Researchers have taken the first close-up pictures of Epsilon Aurigae's mysterious dark companion, revealing a geometrically thin, dark, dense, but partially translucent cloud. The images show that the basic paradigm was right despite slim probability, and provide new insights into the system's shape and surface characteristics.
Researchers found a new mechanism controlling peak strength in nanostructured metals by observing organized dislocation patterns in 3-D atomic simulations. The pattern, governed by nucleation, dictates the metal's strength or weakness.
Researchers have discovered small animals in the Mediterranean Sea that live their entire lives without oxygen and reproduce despite a complete absence of oxygen. These multicellular organisms possess organelles resembling hydrogenosomes found in anaerobic environments, challenging our current understanding of life on Earth.
A recent NIH study found that vitamin C and E supplements starting in early pregnancy do not reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders and their complications. The supplements did not show any significant difference in preeclampsia or other pregnancy-related hypertension complications, contradicting earlier small studies.
Researchers at Queen's University found that toddlers as young as 21 months can be selective in their helping and reward good intentions. In three experiments with infants and two actresses, 75% of toddlers helped the actress who made an effort to help, even if they didn't receive a toy.
Researchers have designed an experimental drug called OSU-CG12 that kills cancer cells by choking off their energy supply. The agent targets a survival mechanism used by many types of cancer, and its efficacy is 10 times better than a comparable drug, resveratrol.
A comprehensive review of national opinion polls found that the new healthcare law's signing did not lead to widespread public support. Partisan differences remain stark, with implications for the legislation's implementation and future Congressional actions.
Researchers will study 100 classrooms in 20 elementary schools to determine if a video training program improves classroom performance, academic achievement and prosocial behaviors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that leptin and insulin work together in specific neurons to regulate blood sugar levels and female fertility. The study suggests a functional redundancy between the two hormones, implying that one can compensate for the lack of the other.
Researchers at NC State have developed a new way to shape ceramics using an electric field, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The process could lead to significant cost savings and reduced pollution in ceramics manufacturing.
A new study found that teenagers with type 1 diabetes are more likely to adhere to their treatment plan if their parents monitor their care and maintain a positive parent-adolescent relationship. The study revealed a decline in parental involvement as the adolescent grows older, which relates to decreased adherence to treatment.
Adding telaprevir to standard treatment increases hepatitis C cure rate by 52% for patients who initially failed to respond. The experimental drug also confirms the importance of ribavirin in effective treatment, with 24% of patients receiving telaprevir and peginterferon being virus-free at six months.
Two new studies show that Transcendental Meditation significantly reduces depressive symptoms in African Americans and Native Hawaiians aged 55+, with an average reduction of 48% in those with clinically significant depression. The findings have important implications for improving mental health and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Researchers are exploring the role of beta defensins in chronic inflammation within the aging human brain, including Alzheimer's disease. Preliminary findings suggest that beta defensins may contribute to neuronal cell death due to compromised immunomodulation.
Researcher Kathleen Gardiner builds broad distribution maps to track northern squid habitats, crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on Arctic marine life. The study provides valuable insights into the species' temperature tolerance and feeding grounds.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that patients with hepatitis C infection were nearly twice as likely to develop kidney cancer as those without the disease. The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, suggests a higher risk for younger HCV-positive patients.
A study of 500 undergraduate students found that high-school opportunities in technology shape their abilities to engage in university academics. Insufficient preparation can lead to a sense of not belonging and limited perspectives as academic beings.
A team of researchers identified a human enzyme, myeloperoxidase, that can break down carbon nanotubes, reducing their unhealthful effects. The study also found that neutrophils can be directed to attack specific nanotubes, opening the door to novel drug delivery and natural biodegradation.
A recent analysis found a substantial and sustained net loss of forest cover in the eastern United States, with a 4.1 percent decline over three decades. The study attributed the decline mainly to mechanical disturbance for timber production and urban expansion.
A new study found that smoking increases MS risk in individuals with high levels of Epstein-Barr virus antibody, but not those without it. The research suggests a link between smoking, immune response to the virus, and MS development.
A new study suggests that older Americans delaying retirement will continue and accelerate, alleviating pressure on Social Security and Medicare. The trend is driven by increased education, longer life expectancy, and more women in the workforce, leading to a shift in work patterns.
