Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a new cooperative behavior in anaerobic bacteria, allowing microorganisms to form direct electrical connections and pass electrons. This discovery has significant implications for the global carbon cycle and bioenergy production.
A recent Penn State study found that expectant parents who completed a brief relationship-strengthening class showed lasting effects on their well-being and relationships. The program improved parenting styles, reduced conflict, and enhanced co-parenting relations.
Research suggests that parental guidance plays a crucial role in shaping a child's strengths and development, rather than just inherited genes. Effective parents cultivate their child's individual characteristics and help them progress along positive developmental trajectories.
The report found that employer-sponsored family health insurance premiums rose 41% across states from 2003 to 2009, outpacing median incomes. By 2020, average annual premiums would increase by 79%, reaching $23,342 for families. ACA reforms aim to slow cost growth and improve coverage.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that perinatal bisphenol-A exposure may decrease fertility and fecundity in female mice. The researchers compared the effects of BPA to diethylstilbestrol (DES) and concluded that they were comparable, with low doses causing reproductive problems only when evaluated over mult...
A new study by the University of Colorado Denver has discovered a way to simultaneously desalinate water, produce hydrogen gas, and treat wastewater. The technology uses microbial electrolysis and desalination cells, which can generate pure hydrogen gas and facilitate desalination with an external power supply.
The internet can provide anonymous space for expressing oneself and finding sympathetic listeners, but also poses risks of bullying, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful information. Experts call for new public health initiatives to address the complex issue of online suicide prevention.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals a genetic alteration, MAP3K1, responsible for disorders of sex determination (DSD). The discovery provides insight into the cause of DSDs and contributes to better management, including the importance of removing gonads early to prevent cancer.
Scientists created a 3D map of the fruit fly brain's neural networks, revealing 41 local processing units, 6 hubs, and 58 tracts. The breakthrough enables researchers to analyze how the brain processes information and control behaviors.
A new JACS paper demonstrates continuous and controlled translocation of a single-stranded DNA polymer through a protein nanopore using a DNA polymerase enzyme. This achievement advances the development of Strand Sequencing using nanopores, a crucial component of molecular motors.
Children who grew up on farms with their mothers during pregnancy showed a reduced risk of developing atopic dermatitis in their first two years. The study identified specific genes linked to innate immunity that are associated with lower likelihoods of allergic conditions, providing new insights into the disease.
A Canadian study found that 22% of families with a child diagnosed with diabetes were food insecure, leading to poorer diabetes control and higher hospitalization rates. The researchers call for improved financial support and increased awareness among healthcare professionals to address this issue.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers demonstrates that replacing the enzyme for MPS I shortly after birth can prevent irreversible damage and clinical signs of brain, heart, and bone disease. The breakthrough opens the door to improved methods of enzyme delivery in human patients with similar genetic disorders.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a new type of biomedical imaging that can capture 'video' of blood cells squeezing through capillaries. The technique, based on stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), makes label-free chemical movies with streaming footage at the subcellular level.
A 2008 study found that raw milk was the cause of an E. coli outbreak in Connecticut, resulting in 14 cases and 7 confirmed infections. The outbreak led to proposed legislation aimed at controlling raw milk sales, but ultimately resulted in the discontinuation of raw milk sales in a major retail store.
Research finds that patients increasingly value nonclinical hospital amenities over clinical quality, affecting health care costs and outcomes. Improved perks can increase hospital volume and attract more patients.
A new study measures the spatial expansion of global fisheries, revealing a nearly five-fold increase in catch from 1950 to 2005. The study's findings indicate that fisheries have expanded at an unsustainable rate, leaving no room for further expansion.
Researchers have identified seven genetic variations associated with both ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease, highlighting a potential new understanding of how AS develops. The study suggests that these immune cells may play a key role in the development of AS.
Scientists found that extreme temperature variations greatly impact chemical reactions, with some taking over 2 billion years to occur without enzyme assistance. This discovery challenges traditional views on life's origins and may influence future research on artificial catalysts.
Research reveals that exposure to fine-particulate air pollution in early life increases abdominal fat and insulin resistance in mice, regardless of diet. The study suggests a potential mechanism for pollution's effects on health, highlighting the need for therapeutic options targeting specific genes.
