An Australian study discovered a rare genetic form of epilepsy can originate from an embryonic genetic mutation, challenging previous assumptions about its inheritance. Researchers believe this finding may have implications for siblings of individuals with other genetic diseases that could be caused by an embryo mutation.
Rutgers University has received a $47.5 million grant from the NIH to study protein structures and their impact on diseases. The grant supports two major programs: NESG, which develops new methods for determining protein structures, and SBKB, which collects and disseminates protein structure information worldwide.
The NIH has awarded $290 million in grants for structural biology research, focusing on determining protein shapes and functions. Four large-scale centers will operate pipelines for protein structure determination, including centers for mitochondria and membrane proteins.
Scientists sequenced the Culex quinquefasciatus genome to analyze its immune response to pathogens. The study found that Culex has an expanded immune gene repertoire, enhancing its ability to adapt to diverse habitats and evade infections.
Researchers will study proteins that trigger cell activity and functions, aiming to understand how they malfunction and cause heart disease. The project, led by UCLA, involves seven institutions worldwide and focuses on mitochondria and proteasomes, which may contribute to heart disease when defective.
The Commonwealth Fund's new report provides recommendations for state and federal policymakers to design effective health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. The report suggests that exchanges should be independent, governed by boards with representatives from various agencies, to avoid adverse selection and reduce admin...
A UNC study found that radio frequency tags on surgical sponges can aid in preventing sponges from being left behind in patients following surgery. The researchers used a radio-frequency detection device in 1,600 operations and detected one sponge in an operation where manual counting was correct.
A Phase 3 clinical trial conducted by GlaxoSmithKline and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that a genital herpes vaccine was ineffective in preventing the disease in women. The study, which involved 8,323 women aged 18-30 years, showed that the vaccine had an estimated 20% effectiveness rate.
Researchers at OU aim to create more efficient solar 'photovoltaic' cells that can convert heat to electricity with conversion efficiencies of 30% or higher. The project involves collaboration between OU and Sandia National Laboratories to push photovoltaic technology to longer wavelengths.
Researchers identified the WRD11 gene as a key player in normal puberty development and its connection to the sense of smell. Chromosomal break helped clear up why some patients with delayed puberty have no sense of smell.
Researchers at York University have developed a waterproof controller that enables an underwater robot to communicate with divers wirelessly. The AQUA system uses a tablet built by York researchers, allowing divers to program the robot's actions and receive commands through a waterproof interface.
Scientists have mapped the unexplored offshore Northern San Andreas Fault, revealing deep rifts and high walls with areas supporting animal life. The study aims to understand past earthquakes and their impact on biological diversity.
A study by Mayo Clinic and TGen reveals that DNA methylation is altered with increasing severity in multiple myeloma, leading to the overexpression of oncogenes. The researchers found hypomethylation at specific points of DNA, associated with myeloma development, and suggest it may have prognostic value.
The summer of 2023 was the fourth-warmest on record, with June to August temperatures globally being warmer than previous years but not unprecedentedly so. Global warming has increased the frequency of extreme warm anomalies, making events like the Moscow heat wave more likely.
Researchers found that group collective intelligence accounts for 40% of performance variation across diverse tasks. Teams with more women demonstrated greater social sensitivity and collective intelligence compared to teams with fewer women.
Eight new researchers will receive funding for their studies on autism spectrum disorders, including genetics, neuroscience and clinical research. The fellowships aim to support the growth of a promising cadre of young autism scientists.
The study of fish teeth reveals ocean circulation patterns that differ from present day, shedding light on heat transfer and oxygenation. An iridium anomaly is linked to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, reaffirming the link between impact and mass extinction.
The Rochester Institute of Technology will construct a new green facility housing the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, utilizing the award to promote sustainable processes and serve as a model for other universities. The institute conducts cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, alternative energy development, and sustainable de...
A special issue of Neurologic Clinics details latest advances in treating neurologic disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, and sleep disorders. The issue includes treatments for Parkinson's disease and headaches, as well as new medications for epilepsy.
Researchers found a link between psychosis and an abnormal connection between dopamine and glutamate in the brain, suggesting new treatment approaches for schizophrenia. The study, funded by the MRC, may lead to better drugs for preventing psychotic symptoms.
