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.
The article warns that overly restrictive regulations in clinical trials are stifling innovation and hindering patient safety. The authors advocate for the development of study-specific standards to address these issues, ensuring a balance between protection and progress.
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Peter Sunderland, has created a double-flame burner to improve our understanding of soot formation and oxidation. This innovation aims to design cleaner and more efficient engines that reduce pollution and harm lung diseases.
Researchers at UNC identified a molecular marker of pancreatic cancer that may help diagnose the disease earlier. A specific form of a protein called palladin is produced in large amounts in tumor-associated fibroblasts surrounding a pancreatic tumor, making it a potential diagnostic tool.
A Stanford study suggests that a 'stealth' strategy of raising students' awareness of environmental and social issues related to food can persuade them to eat more veggies and less ice cream. The study found improvements in veggie consumption and attitudes towards healthy eating among students taking a 'Food and Society' course.
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project is a major research platform studying disease causation in 300,000 Canadians over 30 years. It will investigate the complex interplay between environment, lifestyle, and genetics in cancer and chronic diseases.
Dr. Joel Hirsch's research provides new information on how calcium channels work and offers a framework for designing drugs that can modulate them to provide relief from chronic pain. The discovery has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions such as backaches, sore limbs, and arthritis.
Researchers discovered that birds use complex patterns and color to detect foreign eggs, but surprisingly, they don't rely on the unique scribbles found only on host eggs. This finding offers insights into a 20 million-year-old evolutionary arms race between cuckoo parasites and their hosts.
Researchers have successfully reproduced a key component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide structures, allowing for deeper understanding of their growth and potential antibiotic targets. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments against Gram-negative bacteria.
Researchers discovered that changes in astrocytes disrupt signal control, leading to seizures. The study found that altering reactive astrocytosis reduced inhibition, allowing neurons to fire out of control and potentially developing new treatments for epilepsy.
Researchers found that chokeberry extract reduced body weight, improved blood glucose regulation, and decreased inflammation in prediabetic rats. The study suggests that chokeberry's antioxidant properties may help modulate genes associated with adipose tissue growth and inflammatory pathways.
Researchers find that combining certain antibiotics can halt bacterial evolution and favor non-resistant strains, potentially reversing the trend of antibiotic resistance. This approach could lead to identifying novel drug combinations that hinder resistance development without compromising effectiveness.
Researchers have developed compounds that inhibit bacterial enzymes with longer residence times, correlating with improved in vivo activity. This discovery may lead to the development of agents for non-invasive bacterial imaging using positron emission tomography.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to measure liquid-solid interaction with unprecedented precision, improving resolution by a factor of 10,000 or more. This allows for detailed studies of wetting on curved, textured, or complex surfaces.
Researchers determined the structure of an intermediate enzyme form participating in fundamental biology reactions. The discovery sheds light on life's origins and potential applications in producing renewable fuels and fighting pollution.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a procedure to delete specific genes from nematode worms, allowing them to infer the function of each gene and thereby understand human gene regulation. The technique, called MosDel, uses a transposon to cut out genes and exploit cell DNA repair mechanisms.
Researchers from North Carolina State University found that very early calcium nutrition can impact long-term skeletal health. The study involved piglets fed a calcium-rich or deficient diet during infancy, resulting in marked differences in bone density and strength. This suggests that early nutritional programming may predispose indi...
Researchers have identified a potential drug target in the parasite life cycle, which could block its ability to infect humans. Cryptosporidium oocysts are stable outside a host and resistant to conventional water treatment methods.
A research team led by the University of Georgia has discovered a previously unreported chemical mechanism for nitrous oxide production in Antarctic Don Juan Pond. The discovery could help space scientists understand the Martian nitrogen cycle and develop sensors to detect brines on Mars.
Research suggests that optimal vitamin D levels are associated with better physical function in seniors, which can improve their overall quality of life. The study found that participants with higher circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D had better physical function, including improved walking ability and balance.
Researchers have created a brain-like 'evolutionary circuit' in an organic molecular layer that can solve complex problems, mimicking natural phenomena like heat diffusion and cancer cell evolution. The processor also exhibits self-healing properties, unlike existing man-made computers.
Researchers at MGH-CRM and HSCI discovered that a key gene cluster is silenced in most iPSCs, limiting their developmental potential. However, some iPSC lines with the normal activation of this cluster were able to generate live animals, offering a promising approach for improving iPSC reprogramming.
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and UC Santa Barbara found massive asphalt domes 10 miles offshore, 35,000 years old, containing over 100,000 tons of residual asphalt. The structures are home to a thriving ecosystem, with scientists studying their chemical composition, age, and purpose.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered a crucial balance between beneficial and potentially harmful gut microbes that can either promote health or lead to diseases like IBD. The study reveals how altering this balance can affect the host's immune system, leading to inflammation.
A clinical study found that intensive breastfeeding support for obese women significantly improves breastfeeding success rates and infant health outcomes, including lower hospitalization rates for respiratory infections. The study involved 154 overweight or obese women who received either standard information or intensive peer counseli...
Researchers found that increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels correspond to lower bone density in postmenopausal women. FSH stimulates the production of cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta, which activate osteoclasts and lead to bone loss.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute found that pre-transplant smoking increases the risk of non-fatal cardiac events, while homeless donors are associated with higher complications and poor outcomes. Donor demographics also play a role in transplant survival rates, with males receiving opposite-gender hearts having worse outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have identified a key gene, Smed-prep, essential for regenerating a planarian worm's head and brain after amputation. This discovery could one day lead to understanding human organ regeneration and tissue repair.
Cristina Eisenberg's new book highlights the importance of top predators in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Research shows that keystone predators like wolves, cougars, and bears play a critical role in controlling population growth and preventing overgrazing.
A long-term follow-up study of extremely preterm children reveals nearly a quarter had a psychiatric disorder by age 11. The study highlights the need for early cognitive and psychological monitoring to identify emerging neuropsychiatric disorders.
Scientists developed a new computational model to identify targets of regulator genes in the human genome. The method combines biochemical and probabilistic modeling to uncover physical models of cell regulation, offering promise for improving understanding of biological systems.
The McGill University researchers will be working on various projects, including cancer research and bone degeneration, using the new funding. The Canada Foundation for Innovation's investment will help develop Canada's global reputation as a place where outstanding research and training is being conducted.
Molecular biologist Alan Ashworth will receive a $50,000 grant from the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation to study PARP inhibitors in BRCA-mutated cancers. His research aims to develop novel treatments for triple-negative breast cancer and other related cancers.