A UCLA study found that college graduates from underprivileged backgrounds are up to 10 times more likely to volunteer than their non-college-educated counterparts. In contrast, advantaged graduates show a five-fold increase in volunteering rates compared to non-college graduates.
Researchers from Kansas State University have identified three resistance genes in rice that can be mutated to build resistance against pathogens. They discovered these genes by studying how bacteria take over plant nutrients, providing insight into ways to reduce crop losses and develop new medicinal research avenues.
Scientists identified key aspects of musical performance that cause emotion-related brain activity, including tempo changes and human touch. The study used fMRI neuroimaging to examine brain activity in response to music, finding increased neural activation in experienced listeners.
Researchers found that women who consume a diet high in allium vegetables like garlic have lower levels of hip osteoarthritis. The study also identified compounds in garlic that may limit cartilage-damaging enzymes, suggesting potential for future treatments and prevention.
Researchers have demonstrated a device that controls electron spin motion without generating net electric currents. The spin ratchet concept could enable efficient spin-based data storage and processing, reducing energy consumption and heat generation.
The Elsevier Foundation has awarded grants to institutions in Africa and Asia for projects focusing on telemedicine, infrastructure-building, and the preservation of primary source content. The grants aim to improve access to health information and support global health development.
Researchers found that wind turbines increase airflow over nearby crops, keeping them cooler during hot days and warmer at night. This could lead to improved crop yields, reduced moisture levels and increased carbon dioxide absorption.
A recent study from the University of North Carolina found that widely used histone antibodies may not always recognize their intended targets, but instead bind to other sites. The researchers used a new approach to generate modified histone proteins and tested commercial antibodies, which often showed off-target binding issues.
A new study finds that dendritic cells play a key role in amplifying autoimmune disease, specifically systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The research suggests that depleting dendritic cells may be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating SLE and potentially other autoimmune diseases.
A team of researchers from Brandeis University and University of Nevada, Reno has discovered genes in C. elegans that exhibit gene expression oscillations with 24-hour cycles, shedding light on the mammalian circadian clock. This finding has significant implications for studying human disease genes through corresponding worm genes.
A new study on a woman without an amygdala, a key structure in generating fear reactions, reveals that humans also lack this function. Despite encountering traumatic events, she experiences little to no fear, while still feeling other emotions like happiness and sadness.
Researchers at Arizona State University have identified a broad panel of 28 early predictors, or biomarkers, that may aid in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The biomarkers were specific to breast cancer patients and not found in healthy women or those with benign breast disease.
Researchers identify genetic alterations in medulloblastoma tumors, including mutations in tumor suppressor genes MLL2 and MLL3. This could lead to the development of targeted therapies for children with this type of brain cancer.
Research indicates that without Social Security, half of women aged 65+ would live in poverty. With the program, the poverty rate drops to 12%. The new publication highlights the importance of Social Security for women's financial security and provides recommendations for restoring solvency.
Researchers create four new systems: hybrid yielding, standard augmented, advanced augmented, and collapse prevention, to control damage and provide life-safety for any size of earthquake. These systems use visco-elastic dampers and metallic yielding devices to minimize residual deformations.
A study found that living within 309 meters of a freeway at birth was associated with a two-fold increase in autism risk. Air pollution exposure during pregnancy has been linked to physical and developmental effects on the fetus in other studies.
The measured magnetic field strength of 25 Gauss is significantly stronger than the 5-Gauss weak field or the 100-Gauss strong field that would imply large radioactive decay contributions. The result constrains heat sources in the core, with the outer core likely producing 60% of the planet's power.
A new report concludes that electronic cigarettes are much safer than real cigarettes, with carcinogen levels up to 1,000 times lower. The study found e-cigarettes to be comparable in toxicity to conventional nicotine replacement products, offering a potential alternative to tobacco cigarettes.
A long-term study found that children exposed to head and neck radiation have a lifelong increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. The study, published in Radiation Research, indicates that even low doses of radiation can increase the risk, and that this risk continues for at least 57 years.
Researchers at the University of Utah have successfully stored information in atomic nuclei for 112 seconds, a major breakthrough towards developing faster quantum computers. The new technique uses magnetic 'spins' in the centers of atoms to store and read data electronically.
