Researchers have identified the location of bone generating stem cells in mice and found factors that control their growth. The discovery opens up avenues for studying bone tumor formation and regenerating damaged or injured bone.
Researchers have identified the enzyme that produces phytate, a naturally-occurring phosphate deposit found in seeds, beans, and tubers of many crops. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing phytate-related pollution and improving animal feed efficiency.
Research found that grass and tree buffer strips decrease surface water runoff while increasing subsurface infiltration, resulting in an overall loss of herbicides before reaching bodies of water. Total export of herbicides was reduced through the use of these barriers.
Researchers found that African American boys have higher levels of angiotensin II, a hormone that contributes to high blood pressure, while African American girls have lower levels of protective angiotensin (1-7). These findings suggest that changes in hormone metabolism may occur before blood pressure changes, potentially leading to p...
A new experimental drug called ataluren has shown promise in treating cystic fibrosis and over 2,400 genetic disorders caused by nonsense mutations. The drug works by restoring up to 29% of normal protein function in mice with cystic fibrosis, offering hope for improved treatment options.
Pericytes, contractile cells surrounding capillaries, use mechanical forces to initiate angiogenesis, a crucial process in cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. The study suggests that local contractions could serve as initiating mechanical signals influencing angiogenesis.
Nimbus toolkit enables largest-ever distributed computing 'clouds' with Grid5000 testbed, showcasing cloud computing solution for scientists. Researchers won Grid5000 Large Scale Deployment Challenge award for deploying Nimbus over hundreds of nodes.
Research suggests choosing different fruits and vegetables can increase phytonutrient intake, which may help decrease risk for certain chronic diseases. Americans can improve their diet by varying the types of produce they consume and focusing on foods with higher concentrations of specific phytonutrients.
Scientists have created an enzyme called CocE that can rapidly break down cocaine and its toxic metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to a new therapy for treating cocaine overdose, which causes over half a million emergency room visits annually.
Researchers found that folic acid can promote nerve cell regeneration following injury in rodents. This discovery provides a rationale for testing folate supplementation in patients with spinal cord and brain trauma. The study suggests that folate may play a role in promoting healing and recovery from brain and spinal cord injuries.
A randomized controlled trial of 48 patients found that botulinum toxin injections significantly reduced pain at rest and during maximum pinch, but resulted in a decline in maximum strength. Precise measurement of each patient's forearm length guided the injection site, providing effective management of chronic tennis elbow.
A new study reveals that Caucasian teenagers are more likely to experience negative outcomes from family changes, including delinquent behavior and early sexual activity. African-American peers are less affected by economic hardship, which can mitigate the trauma caused by family changes.
The study found a significantly higher incidence of MDS among seniors, with alarming rates of complications such as heart attacks, diabetes, and sepsis. The disease also proved to be costly to treat, with median Medicare bills exceeding $16,000
The inaugural issue of OSA's Energy Express highlights research on solar concentrators, which aim to increase the efficiency of solar energy generation. New devices and technologies are being developed to concentrate sunlight, making solar power more economical and efficient.
Scientists have discovered a massive Southern Ocean current with a volume equivalent to 40 Amazon Rivers near the Kerguelen Plateau. The current carries dense, oxygen-rich water that sinks near Antarctica to the deep ocean basins further north.
Weill Cornell researchers discovered a single gene, Slitrk5, responsible for OCD-like behaviors in mice. The genetically altered mice exhibited repetitive self-grooming and extreme anxiety, with altered brain functioning mirroring those seen in human OCD patients.
Researchers have successfully extracted stem cells from sections of vein removed for heart bypass surgery, which can stimulate new blood vessels to grow and potentially help repair damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. The discovery brings the possibility of 'cell therapy' for damaged hearts one step closer.
A new tool helps neurologists identify comatose patients who are potential organ donors by analyzing four key factors: corneal reflex, cough reflex, motor response, and oxygenation index. This prediction can be made before a patient is taken off breathing support, benefiting both organ donation rates and medical resource allocation.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have discovered a family of endogenous capsaicin-like molecules that play an important role in pain biology. They have developed two new classes of analgesics using drugs that either block the synthesis or inactivate these substances.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found that subjects with both high gum inflammation levels and moderate to severe prostatitis had higher PSA or inflammation levels. This suggests that inflammation outside the prostate gland may be causing an inflammatory reaction, which could explain why PSA levels can be high in prostatitis.
