Elinor Ostrom suggests a diagnostic tool to help scholars frame the question and think through variables in complex social-ecological systems. The framework provides guidance for researchers and policymakers to analyze diversely structured markets and hierarchies.
A new study has developed a combination of biochemical and MRI-based biomarkers that will improve the measurement of osteoarthritis progression. The aggregate cartilage longevity marker outperformed individual markers in diagnosis and prognosis, allowing for more effective treatment trials.
A new general anesthetic called MOC-etomidate has been developed that maintains blood pressure stability while avoiding prolonged adrenal gland suppression. Animal studies verify its effectiveness in inducing anesthesia without adverse effects on blood pressure or adrenal activity.
Researchers at University of California - Davis Health report that amyloid plaques and bacterial biofilm elicit the same immune response in human cells, leading to chronic inflammation that damages neurons. The study identifies a protein called TLR-2 as controlling this response.
Scientists have developed computer models explaining polymorphism in animal populations, where individuals can display multiple distinct forms. The research suggests that a modest level of predator dietary wariness is sufficient to maintain large numbers of prey forms within a single species.
Researchers at OMT successfully created heritable, specific and permanent genetic modifications in rats using Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) technology. This achievement paves the way for unrestricted development of a novel human monoclonal antibody platform.
Researchers found individual algal cells can regulate flagellar beating in synchrony to control swimming trajectories, exhibiting two distinct modes: synchronous and unsynchronised. This study reveals hydrodynamic interactions as the driving force behind synchronization.
Patients who underwent lung reduction surgery showed a significant survival benefit compared to medical treatment, with an average time until a 'composite event' of two years. The procedure also improved quality of life for at least five years post-operative period, especially in patients with upper-lobe-predominant emphysema.
Researchers successfully treated hydatid cysts with RTA, achieving a 100% success rate in necrosis of the endocyst and minimal host tissue damage. The technique also avoided post-RTA fistula occurrence and chemical cholangitis or pneumonia.
Researchers found that acute stress enhances learning and memory by increasing glutamate transmission in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that moderate stress may be beneficial for cognitive function, contradicting the common perception of chronic stress as detrimental.
A novel drug Dz13 has been shown to reduce heart muscle damage after a heart attack and protect the heart's pumping action. The drug targets the c-Jun gene, which is responsible for inflammation and muscle death in the aftermath of a heart attack.
Researchers identified the hSDH5 gene as mutated in a hereditary form of paraganglioma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor. The study found that individuals with the mutation are at risk for developing tumors, and genetic testing can help identify those at risk.
A global research team analyzed the genomes of twenty genetically diverse rice types to identify favorable traits and their DNA variations. This breakthrough enables breeders to develop new and improved rice varieties more effectively, particularly in addressing climate change impacts.
Researchers created 'bacterial computers' that can solve complex mathematical problems, such as the Hamiltonian Path Problem and Burnt Pancake Problem. The innovation uses synthetic biology techniques to enable living cells to perform calculations, opening up new applications for biology and mathematics.
Research reveals that bacteria's survival rate increases when resistant to two antibiotics, contrary to expected outcomes. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding genetic interactions in determining antibiotic resistance.
Research finds that certain bird species can thrive in noisy areas due to a common predator's avoidance of noise, while others avoid nesting in noisy spots. The study suggests that mitigating noise pollution through better infrastructure design could help preserve bird diversity.
A recent study found that 'enhanced' fresh meat products often contain high levels of phosphorous and potassium not listed on food labels. This can be problematic for kidney disease patients who must limit these substances to avoid premature death.
Research found that gun dogs and sheep dogs excel in following a pointing finger, while hunting hounds and mongrels struggle. Breed characteristics with short noses and central eyes also improve comprehension. The study cautions against making generalizations about the effects of domestication on dog behavior.
Lars Jansen, a young researcher from the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, has been awarded an EMBO Installation Grant to establish a new research group in Portugal. The grant provides funding and support to help him develop his research infrastructures and integrate into the European scientific community.
Researchers have discovered a protein on the surface of leukemia stem cells that helps them evade macrophage immune cells. Targeting this protein, called CD47, may help increase the body's appetite for killing cancer cells.
Researchers found that even at low ozone concentrations, healthy individuals can experience significant decreases in lung function after moderate exercise. The study suggests that healthier individuals may exhibit individual variability in their responses to ozone, with some showing strong sensitivity while others are less affected.
