A University of Georgia study has found that monarch butterflies from long-distance migrating populations have evolved significantly larger and more elongated wings than their stationary cousins. This suggests that traits known to enhance flight ability in other migratory species are favored in these insects.
New data provides conclusive evidence that a link between the exploration well and the Lusi mud volcano was the trigger for the 2006 eruption. The scientists found five critical drilling errors that led to the disaster, including pulling the drill string out of an unstable hole without verifying a stable mud column.
A complex dietary supplement has been developed to offset ageing processes in mice by increasing energy supply and reducing free radicals. The formula maintains youthful levels of locomotor activity into old age, preventing key symptoms of ageing.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a versatile DNA reader that can distinguish between the four core chemical components of DNA. The device uses nanotechnology and scanning tunneling microscopes to detect unique electrical signatures from each base, enabling faster and cheaper genome sequencing.
Patients admitted to high-intensity end-of-life care hospitals live longer than those with low-intensity approaches, according to a University of Pittsburgh study. The researchers found a survival benefit up to 30 days post-admission, but this benefit decreased over time.
Researchers at Queen's University have developed a new calibration curve that extends radiocarbon dating back 50,000 years, providing valuable insights into human evolution and climate change. The INTCAL09 curve improves earlier parts of the calibration curve and will be used worldwide by archaeologists and earth scientists.
A new study published in PLoS ONE suggests that badger culling is unlikely to be a cost-effective way of helping control cattle TB in Britain. The research found that the benefits of repeated widespread badger culling disappear within four years after the culling has ended, resulting in significant financial losses for farmers.
A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that women with type 2 diabetes who take thiazolidinediones are at a higher risk for developing bone fractures. Women over 65 years old were shown to be particularly susceptible, with a 50% increased risk after one year of treatment.
A study found that over 50,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans received a new PTSD diagnosis, yet fewer than 30% completed the recommended 10-12 weekly sessions. Factors such as age, sex, and rural residence also affected treatment outcomes.
The Biathlon event demands high aerobic capacity and motor functions, yet faces limitations in respiratory system performance at high-altitude and cold conditions. Understanding these challenges is crucial for elite winter athletes to optimize their performance.
A study has identified three genes associated with stuttering in volunteers from Pakistan, the US, and England. Mutations in these genes have been linked to other metabolic disorders, suggesting a possible inherited component to stuttering.
Researchers found that pre-pregnancy obesity increases risk of medically-indicated preterm birth, while underweight also raises the risk. Optimal pregnancy weight gain within recommended guidelines reduces preterm birth risk in obese women.
Researchers aim to improve understanding of earthquake mechanisms and volcanic eruptions using highly complex calculations on supercomputers. The QUEST project will provide a more detailed picture of the Earth's internal structure, enabling better modeling of earthquake scenarios.
Researchers develop new climate modeling process that considers greenhouse gas emissions, projections of the Earth's climate, impacts of climate change, and human decision-making. The approach will influence the next international scientific assessment and provide tools for policymakers to deal with a shifting climate.
The USDA has completed sequencing the genome of Brachypodium distachyon, a wild grass similar to switchgrass, which will aid in developing more resilient and efficient biofuel crops. The study's findings may lead to improved disease resistance, drought tolerance, and cell wall composition for better ethanol production.
People with generalized anxiety disorder have abnormalities in brain emotion regulation, affecting response to negative stimuli. This study's findings may lead to more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options.
A Queen's University study found that one quarter of Ontario hospitals lack pandemic plans, with few existing plans having been tested. Small and rural hospitals are particularly vulnerable due to staff expertise shortages.
The report highlights the impact of social science research on policies addressing crime prevention, education, and re-employment, as well as healthy diets and child wellbeing. A panel of MPs will discuss the challenges facing the future of social science research and its role in bridging evidence gaps.
The complete genome sequence of Brachypodium distachyon has been analyzed, providing insights into how grass genomes evolve and expand. The compact genome is being used to navigate the larger and more complex genomes of wheat and barley.