A team of UC Riverside entomologists has identified a microRNA molecule that disrupts the Aedes aegypti mosquito's ability to transmit dengue and yellow fever viruses. The discovery could help control the spread of vector-borne diseases by reducing the mosquito population.
The SciFlies Network provides a new funding source for research and innovation, enabling citizens to directly accelerate science and technology. By promoting STEM disciplines to students and creating a cyber 'alliance model', the network fosters public involvement and encourages translation of inventions to benefit society.
Researchers identify biochemical mechanisms in Casertana and Large White pigs to produce more flavorful and leaner pork products. The study aims to develop new pig breeds with a desirable combination of leanness and flavor.
Harvard and University of Utah researchers have developed a biologically based test for autism, detecting high-functioning autism with 94 percent accuracy. The test uses MRI to measure deviations in brain circuitry, revealing insights into the biological basis of autism and potential improvements in management and treatments.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have made a significant leap forward in finding chemicals needed to reprogram mature human cells and turn them into stem cells. The discovery represents a fundamentally different approach from previous methods and offers a new method for generating induced pluripotent stem cells with defined sma...
A new study from Tel Aviv University found that symbiotic bacteria inside a fruit fly greatly influence its choice of mates. The researchers isolated the bacterial species responsible for reproductive isolation in flies with diet-related mating preferences.
A new gene, MAP3K1, has been identified as a crucial switch in determining gender development. The discovery explains the cause of intersex conditions and provides hope for patients and their families.
Researchers created a 'perfumery radar' system to classify perfume families, closely matching expert descriptions. The tool speeds up perfume development, saving time and money for manufacturers.
A new test method has been developed to detect and measure infectious agents called prions that cause devastating brain-damaging conditions. The real time quaking induced conversion assay (RT-QuIC) can detect miniscule amounts of infectious prions, potentially leading to early treatment and prevention.
African leaders are set to adopt a new strategy for transforming the continent's agriculture and economy. The plan calls for increased investment in modern technologies, infrastructure expansion, and improved education, with a focus on women's empowerment and rural prosperity.
A new study finds that smoking is associated with reduced cortical thickness in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex, negatively correlating with cigarette consumption. Heavier smoking was linked to more pronounced thinning of cortical tissue, potentially increasing the risk for addictions and cognitive decline.
Scientists have developed a new filtering technology that kills up to 98% of disease-causing bacteria in water without clogging. The material uses silver and electricity to destroy bacteria, allowing for easy flow through the filter.
The study of 84Sr reveals new energy-level scheme with 12 new states and nearly 30 new γ-transitions. The positive-parity states are calculated using the projected shell model, showing a good collective vibration-like nature above spin 11-.
Researchers found that the brain uses different 'maps' to plan movements, depending on whether they are visually defined or performed in darkness. This discovery has important applications for robotics and developing machines to help paraplegics.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests that quitting smoking is associated with improved mental health, particularly reduced symptoms of depression. Researchers found that individuals who successfully quit smoking reported lower levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who did not quit or relapsed.
Physicists at the University of Toronto and Rutgers University have successfully recreated a supernova explosion in a laboratory setting. The experiment, led by Michael Rogers, involved triggering a chemical reaction that generated a miniaturized version of the explosive process seen in stars.
Scientists have found a bacterium that can grow using arsenic instead of phosphorus, challenging our understanding of life's chemical requirements. This discovery expands the scope of the search for life beyond Earth and suggests that alternative forms of life might exist in unusual environments.
The Iowa State team developed a process for producing a thin and uniform light-absorbing layer on textured substrates that improves the efficiency of polymer solar cells by increasing light absorption. Tests showed a 20% increase in power conversion efficiency and a 100% increase in light captured at the red/near infrared band edge.
Researchers at UCLA found that the protein Bmi-1 plays a crucial role in regulating self-renewal of normal prostate stem cells and transforming healthy cells into prostate cancer cells. Inhibiting Bmi-1 slowed the growth of aggressive prostate cancer in animal models.
Research suggests that moderate energy drink consumption can enhance behavioral control, but increased caffeine intake leads to decreased mental fatigue and impaired cognitive performance. Additionally, the study found that adolescents who consumed more caffeine had higher diastolic blood pressure and ate more high-sugar snack foods.