New technique sheds light on 4.5 billion-year-old event; iron takes elongated form at high pressure, forming channels instead of isolated spheres.
Researchers at Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory are developing designer optical materials that can refract light in a negative angle, enabling control over light like semiconductors control electricity. These materials have the potential to create flat superlenses with superior resolution for biomedical applications.
Researchers at Duke Cancer Institute discover a way to prevent the development of invadopodia structures that enable cancer cells to spread. By blocking Abl and Arg kinases, they also eliminate protein function that burns through tissue, allowing cancer cells to enter new cells.
A study by German researchers discovered a link between the PNPLA3 gene and liver cirrhosis in Caucasian alcoholics, revealing that those carrying a specific genetic variant may be at a higher risk of developing the condition. The study found that up to 50% of these high-risk individuals may progress to cirrhosis.
The UK is experiencing a resurgence of tuberculosis, with London accounting for over 40% of all TB cases. The disease is concentrated in high-risk groups, including migrants, homeless people, and prisoners. Experts call for urgent recommendations to be implemented to control the spread.
Laurence Littenberg, Brookhaven Lab physicist, wins W.K.H. Panofsky Prize for discovering a rare kaon decay with a probability of one in ten billion. This achievement sheds light on the universe's fundamental forces and basic building blocks, as explained by the Standard Model.
Scientists have discovered a class of materials that can convert heat to electricity and vice versa exhibit an 'opposite-direction' phase transition at the nanoscale in response to temperature changes. This phenomenon is linked to the emergence of fluctuating dipoles, which impede the movement of heat through the material.
A UCLA-led study found nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke died or were rehospitalized within a year. Hospital mortality and readmission rates varied widely nationwide, indicating opportunities to improve stroke care.
Autism Speaks has awarded $2.309,233 in funding for 21 new research grants over three years, including pilot projects and special research initiatives. The grants focus on epigenetic and gene-environment influences, neurobiology, and studies concerning adolescents and adults with autism.
A recent study found that nearly 30% of new genes in fruit flies were lethal when silenced, suggesting that new genes are equally important to older genes. The discovery challenges long-held beliefs about the importance of ancient genes and may have implications for human health.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona discovered 200 new protein interactions that could be linked to Alzheimer's disease, bringing the total number of interactions to 6000. The study reveals new molecular mechanisms, including oxidative stress and inflammation, which may play a role in the development of the disease.
Researchers are developing a robotic system that combines real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a highly flexible robotic device to perform cardiothoracic surgeries on beating hearts. This minimally invasive approach aims to increase precision and reduce trauma, leading to faster recovery times.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that genetic traits are linked to difficult students' inherited characteristics, which affect teacher effort and classroom behavior. The researchers used a twin study of over 1,100 pairs of British twins to identify heritable factors influencing challenging student behavior.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that emotional intelligence increases in older adults, enabling them to see the positive side of stressful situations and empathize with others. This ability is linked to social relationships and caring for others.
Researchers found that a slight rise in PSA levels among men taking dutasteride was a stronger indicator of prostate cancer than rising PSA levels in men on a placebo. The study suggests that the drug enhances the ability to detect high-grade cancers, making the PSA test more effective for early diagnosis and treatment.
A head-to-head trial found that the adjuvanted split-virus vaccine achieved a more rapid and stronger immune response than the whole-virus vaccine. In young adults, a single dose of the adjuvanted vaccine induced early seroprotection within one week, suggesting potential for reduced dosing frequency.
Researchers at NJIT's ADVANCE project mapped faculty social networks to identify hidden gender patterns and ways to overcome them. The study revealed that women faculty who are connected to well-connected colleagues are more likely to achieve career success.
Shinya Yamanaka and Rudolf Jaenisch receive the prestigious award for their groundbreaking work on induced pluripotent stem cells, revolutionizing regenerative medicine. The MGH recognizes their contributions to unlocking new treatments for human diseases.
A comprehensive medical education reform significantly improves failure rates of the Step 1 licensing exam and increases graduation rates among underrepresented minority medical students. The integrated curriculum shows a nearly 70% decrease in failure rates and a 94% decrease in failure rates for African American students.
