A Mayo Clinic-led international consortium discovered a genetic defect in the dynactin complex that may help explain neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The mechanism implicated in Perry syndrome, a rare disorder, may also shed light on common depression and sleep disorders.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a gene variant on the X chromosome associated with an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Women who inherited two copies of the PCDH11X variant were found to be at substantially greater risk, while men with one copy also showed a significant increase in risk.
Researchers at U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center identified recurrent gene fusions that drive certain cancers to develop. New gene sequencing technology enabled quicker and easier detection of these fusions.
Ancient DNA and palaeontology researchers analyzed coprolites from giant extinct birds to build a detailed picture of an ecosystem dominated by these species. The findings suggest that some moa grazed on tiny herbs, while others are threatened or rare due to their extinction.
Researchers at UQ found that speech and language disorders can be validly and reliably assessed over the internet using a telerehabilitation application. This technology holds promise for addressing inequities in access to rehabilitation services, particularly in rural and remote areas.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers reveals that disabling a key enzyme in fat cells allows mice to overeat without gaining weight. The enzyme, AdPLA, plays a crucial role in regulating fat metabolism and body weight, making it a promising target for obesity treatment.
Researchers at Tufts University found that long CGG repeats stall replication, leading to chromosomal fragility and breaking, and disable cellular checkpoints that repair replication malfunctions.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has identified a protein that regulates hormone release in the brain, with implications for women's reproductive health. The protein, Syt IV, tunes the release of hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which control reproductive functions and fluid balance.
In 2009, the Poker Flat Research Range will host eight National Aeronautics and Space Administration sounding rockets. Two separate missions, ISIS and ACES, will be launched during two launch windows, with the first window opening on January 10.
Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that high insulin levels in postmenopausal women are associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Women with the highest insulin levels were nearly 50% more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those with lower insulin levels.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that elevated p53 levels maintain a cell's dormant state, making it resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. Targeting specific genes involved in quiescence may enhance anticancer effects.
A team of researchers has illuminated the structure of reactive oxygen species in a vital enzyme using a unique light-based probing technique. The study reveals details about flavoproteins involved in biochemical reactions, including oxygen activation, which is essential for energy conversion in animals and plants.
Louisiana Tech researchers have developed a deep-penetrating scanning system using ultrawideband pulsed radar to detect fractures, quantify corrosion and determine voids in surrounding soil. The FutureScan project aims to increase the ability of municipalities to detect developing sinkholes around buried pipes.
The University of Colorado at Boulder received two $11 million grants to study the lunar surface, atmosphere, and cosmos. The LUNAR team will conduct astronomical observations and investigate the early universe, while the CCLDAS project focuses on lunar dust and astronaut safety.
McGill researchers shed light on Earth's beginnings with the discovery of its oldest rocks, found to be 4.28 billion years old. Additionally, scientists from McGill and the MUHC have made significant breakthroughs in cancer treatment and tumour communication, offering new avenues for research and potential treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully designed synthetic HDL, a nanoparticle version capable of irreversibly binding cholesterol. The study shows that the synthetic HDL mimics natural HDL's surface composition and could one day help fill the gap in useful therapeutics for raising good cholesterol.
The Writing and Communications program at Stevens Institute of Technology will offer workshops to engineering students to improve their oral and written communication skills. The grant will also establish a Communications Prize for senior engineering design teams.
Researchers at Arizona State University have found a unique chemical signature blend on the cuticle of fertile ants that allows workers to locate and police cheaters. This discovery provides insight into social regulation and evolution in ant societies.
A new study by University of Miami biologist Adrienne DuBois reveals that the Swamp Sparrow can modulate its vocal performance in response to aggressive interactions, a sophisticated signal used for communication. The study, published in Biology Letters, provides insights into animal cognition and the evolution of communication.
A team of Dartmouth researchers has found a new function for the protein NOD, which plays a crucial role in chromosome segregation during cell division. This discovery contributes to our understanding of how cell functions can go wrong, particularly in cancerous cells.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has received a $2.5 million award to train investigators in gene-environment interaction, a pioneering area of genetic study. The program aims to discover why some people with known risk factors for disease get sick and others don't.