Researchers at Imperial College London have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to new treatments for conditions like deep vein thrombosis and haemophilia A. The study found that factor VIII, a key protein in blood clotting, is produced by lung blood vessels rather than just the liver.
A recent study by George Mason University researchers found that physicians do not provide more services to Medicare patients due to lower Medicare fees. Instead, the study reveals that profitable services are provided more often and less profitable services less often.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that electronic cigarettes fail to deliver nicotine, with participants experiencing no significant increase in nicotine levels or heart rate. The research emphasizes the need for regulation and labeling of these products to protect consumers' welfare and rights.
Researchers found that patients with type-2 diabetes struggled with impulse control, particularly resisting high-fat food cues. Cognitive impairment of impulsivity control was the primary explanation for this inability, contributing to chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
Research by University of Chicago and Arizona State University found that nearly 27% of Mexican-Americans met national physical activity goals, with lower rates among whites and blacks
A new FDA-approved stent graft keeps blood vessels open longer in dialysis patients, reducing the need for repeated invasive procedures and cost savings. The study found that patients with the stent were more than twice as likely to have open vessels after six months.
Researchers developed a new approach to track mercury's movement through Arctic ecosystems using a 'fingerprint' method. The study confirmed mass-independent fractionation occurs during sunlight-driven reactions in snow, allowing for the estimation of mercury loss and retention.
The American Psychiatric Association released proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The revisions include new categories for learning disorders and autism spectrum disorders, as well as the addition of dimensional assessments to evaluate symptom severity...
A study published in PNAS found that genetics plays a role in the brain's back-burner setup for low-priority ideas. The default-mode network is linked to genetic factors, with over 40% of variance in functional connectivity under genetic control.
Ingrid Grummt, a renowned geneticist, has been awarded the 2010 FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award for her groundbreaking work on transcriptional regulation. The award recognizes not only her scientific achievements but also her commitment to mentoring and inspiring future generations of women in science.
A three-week course of accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation has been shown to be as safe and effective as the standard five-week regimen for women with early-stage breast cancer. The study, led by Dr. Tim Whelan, found that patients treated with this accelerated therapy had a low risk of side effects and recurrence of ...
The new genome sequence will aid in the development of improved varieties of wheat, oats, and barley, as well as switchgrass for biofuel production. The genome information is freely available to researchers worldwide, providing a valuable model for studying grasses.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of blood clots, even when not hospitalized. A new study found that IBD sufferers who manage their flare-ups outside the hospital environment are 16 times more likely to develop a blood clot than non-sufferers.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have successfully reconstructed an ancient human genome from a 4,000-year-old hair sample found in Greenland. The team's findings provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup and traits of the Inuk people, who were among the first to settle the New World Arctic.
A study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that specific histone modifications can predict prognosis and response to treatment in pancreatic cancer patients. The findings suggest that low levels of these modifications are associated with poor survival, while high levels may indicate a favorable response to chemotherapy.
The California Institute of Technology has received a $3.9 million estate gift from Edward and Ruth Hughes, which will be used to fund highly innovative research proposals and eight graduate research fellowships. The gift is supported by a matching grant of $2 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Matching Program.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with migraine are at an increased risk of heart attack and other risk factors for heart disease. The study involved 6,102 participants with migraine and 5,243 without, and found that those with migraines were nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to those without.
Children's response to intense sweet taste is linked to their family history of alcoholism and self-reported depression levels, revealing individual differences in liking for sweetness based on biology.
Researchers studying supra-glacial lakes on the Greenland ice sheet seek to understand their role in shaping the ice sheet's topography. The lakes form when melting water collects in pools in the lower levels of the ice sheet, and drain rapidly through cracks in the ice.
A new study reveals that wild female bats switch between clustering and torpor to minimize energy expenditure, with torpor use increasing post-lactation. This flexible strategy allows for optimal thermoregulation despite environmental changes.
Researchers have discovered a developmental delay in the brain circuit that processes sensory information in mice with fragile X syndrome, which is associated with hypersensitivity and social withdrawal. This delayed development may contribute to the sensory processing deficits seen in humans with fragile X syndrome.
