Researchers discovered a virus component, P19, that can introduce foreign genes into plants without harming them. This technology has potential applications in pharmaceutical development and biotechnology.
Arizona State University has received a $100 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop long-acting insect repellents for malaria prevention. The project aims to create skin-bonding repellents that can provide continuous protection against mosquitoes for two to three weeks.
Yerkes researchers are presenting various studies on neuroscience topics including social bonding, addiction, neurodegenerative diseases and memory. Researchers like Larry Young, Leonard Howell and Yoland Smith are sharing their findings on oxytocin, stimulant addiction and cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.
Research suggests sleep apnea patients experience structural brain abnormalities in regions susceptible to hypoxemia, which may be partially or fully reversible with early detection and treatment. Cognitive challenges such as executive function impairments and daytime sleepiness are linked to specific brain areas affected by OSA.
Researchers at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare have successfully implanted two small Heartware VADs in a 44-year-old patient with severe myocarditis, marking the first time this biventricular approach has been used in the US. The device provides total heart support without removing the patient's natural heart.
A 44-year-old sailor received a groundbreaking treatment for severe myocarditis, which caused inflammation of his heart muscle and led to heart failure. He was implanted with two small ventricular assist devices, making him the first person in North America to receive this life-saving therapy.
Researchers at Harvard University have designed nanostructured materials that prevent ice formation by repelling water droplets. The breakthrough could lead to efficient and sustainable solutions for keeping surfaces ice-free during harsh winter weather.
Researchers found that taller people use less energy per stride when walking, making short people less economical walkers due to taking more steps. A new equation can now be used to calculate the energetic cost of walking based on these factors.
The microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) test has been endorsed by WHO for use in resource-poor settings. The test delivers positive culture and drug resistance results within two weeks for less than $3 per test, improving TB diagnosis and treatment.
The 1510 influenza pandemic originated in Asia and spread quickly to Africa and Europe via trade routes. New scientific and public health advances have improved our ability to plan and prepare for seasonal and pandemic influenza.
A Penn-led study of over 18,000 patients with schizophrenia found no significant difference in nonsuicide mortality between ziprasidone and olanzapine, two second-generation anti-psychotics. The findings provide reassurance for clinicians prescribing these medications.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have identified a mutant gene that links powdery mildew resistance to plant fertility. Plants with this gene are resistant to powdery mildew but infertile, highlighting a crucial trade-off in plant defense mechanisms.
Addex Pharmaceuticals highlights the power of its allosteric modulation technology platform, presenting data on nine therapeutic programs across various receptor types and therapeutic areas. The company's technology is allowing it to bring a new kind of chemistry to industrial drug discovery efforts, improving productivity in pharmaceu...
A Virginia Tech expert will assess all aspects of visitor experiences in state parks to provide actionable recommendations. The study aims to improve park operations and services through data-driven decision making.
AFOSR-funded physicist Colonel Scott Dudley praised the discovery, noting graphene is stronger than steel yet flexible and stretchable, with wide-ranging applications in electronics and sensors. The research has led to significant breakthroughs and continues to push the field forward.
Researchers have identified a new genetic marker, DenMark, which sheds light on neuronal connectivity in Drosophila, providing valuable insights into brain development and diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. The discovery paves the way for further studies using the fruit fly as a model organism.
Four leaders in biomedical and health informatics received the AMIA Signature Awards for their groundbreaking work in digitalizing health data and information. Adam Wright's research on clinical decision-support systems and data mining transformed patient care, while Judy Ozbolt's pioneering work in nursing informatics improved profess...
Researchers discovered key differences in how E. coli bacteria behave in humans compared to mice, identifying potential targets for a vaccine. The study's findings could lead to the development of a vaccine that saves billions in healthcare costs and millions of doctor visits annually.
Chris Wood, a professor at McMaster University and University of Miami, is recognized for his immense impact on the field as a scientist and mentor. He has attracted over 100 postdocs and grad students to his labs, with many now holding faculty positions worldwide.
