Researchers found that human embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed cells exhibit very few differences in gene expression signatures and are nearly indistinguishable in their chromatin state, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. This study suggests that reprogrammed cells may indeed hold clinical promise ascribed to them earlier.
A study by UC Davis researchers has demonstrated the effectiveness of asynchronous telepsychiatry in assessing patients' mental health, using store-and-forward technology. The approach allows psychiatrists to provide opinions to primary-care doctors quickly and efficiently, with high accuracy and feasibility.
A pilot study published in the Journal of Endourology suggests that CO2 laser technology used with robotic prostate cancer surgery may preserve sensitive nerve areas necessary for erections and urinary continence. The technology, known as BeamPath, was found to be easy to manipulate and accurate.
The University of Louisville has received a $3.15 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to support its cancer research program in Owensboro. The funding will be used to create new faculty positions and expand the research program, with a focus on developing plant-based pharmaceuticals.
Researchers from UCF develop specially treated flyash as a cleaning agent for oil spills, preserving energy-generating capabilities. The innovative process absorbs oil and can be reused, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have uncovered a new role for polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPASE) in regulating the import of RNA into mitochondria. Reducing PNPASE expression impairs mitochondrial energy production and cell growth.
Researchers found that African Americans consume more fat and saturated fat, while having lower-than-recommended levels of minerals associated with bone health. However, those with diabetes ate more dietary fiber than those with normal blood sugar levels.
Chapman's research aims to simplify the development of portable applications, enabling medical equipment manufacturers to create advanced software for embedded multicore processors. The collaboration has led to the creation of open-source training material and graduate courses introducing UH students to multicore programming.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified a gene associated with chronic pain susceptibility in humans. They found that genetic variants of Cacng2 were significantly associated with chronic pain in breast cancer patients after breast removal surgery, suggesting a potential link between genetics and pain perception.
Trials in Asia and Africa have demonstrated the rotavirus vaccine's ability to prevent severe gastroenteritis and save thousands of lives. The vaccine has shown promise in reducing disease incidence, especially among infants.
A recent study led by Daniel Streicker analyzed hundreds of rabies viruses from 23 North American bat species, providing estimates of cross-species transmission (CST) frequency. CST occurs only once for every 72.8 transmissions within the same species, with factors like geographic range and genetics influencing its likelihood.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes found a way to make beating heart cells from body's own cells, helping to regenerate damaged hearts. The new method directly reprograms structural cells called fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes without needing stem cell state.
A new infectious disease, white-nose syndrome, is killing millions of bats and predicted to cause regional extinction of the little brown myotis. The disease affects hibernating bats and disrupts their hibernation, causing them to wake early and lose critical fat reserves.
The UK government's £50 million emergency cancer fund is under fire for its potential to favor patients based on geographical location rather than medical need. The Lancet Editorial argues that this policy undermines the principles of evidence-based medicine and rational healthcare resource allocation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine successfully replicated the ability of newts to regenerate tissue in mouse cells by blocking the expression of two tumor-suppressing proteins. This breakthrough may lead to future regenerative therapies for humans, and could involve sending us back down the evolutionary tree.
Using gauge/gravity duality, researchers identified a system with unusual properties similar to strange metals, which can be explained by gravitational mechanics. This approach may shed light on other materials and predict their behavior.
By comparing different species and environments, researchers can identify environmental optima and tolerance limits for predicting climate change effects. Tropical porcelain crabs, despite being heat-tolerant, live near their thermal tolerance range and have limited ability to adapt to warmer temperatures.
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has launched a Center for Advanced Materials Manufacturing with a $1.2 million federal grant to scale up the production of nanostructured metallic materials, which could revitalize foundries and metal-casting businesses.
The Center for Inorganic Membrane Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will demonstrate a palladium membrane system to separate hydrogen from coal gas, aiming to lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project is part of an $8.5M program to advance clean energy technologies.
A new study has found that a split-dosage schedule of bowel preparation is the most effective method for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy. The study found that procedures performed within six to eight hours of the end of preparation had significantly better cleansing than those performed more than eight hours after.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that people who lipread a silent face articulate words sound like the person speaking, rather than their own words. This suggests that our brains are primed by speech articulation and can imitate speech patterns even when we're not actively listening.
The Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) will leverage internationally recognized programs to create long-term research programs and scholarly conferences. The institute aims to solve new problems of critical importance and benefit to society through collaboration with industries.
A new study projects that only 18% to 45% of plants and animals in global tropical forests may remain as we know them today by 2100. Conservation efforts can focus on reducing deforestation pressure to help species adapt to climate change or enhance their ability to move with it.
A new study reveals falls as the leading cause of non-fatal injuries among older adults in China, with 70% of injuries occurring at home or on the street. The divorced and widowed elderly are identified as high-risk groups for injury, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs.
Researchers warn that increasing global temperatures will lead to devastating effects on desert bird populations, with even minor temperature increases doubling water loss rates and reducing survival times. Small birds may face reduced survival times of up to 30-40% during heat waves.
Researchers aim to improve nurses' assessment skills to better detect delirium in patients with dementia, reducing drug treatments and improving outcomes. The five-year project will integrate electronic medical records and provide decision-making support to encourage evidence-based practices.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new approach to overcome the fundamental limitation of metamaterials, which could enable breakthroughs in transformation optics. By placing dye between two layers of silver, they were able to amplify light and reduce absorption, promising applications such as ultra-powerful microscopes,...
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals that childhood personality traits are a strong predictor of adult behavior. Researchers found consistent patterns across four decades, with verbally fluent children displaying interest in intellectual matters and adaptable children behaving cheerfully.
The first for-profit insurance company approved in Massachusetts' health reform has restricted access to primary care, according to a report. Only 217 out of 326 doctors identified as members of the provider network were non-duplicate adult primary care providers, with many unable to be reached by telephone.
The study analyzed DNA from over 100,000 people worldwide and found 95 genetic variants contributing to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The findings provide new clues for developing effective medicines to combat heart disease.
Scientists at EMBL have identified IRPs as key proteins ensuring iron balance in cells. In a study, they found that IRPs are required for mitochondrial function and that their dysfunction leads to iron deficiency and cellular damage.
Researchers developed lists of physical features to aid in early detection of Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. These lists are reliable without imaging tests and can help doctors spot the disorders during a physical exam.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital will study traumatic brain injuries in sports, vulnerable groups, and motor vehicle collisions. The hospital aims to improve care for rural Canadians lacking access to trauma centers during the critical 'golden hour'.
A NIST-developed nanofluidic device separates and measures nanoparticles of different sizes, offering a faster and more economical approach to nanoparticle sample preparation. The device's tailored resolution and surface chemistry enable the sorting of complex nanoparticle mixtures.
The newly discovered Pakasuchus kapilimai boasts mammal-like teeth and a land-based lifestyle, blurring the lines between crocodiles and mammals. This ancient find supports the idea that crocodiles were more diverse in the past, dominating ecological niches in the Southern Hemisphere.
Scientists are studying the effects of the Gulf oil spill on the Florida Everglades ecosystem, measuring hydrocarbon concentrations and food web structure at impacted sites. Research will help design future oil spill clean-up efforts and assess the impact on marine animal and plant distributions.
Neurobiologists funded by the Office of Naval Research have discovered a potential cure for degenerative vision diseases, restoring vision in mice with congenital macular degeneration. The research has significant future implications for treating eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, which affects over 2 million worldwide cases.
A large population-based study found that excess maternal weight gain is a strong predictor of high birth weight, regardless of genetic factors. The study highlights the importance of weight management efforts before birth to reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases.
A new survey of Antarctic krill reveals high biomass densities and stable populations in shallow waters, challenging traditional offshore survey methods. The study's findings have significant implications for krill fishery management.
A new experimental antibiotic has been shown to be effective against bacteria that are resistant to existing treatments. The compound works by targeting a specific enzyme in the bacteria's internal machinery, preventing it from reproducing.
A new study finds that traveling by car increases global temperatures more significantly than flying over the long term due to higher carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, air travel has a greater adverse climate impact in the short run due to its effects on high-altitude ozone and clouds.
