A new switch has been discovered that enables Salmonella bacteria to sabotage host cells, allowing it to replicate and establish an infection. This finding could lead to the development of drugs to combat Salmonella-related diseases.
Researchers found that moderate physical loading, such as carrying one's own body weight, may actually delay disc degeneration and reduce severe back symptoms. The study contradicts the long-held assumption that routine lifting is bad for your back.
Arthritis disproportionately affects African Americans and Hispanics, with higher prevalence of activity limitation, work limitation, and severe joint pain. Simple steps like weight loss and physical activity can make a big difference in managing arthritis.
A new study by Tadahisa Higashide predicts greenhouse tomato yield fluctuations based on solar radiation, improving predictability and profitability. The model strongly correlates fluctuations in fruit number and yield with solar radiation before anthesis.
Researchers found that switchgrass can provide a suitable substrate for short-production-cycle woody crops, with fine-milled switchgrass being more consistent with normal nursery container substrates. The study showed that roses grown in switchgrass substrate had low to moderate levels of calcium and iron but were of high quality.
A MSU study of over 3,300 future US teachers and 23,244 across 16 countries reveals that math teacher preparation is crucial for student achievement. The study's findings highlight the need for more rigorous K-12 math standards and better training for US math teachers.
A new study finds that trinexapac-ethyl reduces water depletion, evapotranspiration rates, and improves turf quality in creeping bentgrass during drought stress. The treatment maintains higher leaf relative water content and osmotic adjustment under drought conditions.
A US study finds that church attendance has held relatively constant over three decades, but the demographics of attendees have shifted, with women, Catholics, and southerners seeing their influence wane. Education levels and rising minority populations are linked to these changes.
Weizmann scientists trained an electronic system to predict the pleasantness of novel odors, similar to human perception. The eNose achieved high accuracy rates, regardless of cultural background, suggesting a fundamental biological property in odorant pleasantness.
A Caltech-led team discovered that mitochondrial fusion is highly protective against high loads of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Without fusion, mtDNA levels drop, and the remaining mtDNA contains more mistakes, suggesting that fusion is necessary for mtDNA stability.
A study found that playing a video game before bedtime had only a small impact on the sleep of older male teens, with no significant differences in sleep latency or physiologic arousal. However, playing the game led to a slight increase in cognitive alertness and reduced subjective sleepiness.
The March 2010 issue of Clinics in Perinatology focuses on Quality Improvement (QI) methodology and its application in neonatal and perinatal practice. QI leaders share their expertise on various topics, including QI methodologies, human factors, and quality-assurance procedures.
Researchers identified childhood cancer survivors at increased risk for deteriorating lung health due to bone marrow transplants. Long-term monitoring and early intervention, as well as educating high-risk patients on avoiding tobacco smoke and air pollution, are recommended to prevent respiratory problems.
A new report suggests that low solar activity is associated with colder UK winters due to changes in jet stream patterns. The researchers found correlations between weak solar activity and 'blocking' events, leading to north-easterly winds from the Arctic.
A recent study by UCI astrophysicists refines predictions for the detection of dark matter, suggesting that current models cannot account for excess high-energy positrons. The research leaves room for future experiments to potentially detect dark-matter evidence in the near future.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has identified a potential new therapy for brain tumors by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. The discovery may help identify patients with more favorable outcomes and offer a targeted treatment approach.
A new study led by Ohio University scientists suggests that early Native Americans left a bigger carbon footprint than previously thought. By analyzing chemical composition of stalagmites, the researchers found evidence of greenhouse gas emissions due to land use practices such as burning trees for nut production.
Research finds disabled children in the UK face higher levels of poverty and personal and social disadvantage compared to their non-disabled peers. The study, published in BMC Pediatrics, found that households with disabled children are more likely to rely on social security benefits and experience additional financial costs.
The study found a strong association between the Human Development Index and rates of stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia patients. Countries with higher HDI scores had significantly better outcomes, including reduced risk of relapse and improved leukemia-free survival.
A new study by the University of Edinburgh found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claims the lives of up to 200,000 children globally each year. The research also showed that about 3.4 million children require hospital treatment for severe lung infection caused by RSV.