Researchers found that the subaleurone layer of brown rice inhibits angiotensin II, a protein linked to high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. This discovery suggests that consuming half-milled or brown rice may offer cardiovascular protection.
Recent advances in microbial genomics have enabled researchers to study the human microbiome, revealing its essential role in digestion and immune system development. The Human Microbiome Project aims to optimize the beneficial effects of microbiota for each individual, improving health outcomes.
A new study found that breast cancer risk factors differ significantly among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. In Hispanic women, known breast cancer risk factors were associated with only 7-36% of cases, compared to 62-75% in non-Hispanic whites.
The International Treatment Preparedness Group's new report documents early warning signs of devastating impact from global pullback on AIDS commitment and funding. People living with HIV often struggle to afford medicines for opportunistic infections, transport costs, food, and second-line medications.
A new Northwestern University study finds that African-Americans show greater empathy for other African-Americans facing adversity than Caucasians do for Caucasian-Americans. The study suggests that identifying with a racial group can dramatically change one's ability to feel and respond to the pain of another person.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that levels of a key type of immune cell can predict which head and neck cancer tumors are most likely to respond to chemotherapy and radiation. The study suggests a way to target treatments to avoid unnecessary side effects, with potential benefits for HPV-negative patients.
A new vision screening model, EyeSmart EyeCheck, will test for damage from eye diseases to detect undiagnosed visual impairment. The initiative aims to raise awareness and provide access to care for minority populations with limited access to health services.
Researchers found that autonomous motivation, driven by personal reasons, was a significant predictor of adherence and weight loss. The study suggests building motivation can be an effective means of promoting adherence and weight loss.
The Minput system uses optical sensors on the back of a mobile phone or mp3 player to enable intuitive navigation through menus and photo galleries without obstructing the touchscreen. The method responds to up-down, side-to-side, twisting, and flicking motions, allowing for high-precision positioning.
The EPA has awarded over $1 million in grants to 14 college teams who developed innovative solutions to protect human health and the environment. The P3 award competition encourages students to create sustainable technologies, and winners will receive funding to further develop their ideas.
A team of scientists has turned an ornamental plant into a tool for combating citrus greening, a bacterial disease threatening the world's citrus crop. Periwinkle plants were found to be effective in screening treatments and responded well to antibiotic compounds tested to reduce infection rates.
Stanford researchers have developed a new technique that reinforces immune cells to seek and destroy cancer, potentially improving the efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy. The approach uses synthetic biology to engineer T cells to produce cytokines for themselves, while introducing switches to control their growth.
Researchers found that microbes become less efficient at converting carbon in soil into atmospheric CO2 as global temperatures rise, leading to reduced emissions. The study suggests that microbial efficiency decline may mitigate climate warming effects.
Research at University of Toronto Scarborough found that the human brain is more reactive to people of one's own race, producing significantly more motor-cortex activity, whereas observing others from a different race results in reduced activity. The study suggests that this phenomenon may contribute to prejudice and limited empathy.
Nurses who are interrupted while administering medication appear to have an increased risk of making medication errors. Interruptions during task preparation and administration contribute to inefficiency and errors, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
A new device, Walk n'Play, helps monitor low-level physical activity using a cell phone's motion sensors. The program encourages users to be more active by turning physical activity into a game, promoting incremental changes that can lead to better health.
A recent study reveals that laughter can optimize hormone levels, modulate immune activity, and lower blood pressure, similar to the effects of moderate physical exercise. Laughercise, a form of mirthful laughter, may provide an alternative treatment option for patients with wasting disease or depression-related appetite loss.
Dr. Beverly L. Hall was recognized for her courageous leadership in enrolling the Atlanta Public Schools in the NAEP Trial Urban District Assessment. The award also acknowledges her strategic use of education data to promote school reforms and increase student achievement.
The study provides strong evidence that the NBD dimer does not fully dissociate in each gating cycle, proposing a new gating model for CFTR with two distinct cycles. This advancement sheds light on the chloride channel's behavior and may lead to improved treatments for cystic fibrosis patients.
Underwater asphalt volcanoes, 10 miles off Santa Barbara coast, discovered by scientists funded by NSF, are 700 feet deep and 1 km apart. The structures were formed 30,000-40,000 years ago from petroleum flow, and were a prolific source of methane.
