A University of Houston researcher is using a vacuum device to study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on insects and spiders in salt marshes along the Gulf Coast. The goal is to understand how the food web is structured and affected by the oil spill.
Researchers will focus on exploring chemical processes that enable the spontaneous formation of functional polymers, such as proteins and DNA. The five-year grant will support research in over 15 laboratories at top institutions, aiming to understand the chemistry behind life's origins.
A new study found that higher body weight is significantly linked to reduced risk of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in postmenopausal women, but not in men. Severe myopia may be predicted by a specific map that identifies patients at risk of vision loss.
A single ketamine dose significantly reduces depressive symptoms within 40 minutes in patients with bipolar disorder who have not responded to other treatments. Approximately 71% of participants experienced a response to ketamine, highlighting its potential as a rapid-acting therapy for treatment-resistant bipolar depression.
Indiana University has been awarded $9.2 million from the National Science Foundation to lead two high-speed international network services: TransPAC3 and ACE. These connections will facilitate direct U.S.-Asia research interactions and provide significant economies of scale in trans-Atlantic connectivity.
Researchers at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus discover bone marrow progenitor-derived adipocytes, a new type of fat cell that poses health threats. The discovery may help explain the link between obesity and heart disease.
A team of 300 scientists and students from 14 countries drilled over 1.5 miles into the North Greenland ice sheet, recovering ice from the Eemian interglacial period. The cores will provide crucial information on past temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations, helping to predict future climate change.
Researchers have created a material for bone grafts that attracts stem cells and growth factors to promote bone regrowth and integration. The synthetic graft heals similarly to natural bone implants in animal tests, suggesting potential as a replacement for traditional grafts.
A sociological study found that state tax credit programs can reduce the incidence of low-birth-weight babies and help break cycles of childhood poor health. The study also suggests that these programs can improve prenatal health, higher birth weights, and reduced maternal smoking.
A recent study led by University of Georgia biogeochemist Wei-Jun Cai found that the Canada Basin's potential as a carbon dioxide sink is short-lived and minor. The research indicates that the waters become acidic and unsuitable for calcium-carbonate shell-bearing marine organisms due to rapid CO2 uptake.
Researchers at MIT create a material that exhibits 'retrograde melting' at lower temperatures than normal, allowing for potentially cheaper production of solar cells and other devices. The discovery enables the creation of liquid droplets to purify silicon and could lead to new methods for making arrays of silicon nanowires.
A new study found that a gene variant may increase the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, with those having the AA genotype experiencing earlier relapses and increased disease activity. The GG genotype was associated with less disease activity and fewer relapses.
A non-human primate study generated antibodies capable of neutralizing diverse strains of HIV-1. The research found that methods to boost neutralizing antibody abundance in rectal and vaginal tissues are needed to prevent HIV-1 transmission.
A study by Yale researchers found that a high-fat diet influences the brain's development, making some individuals more prone to obesity and others resistant. The study suggests that genetic and environmental factors, particularly maternal impact on the developing brain, play a critical role in determining vulnerability to obesity.
A 20-year study found that young adults with even modestly elevated cholesterol levels are more likely to develop coronary artery calcium and atherosclerosis. Cholesterol levels found in the majority of young adults in their 20s and 30s are associated with damage to coronary arteries, which can accumulate over time.
Research found that adults diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 50 or later had better disease outcomes, including higher remission rates, compared to those diagnosed earlier in life. The study suggests changes in the aging immune system and environmental factors like smoking may contribute to this phenomenon.
A study by University of Nottingham researcher found that patients' coping styles and depression levels impact the healing process. Confrontational coping was linked to slower healing, while clinical depression resulted in reduced improvement.
Researchers have demonstrated the use of iron oxide nanoparticles to deliver antibodies to implanted brain tumors, enhancing tumor visibility via MRI while killing cancer cells. The particles also show potential for targeted therapy against glioblastoma multiforme, a common and aggressive primary brain tumor.
Scientists have obtained the closest look yet at how a gargantuan molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The research provides valuable clues on how the enzyme, tripeptidyl peptidase II, keeps cells tidy and disease-free.
Researchers developed an alphavirus vector to overcome neutralizing antibodies and induce immune responses in humans with advanced cancer. Genetic mutations determined breast cancer subtype by influencing Rb gene expression.