Children's eating habits and leisure-time patterns may not meet current recommendations as they transition from preschool to school age, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Parents of older children reported unhealthy food choices and lower levels of physical activity.
Researchers developed a search algorithm that integrated biological measurements and model simulations to identify optimal drug combinations. The study successfully identified effective treatments in two biological model systems, paving the way for personalized medicine.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has been awarded a $6 million grant from NASA to build the Lunar Dust Experiment (LDEX), a high-tech lunar dust detector. The instrument will provide new information on lunar dust interactions with the moon's atmosphere and solar wind, as well as astronaut safety issues.
Research by Kristin R. Ratliff and Nora S. Newcombe found that human adults rely on both geometric and feature cues for reorientation, with a preference depending on the environment and past experiences. The study used experiments with different room sizes and landmarks to investigate this phenomenon.
A new study at University College London found that nitrous oxide enhances imagination vividness and imaginary suggestibility in participants, which could lead to improved pain relief for dental patients. The study's findings suggest that combining laughing gas with instructions and suggestions might enhance the pain-relieving effect.
A Florida State University researcher has received a four-year, $1.2 million grant to explore the link between RNA silencing and gene regulation in fighting cancer and diseases. The goal is to understand how to switch off genes causing cancerous tumors and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers led by Nancy Speck identified the location and developmental timeline of bone marrow stem cell formation in mouse embryos. Understanding this process may help manipulate embryonic stem cells to generate new blood cells for therapy.
A recent Penn study found that patients who receive care at large, urban, and teaching hospitals have a higher chance of survival after cardiac arrest compared to those in small, rural non-academic hospitals. The study also suggests that patients cared for in high-volume intensive care units are more likely to survive.
Several congressional proposals aim to cover the uninsured through expanded Medicare coverage, building on public programs and group purchase of private insurance. These plans demonstrate that universal coverage can be achieved with little or no additional total health spending.
Calculations by Dr. Eduardo Zorita and colleagues estimated the likelihood of warm record years after 1990 being an accident is extremely low, suggesting external influences
The university's M. Granger Morgan will unveil a novel 'two-stage' approach for developing new energy technologies that can help society reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes the creation of an independent Federal Carbon Sequestration Commission to make recommendations for future regulations.
The DRD theory presents a guide for designing multi-valued computers by combining operation-basic-units (OBUs). This allows for the implementation of n-valued LUs with only realizing n×n×(n-1) OBUs. The theory also simplifies software algorithm design and reduces complexity, enabling the creation of new types of computers.
Researchers have synthesized RNA enzymes that can replicate themselves without proteins, a breakthrough in understanding the origins of life. The system, which involves two enzymes that assemble each other, has been shown to sustain molecular information and give rise to variations through Darwinian evolution.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology found a significant long-term risk of mortality among Alzheimer's patients prescribed antipsychotic medication. The DART-AD study revealed a substantial increase in mortality rates compared to those receiving a placebo, with survival rates at 2 years differing by as much as 30%.
Researchers discovered that Martian winds create pits and hills, causing small rocks to roll forward into the wind. The process is repeated, forming regular patterns, with clusters of rocks adapting by shielding the middle or outer rocks from the wind.
A Dutch study published in BMC Public Health found that phone and internet counselling is effective for weight management in overweight workers. The study compared counselling via phone and e-mail with standard practice and found significant weight loss in all groups, with those in the phone group losing the most weight.
Italian researchers measured particulate matter from natural gas domestic burners and found high concentrations in stove tops, emitting larger amounts of ultrafine particles. The study provides important insights into the environmental health consequences associated with common home appliances.
Researchers have shown that maslinic acid significantly inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in colon-cancer cells. The compound may provide a cheap and effective way to control colon cancer and is being investigated as a potential chemotherapeutic agent.
Research on submarine displacement rates reveals some of the highest strike-slip rates on Earth, with implications for plate boundary deformation. Volcanic ice-slurry flows are also studied, showing extreme mobility and hazards at snow-capped volcanoes, with insights into their kinematic properties.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a way to produce higher concentrations of butanol using microorganisms. The mutant strain can use five or six carbon sugars, making it more versatile and efficient. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a second-generation strain with targeted genetic alterations.