Researchers found that folic acid promotes nerve cell regeneration in injured rodents through a molecular pathway. Additionally, two separate studies identified distinct roles for proteins PLA2s in male fertility and sperm function, suggesting potential targets for new contraceptive agents and treatments for infertility.
Chunshan Song has been awarded the Henry H. Storch Award in Fuel Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for his outstanding contributions to clean fuels and catalysis research. His work focuses on developing innovative methods for producing advanced thermally stable jet fuels and removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
The Genetics Society of America recognized nine students with poster awards for their outstanding research work at the 51st Annual Drosophila Research Conference. The award recipients included postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students who showcased their innovative research in genetics and molecular biology.
Researchers have identified two proteins, sPLA2-III and group X secreted PLA2 (mGX), as crucial for sperm function and fertility in mice. Mice lacking these proteins had decreased fertility due to impaired sperm maturation and fertilization efficiency.
A new study by MSU researchers suggests that state biofuel subsidies can be costly, but also highly effective in attracting ethanol producers to the industry. The study found that larger subsidies and tax credits increase the likelihood of an ethanol plant locating in a state.
A study of nearly 3,600 New England middle school students found that those whose parents restricted access to R-rated movies were substantially less likely to start drinking. The researchers suggest that parental attention to children's media exposure is crucial and recommend limiting exposure to adult content.
Researchers found that individuals with high competitiveness and sensitivity to rewards perform better without a monetary incentive, relying on 'proactive cognitive control' to guide their actions. Brain scans revealed changes in lateral prefrontal cortex activity linked to extra behavioral benefits.
Researchers at Cornell University's Food & Brand Lab found that moving the salad bar to a more prominent location in the cafeteria led to a 250-300% increase in sales of certain salad items. This simple change resulted in 6% more kids eating school lunches.
Researchers at the Trudeau Institute discovered that cytokines can influence immune responses to subsequent infections and vaccination procedures. This knowledge provides a potential explanation for why chronic infections can alter immune responses to vaccines. Needle vaccinations may be more effective in regions where people are alrea...
Researchers have made significant progress in treating inherited diseases by suppressing DNA mutations, with a promising experimental drug ataluren showing potential for cystic fibrosis treatment. The drug's selectiveness offers hope for targeting specific disease-causing mutations while sparing healthy genes.
Female zebra finches often outsource parental care to neighbors, with 1 in 20 eggs being a 'cuckoo egg'. Most cuckoo eggs are laid shortly before the host parents start breeding.
Combining four unhealthy behaviors like smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor diet increases death risk. Individuals with all four behaviors had about three times the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer.
A new study found that disadvantaged urban preschoolers are at risk of developmental delays in basic motor skills, such as running and catching. The researchers evaluated 469 preschool students and found that 86% scored below the 30th percentile, which is considered developmentally delayed.
A study published in Journal of Experimental Medicine identifies distinct HSC populations with varying propensities to generate specific blood cell types. The research reveals that high CD150 expression is associated with a 'latent' or 'delayed' ability to generate new blood cells.
A review of studies suggests patients and research participants believe financial relationships between medicine and industry should be disclosed due to potential bias in research and clinical care. Disclosure has been recommended or required by medical associations and policymakers, but its impact on decision-making remains unknown.
Researchers have developed a new form of platinum that could make cheaper and more efficient fuel cells. The process, which uses a copper-platinum alloy, reduces the amount of platinum required in fuel cells from 100 grams to just 20 grams, potentially enabling widespread adoption.
Two studies by North Carolina State University found that celebrity endorsements do not sway voting behavior among young people, but can sometimes decrease support. Celebrity endorsements were also shown to backfire on the celebrities themselves, leading to negative perceptions.
A new study found that keeping serving dishes off the table can lead to a reduction in food consumption, with participants eating 20% fewer calories. The strategy can also be used to encourage healthier food choices, such as choosing fruits and vegetables over processed snacks.
A new study links brain tumor growth to reduced expression of over 600 immune system genes, revealing the complexity of the immune response to cancer. The research found that immune function genes were suppressed in almost 70% of genes examined, contradicting previous assumptions.
LA BioMed is participating in the international IPM020 study of a dapivirine-containing microbicide gel to evaluate its safety and absorption. The study aims to reduce HIV transmission among women, with the goal of reducing the cycle of infection that has led to millions of deaths worldwide.