The Nicotiana attenuata tobacco plant has developed a clever strategy to combat herbivorous caterpillars: it opens its flowers in the morning instead of at night. This change in flower phenology also attracts a new pollinator, the local hummingbird, which is satisfied with just nectar rewards.
A $1.4 million research collaboration aims to develop RFID technology to notify subway vehicles of track inspectors' exact location, enhancing worker safety. The project, involving McMaster University and industry partners, is expected to create up to 100 jobs upon successful completion.
Women in occupied Palestinian territory are more likely to experience intimate-partner violence if their husbands have been directly or indirectly exposed to political violence. The study found that economic effects of the occupation also contribute to this relationship.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a part in the pancreas, increasing insulin secretion and promoting beta cell division. This finding may provide new insights into diabetes, particularly type 1, and suggest novel targets for drug intervention.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that longer intervals between symptom onset and antiviral treatment were associated with more severe H1N1 disease necessitating ICU admission. People of First Nations ethnicity were also at a higher risk of severe H1N1 infection compared to other ethnic groups.
A new study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association found that a higher degree of obesity increases the risk of stroke, regardless of race, gender, or how obesity is measured. The study analyzed data from 13,549 middle-aged men and women and found significant disparities in stroke rates between whites and blacks.
Researchers discovered that algae, specifically Karlodinium veneficum, emits toxins to stun and immobilize its prey, which could lead to new ways to slow bloom growth. By reducing nutrient load and promoting filter feeders like the Eastern oyster, blooms may be reduced.
A new study by Imperial College London discovered a virus called vaccinia spreading four times more quickly than previously believed. The virus uses a novel mechanism to spread rapidly between cells, making it harder to target with antiviral drugs.
A Johns Hopkins study reveals that musculoskeletal issues are the leading cause of medical evacuation from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Psychiatric diagnoses also increased over four years, despite mental health teams. Most evacuated personnel do not return to duty.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a method to control crystal growth, enabling the creation of smooth crystalline films. These films are crucial for producing defect-free semiconductors, a key component in modern computers and cell phones.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that limiting the depth of sedation during procedures could safely cut the risk of postoperative delirium by 50 percent. Lighter sedation was associated with a one-day reduction in the duration of delirium in those patients who still emerged from surgery confused and disoriented.
Researchers discovered that soil clings to precipitation after a dry summer and holds it tightly, preventing it from mixing with other water. This challenges conventional thinking on watershed function and has implications for understanding pollutant movement and nutrient transport.
The foundation provides three-year fellowships with $140,000 each to support groundbreaking projects in basic and translational cancer research. The recipients aim to pursue careers in cancer research by investigating key topics such as epigenetic alterations, protein function, and cellular behavior.
Researchers found that slime mold can self-organize into a nearly identical network to Tokyo's rail system, suggesting improved technological systems. The model captures the basic dynamics of network adaptability through interaction of local rules.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found a significant decline in US birth weights over the past 15 years, with full-term births averaging 79 grams less than expected. This trend is concerning, as low birth weight has been linked to increased risk of death and chronic diseases in adulthood.
A new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that digital mammography significantly lowers radiation doses (22%) compared to conventional film mammography. This reduction could be greater for women with larger and denser breasts, leading to improved cancer detection rates.
A large-scale population-based study found that specific sub-class of dihydropyridine cardiovascular medications decreased the risk of Parkinson's disease by 26-30%. The study suggests that these medications' ability to cross the blood-brain barrier may be key to their neuroprotective effects.
A recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that sexually reproducing organisms accumulate fewer harmful DNA mutations than asexually reproducing ones. This suggests that sexual reproduction provides a protective advantage against genetic damage.
A study published in The Lancet found that non-battle-related disorders, such as musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, are the leading cause of medical evacuation from the front line. The study also identified factors associated with return to duty, including senior officer status and non-battle related injuries.
Researchers at Arizona State University and UC Irvine found varying fault movement in Carrizo Plain stream channels, contradicting previous assumptions of constant slip. This new information affects earthquake forecasting and understanding the potential for damaging earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault.
