CoRoT-7 b is a rocky planet circling a star 480 light years from Earth, with temperatures above 4,000 degrees F on its surface and potentially hosting multiple volcanoes due to its close orbit. Its extreme volcanic activity makes it unlikely to harbor life.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a molecular worm algorithm to automatically analyze structures, speeding up material screening. The algorithm provides a realistic depiction of molecule geometry, allowing for more accurate predictions of catalysis and chemical reactions.
A team of astronomers has detected a population of compact and ultra-blue galaxies from 13 billion years ago, just 600 to 800 million years after the Big Bang. The newly found objects are crucial for understanding the evolution of the first stars and galaxies.
A recent study found that repeated liver stiffness measurements can accurately detect severity of fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C recurrence after a liver transplant. Slow 'fibrosers' progressed at the same rate as non-HCV LT patients, while rapid 'fibrosers' showed significant fibrosis and portal hypertension early on.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered that genetic rogue elements in 'junk DNA' are more common in breast cancer cells. The elements, produced by DNA sequences called LINE-1, can sabotage normal cell function and may play a role in cancer progression.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that 14.9% of children in hurricane-affected areas suffered from serious emotional disturbances, including depression, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties.
The study found that when gesture and speech convey the same information, they are easier to understand than when they convey different information. This suggests that gesture and speech form an integrated system that helps us in language comprehension.
A recent study by Queen's University researchers reveals that sharing a hospital room significantly increases the risk of acquiring serious infectious diseases like C. difficile. The study concludes that private rooms are safer and should be considered for future hospital design.
A University of Rochester Medical Center study found a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased cardiac deaths among blacks compared to whites. Researchers suggest that boosting vitamin D levels safely through supplements may be an effective way to intervene.
A new study suggests that fat mass is essential for increasing bone size and thickness in girls, particularly during puberty. The research found that excessive reduction of fat mass in girls may increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life. In contrast, lean mass has a stronger impact on bone development in boys.
A new study has strengthened a family-strengthening intervention program, showing improved parental anger control and more positive relationships with children. The adapted program aims to prevent poor outcomes in teens, such as substance use and risky behavior.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have devised a new solar pond distillation system that uses patented membrane distillation and renewable energy to produce freshwater. The system has shown high success in lab experiments and is expected to provide a sustainable solution for terminus lakes around the world.
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found that antidepressant medications provide substantial benefit for patients with very severe depression, but little to no benefit for those with mild or moderate symptoms. The study suggests that the efficacy of these medications largely depends on the severity of depression symptoms.
A new study reveals how the ATP-sensitive potassium channel affects food intake and energy balance, pointing to a potential pathway for managing and preventing obesity. Disrupting the channel's function in mice led to reduced fat deposition and increased energy efficiency, but also impaired endurance.
A worldwide study analyzed data from 69 countries and found small but significant gender differences in math skills, with girls performing as well as boys when given the right educational tools. The research highlights the need for schools, teachers, and families to encourage girls' math learning.
GenoCAD, a web-based Computer Assisted Design environment for synthetic biology, is being developed as an open-source software project. The system will facilitate collaboration among developers from different institutions without intellectual property issues.
The NASA Deep Impact spacecraft has captured videos of sun glints from space, indicating the presence of large bodies of water on Earth. The observations provide a way to detect planets beyond our solar system that are likely to have expanses of liquid, increasing the chances of finding life.
A study published in Hepatology found that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus who consumed more than 308mg of caffeine daily had milder liver fibrosis. The protective effect was greatest when caffeine came from coffee sources, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit for moderate coffee consumption.
Astronomers using Hubble Ultra Deep Field have discovered the most distant galaxies in the universe, dating back 13 billion years. The findings provide key insights into the formation of galaxies and the early universe.
Researchers calculate that QALYs lost due to obesity are now equal to those lost due to smoking, both modifiable risk factors. This increase in burden is attributed to the growing proportion of obese individuals, which resulted in 0.0464 QALYs lost per population.
A new study by Brown University finds that Hispanic elderly are more likely than whites to live in poor-quality nursing homes, facing structural problems, staffing issues, and financial trouble. The research highlights the need for better quality care and policy changes to address these disparities.