Researchers identified two proteins in urine that accurately reveal 90% of all kidney cancers, offering a promising diagnostic tool. The discovery could save lives and preserve kidney function by detecting the disease at an early stage.
High levels of copper and iron in older adults can lead to cell damage and increase the risk of age-related diseases. To mitigate this, individuals over 50 should consider avoiding certain supplements and taking steps to lower their exposure to these metals.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) aims to provide most Americans with access to affordable healthcare, covering over 95% of legal residents. However, the law's impact on primary care access and cost control remains uncertain, with concerns about the shortage of physicians and increasing costs.
Researchers discover a commercially available supplement stimulates production of hematopoietic stem cells, repairing the body. The supplement increases levels of these cells in the blood over a two-week period, showing potential for treating conditions associated with low cell counts.
Researchers identified signaling mechanisms used by primary cilia to regulate bone cells' capacity to sense fluid flow. The discovery opens the door to developing drugs that mimic exercise benefits for osteoporosis patients. Primary cilia play a crucial role in detecting mechanical loads, such as exercise, and triggering new bone growth.
Scientists identified 'growth genes' that stimulate rapid growth in young animals, which are then progressively turned off as organs mature. This process, controlled by organ development, limits excessive growth and explains why organs maintain proportional size.
Scientists are developing new medications to block abnormal clumps of amyloid-beta protein in the brain, which may slow Alzheimer's disease progression. Clinical trials could lead to new treatments within 5-10 years if successful.
Research at Virginia Tech confirms mindfulness meditation's effectiveness in enhancing therapists' presence, empathy, and compassion. Students who practiced mindfulness reported improved ability to attend to clients' inner experiences, leading to more effective therapy sessions.
A new study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that 90% of children with intermittent exotropia will become nearsighted by age 20. Researchers followed 135 patients over a 20-year period and discovered a significantly higher rate of myopia development in this population compared to previously reported rates.
Researchers are combining indigenous environmental knowledge with modern science to learn new things about the Arctic climate. Studies have found that weather patterns in the Arctic are becoming more unpredictable, which is not matching up with scientific measurements.
Researchers have discovered a novel gene-expression-based approach to define oncogenic pathway signatures in the airway epithelium of smokers with lung cancer. This approach identifies specific genes belonging to the PI3K pathway, which are activated in high-risk smokers and may be reversed with a chemopreventive agent, myo-inositol.
A new study by the University of Michigan Health System shows that 20% of Americans born between 1966-1985 were obese by age 20-29, a significant increase from previous generations. This trend is expected to worsen racial disparities in health, with black Americans already experiencing a higher burden of obesity-related diseases.
A University of British Columbia graduate student has discovered a mechanism to silence retroviruses, which could lead to new cancer treatments. The protein ESET is crucial in preventing endogenous retrovirus activity in mouse embryonic stem cells and may hold promise for cancer therapies.
Submarine canyons off the coast of Hawaiian Islands are hotspots for biodiversity and biomass, supporting unique megafauna communities. The study revealed that canyons provide an ideal habitat for mobile species to feed on accumulated organic matter, resulting in elevated abundance and diversity.
A study found that the rate of complex spinal fusion procedures for lower back issues increased significantly among Medicare recipients between 2002-2007, resulting in higher hospital charges and life-threatening complications. Decompression and simple fusion procedures saw a decline in rates during this period.
Researchers at UC Davis Cancer Center found that African-American women with advanced breast cancer have poorer survival rates than white and Hispanic counterparts, regardless of radiation therapy. Despite lower radiation therapy rates, black patients did not benefit from the treatment.
A PhD student at the University of Copenhagen has developed a molecular gauge that can measure DNA structure without disrupting it, using luminescent markers. This tool holds the potential to reveal new insights into DNA function and mechanism, as well as understand how new drugs work.
Physicists at Harvard University create an atomic-scale black hole by accelerating cold rubidium atoms towards a charged carbon nanotube. The experiment demonstrates the merging of cold-atom and nanoscale science, opening doors to new applications in materials and electronics.