Researchers detected ocean internal tides using seismic imaging, revealing a new tool for studying ocean mixing. Meanwhile, Arctic ice was found to be 'rotten' due to uniform temperature, threatening marine ecosystems and climate science.
A new study found that older adults can effectively link relevant and irrelevant pieces of information together, granting them a memory advantage over younger counterparts. This hyper-binding ability allows older adults to retain more information from previous experiences.
Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered a mechanism regulating vital immune functions in healthy individuals. A link between nutrition and immune defense was found via the insulin signaling pathway, with low insulin levels activating FOXO transcription factor to switch on immune defense proteins.
McGill researcher discovers a link between contaminated chicken and E. coli bacteria causing urinary tract infections in young women. The study highlights the need for better food safety measures and antibiotic use regulations in agriculture.
Researchers at University College London have identified 'grid cells' in the human brain for the first time, which may help explain how we create internal maps of new environments. These specialized neurons are involved in spatial memory and have been previously discovered in rodent brains.
A study found that nearly a quarter of the variability in achievement among video gamers can be predicted by measuring specific brain structures. Players with larger nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, and putamen performed better in training periods.
A team of scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College has developed a new approach to turn human embryonic and pluripotent stem cells into plentiful, functional endothelial cells, critical for blood vessel formation. This breakthrough technique boosts the efficiency of producing these cells by up to 40-fold.
Research by University of Alberta's Bill Hodgetts found that exercising in gyms often leads to increased volume levels, potentially causing hearing loss. The solution lies in using earphones with earplugs or sealant materials to reduce background noise and protect auditory health.
Scientists have created antibodies in llamas to detect seven types of botulinum neurotoxins, which are highly toxic and can cause paralysis. These llama antibodies, called single domain antibodies, may play a role in future anti-botulism treatments and could improve biosensors for detecting toxins.
Researchers from the University of Valencia confirm pine resin was used to seal a 2,000-year-old amphora found in Morocco. The vessel contained metallic fragments likely used for iron-working, suggesting it may have been reused as a protective container.
Alexander Ksendzovsky, a third-year medical student, has been awarded the Lucien Rubenstein Award for his groundbreaking research on a potential vaccine to fight malignant brain tumors. The American Brain Tumor Association recognized his outstanding work as part of their annual Research Award Program.
Researchers identified a novel class of compounds that inhibit HCV replication by disrupting a critical virus-initiated activity, offering a prospect for inhibiting viral replication with minimal toxicity. The compounds were found through an in vitro assay and demonstrated effectiveness against HCV's replication cycle.
A new study identifies thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) as a molecule that directs immune cells to develop an allergic response. The signaling molecule is involved in the development of allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergy.
Researchers have identified a biological marker in the brains of those exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain. With over 90% accuracy, they were able to differentiate PTSD patients from healthy control subjects.
University of Adelaide researchers have developed a low-cost bushfire detection system that can be sent via SMS or mobile network, warning authorities and people living in fire-risk areas of impending bushfires. The system costs less than $500 to build and uses solar-powered energy, reducing running costs.
Asteroids that come within a quarter of the distance between Earth and the moon experience seismic shakes strong enough to create fresh surface material. The finding helps answer decades-long questions about meteorite origins and opens a new field of asteroid seismology.
Researchers developed a brain-based model to understand how Parkinson's affects learning and attention, highlighting the role of dopamine in non-motor symptoms. The study shows that dopamine medications enhance attentional performance in patients.
Researchers linked Southwest winter precipitation to North Atlantic temperatures, finding abrupt climate changes occurred during the last Ice Age. The study used a stalagmite from an Arizona cave to reconstruct century-by-century climate records.
A joint UC study found that three-quarters of medical students believe conventional Western medicine would benefit from integrating more complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. The survey revealed that CAM can enhance patient care, improve treatment outcomes, and increase the effectiveness of healthcare systems.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford University discovered how Group II chaperonins in archaea close folding chambers to initiate protein folding events. The molecular nanomachine requires ATP to open and close its chambers, leading to the release of functional proteins.
