A UC Irvine study shows that human neural stem cells can reverse long-term hind-limb paralysis in mice with chronic spinal cord injuries. The therapy demonstrates potential for treating a broader population of patients with spinal cord injuries.
Astronomers studying a galactic black hole have found similarities between its eruption and the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Earth. The cosmic eruption prevents hundreds of millions of new stars from forming by lifting cooler gas upwards.
The NIH has renewed a research program to develop medical countermeasures for radiation exposure after a radiological or nuclear attack. The program will support research at seven institutions nationwide and provide an estimated $105 million in funding.
A team of researchers from Sea Education Association and institutions found high concentrations of plastic debris in the western North Atlantic, comparable to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The study suggests that basic ocean physics explains why plastic accumulates in this region.
Researchers discover that deleted versions of the DUX4 gene trigger its overexpression in FSHD patients, leading to disease progression. The finding provides a crucial step in understanding the disease and offers a potential therapeutic target for treatment.
A global community of environmental researchers has united to monitor and analyze Earth's carbon exchange through over 500 micrometeorological towers. The newly launched platform, Fluxdata.org, allows researchers to access and harmonize data from hundreds of sites worldwide.
Researchers create tiny sensor molecules using DNA that can detect multiple substances with different color changes, enabling a vast array of responses to various molecules. The DNA sensors could be used in portable devices, such as a fluorescence microscope, to detect everything from incipiently souring milk to high explosives.
Researchers will create novel tools for evaluating social interactions and behaviors to diagnose or treat autism. The project aims to develop a new discipline of computational behavioral science, transforming the study of human behavior with technologies like computer vision and machine learning.
Researchers at NC State will use high-performance computing and data analytics to develop new approaches for predicting Atlantic hurricanes and precipitation patterns. The goal is to improve the accuracy and detail of climate forecasts, enabling better decision-making for climate researchers.
The NSF announces three new Expeditions in Computing awards, providing up to $10 million in funding over five years. These projects will focus on novel approaches to complex problems in computer science and engineering, including modeling social behavior and understanding climate change.
A new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that yoga practice is associated with increased GABA levels and decreased anxiety. The research suggests that yoga may be a potential therapy for certain mental disorders, warranting further study.
USDA scientists have developed a new genetic tool to express beneficial genes in specific plant tissues, improving disease resistance and reducing side effects. The LP2 gene promoter can direct other introduced genes to target areas where they are needed most.
Fruit flies establish a fixed height by tracking horizontal edges and fly at the same altitude as these features. The researchers used a virtual-reality space to track the flies' movements and confirmed that edge tracking is the primary mechanism.
Prof. Elon Lindenstrauss received the Fields Medal for outstanding mathematical achievement, the first Israeli to win the prestigious prize. The award recognizes his research solving complex problems in number theory, highlighting Israel's elite status in mathematical research.
A magnitude-8.1 earthquake triggered two major quakes of magnitude 7.8 within two minutes, affecting Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, with water levels reaching 49 feet above sea level
A new project aims to enhance the accuracy of climate models by leveraging data mining techniques. The collaboration between UT and ORNL will help predict large shifts in regional climate patterns and improve predictions of severe meteorological and hydrological events.
A team of researchers is studying the human gut microbiome to develop new interventions and treatments for food- and water-borne diseases. The study aims to understand how certain microbes protect against enteric diseases and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers studied the predatory style of Andalgalornis, a mid-sized terror bird that used its uniquely rigid skull and hooked beak to jab like a boxer. The team's simulations showed that the bird's attack-and-retreat strategy was effective in taking down prey, with well-targeted jabs delivering high stress levels.
A Purdue University study finds that controlling urban growth and increasing forested land are effective ways to decrease future water runoff and flooding. The model simulated Michigan's Muskegon River watershed runoff rates and forecasted their impact on rivers and streams over the next 30 years.
Ngô Bao Châu received the Fields Medal for his proof of the fundamental lemma in automorphic forms through new algebro-geometric methods. His work has relevance to high-energy physics, computer science, and cryptography, building on decades of mathematicians' contributions.
