A study by University of Utah neuroscientists found that higher altitudes significantly increase the risk of suicide in the Western US. The research suggests that altitude may contribute to metabolic stress associated with mood disorders, particularly in areas with high gun ownership and low population density.
NeuFlow is a new supercomputer that processes tens of megapixel images in real time, allowing for rapid object recognition. The system has the potential to enable self-driving cars by recognizing various objects on the road, such as other cars, people, and stoplights.
Researchers have discovered a new function of interferons, which inhibit the production of IL-1beta protein and suppress inflammation. This finding has significant implications for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Hilary Calvert, Alberto Costa, and Bengt Glimelius received the 2010 ESMO Award for their significant work in breast cancer development, multidisciplinary care, and gastrointestinal cancer treatment. The awards recognize their contributions to advancing medical research and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers found that inhibiting GRK2 protects heart cells from destruction after a heart attack, while excess GRK2 leads to more damage. The discovery suggests that anti-GRK2 gene therapy may help prevent permanent heart damage.
Hurricane Igor is a monstrous storm, stretching over 500 miles in diameter. Maximum sustained winds near 145mph indicate weakening, but the hurricane remains powerful and expected to hit Bermuda in the next few days.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified 13 genes associated with human body mass index, shedding light on the complex relationship between epigenetics and obesity. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, used genome-wide profiling to uncover epigenetic fingerprints that correlate with body weight.
Adults with congenital heart disease are more likely to suffer from heart-focused anxiety if their parents were overprotective during childhood and adolescence. Health professionals can encourage greater independence for adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease to improve psychosocial adjustment.
A new study found that cognitive skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) vary from child to child and can improve over time. The research, conducted in Western Australia, assessed 37 children with ASD and 31 typically developing children at ages 5-6 and again three years later.
Researchers used the friendship paradox to study the 2009 flu epidemic among 744 students, finding that friends of central members were more likely to get sick earlier. This method can predict epidemics before they spread widely, allowing for an earlier and more effective response.
A new study suggests that more quality instructional time spent with teachers and less free play time without teacher guidance can prepare children better for starting kindergarten. Low-income children benefit particularly from individual instruction settings.
A longitudinal study of low-income children found that high-quality preschool settings reduce externalizing behavior problems in middle childhood. High-quality child care is particularly important for boys and African American children.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered the dimeric nature of Cdc13, a protein crucial for maintaining telomere length. This discovery sheds light on how Cdc13 regulates telomerase activity, which can help prevent telomere shortening and support cancer treatment.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered a new drug target that can improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for hard-to-treat cancers. The enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) promotes tumor angiogenesis, enabling tumors to overcome radiation effects.
A UT Dallas research team is testing innovative facial recognition programs to identify individuals who may pose a security risk. The algorithms showed promising results, especially when combined with human evaluation techniques, identifying nearly 100% of matching faces.
The University of East Anglia is launching a study on broccoli's impact on osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease affecting six million people in the UK. Sulforaphane, found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, blocks enzymes causing joint destruction.
Chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes threaten the health and economies of nations worldwide. The authors assert that global cooperation is crucial to reduce these diseases, citing examples of successful connections in reducing chronic disease.
Researchers identified a mutation in the PTCHD1 gene associated with about one percent of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) or intellectual disabilities, mostly males. The study suggests that this mutation may disrupt crucial developmental processes contributing to autism.
Researchers found a possible link between successful gum-disease treatment and reduced preterm birth risk in pregnant women. Successful treatment was associated with lower inflammation levels, no increased probing depth, and loosening of teeth.
Researchers identified a defective ABCB4 gene that impairs cholesterol excretion, leading to high levels of bad cholesterol. The study used laboratory opossums and found that the gene plays a role in controlling blood cholesterol levels in response to dietary cholesterol.
Researchers led by Dr. Robert Wood at Harvard University are developing micro air vehicles (MAVs) to monitor hazardous environments like collapsed structures and chemical spills. The goal is to create agile devices that can perform tasks not achieved before using robotic devices on the scale of insects.