A group of international doctors describe human rights abuses against Palestinian residents in the West Bank and Gaza, including delays in accessing hospitals and increased commuting times. The doctors report on the devastating impact of these abuses, which have been exacerbated by recent hostilities.
A University of British Columbia study found that heart disease patients living in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods are more vulnerable to death from chronic diseases, particularly cancer. The researchers suggest that the trend may reflect the higher overall stress experienced by patients in low socioeconomic areas.
A team of scientists discovered a mysterious screen of extra-loud radio noise permeating the cosmos, preventing astronomers from observing heat from the first stars. The source of this cosmic background remains unknown.
Researchers found that adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who have a stronger sense of spirituality tend to experience fewer depressive symptoms and better emotional well-being. In contrast, patients with IBD are at risk for numerous psychosocial difficulties, including increased mental health problems and social stigma.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that male and female mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) create a harmonic duet just before mating. The frequency of this duet is approximately 400-600 hertz for the female and 600-1200 hertz for the male, significantly above previously thought limits.
Scientists at Harvard University have discovered a way to synthesize and control the formation of nanobristles into helical clusters. The finding has potential use in energy, information storage, photonics, adhesion, capture and release systems, as well as particle mixing and transport.
A new study reveals that cheater ants give away their fertility status through unique chemical signals, allowing peers to swiftly attack and restrain them. This system plays a crucial role in maintaining harmony in ant societies.
Butterflies use their hind wings to make quick turns and evade predators, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study found that removing hind wings reduces turning acceleration in half, making it harder for predators to catch them.
Genetic analysis indicates that the first Americans arrived in North America via at least two separate groups. The Pacific coastline and an ice-free corridor between the Rocky Mountains were key migration routes. This dual origin scenario has major implications for Native American studies, including language family origins.
Climate change may lead to severe food shortages affecting half the world's population by 2100, as tropical regions experience reduced crop yields and increased water stress. The research highlights the need for adaptation and mitigation strategies to address these impacts.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have found that a protein called Gadd45b is involved in changing epigenetic marks in brain cells, leading to the birth of new neurons and long-term changes in memory. This discovery may help understand how daily life experiences trigger long-lasting memories.
A recent whole-genome study identified genetic variants associated with Kawasaki disease, an inflammatory condition in children that affects the cardiovascular system. The research team found that genes involved in cardiovascular function and inflammation are key players, suggesting potential new diagnostics and treatments.
A study published in Nature Genetics identified genetic markers associated with risk for ulcerative colitis, bringing researchers closer to understanding the biological pathways involved in the disease. The findings may lead to the development of new treatments that specifically target these genes.
A study by UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute researchers found that California's seven-fold increase in autism cases since 1990 cannot be explained by changes in diagnosis or counting. Environmental culprits such as chemicals and infectious microbes are likely responsible for the trend.
Researchers have discovered that deuterated pyridine adopts a different crystalline form than its normal counterpart, only achievable under high pressure. This finding has implications for the development of more specific and effective pharmaceutical agents.
Researchers at Yale University found that non-black participants exhibit low emotional response when confronted with racial slurs, perpetuating racism. This phenomenon is linked to unconscious biases and a lower willingness to confront racist behavior.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a DNA variation in the NLRP3 gene that increases susceptibility to developing Crohn's disease. The study reveals how a faulty bacterial sensor disrupts the digestive immune system's defense against harmful bacteria, leading to chronic inflammation and disease.
A partnership between RIT and Lockheed Martin has equipped US military vehicles with new systems monitoring technology to improve performance and environmental quality. The project also led to the creation of a spin-off company, LIBAN Inc, which aims to expand the use of software and hardware applications for commercial vehicle fleets.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry have discovered a novel function of Nerve Growth Factor in the development of the trigeminal nerve, which provides signaling pathways for periodontal and dental pain. The study has broad implications for trigeminal nerve regeneration and may lead to new treatments for various neuropathic and infl...