Galapagos finches develop antibodies against two parasites that invaded the islands, suggesting they can fight off alien invaders. The immune system recognizes these parasites and produces specific antibodies, which may help the birds resist the threats.
A new study found that HIV-infected postmenopausal women have a high prevalence of low bone mineral density and high bone turnover, increasing their risk for future bone fractures. The study suggests that estrogen deficiency may play a role in the accelerated bone loss in these women.
Researchers find that muscles with inefficient energy-burning mechanisms contribute to obesity, proposing a potential anti-obesity strategy involving muscle-targeted treatments. Regular activity or exercise may increase muscle calorie burn, aiding weight control.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that controls energy expenditure in muscles and helps determine body weight. This discovery could lead to a new medical approach in treating obesity by targeting the ATP-sensitive potassium channel function in muscle tissue.
The new Hubble image showcases over 12 billion years of cosmic history, from star birth to galaxy assembly. The image combines multiple colors to reveal details about galaxy distances and stellar populations.
A study published by The Translational Genomics Research Institute found that circumcision significantly alters the bacterial communities of the penis, reducing anaerobic bacteria and increasing aerobic bacteria. This change may contribute to lower HIV risk and protection against bacterial vaginosis in women.
A Phase II study found celecoxib effective in reducing basal cell carcinoma development in patients with Gorlin syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The drug showed promise as a chemoprevention therapy for this population.
Astronomers found that only 10 percent of stars host planetary systems similar to our own, with several gas giant planets in the outer part of the system. The discovery was made using gravitational microlensing and is based on 10 years' worth of data from the MicroFUN survey.
Recent IOM guidelines recommend obese women gain more weight, contradicting research that shows higher BMI levels are associated with severe medical conditions. Obese pregnant women can safely limit weight gain through a nutrient-rich diet and physical activity under doctor guidance.
Astronomers have created a breakthrough in finding natural cosmic tools to detect gravitational waves. Gamma-ray telescopes have guided radio astronomers to specific locations in the sky where they can discover new millisecond pulsars, which can serve as precise and stable clocks for detecting gravitational waves.
Recent systematic reviews indicate that psychological debriefing of adults does not prevent post-traumatic stress disorder and may even increase the risk. Two programs offering Psychological First Aid and cognitive behavioral support show promise of effectiveness in preventing PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.
A new study found that restaurant meals contained an average of 18% more calories than stated on nutritional labels, while frozen meals averaged 8% more. The discrepancy can lead to inaccurate calorie tracking and reduced weight loss benefits.
Researchers at WPI are working on advanced prosthetic limbs that can be fully integrated with the body and nervous system, enabling more independent lives for those with amputations. The $1.6 million allocation will fund work on neural control for prosthetics, aiming to regenerate nerves and connect limbs directly to the brain.
Researchers examined erosion rates along a Scandinavian Ice Sheet margin over the past 2.7 million years, finding higher delivery rates for the most recent 600,000 years. In another study, ancient river sediments preserved records of California's topography and climate during intense global warming 50 million years ago.
Dr. David Vaccari, Stevens Institute of Technology associate professor and director of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering Department, received the 2009 Educator of the Year Award from New Jersey ACEC for his positive impact on the engineering profession.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that most breast cancer surgeons' practices do not meet quality care standards. Only about one-third of surgeons reported offering patient education resources and connecting patients with peers.
An online intervention platform, CheckYourDrinking.net, has been shown to reduce problem alcohol use by 30% in a Canadian study. The platform provides personalized feedback and motivation tools to help users change their drinking behaviors.
A systematic review found IAD to be as effective as continuous androgen deprivation while improving survival rates and sexual potency. The approach has been a valid treatment option for nonmetastatic PCa cases, offering key tolerability and quality of life benefits.
The researchers are developing high-level policy languages and verification techniques to ensure secure information flow in complex systems. Their tools provide graphical visualizations of information flow behavior, allowing designers and auditors to quickly understand a system's security protocols. The goal is to enable rapid informat...