A Yale team has discovered the secrets of a 'magic' antidepressant that can take effect in hours, rather than weeks or months. The study found that ketamine restores connections between brain cells damaged by chronic stress.
A phase 3 trial found trastuzumab improves median survival to 13.8 months for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer patients, with a 26% reduction in death rate compared to chemotherapy alone. The treatment's cost effectiveness is questioned due to its estimated £13,857 per patient cost and $55,000 cost per life-year gained.
A recent study found significant racial disparities in the age of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients at the time of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and CVD-related death. Black women were youngest to both be admitted with CVD and to have an in-hospital death due to CVD.
Researchers found that sulfasalazine enhances the body's ability to clear fungal debris from the lungs, reducing inflammation and promoting better lung function. The study offers a new avenue for research on Pneumocystis pneumonia and may lead to improved treatment options for patients with weakened immune systems.
Researchers found HIV-1 virus alters in semen versus blood through two distinct mechanisms, affecting its replication and transmission.
A University of Illinois scientist has identified four genes that increase alcohol tolerance in yeast, leading to higher ethanol yields and productivity. The discovery aims to make biofuel production more efficient and economical by reducing the toxic effects of biofuels on yeast.
According to a study at the University of Michigan, children who see homework as an investment rather than a chore are more likely to spend time on it. The researchers found that students who expected to have a job dependent on their education were more likely to invest time in homework and had better grades over time.
Scientists have discovered that Helicobacter pylori needs vitamin B6 to cause and maintain stomach infections. Researchers used a mouse model to identify the importance of PdxA and PdxJ enzymes in bacterial pathogenesis, paving the way for novel antibiotic treatments.
A study by Rice University sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund found that male scientists regret having fewer children due to their career more than female scientists. Male biologists report working longer hours and being less satisfied with their jobs compared to male physicists, who are less likely to have children.
A large underwater hydrocarbon plume was detected in the Gulf of Mexico, measuring at least 22 miles long and 3,000 feet below the surface. Scientists confirmed its origin as the blown-out well and observed its slow migration southwest from the source.
Researchers have uncovered a critical mechanism by which Vibrio parahaemolyticus kills cells and causes food poisoning. The study reveals that the bacterium uses a molecule called VPA0450 to remove a phosphate from host-cell membranes, leading to cell destruction.
A recent study has revealed a model for understanding Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), which is linked to the generation of toxic RNA that damages muscle cells. Variations in chromosome 4 play a crucial role in this process, and researchers have identified potential new treatments by silencing the effects of this RNA.
A team of geologists led by David Fike has revisited the Great Oxygenation Event, finding that it was likely a two-step process involving sulfur compounds rather than just oxygen. This challenges the traditional narrative of the event and highlights the difficulties in interpreting redox proxies.
Brothers of men with prostate cancer are at a higher risk of diagnosis due to increased diagnostic activities, not genetic mutations. Incidence is highest among men with two brothers diagnosed, and detection bias contributes significantly.
A new study found that those at highest risk to drink alcohol post-transplant can be identified, potentially preventing relapse. The length of sobriety prior to surgery is the most powerful predictor of return to alcohol use, with shorter sobriety conferring higher risk.
Researchers use gravitational lensing in galaxy cluster Abell 1689 to study the properties of dark energy. The distortion induced by lensing allows them to reconstruct light paths and understand its effect on space geometry.
Using gravitational lensing, researchers probe elusive dark energy for the first time, improving current measurements of mass and energy content. The results narrow the range of estimates about dark energy's effect on the universe by 30 percent.
Researchers are developing a computer-based system to help stroke survivors with aphasia learn gestures independently, using motion sensing technologies like Nintendo Wii Remote. The project aims to create an affordable and accessible tool for therapy, addressing the limited resources and high cost of traditional one-to-one sessions.
Patients with necrotizing myopathies who test positive for novel autoantibodies against 200-kd and 100-kd proteins may benefit from immunosuppressive therapy due to their autoimmune nature. Researchers also found a unique association between statin use and muscle symptoms in this patient group.
The Community Earth System Model (CESM) is a powerful new computer software that will be used in the next IPCC assessment to study climate change. With its advanced capabilities, scientists can shed light on critical mysteries of global warming, including ice sheet melting and regional climate patterns.