A study suggests that chronic sleep restriction can have lasting effects on neurobehavioral deficits, even with adequate recovery sleep. Researchers found that participants who experienced severe sleep restriction showed persistent impairments in attention and reaction times after a single night of extended sleep.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method called beam-pen lithography, which uses tiny beams of light to draw patterns on surfaces. This technology offers a means to rapidly and inexpensively make and prototype circuits, optoelectronics, and medical diagnostics.
Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz has developed a peptide that targets and kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The grant will be used to develop therapeutic peptides for B-CLL, one of the most common and incurable hematological malignancies.
Researchers found that short-snouted dog breeds have rotating brains up to 15 degrees, while the olfactory lobe has relocated, affecting smell perception. The study highlights unique plasticity in the canine genome due to human intervention through breeding.
A new study has found that male infants are easier to arouse from sleep than female infants at 2-4 weeks of age, but this difference resolves by 2-3 months. The study suggests that the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in males may not be due to differences in arousability.
The researchers created a library of micromolded, hexagonally spaced elastomeric micropost arrays to study the effects of substrate flexibility on stem cell development and adhesion. The system allowed them to modulate the rigidity and flexibility of the substrate surface without changing its adhesive properties.
Research suggests that both short and long sleep durations are independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adults who sleep less than seven hours per day or more than nine hours per night have a higher risk of heart problems compared to those who get average sleep duration.
Researchers identify an ancient gene family regulating nerve excitability in the brain, which may contribute to epileptic seizures. Studies on mice suggest that activating this potassium channel can block seizures, opening up potential new drug targets with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered how protein Mec1 acts as a 'guardian of the genome' in yeast cells. The study shows that Mec1 monitors and repairs machinery responsible for replicating DNA, allowing it to restart and continue replicating.
Two studies found that US adults who used nutritional labels consumed healthier nutrients, with significant differences in calorie and fat intake. A pilot study also showed that point-of-purchase nutrition information influenced college students' purchasing behaviors, promoting the sale of healthful food items.
Stem cell differentiation is a crucial process that can be accelerated using a novel type of matrix, adjusting its stiffness without altering its chemical composition. By analyzing traction forces and cellular behavior, researchers predict stem cell differentiation as early as Day 1.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identify microRNA miR-132 as the 'gas pedal' controlling uncontrolled blood vessel growth. They develop an anti-miR therapy to restore functionality to the 'brake,' halting disease progression in mouse models of cancer and retinal disorders.
Researchers at University of Rochester developed a unique light-controlled membrane that can block gas flow when ultraviolet light is applied and allow it to flow when purple light is used. This innovation has potential applications in controlled drug delivery and industrial processing tasks.
Scientists used genome mining to discover a novel antibiotic in Streptomyces coelicolor, effective against several bacterial strains. The approach also unlocks potential for discovering new antimicrobials and antitumor agents from other micro-organisms.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges scientists' understanding of programmed cell death and its role in tumour formation. The study found that the body's natural cell-suicide program can fuel tumour development under certain conditions.
Researchers discovered a new biological pathway where microRNA helps protect red blood cells from injury caused by chemicals called free radicals. The study found that the microRNA regulates gene activity by acting on an unexpected signaling pathway, which may have medical implications beyond blood cell development.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a tiny RNA fragment, miR-451, that regulates red blood cell production. By inhibiting this process, they hope to develop new treatments for cancers and anemia.
Scientists studying sea squirts have found a connection between the heart's second field and lower jaw muscles, suggesting an evolutionary link between these two structures. This discovery could provide clues about how complex hearts evolved in humans.
Researchers successfully isolated bone marrow-derived MSCs that could differentiate into hepatocytes induced by VPA and well-defined cytokines. The study found that VPA-mediated facilitation of hepatic differentiation was regulated by FGF and HGF receptors, among other factors.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed kinked nanopores that can slow down DNA transmission, enabling easier DNA sequencing. The innovation uses self-assembly techniques and atomic-layer deposition to achieve a fivefold slowdown in voltage-driven translocation speeds.
New research reveals that reforestation of damaged rainforests captures more carbon than softwood monoculture plantations. Restoration projects store significantly more carbon in above-ground biomass compared to monoculture and mixed-species plantations.