The Penn State faculty team, led by Renee Diehl, received a $2.85 million NSF grant to develop innovative open-inquiry science curriculum elements related to energy, matter, and materials. The project will foster collaboration and communication skills among STEM graduate fellows and support teacher application of science content.
A team of researchers from Université Laval has proven that it is possible to repair the defective gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They developed enzymes called meganucleases that can correct the dystrophin gene and restore its expression in muscle cells.
Researchers found that mice lacking the FIH protein process fat differently, resulting in improved health outcomes on a high-fat diet. The lean mice exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity and lower cholesterol levels compared to their normal littermates.
A study found that children with ADHD exhibit more symptoms when they experience high levels of self-blame during inter-parental conflict, which is associated with genetic variations related to serotonin activity. The study suggests a synergistic effect between genetic and environmental factors in the development of ADHD.
Researchers at NCAR suggest that half of the heat believed to have built up on Earth is unaccounted for due to inadequate measurement tools. The scientists call for additional ocean sensors and better data analysis to track the flow of energy through the climate system.
A RAND Corporation study found that reducing preventable patient injuries in California hospitals from 2001 to 2005 led to a corresponding drop in malpractice claims against physicians. The study suggests that improving safety performance in healthcare settings could benefit both providers and patients.
Researchers found that only a small percentage of children with abnormal urine dipstick results actually developed chronic kidney disease. The high cost of the test, estimated at $3.47 per patient, made it an ineffective screening method. The study validated American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations to discontinue routine screening.
Researchers validate short version of WHO-DAS II as reliable and valid tool to assess disability in patients with depression. The new scale is more suitable for primary care due to its speed and accuracy.
Researchers developed a genetic framework to predict drug side effects and cardiac disorders. The framework integrated genetic, cellular, and clinical information to identify genetic variations associated with QT interval-related diseases.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that older drivers are more likely to be involved in severe daytime crashes, often resulting in injury or fatality. The study suggests that countermeasures such as improved road signs, left-turn arrows, and driver education can help reduce the number of crashes involving older drivers.
A new study from Children's Hospital Boston finds that TRPV3 is a key regulator of skin and hair growth, leading to thinner, less intact skin when knocked out. The researchers suggest that stimulating TRPV3 activity could lead to new treatments for skin conditions, hair growth, or unwanted hair growth.
Patients with acute kidney injury admitted on weekends have a higher risk of dying compared to those admitted on weekdays. The disparity was most evident in smaller hospitals, where the risk of death was even greater.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that morphine protects rat neurons against HIV toxicity, a finding that might help design new neuroprotective therapies. Morphine inhibited HIV protein gp120 and induced production of CCL5, which suppresses HIV infection.
Shuhai Xiao, a professor of geobiology at Virginia Tech, has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to support his research on ancient life and climate. He will use geochemical and paleobiological data to understand the co-evolution of environments and early animals 600 million years ago.
The UK's ACMD faced criticism for banning mephedrone without sufficient evidence, prioritizing politics over science. The council's other report on hazardous drug use was ignored, highlighting a flawed approach to tackling substance abuse.
The NIST team has developed a single photon detector that can count individual photons with 99 percent efficiency. This breakthrough technology improves the accuracy of electronic communication and quantum computing, while also enabling the detection of missing photons in long-distance data transmission to prevent information theft.
A study of speed dating events found that when men and women have fewer potential partners to choose from, they prioritize physical characteristics like height and weight. In contrast, larger groups lead to a greater emphasis on attributes that can be quickly evaluated, such as education and occupation.
A recent study found that the Texas Pecan Promotion Program effectively increased demand for Texas pecans and total pecan sales over an 8-year period. The program generated a net revenue of $35 per checkoff dollar spent, benefiting mainly improved pecan varieties.
A recent study reveals that sleep disturbances have a significant impact on health-related quality of life, varying by race. For African-Americans, physical health-related quality of life is significantly worse than in Caucasians, while Hispanics experience greater mental distress due to snoring and insomnia symptoms.