A global team of researchers identified 95 genetic loci associated with blood lipid levels, including a non-coding gene variant that contributes to lower 'bad' cholesterol and reduced risk of heart attack. The study provides insights into the biological connections between lipid metabolism and coronary heart disease.
Icatibant blocks bradykinin, a protein that dilates blood vessels and produces HAE symptoms. The drug produced faster symptom relief than the comparison drug in two phase 3 trials.
A $2.4 million NSF grant will enable NJIT physicist Philip R. Goode to develop a new adaptive optics system, allowing for better study of sunspots and space weather. The improved optics will increase the distortion-free field of view, enabling researchers to study larger areas of the sun.
Scientists have discovered a unique blob-like creature called Drakozoon, which lived in the ocean approximately 425 million years ago. The creature's 3D model reveals it had eight deep ridges on its body, supporting the theory that early creatures were made of repeated units.
Researchers have identified a unique metabolic pathway in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, which could be targeted with anti-malarial drugs. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the parasite uses a double-branched pathway to generate acetyl-CoA, a crucial molecule for its survival.
A new study reveals that Foldit players have successfully solved protein-folding problems that are too difficult for supercomputers, using intuitive leaps and strategic thinking. The game has shown promise in tackling medical challenges, such as designing proteins to combat diseases like the flu and HIV.
A recent brain study found that thinking about God decreases distress and anxiety in people who believe, but has the opposite effect on those who don't. For believers, this mental preparation may help them cope with mistakes and setbacks more effectively.
Dr. Andres M. Lozano's phase one trial shows DBS is safe for early-stage Alzheimer's patients, with half showing improved memory capacity. The study suggests a potential treatment approach to extend quality of life for those with the disease.
A team of researchers has discovered that Saturn's aurora pulses in tandem with its radio emissions, providing a long-suspected link between the two phenomena. The discovery offers new insights into Saturn's irregular heartbeat and has significant implications for understanding the planet's rotation period.
A new study found geochemical clues near Mauna Kea's summit that tell a story of ancient glacier formation, frequent storms in Hawaii, and the impact of distant climatic events. The research suggests that the growth of the Mauna Kea glacier was caused by both colder conditions and increased precipitation.
The Foldit game harnesses distributed thinking to predict protein structures, outperforming computers in some cases. Non-scientists excel at the game due to its reliance on visualization skills, and humans have proven better than computers in certain tasks.
Rice University's compact fluorescence microscope, developed by Andrew Miller, has been shown to accurately diagnose tuberculosis in a trial with 98.4% accuracy. The portable device, costing $240, is comparable to expensive lab equipment and has the potential to improve early detection and treatment of TB in developing countries.
Researchers sequenced the sponge genome to connect the dots between Amphimedon and other animals, revealing a striking conservation of gene structure and genome organization. The study aims to understand how patterns that have been around for a billion years have evolved or persisted.
Researchers achieved quantum entanglement between photons and solid-state materials, enabling communication over long distances. This breakthrough is crucial for developing quantum networks for secure communication and distributed computing.
A new study has revealed that both low-income and affluent communities in California have high levels of endocrine disruptors in their homes, with indoor air pollution posing a significant health risk. The study, which analyzed indoor and outdoor air samples from 40 low-income and 10 affluent homes, found that levels of these substance...
A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of an ancient sponge, revealing insights into the evolution of the first animals and cancer. The study found that sponges share many genes with humans, but also have significant differences, including missing components involved in cell division and development.
The University of California, Riverside has received six grants from the UC Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program to fund research on thirdhand smoke and cigarette smoke's effects on reproduction. The grants total over $850,000 and will support multiple labs working on tobacco-related research at UCR.
A study found that valproate reduces collagen production by almost 60% and osteonectin levels by 28% in SMA cells, contributing to bone loss in these patients.
Dr. Yücel's discovery dispels the longstanding assumption that the eye has no lymphatics, leading to new treatments for glaucoma and eye tumours. The find also refutes the idea that the eye is not connected to the body's immune system.