NIST nanowires grown through precisely defined holes in a stencil-like mask covering the silicon wafer exhibit excellent mechanical quality factors and controlled diameter placement. The technique enables precise control of wire location, resulting in uniform shape and size of nearly perfect hexagonal shapes.
A new study suggests that oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy may reduce the incidence of brain aneurysms in women. The study, conducted at Rush University Medical Center, found strong similarities between women with unruptured and ruptured aneurysms, including lower estrogen levels.
A recent study found that departures from trial protocols were more common for earlier-enrolled patients, with queries and protocol deviations increasing as enrollment frequency decreased. Simulation programs can help address these issues prior to subject enrollment.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology finds that tools assessing bias in standardized tests are flawed, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals. The research, led by Indiana University's Herman Aguinis, used a massive simulation to reveal biases in test scores that were missed by top experts.
Researchers at TUM achieve ten times stronger interaction than previous levels, opening new experimental options for quantum computing. The ultrastrong coupling creates a new unit of atom-photon pairs, challenging existing theories.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a high prevalence of PTSD nearly two decades after the Liberian civil war, with certain villages experiencing a higher burden of trauma. The study suggests that populations exposed to severe conflict are likely to bear a long-lasting psychological toll.
The ITEA D-MINT project successfully applied model-based testing to industrial scale, reducing development time and increasing efficiency. Key industries like automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare saw significant benefits from this approach.
Research reveals GPC3's association with MMPs and growth signaling molecules in HCC, indicating its potential role in cancer progression. Overexpression of GPC3 is correlated with altered expressions of various MMPs and growth signaling molecules, suggesting its involvement in tumor development.
Researchers developed functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate pancreatic cancer models, using diffusion-weighted and transcatheter intraarterial perfusion MRI to differentiate living from dead cells. This non-invasive method may replace invasive techniques like biopsy or necropsy for assessing therapeutic efficacy.
A case report describes a rare instance of vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) secondary to nevirapine use in an HIV-positive pregnant female. The patient experienced liver dysfunction, jaundice, and itching after starting triple-drug therapy with nevirapine. Liver biopsy revealed cholestatic hepatitis, leading to severe ductopenia and...
A Rutgers-Camden psychologist has found a link between reality TV shows and the likelihood of teenagers undergoing cosmetic surgery. The study suggests that exposure to these programs can lead to a desire for plastic surgery as a means of self-satisfaction, with some participants describing it as an 'inspirational' experience.
The Affordable Care Act will stabilize and reverse growing health costs for women through subsidized insurance coverage and expanded Medicaid eligibility. Women are expected to benefit from the law's provisions on maternity care, newborn coverage, and protection against higher premiums and coverage denials based on gender.
Researchers found that CD74 is expressed on colon epithelial cells, increasing their survival upon MIF stimulation. Stimulation of CD74 led to Akt phophorylation and Bcl-2 expression, resulting in elevated cell survival. This discovery may open a new target for colorectal cancer research.
The ST131 strain of E. coli is a major cause of serious antimicrobial-resistant infections in the US, accounting for 67-69% of resistant isolates. Researchers urge discovering its sources to prevent further spread.
Research found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a risk factor for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) recurrence. The study, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, identified age, low serum albumin levels, and PPI use as risk factors for CDAD recurrence.
JILA's technique uses infrared laser light to quickly and precisely heat 'nano bathtubs'—tiny sample containers—for microscopy studies of single molecules and nanoparticles. The new method enables fast, noncontact heating of very small samples, enabling new experiments with single molecules.
Researchers found that epigenetic profiles of tumors had a direct association with diet, alcohol, and tumor size, providing new biomarkers for disease subtype and severity. The study's data show promise for tumor epigenetic signatures to provide more detailed tumor staging and prediction of prognosis.
A 3-year study found no significant positive effect of soy isoflavones on preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women. However, a moderate dose of 120mg showed a modest benefit when combined with lifestyle factors.
DZNE and LMU researchers have identified alpha secretase enzyme ADAM10, which cleaves amyloid precursor protein without forming beta-amyloid plaques. This discovery opens up new possibilities for diagnosing and preventing Alzheimer's disease.