The 'Older People's Use of Unfamiliar Space' project examines strategies used by older people to find their way in unfamiliar spaces. Designing outdoor spaces that are more easily navigable and walkable is crucial in reducing stress levels, with buildings and landmarks serving as key navigational aids.
Researchers have uncovered two photographic images of native Americans from the Amazon region, which were taken by John Thomson in 1911. The images depict the subjects naked to the waist and are part of a broader tradition of imperial photography that sought to document human 'types'.
Researchers have created a more accurate seismic model to detect nuclear explosions and differentiate them from natural events. The model spans the complex tectonic region of Turkey to India, and will improve location and characterization of seismic events while reducing errors.
A three-year study found that withdrawn children showed increasing levels of sadness and depressive feelings over time. In contrast, children with friends were less likely to report depressed feelings, suggesting that friendship can be a protective factor against depression in this population.
Researchers found radiofrequency ablation to be a safe and effective therapy for managing hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. The procedure resulted in high complete response rates, with 98.5% of patients achieving disease-free status.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded $1.4 million to Repligen to complete preclinical work and initiate human clinical trials of a promising therapeutic compound for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The grant will enable the company to move its lead compound, RG3039, into phase I trials in healthy volunteers and patients with SMA.
Researchers found that prions can adapt and change their properties when transferred between cell lines, evolving into more effective strains. The study suggests the normal prion protein may be an effective therapeutic target for diseases like BSE and CWD.
A mechanical device that operates in the quantum realm has been developed by researchers from the University of California at Santa Barbara. This innovation extends quantum mechanics into a whole new realm and opens up possibilities for controlling light, electrical currents, and motion.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have begun testing mecasermin, a drug that may reverse features of Rett syndrome by enhancing synapse maturation. The three-year pilot study aims to improve neurodevelopment and cardiorespiratory function in girls with the condition.
23andMe is conducting a web-based research project to validate its platform for pharmacogenomics research, with a goal of identifying novel genetic associations for drug response. The study aims to replicate previously known associations and search for unknown genetic factors related to response to three classes of drugs.
Mount Sinai researchers create mouse model to investigate the impact of a single SHANK3 gene mutation on nerve cell communication and social behavior. The study identifies impaired communication and altered plasticity in nerve cells, providing critical insight into the development of autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers found that cystatin C is more accurate than creatinine in predicting serious complications of kidney disease, including death and cardiovascular disease. A new test using cystatin C may be used to confirm or stage chronic kidney disease.
A new genetic biomarker indicates an increased risk for developing breast cancer is present in an individual's non-coding DNA, particularly in a repetitive microsatellite sequence. The study found that patients with more than 13 copies of this repeat have a cancer susceptibility rate three times higher than those without.
Kieran T. Bhatia, a meteorology and physical oceanography doctoral student, has been awarded the 12th annual Alumni Fellow at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School. The fellowship provides tuition and stipend support for his graduate career. Bhatia is working on research related to hurricane dynamics and development.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that 75% of children consume caffeine daily, with more caffeine associated with less sleep. Researchers also discovered no link between caffeine and bedwetting in children.
A new blood test has been identified as an effective way to measure individuals at increased risk of developing kidney disease complications. The study found that measuring cystatin C can accurately identify those with impaired kidney function and distinguish them from those with low risk.
Primary care providers experience stress and guilt when managing chronic pain, often feeling ineffective and frustrated. Strategies to ease these frustrations are crucial for improving pain management from both patient and provider perspectives.
A study of over 29,796 dialysis patients found that naturally high hemoglobin levels were not associated with increased mortality. In fact, the researchers discovered that patients with higher hemoglobin concentrations had a similar risk of dying as those with lower levels, after adjusting for other factors.
A study found that primate immune system differences explain why humans are more susceptible to certain viral infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B. Genomic comparisons revealed unique gene expression patterns in humans compared to chimpanzees and rhesus macaques.
Harvard researchers have developed a new approach to scholarship using digitized books as a digital 'fossil record' of human culture. By tracking word frequencies over time, they can quantify cultural trends, revealing findings such as the rise of new words, forgetting of past references, and changes in celebrity fame.
A UCSF team found that the human fetal immune system arises from a different source than the adult immune system and is more tolerant of foreign substances. This discovery may help explain why many infants born to HIV-positive mothers are not infected with the disease.