A new study by the National Cancer Institute found that health care utilization, rather than biology, plays a more important role in colorectal cancer disparities among African Americans. The study revealed that blacks were less likely to receive follow-up colonoscopies after screening, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The Semel Institute has established a new Integrative Phenotyping Center to study genetic and environmental factors in neuropsychiatric disorders. The center will enable large-scale phenotyping studies, including personality, cognition, and brain activity analysis.
A new mobile compression device has been shown to be as effective as medication in preventing blood clots after hip replacement surgery, with greater patient safety. The device reduces the risk of clot formation by maximizing blood flow and is comparable in cost to traditional blood thinners.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded nearly $15 million to three Washington state-based health research programs. The programs aim to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment through innovative approaches, including computational tools and ultrasound technologies.
A recent study found that blacks in the US are less likely to follow up on abnormal colon cancer screening test results, highlighting disparities in healthcare utilization. The study analyzed data from a large national trial and found that 62.6% of black participants went for a diagnostic colonoscopy, compared to 72.4% of white partici...
Scientists identified 20 sand fly species in Panama, including two carrying Leishmania naiffi, a parasite causing cutaneous leishmaniasis. The presence of Wolbachia bacteria in these flies may offer a strategy for disease control and prevention measures such as insect repellent and protective clothing.
Michigan State University is leading a global initiative to study the complex relationships between humans and the environment. With a $1.5 million NSF grant, MSU will build a global database of scholars and their projects, fostering collaboration and raising awareness about sustainability research.
A Carnegie Mellon student has created a technology called Skinput, which uses bio-acoustic sensors and machine learning to enable touchless control of smartphones and other mobile devices. The system can classify inputs with high accuracy, even when using different body parts.
Researchers discovered new pyrimidine compounds that target Src tyrosine kinases in medulloblastoma cells, showing reduced cell proliferation and tumor progression. These compounds may offer a more effective treatment option for childhood brain cancer, with potential synergistic effects when combined with chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed self-pollinating almond trees that can produce high-quality nuts without insect pollination. This breakthrough is crucial for almond growers facing rising costs due to honeybee shortages.
A new study by RAND Corporation and University of Michigan found a significant increase in middle-aged Americans reporting mobility-related disabilities. The proportion of people aged 50-64 who reported difficulties with daily activities increased significantly from 1997 to 2007.
A study found that Ontario's universal flu vaccine campaign reduces influenza illness attack rates, morbidity, and mortality at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. The campaign prevented an estimated 34,541 cases, 111 deaths, and $7.8 million in healthcare costs per season.
Convergent evolution of lignin synthesis in lycophytes reveals a novel pathway to engineer biomass composition. This discovery provides potential tools for improving digestibility and properties of biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol.
A recent study published in JAMA found that withdrawing methotrexate treatment after 12 months of remission does not reduce the risk of relapse in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The study also identified a biomarker, MRP8/14, that can predict flares and suggests adjusting treatment intensity to individual patient needs.
A new 4,000-year study reconstructing fire history in the southern Appalachians supports the use of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health. The study found that fires became more frequent about 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of Native Americans.
A team of archaeologists has uncovered new clues about a prehistoric society that formed the foundation of urban life in the Middle East prior to the invention of the wheel. The site, Tell Zeidan, reveals evidence of trade, copper metallurgy, and pottery production.
Chronic mouth breathing can lead to abnormal facial and dental development, poor sleeping habits and academic performance. Treatment options are available, including surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids, and orthodontic intervention.
Theoretical physicist Nikodem Poplawski proposes that our universe could be born from the interior of an Einstein-Rosen bridge (wormhole) within a black hole, potentially resolving issues with the Big Bang theory and black hole information loss. This model may also explain cosmic inflation.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet finds that the limbic striatum, an evolutionarily old part of the brain, is involved in implicit learning of motor sequences. This discovery sheds light on fundamental learning systems shared with primitive vertebrates and has implications for developing treatments for diseases like Parkinson's.
A pattern connecting changes in Earth's orbital cycle to climate fluctuations has been discovered by UCSB geologist Lorraine Lisiecki. She found a correlation between the timing of climate change and eccentricity, as well as glacial cycles, which suggests internal instability within the climate system.
A study by Pitt/Magee research team found that women with preeclampsia have reduced numbers of endothelial progenitor cells, which are thought to help grow and maintain blood vessels. This adaptation didn't happen in patients with preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure.