A University of Minnesota expert warns that the Earth's environment is approaching a critical threshold due to climate change, species loss, and nitrogen pollution. The expert calls for immediate action to transition to low-carbon energy sources and revolutionize agricultural practices.
Immunologist Roberta Pelanda and her team found that immature B cells require a positive signal from the B-cell receptor to mature and enter the spleen. Protein Erk helps deliver this signal, enabling B cells to escape the bone marrow and contribute to immune defense.
Plant biologists at UC Davis have discovered a reliable method for producing plants that carry genetic material from only one parent, which could dramatically speed up the breeding of crop plants. The technique uses genome elimination to eliminate half the chromosomes, resulting in haploid plants that are immediately homozygous.
NASA satellites track Tropical Storm Omais in the Philippine Sea with maximum sustained winds near 46mph. The storm is expected to continue moving northwest and dissipate by the weekend.
A genome mapping technique has been demonstrated to speed up the process of finding specific genes by quickly identifying genetic associations. This method compares DNA sequences across multiple individuals and identifies similarities that narrow the scope of the search for a particular gene.
A study of 100 teen bloggers found that most used blogs to discuss positive activities like studying, spending time with family, and going to church. The teens' blog posts showed little evidence of risky behaviors, with only a few instances of complaining about boredom or feeling negative emotions.
A new model forecasts Atlantic croaker population increases and shifts due to climate change, with potential for higher yields. The study demonstrates the importance of considering environmental factors in fisheries management.
Researchers have developed biocompatible flexible electronics that can map large areas of tissue at once, monitoring electricity coursing through a beating heart. The technology has the potential to redefine design strategies for advanced surgical devices and implants.
Older adults remember past experiences positively due to strong brain connections between emotion and memory regions. In contrast, young adults lack these connections, making it harder to recall positive events.
Researchers found that pandemic influenza viruses from 1918 and 2009 share a structural detail that makes them susceptible to neutralization by the same antibodies. Vaccination with either virus can generate cross-reactive antibodies capable of neutralizing the other virus.
Researchers developed a vaccine targeting an abnormal protein MUC1, found in both IBD and colon cancer. The vaccine delayed IBD development and reduced inflammation, reducing cancer risk.
Researchers found that image recognition and memories are stronger when neurons fire in sync with local theta waves during the learning process. The study also established a direct relationship between individual neuron spike timing relative to theta oscillations and human behavior.
John Tate has made significant contributions to the field of algebraic number theory and arithmetic geometry. His work has resulted in the creation of fundamental concepts and the development of lasting impact on modern mathematics.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered how two proteins manipulate nerve cells to send pain signals, offering a new target for painkillers. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and safer pain treatments by targeting peripheral nervous system.
Scientists have developed a revolutionary technology to produce isoprene, a key tire ingredient, from renewable biomass sources such as sugar cane and switchgrass. This innovation aims to reduce the tire industry's reliance on crude oil and create a more sustainable future.
A team of scientists predicts that warmer temperatures in the Arctic will create challenges for seabirds' nesting habits. The study found that increasing storm events, heavy fog, and wet snow will impact birds adapted to cold, dry summers, making them more susceptible to mortality.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have found that migratory birds prefer certain fruits rich in antioxidants and pigments. This study may provide insights into how humans can prevent disease through diet. The discovery highlights a potential partnership between plants and birds, where berries are eaten and seeds are dispersed.
Patients with metastatic breast cancer expect to prolong life by at least a year over current therapies, whereas doctors consider four to six months of additional survival significant. Thorough discussion of treatment goals is essential for both groups.
Research by University of Arizona's Lan Nguyen Chaplin finds that supportive parents and peers decrease teen materialism. Teens with emotionally supported parents and peers are less materialistic.
A Johns Hopkins team identified a class of chemical compounds that selectively slow down a tuberculosis protein's activity and block TB growth. The MetAP inhibitors have the potential to enhance existing therapy by targeting an essential enzyme in the bacteria's survival.
Researchers have discovered a new material that can remove up to 90% of carbon dioxide from flue gases, offering a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The material, derived from aminosilicones found in hair conditioners and fabric softeners, is cheaper and more efficient than current technologies.