Researchers found that onions' flavonoids have antimicrobial properties, increasing the life of foods and inhibiting the growth of microorganisms like Bacillus cereus. This natural alternative reduces reliance on artificial additives used in food industry, offering a stable component with beneficial health effects.
Scientists from EVMS have identified STAT4 as a key factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. Eliminating STAT4 in rodent models reduced atherosclerosis, and a high-fat diet study showed that excess STAT4 leads to inflamed fat production.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change throughout pregnancy, potentially allowing for early diagnosis and prevention of complications. The study's findings suggest that genomic imprinting appears to be an ever-changing process in the placenta.
Researchers found that only about 30% of the genes in the corn smut genome are always activated, while the other 70% is tissue-specific, with different parts of the maize plant activating different genes. This discovery could lead to new approaches to fighting disease in plants and humans.
A new study found that statins can reduce the incidence of new brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis by 55.3% compared to a placebo group. This could be meaningful for patients as new lesions are reliable correlates of future clinical attacks.
Researchers have discovered a new genus and species of leech, Tyrannobdella rex, which has ferociously large teeth and feeds on aquatic mammals, including their noses and mouths for weeks at a time. The discovery has led to revising the group of leeches that feed from body orifices of mammals.
The Rutgers Stem Cell Research Center has derived new human embryonic stem cell lines, addressing concerns of contamination in previously approved lines. The center also offers a training course for stem cell scientists, with over 100 trained researchers to date.
A study found that statistical tests using geographic distribution models can incorrectly infer changes in environmental requirements. The models often accurately identify similar environments but struggle with drastically different ones.
A new report concludes that Ginkgo herbal medicines can increase the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy and reduce the effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs. The herb's potentially toxic material, ginkgotoxin, may alter a chemical signaling pathway that triggers epileptic seizures.
The UH Energy program has received a $2.5 million Department of Energy (DOE) award to develop a smart grid workforce training program. The grant will support training programs for electric power sector employees, focusing on activities such as electricians, line workers, and system operators.
A study of Classic Maya homes in Belize reveals the commoners' method of recording their own history, not just family history, but also their place in the cosmos. The analysis found human remains, artifacts, and color symbolism used to signify important dates and the cyclical nature of life.
Two studies by Queen's University researchers suggest southeastern Ontario has enormous solar energy potential, producing nearly as much power as the US nuclear grid. The studies, led by Professor Joshua Pearce, estimate 95 gigawatts of potential power in the region.
A new CU-Boulder study finds that material possessions don't provide enduring happiness and often make individuals less popular among their peers. Investing in life experiences instead can lead to better social relationships and increased happiness.
A new multicenter study has found that MDV3100 is safe and effective for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. The drug slowed tumor growth, reduced PSA levels, and stabilized disease progression, offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options.
Researchers design compound that effectively blocks BCL6's cancer-causing actions, killing off cancer cells with minimal toxicity. The discovery opens possibilities for treating other tumor types and improving survival rates for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Scientists recognize Anthropocene epoch, a new geological time period caused by massive human impact, which may lead to the Earth's sixth-largest mass extinction event. The term has gained widespread support within the geological community and could be formalized as a new unit on the Geological Time Scale.
Researchers have created a new two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water, mirroring biological systems. The peptoid nanosheets have unique properties and can be precisely tailored for various applications.
A team of investigators has identified a new gene, APCDD1, which causes progressive hair loss beginning in childhood. The discovery provides insight into the process of hair follicle miniaturization, shared with male pattern baldness, and may lead to non-hormonal treatments.
Scientists develop a new method to recover and reuse nanoparticles, which are crucial for nanotechnology applications. The method, described in ACS' Langmuir journal, uses a special microemulsion to separate nanoparticles from other substances.
Scientists have identified a crucial role for RNA molecules in regulating brain development and experience-driven synaptic connections. These 'enhancer RNAs' intensify genetic activity, enabling new neural links and potentially informing therapies for disorders like autism.
Researchers have developed a new, certifiably random number generator using fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. This method ensures private randomness, crucial for secure data encryption and communication, making it difficult to predict the sequence of numbers.