A combination of two fully human monoclonal antibodies shown to reduce Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection recurrence by 72%. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in disease relapse, offering new hope for patients battling this debilitating condition.
Researchers create e-Textiles that double as rechargeable batteries using single-walled carbon nanotubes. The fabrics retain flexibility and stretchability while storing electricity.
The BIOFAB facility aims to produce thousands of standardized DNA parts, shortening the development time and lowering the cost of synthetic biology for academic or biotech laboratories. The project will enable researchers to mix and match genetic parts in synthetic organisms to produce new drugs, fuels, or chemicals.
Gardeners in the UK are encouraged to work together to protect vulnerable wildlife by creating a network of interlinking habitats. Collective action can make a real difference at the city scale, with top-down financial incentives and bottom-up community-driven initiatives supporting co-operation.
Researchers found that PrEP prevented rectal and intravenous HIV transmission in humanized mice with 90% protection rate. The study suggests PrEP can block multiple routes of HIV transmission, providing a promising approach to prevent new infections.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite reported that Tropical Depression 01W's rainfall is now light and widely scattered. The storm has made landfall and is dissipating over Vietnam and Cambodia, bringing light rain to some areas.
Researchers found strong links between mild COPD and diminished heart function in healthy adults, with the strongest association seen in current smokers and those with emphysema. The study's findings suggest that treating lung disease may improve heart function, but further research is needed.
A new study from Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business found that internal CEOs tend to outperform externally hired leaders in the long term. Over three years, internally promoted CEOs were more likely to initiate and implement strategic changes that build a firm's competitive advantage.
The researchers successfully virtualized Red Storm supercomputer using the Palacios virtual machine monitor, running communication-intensive benchmarks with extremely high performance. The system achieved a measured overhead of less than 5 percent, demonstrating the feasibility of virtualizing large-scale parallel computing systems.
A study published in PNAS found that a synaptic maturation disorder, particularly with the neuroligin-1 protein, may trigger autism. The research suggests that an insufficient amount of this protein can impair the maturation process at nerve terminals, leading to communication problems and weaknesses in social contacts.
A study by Duke University researchers found that globally distributed teams need face-to-face communication to overcome time zones and locations. Teams with non-overlapping work hours experienced significant coordination delays despite using technology like email and instant messaging.
A study by UCSF researchers found that low vitamin D blood levels are associated with a significantly higher risk of relapse attacks in childhood-onset multiple sclerosis patients. Increasing vitamin D levels can potentially decrease the rate of subsequent relapses.
A breakthrough blood test for diagnosing schizophrenia could become available in 2010, marking a significant shift from traditional brain-based diagnostic methods. The test leverages biomarkers detected in the blood and other bodily fluids to provide a real-time picture of the disease.
Researchers have found that mutational robustness can either impede or facilitate adaptation depending on population size, mutation rate, and reproductive capabilities. Neutral mutations can set the stage for future beneficial adaptation, allowing populations with intermediate levels of robustness to adapt fastest to novel environments.
Research reveals that school classroom air contains significantly higher levels of ultrafine particles than polluted outdoor air, posing a risk to students' lung health. The study found elevated particle levels during art activities and cleaning with detergents.
A five-year international study found that acyclovir suppressive therapy did not reduce the risk of HIV transmission in couples where one partner had both HIV and HSV-2. The study revealed significant reductions in plasma HIV levels and genital ulcers, but no impact on HIV transmission.
A study confirms the long-standing idea that animals such as lemurs and flying foxes arrived in Madagascar via natural rafts blown out to sea. The research, published in Nature, uses a three-year computer simulation of ancient ocean currents to support the theory, which was previously introduced by George Gaylord Simpson.
A study published in Int. J. Information and Operations Management Education found that online quizzes are not effective in improving student learning. Despite educators' hopes, the study revealed no significant difference in grades between courses with and without online quizzes.
A new study from Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that even mild cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can limit the heart's ability to pump effectively. The study, which involved over 2,800 adults, suggests a link between lung function and heart function.
A recent study found that fertility drugs contribute significantly to the growing problem of premature births in the US. The March of Dimes urges more research and leadership to develop specific guidelines for the proper use of these drugs.