A study found that hand and feet massages provided consolation to 18 bereaved relatives, reducing feelings of loneliness and empty space. The massages helped participants balance grief with adapting to life after loss, promoting physical touch and closeness.
Researchers at Brown University have identified how protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) regulates substrate proteins by binding to specific sites, increasing specificity and reducing errors. This discovery sheds light on the enzyme's critical role in various diseases, including cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers identify zebrafish heart cell population that regenerates cardiac muscle cells, challenging traditional view of stem cells in regeneration. Human hearts cannot replicate this process, but finding could provide insight into hibernating mammalian cardiomyocytes and potential regeneration strategies.
A large population-based study of diabetes in China estimates that 92.4 million adults age 20 or older have diabetes, while 148.2 million adults have prediabetes, a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The researchers recommend national strategies for preventing, detecting and treating diabetes.
A new study published in Brain Injury found that traumatic brain injury can cause olfactory loss in patients, with frontal lesions more likely to result in impaired sense of smell. The study recruited 49 people with TBI and found that 55% had an impaired sense of smell.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that flat, flexible footwear reduces the load on knee joints compared to supportive shoes. This can be a significant factor in preventing osteoarthritis, which is characterized by higher-than-normal loading on the knees during walking.
The WPI research team aims to develop powerful diagnostic tools that can predict the likelihood of plaque rupture, which is responsible for most heart attacks and strokes. The new NIH award will enable the team to extend their research on arterial plaque development and predict potential rupture.
Research suggests locoregional recurrence after long disease-free interval is associated with distant disease rather than cause. Patients with recurrence have four times higher risk of metastases and eight times higher risk of dying compared to those without recurrence.
Adding chemotherapy to surgery or surgery plus radiotherapy significantly improves survival rates for patients with operable non-small-cell lung cancer. The meta-analysis found a 4% increase in survival at 5 years, regardless of the type of chemotherapy used.
Researchers create 10-minute audio CDs to encourage aerobic activity and promote positive lifestyle habits in inner-city children. The CHAM JAM program aims to increase physical activity levels, transform school-based health policies, and combat type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Larry Ganong found that never-married women in their mid-30s face significant social stigma from family and friends. They feel highly visible when questioned about their single status, but invisible when others assume they are married or have children.
Research from the University of Sheffield shows that increasing alcohol prices can reduce consumption, deaths, and healthcare costs across all population subgroups. For a minimum unit price of £0.50 per unit, there could be around 2,900 fewer premature deaths per year and 92,000 fewer hospital admissions.
A new two-in-one test can detect both E. coli bacteria and its toxins, reducing foodborne illness and product recalls. The test cuts waiting time to just 24 hours, improving sensitivity and enabling early detection of contaminated products.
Researchers found that arginine supplements improved the cycling ability of older cyclists by increasing their anaerobic threshold. The study, published in Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, showed a significant increase in exercise capacity after just one week of supplementation.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are exploring the use of patient-derived stem cells to mend damaged hips. The study aims to improve outcomes for revision hip replacement therapy, a procedure where surgeons introduce donor bone to provide support for the new hip stem.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers found that patients treated at similar, specialized cancer care institutions experienced equal mortality rates regardless of race. This study suggests a substantial decrease in death rates among African Americans when treated at these institutions.
The researchers' technology uses electricity to purify contaminated concrete, injecting nanoparticles that form a protective barrier around steel reinforcement. This enhances corrosion resistance and reduces the need for costly repairs or replacements, making it a significant step towards sustainable infrastructure.
A team of researchers has developed a way to identify genetic markers in grapevines that can be linked with specific traits, such as fruit quality and disease resistance. The technology uses modern sequencing approaches to speed up the traditional breeding process, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
A recent study suggests that a deficiency of protein in the brain may contribute to cognitive impairment and congenital heart defects in Down syndrome patients. Researchers found lower levels of the protein in brains with Down syndrome compared to healthy controls, and an experimental drug increased its production.
A new study at the University of Western Ontario found that common marinades may provide unforeseen health benefits due to their antioxidant content. The research shows that even after cooking, these sauces can still provide benefits over meat cooked without them.