The study found that all three groups demonstrated improvements in physical function tests and decreased self-reported pain and disability. Self-management programs showed the highest compliance rates, leading researchers to suggest they may be an equally effective early treatment for knee OA.
Researchers have identified a leptin-controlled gene that can reverse diabetes in animals and may have similar therapeutic effects in humans. The study found that low levels of leptin can correct insulin resistance and diabetes without causing significant weight loss.
A new UK study has found no evidence of the XMRV virus in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), contradicting previous findings that suggested a link. The research suggests that CFS treatment using anti-retroviral drugs may not be effective.
Researchers found that expressing mutant DISC1 during prenatal periods, postnatal periods, or both led to distinct brain alterations and behaviors resembling schizophrenia or mood disorders. The study suggests that manipulating DISC1 expression timing may help develop new therapies for psychiatric disorders.
Radio astronomers discovered 17 millisecond pulsars using Fermi's high-energy sources, which could be used to detect gravitational waves. These pulsars are nature's most precise clocks, with long-term stability that rivals human-made atomic clocks.
A NASA scientist has added an experiment to the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument, enhancing its ability to analyze large carbon molecules. The experiment aims to preserve information on how organic molecules formed, shedding light on the planet's carbon cycle.
The western corn rootworm beetle can survive on Miscanthus x giganteus, a potential biofuels crop grown alongside corn. This finding could impact corn production and lead to devastating consequences if the plant becomes a vast reservoir of rootworm beetles.
A three-year data analysis of 175 fields in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota revealed the most troublesome weeds and their relationships with sweet corn yield. The study identified factors such as interrow cultivation, planting dates, and water supply as key determinants of crop success.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a magnetic 'ferropaper' made from ordinary paper that can be used to make low-cost micromotors, tiny tweezers, and miniature speakers. The material is impregnated with iron oxide nanoparticles and can be controlled using a magnetic field.
Researchers discover unique structure in viral protein Rev, allowing it to penetrate nucleus and nucleoli. This finding opens new avenues for studying the relationship between protein localization and host cell impact.
A new investigational agent YC137 was found to restore sensitivity of breast cancer cells to treatment by fulvestrant, a commonly used drug for estrogen-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. The study suggests that using an agent that can hit multiple Bcl2 proteins will be more effective in overcoming tumor resistance.
Researchers have developed an early warning system to defend rare Jersey cows against the spread of bluetongue disease. By analyzing meteorological data and midge activity, the team can predict when the disease-carrying midges are likely to reach the UK and Channel Islands.
A study found that almost 1 in 5 pregnant women receive 4 or more ultrasounds, despite guidelines recommending only two. This increase is more pronounced in low-risk pregnancies, highlighting the need to review current practices.
Researchers have developed a new survival prediction equation for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), improving upon an outdated NIH equation. The new formula shows vastly improved survival rates, highlighting the need for accurate hemodynamic assessment.
A recent scientific conference highlighted the effects of unseasonal summer storms on UK marine life, including a surge in deadly jellyfish and rare seabird sightings. The event brought together representatives from various sectors to discuss conservation measures and environmental change.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a way to propel microscopic worms using an electric field, enabling high-throughput micro-screening devices for drug discovery. The technique demonstrates movement of worms forward and in reverse guided by the direction of the electric field, allowing for rapid screening of chemicals an...
Researchers found that pomegranate's ellagitannins can suppress estrogen production, inhibiting the growth of hormone-responsive breast cancers. The study suggests that consuming more pomegranates or exploring their juice as a potential preventive agent may have benefits.
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research suggests that topical application of celecoxib may prevent basal cell carcinoma. The research found that celecoxib reduced the growth of skin tumors by 50% and tumor burden in patients with a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Researchers found that MyoD activates CDC6 expression to promote rapid proliferation of muscle stem cells. The study suggests a new mechanism for muscle regeneration and highlights the importance of transcription factors in controlling cell cycle progression.
The PARASOL satellite has been maneuvered to leave its position within the A-Train constellation, a group of five NASA satellites orbiting the Earth in close proximity. The move will enable data sharing with other satellites while leaving a temporary data gap that will be filled by Glory's launch in 2010.