologies by activating the protein HIF, which stimulates revascularization and organ repair. This strategy aims to address cardiovascular diseases that cause millions of deaths worldwide, by over-producing HIF in response to ischemia.
Researchers found that focusing of waves by shoals and currents can increase the likelihood of freak waves by up to 10 times. Freak waves are extreme waves measuring roughly three times the size of average wave height, posing significant risks for shipping and navigation in coastal areas.
Physicians warn that mandated treatments in healthcare reform can misalign doctor-patient goals, leading to financial conflicts. The authors advocate for a 'shared decision-making' model that incorporates medical humanism to ensure patient autonomy and cultural values are respected.
Researchers have gained in-depth knowledge of pyruvate carboxylase's structure, a metabolic enzyme linked to genetic diseases like lactic acidaemia and hypoglycaemia. The study also sheds light on its potential role in obesity and diabetes treatments.
Scientists used a whole-animal infection model to screen 37,000 potential drugs on infected C. elegans worms, identifying 28 new antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action.
The grant aims to support the development of a vaccine designed to protect pigs from novel H1N1 and other strains of influenza. Researchers at Iowa State University will test the technology against various strains.
A study at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA found that combining digital breast tomosynthesis and full-field digital mammography can decrease recall rates by 30% for cancer-free examinations. This could alleviate patient stress and economic burden on imaging facilities.
A study performed at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that MRI can evaluate beta cell mass and detect inflammation of the pancreas in patients with diabetes. This information can aid physicians in developing personalized treatment plans and achieving insulin independence for patients.
A novel function of a gut hormone was discovered that can potentially lower glucose levels in diabetes by activating specific receptors. The study found that CCK peptide hormone rapidly lowers blood glucose by triggering a signal to the brain and liver.
A research project aims to produce a computer model for water managers to reduce energy consumption while meeting increased demand for water. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will help address water scarcity issues in regions like Arizona, where population growth and drought are exacerbating the problem.
Researchers discovered that Yellow-lipped Sea Kraits deceive predators by twisting their tails to resemble a second head, complete with venom. This false-head behaviour is an overlooked anti-predator adaptation that helps sea snakes survive in the ocean.
A new UAB study found that novice parents identified less than half of the safety hazards in a simulated home environment. Parents recognized only 47% of the hazards and considered their own children as being invulnerable to injuries.
A new study analyzing nearly 25,000 Medicare patients found that blood transfusions for hospitalized cardiac patients can be associated with increased risks of infection and death. The analysis also revealed substantial variation in transfusion practices among hospitals, highlighting the need for evidence-based guidelines.
Adding anesthetic lidocaine to radiocolloid injection improves patient comfort without compromising SLN identification, reducing pain and discomfort for patients with early breast cancer. The study concludes that this practice should be introduced as standard.
A new study reveals that social stress can lead to the deposition of more fat in the abdominal cavity, accelerating the buildup of plaque in blood vessels and increasing the risk of heart disease. The study found that stressed monkeys developed more visceral fat, which promotes coronary artery atherosclerosis.
A new study suggests that changes in gene expression called epigenetic alterations can serve as markers for detecting CLL early and monitoring its progression. Researchers also point to a strategy for treating the disease earlier using drugs that reverse such changes.
Researchers used magnetotelluric sounding to detect large amounts of water in New Zealand's crust, revealing three processes that help deform the crust above it. The study found water is released at varying depths, contributing to earthquake generation and faulting in the region.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have decoded the entire structure of an HIV genome, revealing intricate patterns and structures that play a previously unappreciated role in the virus's lifecycle. This breakthrough opens doors for further research and potential antiviral drug development.
Researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory present a method for targeting hematopoietic stem cells using engineered lentiviral vectors. An alternative approach using DNA transposons offers a safer and effective way for non-viral gene transfer.
A Duke University researcher has developed a two-tiered model to simulate the interplay between epidemiological dynamics and evolutionary changes in flu viruses. The model focuses on understanding how flu evolves differently in humans versus animals, with potential implications for developing more effective vaccines.
The Obama administration has allocated over $327 million in Recovery Act funding to support scientific research, instrumentation, and laboratory infrastructure projects at ten DOE national laboratories across six states. This funding will create new jobs while maintaining the US's scientific leadership and economic competitiveness.
Researchers, led by Professor Neal Armstrong, are working to harness solar energy for utility-scale generation and portable devices, with potential breakthroughs in organic solar cells and interface science.
A world-first study has revealed that percutaneous vertebroplasty, a common treatment for painful osteoporotic fractures, is not an effective treatment. The study found no significant benefits of the procedure in improving symptoms or quality of life over six months.
The Trustworthy Information Systems for Healthcare project aims to improve the security and effectiveness of information technology infrastructure in healthcare settings. Researchers will address fundamental challenges in information security, such as protecting clinical information while ensuring clinician access.
Researchers find marijuana smoke causes more cell damage and DNA harm than tobacco smoke, but doesn't cause chromosome damage. The study provides new insights into marijuana's potential health risks and challenges common perceptions about its relative safety.
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have identified key characteristics of a rhodium-based catalyst that efficiently releases hydrogen from ammonia borane. The study provides new insights into the catalytic reaction, shedding light on the hardest part of the process and suggesting ways to improve the catalyst.
The Kadoorie Biobank Study in China has received a £2.5 million funding boost to monitor the health of over 500,000 participants aged 35-74 for decades to come. This study will provide valuable insights into environmental and genetic causes of common conditions in China.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that human brain cells harbor astonishing genomic variability due to mobile DNA elements. This phenomenon may drive evolution and create neural diversity, making each person unique.
A new study found that relief of pain and improvement in function were similar in patients treated with vertebroplasty and simulated vertebroplasty without cement injections. The study raises questions about the procedure's long-term efficacy, suggesting that other factors may contribute to its benefits.