Researchers found that social bee queens have a more developed mushroom body, associated with learning and memory, despite not having bigger brains overall. This suggests that social interactions are cognitively challenging for these bees, as predicted by the social brain hypothesis.
Scientists have determined the structure of a previously unseen part of the insulin receptor, which could lead to new treatments for diabetes. Understanding how insulin interacts with the receptor is crucial for developing effective therapies.
An analysis of nearly 25 years of data found a strong association between socioeconomic position and risk of death, with health behaviors explaining 42% of the association. Health behaviors assessed at baseline explained 29% of the gradient for cardiovascular mortality, increasing to 45% when entered as time-dependent covariates.
A study of 34,079 healthy US women found that moderate-intensity physical activity is needed to prevent long-term weight gain, particularly among normal-weight individuals. Women who successfully maintained their weight averaged approximately 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity daily.
A study by Indiana University faculty members challenges conventional wisdom that education and income are inversely related to support for suicide bombings. The research found that education levels are more strongly opposed to civilian-targeted bombings, but not necessarily to foreign-targeted attacks.
A new ultra-rapid acting mealtime insulin is orally inhaled for absorption via the lung, mimicking the natural early insulin response. This innovative technology uses a delivery system that applies to other drugs currently injected, with potential benefits including reduced hypoglycemia and weight gain.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that leptin administration showed better management of blood-sugar variability and lipogenesis, the conversion of simple sugars into fatty acids. Leptin therapy also reduced food intake and increased lean body mass in non-obese type 1 diabetic mice.
Researchers delayed onset of type 2 diabetes in rats by relocating a portion of the small intestine, identifying biochemical changes that may contribute to this effect. The study's findings suggest bariatric surgery may improve type 2 diabetes without relying on weight loss.
Research at Emory University School of Medicine found that high phosphate diet promotes tumor formation and growth in skin cancer, while restricting phosphate may prevent cancer. The study suggests that altered levels of phosphate could tip the balance of chemical reactions influencing cancer development.
A new species of plant-eating dinosaur, Seitaad ruessi, has been discovered in the Navajo Sandstone of Utah's red rocks. The dinosaur lived around 185 million years ago during the Early Jurassic Period and was part of a group known as sauropodomorphs, which includes giant sauropods with long necks and tails.
Researchers have discovered a new drug that targets the root cause of painful menstrual cramps, called dysmenorrhea. The compound, VA111913, has shown promise in Phase II clinical trials and could be available to patients in four years if studies continue to show positive results.
Dr. Jacob Scheuer's new invention transmits binary lock-and-key information in light pulses, ensuring secure communication without eavesdropping. The system uses a special laser to send different signals that can be distinguished by the sender and receiver but appear identical to an attacker.
Researchers at MIT and Korea have developed a new approach to desalination called ion concentration polarization that can remove contaminants, viruses, and bacteria while producing fresh water. The system is small, portable, and efficient, making it suitable for disaster sites or remote locations.
A study of nearly 100 early-stopped clinical trials found that many positive treatment effects were exaggerated. Researchers recommend continuing trials for longer periods to ensure accurate estimates of treatment effects.
Researchers found successful advocates collaborate with local and national organizations, lobbyists, and sponsoring legislators to aid in tanning bed bill passage. Strong lobbying efforts by the tanning industry hindered passage, while knowledgeable healthcare providers and public health advocates were key resources.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a synthetic compound called JP1201, mimicking the action of a 'death-promoting' protein, can enhance chemotherapy's efficacy and prolong life in mice with pancreatic cancer. The study demonstrates promising results for potential therapies against this devastating disease.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a set of 17 proteins in the blood that accurately predict alcohol usage 90% of the time. These proteins can distinguish between excessive and responsible drinking levels, offering a potential diagnostic test for alcohol consumption.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine found a genetic link between neurofibromatosis type 1 disease and cardiovascular disease in children. The study suggests that treatments targeting inflammation may be effective in preventing sudden death from cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that automated laboratory reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was associated with a significant increase in first-time visits to a kidney specialist, especially among older or female patients and those at increased risk of late detection of kidney disease. The rate of visits increased by 68% for pa...