A study published in Neurology found that mild memory changes are caused by brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's and other dementias, contradicting the long-held notion that age is a primary factor. The study involved over 350 participants and showed a rapid decline in cognitive function in the last four to five years of life.
A 2008 study in Newcastle, Australia found that restricting pub closing times reduced assault rates by 37%. The study compared CBD and suburban areas and found no displacement effect.
Chemists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new way to pass electrons between molecules, leading to the development of high-powered organic batteries. The system could be used to create artificial photosynthesis and store more energy than conventional batteries.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a robotic catheter to treat atrial fibrillation, reducing operating times and radiation exposure. The catheter uses smart materials for improved maneuverability, allowing for more effective and efficient treatment.
The UCLA team will remotely monitor firefighters using wireless health technologies, developing metrics to analyze health risks and optimize exercise programs. The results will aid in mitigating fatalities due to cardiovascular events and inform new equipment development for firefighters.
The USGS has developed a new method for tracking the progress of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus delivery from the watershed to the Bay. Analysis reveals both good and bad news about progress over the past 31 years, with significant improvements in some watersheds but increases in others.
The study found that radiation exposure increases the risk of both first and second cancers to a similar degree, with higher risks for radiation-sensitive cancers like lung, colon, breast, thyroid, and bladder cancers. Cancer survivors with a history of radiation exposure should continue to be closely monitored for second cancers.
Dr. Chen and colleagues aim to understand fiber cell development and identify genes important for cotton fiber production, with potential applications to biofuels and sustainable textiles.
Hurricane Julia intensified rapidly overnight, becoming a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. NASA satellites captured clues as they passed over her from space, including heavy rainfall dropping at over 50 mm/hr and a clear eye structure with impressive cloud top enhancement.
Regular aerobic exercise improves sleep quality, reduces depressive symptoms and increases vitality in middle-aged and older adults with insomnia. The study found that exercise elevates participants' self-reported sleep quality, dropping their scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index by an average of 4.8 points.
Tropical Storm Karl made landfall on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm brought sustained winds of 49 mph and a wind gust of 62 mph to the area.
Scientists at King's College London have developed protein therapeutics and cell therapy techniques to extend organ transplant life. Protein Mirococept coating protects donor kidneys from damage during transit, while regulatory T cells may prevent immune system over-activation.
A Phase 1/2 study of LentiGlobin gene therapy has demonstrated positive results in a young adult with severe beta-thalassemia, achieving transfusion independence for over two years. The treatment also identified cells with the corrected beta-globin gene that overexpressed HMGA2.
A novel JAK inhibitor has shown significant and lasting benefits for patients with myelofibrosis, a debilitating bone marrow disorder. The treatment produces substantial reductions in enlarged spleens, pain, fatigue, and improved quality of life.
Women with secondary breast cancer face inadequate support due to lack of knowledge, experience and staff numbers among healthcare professionals. Better training, resources, and services are needed to address this complex condition.
The Human Connectome Project aims to create detailed maps of brain circuitry in healthy adults and those with psychiatric and neurologic illnesses. The project will use state-of-the-art imaging instruments and analysis tools to shed light on how brain networks are organized and how they change as we age.
Research published in Heart found that the combination of depression and coronary heart disease triples the risk of death from all causes and quadruples the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. Depression alone increases mortality by twice as much as having neither condition.
The center will focus on developing innovative ways to reduce the risks and costs of natural hazards. THOR will unify efforts from various academic disciplines to study critical societal issues such as global climate change, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and extreme weather events.
A joint Indiana University and Columbia University study found no change in prejudice and discrimination toward people with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse problems despite increased public acceptance of neurobiological explanations. Key findings include increased support for treatment but generally unrelated stigma reduction.
The UK Ministry of Defence has moved its inpatient mental health contract to the NHS, improving care for both military personnel and other patients. This shift reduces stigma associated with public-sector mental health services.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that brain lesions associated with dementia contribute to mild memory loss in older adults. The study of 350 Catholic nuns and priests revealed a gradual decline in memory until the last four to five years of life.