The MilkyWay@Home project uses volunteer computers from around the world to study dwarf galaxy movements and provide new details on dark matter. The project, which began in 2006, has surpassed one petaflop of computing speed and is the fastest computing project on the BOINC platform.
A recent Brigham Young University study found that the Pension Bureau approved applications from uninjured white veterans at twice the rate of approval for uninjured black veterans. Black veterans faced significant challenges verifying their chronic illnesses, leading to lower approval rates.
Research on workers and residents exposed to World Trade Center dust and fumes found that 55% reported exposure and 43% experienced headaches in the four weeks prior to enrollment. Those with headaches were more likely to experience other physical symptoms, including wheezing and reflux disease.
A prospective birth cohort study of 5,991 children found that early childhood eczema was associated with increased risk of psychological abnormalities and emotional problems at age 10. Children with persistent eczema beyond the first two years were more likely to develop mental health issues.
Researchers at MDC developed a system to investigate ion channel function in mammals and block them with neurotoxins. They used genetic engineering to deliver toxin genes into neurons, enabling long-lasting investigation of ion channels and blockade of chronic pain.
Researchers highlight the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in preventing spontaneous preterm birth. A review article highlights family history, infection, stress, and genetics as risk factors for early birth.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered that HIV RNA in seminal plasma is transmitted during sex, not HIV DNA. This finding has significant implications for developing prevention strategies, including vaccines and microbicides to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted HIV.
Acquired prosopagnosia sufferers process faces as a whole, rather than in parts, according to new study findings. This 'locally restricted, serial processing style' is inefficient for certain types of information, hindering real-life face recognition.
A recent study found that the majority of TB-HIV co-infection cases in San Diego are now among Hispanics, highlighting a significant shift in the disease's ethnic makeup. The results emphasize the need for targeted binational prevention efforts to address the widening health disparities.
A University of Oregon team has isolated an independent channel in the brain's auditory cortex that deals specifically with shutting off sound processing at appropriate times. This finding supports an emerging theory that a separate set of synapses is responsible for both processing sounds and their disappearance.
The International Brachypodium Initiative has sequenced the genome of the wild grass Brachypodium distachyon, which shares features with major grass genomes. This provides a genomic navigation system for studying agronomic traits in wheat and barley genomes.
Researchers study how parents use feeding to soothe infant distress, exploring its relation to rapid weight gain in infancy and subsequent childhood obesity. The study examines the role of genetics and dopamine in the brain's reward system, potentially linking parent feeding practices to increased energy intake.
A new study has created a more accurate family tree for arthropods, including insects, crustaceans, and others. The research identified five newly discovered groupings, including remipedes as the closest living relatives of insects.
A new study found that migraine sufferers are at a doubled risk of heart attack compared to those without migraines. The research also reveals an increased likelihood of stroke and high cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Research finds that selective brain damage, particularly in parietal regions, can modulate human spirituality and religious attitudes. The study identified a causative link between specific brain lesions and changes in self-transcendence, a personality trait reflecting spiritual feeling and behavior.
A large multiple sclerosis study found that 62.5% of participants exhibited venous insufficiency, a condition linked to blood flow restrictions in the brain. The study suggests a potential association between CCSVI and MS disease progression.
The study found that maternal high blood pressure, high hematocrit levels, and smoking are associated with restricted fetal growth during the first trimester. This restriction is linked to an increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small size for gestational age at birth.
Scientists have identified a new target for cancer treatment, protein STAT3, in neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) patients. Blocking STAT3 slows tumor growth and increases cell death in mice, offering a promising approach to treat brain tumors.
Researchers found that a negative mood imparts a warm glow to familiar stimuli, while a happy mood eliminates this preference for familiarity. This discovery has applications in various fields, including parenting, marketing, and politics.
A study at the University of Granada found that role-playing games significantly improved secondary students' knowledge and healthy practice habits, while increasing their satisfaction with physical education. The game, 'The Guardian of Health,' used new information and communication technologies to engage students in learning.