Scientists create a synthetic structure that mimics the behavior of PCR enzymes, allowing for highly sensitive detection of small molecules. The new catalysts could lead to advancements in medical diagnostics, forensics, and environmental monitoring.
A research team led by Kang Zhang aims to use chemicals to reprogram Muller cells into photoreceptors in the eye, potentially leading to new cell-based therapy and small molecule drugs for regenerative medicine. The goal is to restore visual function lost due to diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
A team of researchers discovered fossilized feathers from a giant penguin species that lived near the Equator over 36 million years ago. The feathers revealed softer gray or reddish-brown colors, unlike modern penguins' predominantly black and white feathers.
Researchers have discovered that dinosaurs had thick layers of cartilage in their joints, which may have made them considerably taller than originally estimated. This study has implications for understanding dinosaur posture and speed.
Researchers found that sleeping between 5-6.5 hours per night is associated with excellent survival among women, contradicting previous studies that suggested 6.5-7.5 hours. Obstructive sleep apnea did not predict increased mortality risk in older women.
Characteristics such as patient engagement, physician communication, and staff coordination contribute to higher dialysis center survival rates. Top-performing centers also report stronger interpersonal relationships and more resourceful dietitians.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded nearly $3.8 million to develop healthier food products for humanitarian assistance programs. These projects aim to improve the nutritional delivery and functional form of food aid products, particularly for infants and young children at risk for malnutrition.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $11.5 million to a consortium of research institutions led by the California Institute of Technology for a center focused on studying membrane-protein structures, aiming to shed new light on basic biology and potential treatments for disease.
A recent study led by St. Michael's nephrologist Dr. Ramesh Prasad has found that South Asian patients are more than twice as likely to suffer a heart attack after a kidney transplant compared to Caucasian, black and East Asian men and women.
The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft has made significant discoveries about the interaction between the solar wind and interstellar space. The spacecraft has found that the strength of the interaction varies dramatically across the sky, with a long 'ribbon' and an intense hotspot detected in the heliosheath. These findi...
USC professor Andrea Armani is developing a real-time nanolaser instrument to locate carcinogens and their induced changes in living cells. This technology aims to create personalized cancer drug delivery systems, potentially within 10-15 years.
Researchers engineered E. coli bacteria to produce taxadiene, a precursor to the cancer drug Taxol, achieving 1,000 times more production than previous strains. The technique could bring down manufacturing costs and help discover new therapeutic compounds for cancer and other diseases.
Julie Dunning Hotopp, a UM School of Medicine Institute for Genome Sciences researcher, received a $2.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health's New Innovator program. She will study DNA transfers between the microbiome and the human genome to understand how certain infections can lead to cancer years later.
A new randomised trial shows that starting chemotherapy earlier does not improve survival or quality of life for women with relapsed ovarian cancer. The study found that patients who received early treatment experienced a faster deterioration in quality of life, including role, emotional, social, and fatigue symptoms.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a class of material known as metallacarborane that could store hydrogen at or better than benchmarks set by the US Department of Energy. The material has the potential to meet DOE storage goals for hydrogen fuel, which could be used in cars, fuel cells, and industry.
Physicists at the University of Arizona have developed a new way to convert waste heat into electrical power using quantum physics. The technology holds great promise for making various devices more efficient and reducing ozone-depleting chemicals.
Research by K-State assistant professor Chardie Baird and Florida State University professor John Reynolds suggests that discouraging students from pursuing their educational aspirations can lead to depression. The study found that adaptive resilience allows individuals to adapt to failed expectations, leading to healthier lives.
Researchers mapped histone modifications in fat cells to identify two transcription factors SRF and PLZF involved in fat cell development. The study provides a roadmap for understanding normal fat cell development and has potential implications for metabolic diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
The Einstein research aims to understand the role of proteins in normal biological processes and disease pathways. The project will focus on determining the structures of thousands of biomedically important proteins.
A phase 3 trial shows cabazitaxel improves overall and progression-free survival in men with advanced multi-drug resistant prostate cancer. The medication was found to be effective in patients whose disease progressed after standard chemotherapy with docetaxel.