Boston University researchers have received a $4.1 million grant to refine their nanoscale, low-cost DNA sequencing method that could lead to individual genome sequencing for less than $1,000. The team's solid state nanopores are uniquely positioned to compete with current DNA sequencing methods for cost, speed and accuracy.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a microscope apparatus that achieves unprecedented resolution in living cells, allowing them to visualize the dynamic mechanism by which messenger RNA molecules pass through nuclear pores. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for disorders such as myotonic dystrophy.
A five-year, $30-million Human Connectome Project will generate a map of the brain's major circuits using powerful scanners and analysis techniques. The project aims to understand brain connectivity and function to advance brain health and develop new treatments for disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers found that glaciers in southern Patagonian Andes have helped mountains grow, not erode, by providing an icy shield. The study's findings contradict the glacial buzzsaw theory, which predicted glaciers would slow mountain growth.
Researchers at NIST have found theoretical evidence of a new method to generate high-frequency waves used in modern communication devices. The team's analysis predicts the creation of a soliton in a magnetic sandwich, which could lead to more secure and interference-resistant wireless technology.
NASA has awarded CU-Boulder $6.7 million to design instruments for the Solar Probe Plus mission, which will orbit 22 times closer to the sun than Earth. The team aims to understand how the sun ticks and better forecast radiation environments for future space explorers.
The USDA has sequenced the cacao genome, accelerating genetic improvement of the crop to resist pests and diseases, improve yields, and support sustainable agriculture. This achievement will benefit the $17 billion US chocolate industry and millions of small farmers worldwide.
Researchers investigate impact of Deepwater Horizon spill on minute ocean organisms, which play key roles in nutrient cycling and food chains. The study aims to establish baseline information on pre-spill biodiversity to inform future research.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a system that uses home electrical wiring as an antenna to receive low-power sensor data. The technology, called Sensor Nodes Utilizing Powerline Infrastructure (SNUPI), allows for wireless sensors that can transmit information wirelessly and run for decades on a single battery.
Kansas State University has formed a partnership to help rural communities adapt to future climate scenarios affecting their livelihoods and food supply. The Central Great Plains Climate Change Education Partnership will develop effective strategies for dealing with environmental changes.
A new hyperbaric centrifuge technology has been successfully tested for recovering ultrafine coal from slurry, promising to reduce coal slurry impoundment problems. The technology developed by Virginia Tech's Center for Advanced Separation Technologies can be used to recover all mined coal and clean up existing impoundments.
Researchers tested the hypothesis that solar radiation affects radioactive decay rates and found no detectable effect. The study used radioactive gold-198 in two shapes to compare neutrino emission rates, ruling out solar neutrinos as a factor.
A study by Durham University anthropologist Dr Iain Edgar found that night dreams are being used to make choices on issues like marriage, business, and career development among modern Muslims. The practice of Istikhara, or Islamic 'dream incubation', involves using symbolism to interpret dreams and make decisions.
Rice University scientists analyze how bacteria acquire immunity from disease through the CRISPR system, which uses RNA interference to silence viral genes. The study's findings have implications for biotechnology and drug development.
Most children develop contagious yawning by age 4, while those with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to yawn in response to others. Children with more severe autistic symptoms show the least yawn contagion, suggesting empathy and social cues may be delayed in development
Concordia University researchers have identified lithocholic acid (LCA) as a compound that extends the lifespan of normally aging yeast, which shares common elements with humans. The findings suggest that LCA may have significant implications for human health and longevity.
Researchers identified areas for improvement in healthcare facilities' navigation systems, including signage, facility maps, and oral communication. The study's findings emphasize the importance of health literacy and suggest steps for healthcare providers to take to increase patient understanding.
A small drug company, Seaside Therapeutics, is developing potential treatments for Fragile X syndrome and autism with secret funding from an anonymous wealthy family. Two of its drugs show promise in clinical trials as treatments for these diseases.