Researchers will investigate molecular genetic and biochemical pathways in the common ice plant to improve water use efficiency. The goal is to understand how plants adapt to harsh environments through complex metabolic processes.
Researchers at Keio University found that matrix metalloproteinases improve wound healing in mice, while a complement inhibitor FUT-175 delays autoimmune disease onset. Additionally, a new target for tumor angiogenesis inhibition and bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) have been identified as potential therapies for liver high blood pre...
Developed a compact gamma camera called ProxiScan to localize prostate cancer tissue with high resolution. The camera system enables early diagnosis and treatment of potentially deadly disease.
The US EPA has awarded a grant to investigate how food allergies are initiated, with potential breakthroughs in predicting allergic reactions to genetically engineered foods. The study aims to identify key immune factors leading to food allergies, affecting approximately 3 million children in the US.
A new laboratory test called urine neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been found to help predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care patients. NGAL levels are also higher in patients with HIV-associated nephropathy, a complication of HIV affecting African Americans and black Africans.
A study found that testing for blood alcohol levels (BALs) can identify high-risk patients admitted to trauma centers who had denied excessive drinking. Elevated BALs are associated with higher rates of complications and predict the development of delirium treatments.
Research finds freshwater snails reproduce more when infected with trematode parasites in shallows, supporting the Red Queen hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory. Parasites enhance sexual reproduction by increasing selection on species interactions over small spatial scales.
Researchers found that centrally-acting ACE inhibitors, which cross the blood-brain barrier, may reduce inflammation and cognitive decline in patients with hypertension. These medications showed a significant association with lower rates of mental decline, particularly those taking drugs like captropril and lisinopril.
A RAND Corporation study finds that industries with a larger percentage of workers receiving employer-sponsored health insurance experience lower employment growth and lower output compared to those without such benefits. This trend is driven by the need for employers to increase compensation due to rising health insurance premiums.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical School have discovered that leukemia stem cells can escape detection by co-opting a protective molecular badge used by normal blood stem cells. The molecule, CD47, protects the leukemia stem cells from macrophages, allowing them to evade the immune system. Studies found that patients with high...
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids has been found to protect against a variety of diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. The study suggests that a diet enriched in EPA and DHA can ameliorate the progression of retinal lesions in a mouse model of AMD.
A new study found that cumulative exposure to respirable coal mine dust is a significant predictor of emphysema severity in both smokers and never-smokers. The researchers also discovered that emphysema was more severe among miners compared to non-miners, regardless of smoking status.
Scientists at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that the Bcl6 gene plays a crucial role in differentiating naive T cells into helper T cells, which then fuel rapid growth and diversification of antibodies in germinal centers. This process is essential for the adaptive immune system to produce effectiv...
Scientists have reprogrammed mouse fibroblasts to create whole mice using tetraploid complementation, a significant advancement in understanding induced pluripotent stem cells. This achievement offers hope for overcoming embryo destruction in pluripotent cell derivation and potentially revolutionizing regenerative medicine.
A new set of policy briefs from Carnegie Mellon University recommends a uniform regulatory environment to support large-scale deployment of carbon sequestration technology in the US. The team proposes an adaptive two-stage approach to regulation and specific changes to federal law and agency rules to address regulatory and legal barriers.
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University to develop the National Technical Assistance Center for Alternative Transportation in Public Lands. This center will provide federally owned land managers with a 'one-stop shop' of information, trainin...
A new study published in BMC Medical Ethics found that the purpose and type of information collection were more important than the individual's condition in determining consent choices. Participants preferred more control over the use of their personal information, especially when it linked to profit or personal details.
Biologists discovered that parasites drive snails to reproduce sexually, increasing genetic diversity and resistance to infection. The study supports the Red Queen Hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory, showing that host species can adapt to avoid parasite coevolution by producing genetically variable offspring.
A new definition of major depressive disorder (MDD) suggests that only mood and cognitive symptoms are included, excluding somatic criteria. This revised definition was found to be highly concordant with the current version in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients, offering benefits such as reduced time needed for assessment and sh...
Researchers at PNNL developed acoustic tags to measure salmon survival rates and a hydro model to direct fish away from predators. These technologies aid in improving salmon passage at Columbia Basin's hydroelectric dams.