Researchers have identified a protein called P450 that metabolizes arachidonic acid in blood vessel walls to create EETs, which relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. This discovery may lead to the development of new blood pressure-lowering agents and treatments for high blood pressure.
Dialysis patients can reduce their risk of hospitalization by addressing depression and physical inactivity, and modifying blood access from catheters to arteriovenous access. A recent study found that converting to arteriovenous access reduced hospitalization risk by about 30%.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital are developing a new method to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections in infants using RNA biosignatures. The five-year study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for serious bacterial infections such as bacteremia and meningitis, which can be life-threatening.
Friesen's research found that her literacy dogs, Tango and Sparky, helped Grade 2 students overcome reading trepidation and develop a love for literature. The program improved children's reading behaviors, increased their confidence, and motivated them to read at home.
A 'knot' in a bright, narrow ribbon of neutral atoms emanating from the solar system's edge appears to have 'untied,' according to researchers. The knot, influenced by local interstellar magnetic fields, was found to be stable over six-month periods but displayed changes in polar regions and diminished as it spread out.
Researchers propose a new approach to combat cancer and autoimmune diseases by targeting the balance between NF-kB and p53 signaling pathways. This balance is believed to be a promising target for developing new drugs, with potential benefits including improved disease treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that adding rituximab to chemotherapy significantly prolongs lives of CLL patients. Chemoimmunotherapy showed improved response rates and disease progression rates compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
Kathleen Alexander has discovered a novel tuberculosis species, M. mungi, in banded mongooses, which behaves differently from other TB infections, killing infected animals within two to three months. The pathogen's source and host range are areas of ongoing research.
A $1.5M NIH grant supports Manu Platt's project to develop models for identifying children at risk of stroke due to sickle cell disease. The goal is to create a mathematical model predicting stroke risk and allow for earlier intervention, improving treatment options.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine are investigating how expanded insurance coverage in Massachusetts affects cardiovascular care and outcomes, with a focus on vulnerable populations. The center aims to understand the impact of health reform on access to care and clinical outcomes.
A 36-million-year-old fossil reveals that ancient penguins had reddish-brown and grey feathers, distinct from the black tuxedoed look of living penguins. This discovery provides insights into the early evolution of penguin feathers, coloration, and flipper shapes.
A landmark study found that annual mammography screenings for women aged 40-49 reduces breast cancer deaths by nearly 30%. The results confirm that age 50 as a screening threshold is unfounded, and women should begin getting annual mammograms at age 40.
Researchers have developed a novel strategy for creating patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that exhibits significant advantages over current methods. The new approach uses synthetic modified messenger RNA molecules to reprogram adult cells into iPSCs with high efficiency and safety.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of the Southern house mosquito, a key vector for diseases such as West Nile virus, encephalitis, and elephantiasis. The study reveals insights into the mosquito's genetic structure and potential targets for disease prevention.
Tropical Storm Nicole has weakened into a remnant low pressure area off the Florida coast. A massive trough of low pressure over the eastern seaboard is streaming tropical moisture from Nicole's remnants, bringing heavy rainfall totals to the region.
Dr. Blaser and his team will investigate whether changes in the human microbiome as a result of antibiotic use have fueled the obesity epidemic. The grant will assess the roles of gastric and colonic microbiota related to hormones and metabolism in both humans and mice.
Research at the University of East Anglia reveals that adding histidine to salmon diets prevents cataract formation. The nutrient was found to be deficient in post-1990s fish feed due to BSE concerns, leading to a significant increase in cataracts.
Researchers emphasize Couples Voluntary Counseling and Testing (CVCT) as a proven method to decrease HIV/AIDS rates in Africa. The approach identifies undiagnosed individuals, allowing for targeted interventions before new infections occur.
The Water Tunnel of the Americas (WTAPC) will be the largest and most advanced facility, enabling researchers to test models of structures and determine forces of extreme weather on buildings and structures. The 'green' project uses a blow-down water tunnel design generating power from the Panama Canal.
Italian researchers found that liver transplant candidates with a strong religious connection had better post-transplant survival rates. The study also revealed that religiosity can prolong life span in individuals undergoing liver transplantation.