The Cervical Cancer-Free America program aims to raise awareness and increase screenings for cervical cancer, targeting disadvantaged communities. With the support of a $150,000 grant, Indiana will implement initiatives to reduce HPV infection rates and increase vaccination rates, ultimately aiming to eliminate cervical cancer.
Researchers plan an international project to analyze cancer-related proteins, enabling tailored treatments. The initiative could lead to improved treatment outcomes within 5 years of completion.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that people with alcohol disorders are 60% less likely to seek treatment if they perceive negative stigma. Younger individuals, men, and those with lower income reported higher levels of stigma, leading to reduced treatment utilization.
UCLA is leading a $8.4 million DARPA-funded project to develop ultra-low power, non-volatile logic technologies. The research will explore materials, design, fabrication and tools for such technologies with broad implications across various fields including electronics, sensors and computing.
Researchers at SomaLogic describe a breakthrough technology that detects biomarkers for lung cancer in its early stages, revealing the presence of a panel of 12 proteins. The SOMAmer technology enables accurate detection and measurement of proteins in just a few drops of blood.
A new study by the University of Maryland suggests that rewarding eco-friendly farmers with financial incentives can help reduce fertilizer run-off and capture carbon dioxide, both contributing to combating climate change. By setting up a 'nutrient trading market,' farmers can earn credits for using best practices, which can then be so...
Researchers estimate global media consumption will drive 2,570 exabytes of data per year by 2030. To achieve renewable energy infrastructure, a 60-performance improvement in efficiency is needed, potentially reached by 2021. Behaviour change strategies like reducing digital waste and persuasive web design can reduce overall demand.
Researchers will sample over 250 sites in southeastern New Hampshire and Maine's tributaries to pinpoint high nitrate concentration sources. The goal is to develop effective management strategies targeting nitrogen reduction in Great Bay.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that celecoxib, a widely used arthritis drug, significantly reduces non-melanoma skin cancers. The medication achieved a 68% reduction in basal cell carcinomas and a 58% reduction in squamous cell carcinomas among high-risk patients.
A panel of experts addressed safety concerns in medical imaging, highlighting the risks associated with excessive radiation exposure. The Image Wisely initiative aims to educate patients and professionals on the benefits and risks of medical imaging.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has shown that individually tailored dietary treatment for acutely hospitalized elderly can significantly reduce mortality rates. The study found a 64% decrease in death rates among those receiving intensive nutritional treatment compared to the control group.
A Spanish Oncology study has established a new standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer, reducing the risk of recurrence by 32% in women with high-risk but node-negative disease. The treatment, which combines docetaxel with cyclophosphamide, was found to improve disease-free survival and overall quality of life.
A new study predicts where neutron star mergers are likely to occur in the local galactic neighborhood, providing valuable information for researchers at gravitational-wave detectors. The predictions suggest that astronomers might not want to look in the nearest galaxies for optical counterparts of gravitational waves.
Exposure to community violence is pervasive among urban youth, who adopt coping strategies such as associating with non-violent friends or avoiding situations where violence may erupt. Achievement in school is a common pathway for some youth to escape violent environments and improve their future prospects.
AnaLisa DiFeo will investigate microRNA profiles and their association with chemotherapy sensitivity in ovarian cancer tumors. Her research aims to identify new drug targets for overcoming chemoresistance and improving treatment outcomes.
A new study analyzes where and how governments worldwide censor the web, revealing stark differences in levels of control. The analysis shows that countries with democratic systems have minimal or no censorship, while authoritarian regimes impose extensive restrictions.
Researchers have determined the atomic-scale arrangement of proteins in a virus structure that enables it to invade and fuse with host cells. The findings show how the structure morphs in response to changing acidity, exposing a portion required for fusion with the cell membrane.
Researchers identified top 100 known insect pests most likely to establish in the US and individual states, finding that many pests are missing from neighboring states. The study found significant negative relationships between state size, biodiversity, domestic air passengers, and GDP and absent pest species.
Infants demonstrate ability to compare quantities, such as liquids, with research finding they choose larger amount in food-related tasks. This contradicts previous studies suggesting infants are unable to quantify non-cohesive substances.
Researchers discover that infection with Trichuris trichiura eggs increases mucus production in the colon, providing symptomatic relief from ulcerative colitis. The study identifies a shift from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory immune cells, paving the way for potential helminth therapy.