Researchers have discovered a new gene fusion, NDRG1-ERG, that produces a protein potentially targeted by drug therapies. This finding may improve prostate cancer testing and treatment options.
Scientists at the University of Leeds are developing safer hair dyes and cosmetics using compounds extracted from Shetland seaweed, which can replace synthetic ingredients found in current products. The project aims to create a new range of colours including blonde, brown, red, and black.
Researchers used pictures, spoken and written names to show that single neurons in the human hippocampus and surrounding areas respond selectively to representations of the same individual using different sensory prompts. This process enables abstraction and recognition of highly variable images.
Researchers found that Attention Process Training (APT) improved attention in 78 stroke survivors, with average improvements of 2.49 standard deviations higher than standard care patients on full-scale attention scores. APT is a viable and effective way to improve attention deficits after stroke.
A new study reveals that specialized blood cells have bone-forming potential and can contribute to abnormal bone growth in rare genetic disorders like fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. This discovery has significant implications for understanding FOP and other conditions where bone forms outside the skeleton.
Researchers will investigate whether abnormal autonomic nervous system function is the primary cause of painful bladder syndrome, a condition affecting young women with severe bladder pain and disability. The five-year study aims to lead to better understanding of the causes and possible treatments for this condition.
Researchers found that loyalists who were most devoted to their school were also the most cooperative and helpful when confronted with injustice. However, this loyalty was short-term and may fade if the group continues to exhibit unfairness.
A study found that HIV infection and chronic alcoholism have a synergistic damaging effect on the brain, particularly impairing immediate episodic memory while preserving working memory. Individuals with both conditions are at risk of trouble learning new information, affecting daily activities and work-related tasks.
Researchers have devised a new method to fix a broken heart by coaxing adult heart muscle cells into reentering the cell cycle, allowing them to divide and regenerate healthy heart tissue. The key ingredient is neuregulin1, which may one day be used to treat failing human hearts.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveal how late-stage prostate tumors gain ability to grow without hormones. The study identifies a gene called UBE2C as key regulator in hormone-independent growth.
The US Department of Defense has been criticized for its handling of medical care at Guantanamo Bay, with a report highlighting concerns over the use of medical personnel in interrogation and force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike. Independent examinations of released detainees have shown severe psychological damage from detention.
Scientists at Rice University have found a method to attach molecules to semiconducting silicon, potentially helping manufacturers reach beyond Moore's Law limits. The new process, known as silicon with afterburners, works better at the nanometer scale and can be used to complement traditional doping methods.
A growth factor called neuregulin1 can spur heart-muscle growth and recovery of cardiac function when injected systemically into animals after a heart attack. Researchers were able to restart the cell cycle with NRG1, stimulating cardiomyocytes to divide and make copies of themselves - even though they are not stem cells.
A three-year study is underway to explore the link between knee inflammation and osteoarthritis. Researchers use ultrasound to identify inflammation in people over 55 with knee pain or osteoarthritis.
A new study identifies alpha dystroglycan as a key protein that binds muscle membranes to the basal lamina, reinforcing membrane integrity. Injecting functional dystroglycan into muscle tissue restored membrane integrity and protected muscles from damage.
A new study reveals that low-level stratiform clouds appear to dissipate as the ocean warms, indicating that changes in these clouds may enhance global warming. The research also suggests a critical role for weakening trade winds in reducing cloudiness.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a protein called NGAL that can help diagnose kidney disease caused by HIV. High levels of the protein in urine may indicate the presence of HIV-associated nephropathy, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially preventing kidney failure.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky discovered that tumor-suppressor protein Par-4 is secreted by most human and rodent cells and can target large numbers of cancer cells by binding to receptors on the cell surface.
A global team of researchers has developed tools to analyze the genetic diversity of rice, a crucial step towards improving crop yields and securing global food supplies. The comprehensive SNP information will enable exploration of rice diversity for understanding gene function and improving important traits.
A study by researchers from four Madrid-based health centres found that family conflict is not a significant factor in the use of psychopharmaceuticals among Spanish women. The results show that 24% of women take antidepressants, with benzodiazepines used by 30.6%, primarily for sleep aid.
A CU-Boulder study shows that noise pollution negatively affects woodland bird populations, with declining species richness at noisy sites. However, some bird species, such as black-chinned hummingbirds and house finches, prefer noisy areas due to reduced predation by western scrub jays.