A study by Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers provides concrete evidence that children with autism spectrum disorders process sensory information differently than typically developing children. The findings support decades of clinical observations and could lead to objective measures for evaluating the effectiveness of aut...
Newly discovered cliffs on the moon indicate that it shrank globally in the geologically recent past and might still be shrinking. The cliffs, called lobate scarps, are relatively young and have a semi-circular or lobe-shaped appearance.
A new study has demonstrated that combining a specific drug with radiotherapy significantly improves treatment outcomes for cervical cancer patients. The research found that the addition of cisplatin to radiotherapy reduces the likelihood of death by 23%, leading to improved survival rates.
A new study by NASA researchers found that global plant productivity declined by 1% between 2000 and 2009 due to regional drought, contradicting previous findings of increased productivity with warming temperatures. The decline in plant growth has significant implications for food security and the global carbon cycle.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera has detected 14 previously unknown lobate scarps on the moon, indicating recent contraction of the lunar interior. The newly discovered scarps show a globally distributed distribution and are estimated to have formed about 100 meters in the recent past.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure is significantly linked to attention problems at age 5, with stronger effects among boys. Children's symptoms of attention disorders are harder to recognize in toddlers, and diagnoses often occur after entering school.
Researchers at UC's College of Education will develop an interactive software suite called iFIG to enhance student learning in science. The system features three components: digital handbook, digital notebook, and assessment system, designed around Universal Design for Learning framework.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 5's (TD5) remnants on August 18, showing showers and clouds extending from Louisiana northeast into Tennessee. The strongest thunderstorms were located over south central Louisiana and north central Alabama, producing heavy rainfall.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that communities with more walkers and cyclists are healthier than those relying on cars. The research analyzed city- and state-level data to show a significant link between active travel and physical activity, obesity, and diabetes rates.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that gender-specific total knee prostheses provide no clinical benefits for women, unlike what was initially hoped. In fact, standard prostheses fit women's knees better, resulting in less bleeding and improved outcomes.
The study aims to understand how enzymes activate molecular oxygen and attach it to substrate molecules to synthesize siderophores, essential for the microbes' metabolic needs. The researchers will use protein crystallography training to train global scientists and students.
As we age, breakdowns in brain connections lead to slower reactivity and confusion during one-sided motor movements. Researchers found that older adults' brains communicate more with each other while at rest, hindering brain function.
A magnitude-8.1 earthquake triggered two major quakes of magnitude 7.8 within two minutes, revealing a unprecedented pattern in the Samoa-Tonga region. The study suggests that normal fault earthquakes can trigger subduction zone quakes, affecting tsunami hazard calculations globally.
Scientists have created the most comprehensive map of the Earth's mangrove forest distribution, revealing a 12.3% decline in forest coverage compared to earlier estimates. The map shows that approximately 75% of remaining forests are found in just 15 countries, with only ~6.9% protected under existing networks.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a vaccine to stop cancer-causing viruses that invade host cells, initiate cancer, and then disappear. The vaccine has been shown to protect against subsequent cancer development in mouse models, holding promise for preventing human cancers.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution find that increasing pressure can induce higher transition temperatures in superconductors, challenging current materials. The discovery opens a new path to designing and engineering high-temperature superconductors.
The Community Earth System Model (CESM) is a powerful new tool for studying climate change, enabling scientists to simulate the complex interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. The CESM will help researchers better understand the impacts of global warming on ice sheets, tropical cyclones, and aerosols.
Research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that children aged 6 and older are significantly less likely to invite peers with a visible squint to their birthday party. This discrimination may have lasting psychological impacts on individuals concerned.
Palliative care significantly improved the lives of lung cancer patients, extending their survival by an average of 11.6 months compared to those receiving standard care alone. Quality-of-life assessments also showed substantial improvement in the palliative care group.
A new research approach targets infected cells to eliminate HIV, offering a potential cure. By inducing programmed cell death, the approach aims to reduce the viral load and prevent disease progression. If successful, this therapy could lead to an eradication of the virus.