The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation has received an additional €11.7 million grant from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop new vaccines against tuberculosis.
Researchers at Rice University have developed gadonanotubes that can effectively track mesenchymal stem cells through magnetic resonance imaging, potentially improving disease diagnosis and treatment. The study found that GNTs are 40 times better than standard contrast agents in helping doctors spot signs of disease or damage.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University can predict the risk of anemia in individuals. The model reflects how red blood cells change in size and hemoglobin content during their four-month lifespan, allowing for early detection of iron-deficiency anemia.
A new study suggests that parts of Peru and Bolivia will become a desert-like setting if temperatures rise more than 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above modern times. The change would be disastrous for the water supply and agricultural capacity of La Paz, affecting its two million inhabitants.
Joshua Kritzer's $1.5 million grant will fund rapid drug-screening process to identify new cancer treatments. Cyclic peptides, produced using baker's yeast, can bind with disease-causing proteins that are difficult to target.
Researchers deployed data loggers on leatherback females to study their diving patterns. The team found that the turtles dive at an average angle of 41deg and swim less hard as they descend. By varying the amount of air they inhale, leatherbacks regulate their buoyancy before diving.
Researchers discovered that a genetic error causing cystic fibrosis also affects the flow of sodium ions, preventing excessive mucus buildup. This finding has implications for developing better therapies for the disease.
A new study found that five avoidable causes, including birth asphyxia and pneumonia, account for nearly 1.5 million child deaths in India each year. The research suggests that improved delivery and postnatal care can reduce these deaths, with the introduction of vaccines and expanded neonatal care also shown to be effective.
The ESA GlobSnow project uses satellites to map snow cover and volume globally, especially in the northern hemisphere. This provides almost real-time data on snow cover and depth, aiding in flood forecasting and climate research.
Cell Press introduces Cell DNA, a free daily news aggregation service covering life sciences topics. Readers can subscribe to receive daily email digests with news summaries and comment on stories.
Dr. Don Detmer is recognized for his efforts to advance biomedical and health informatics through his work at AMIA. He emphasizes the importance of electronic health records in delivering high-quality care.
The NSF grant will support the design and construction of a portable spectrometer to work with a powerful new 36 tesla magnet. This will enable researchers to perform transformative science in an unexplored magnetic-field range for applications such as biological tissues and battery materials.
New research shows sleep consolidates memories and reorganizes emotional details to aid in creative idea production. Studies have found that a person tends to retain the most emotional part of a memory, leading to improved recall.
Researchers have isolated P450 compound I, a highly reactive chemical species involved in human metabolism of pharmaceuticals, enabling larger-scale studies to understand its chemical reactions. This breakthrough has significant implications for medicine and basic chemistry, driving research into specificity control.
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health has secured over $40 billion in commitments to improve maternal and child health, with key stakeholders meeting in Delhi to promote accountability. The Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health has been instrumental in mobilizing these funds.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a single gene, UPBEAT1, that controls the balance of free radicals in plant roots, leading to faster growth and improved root establishment. This discovery could accelerate the development of biofuels and enhance carbon sequestration capabilities.
Researchers analyzed a major forest commons management program in Ethiopia, finding that groups with higher shares of conditional cooperators were more successful in managing their forests. These groups also spent more time monitoring their forest to deter free riding.
A new study led by researchers at UC Santa Cruz reveals that the lunar farside highlands' elevated topography may be attributed to tidal forces acting early in the moon's history. The shape of the bulge can be described by a simple mathematical function, accounting for about one-fourth of the moon's shape.
AMIA recommends contract language, education, and ethics to protect patient safety in HIT systems. The association calls for 'hold harmless' clauses to be declared unethical, and urges vendors and clients to adopt enterprise-wide ethics education.
Professor Federico Rosei, an INRS researcher, received the prestigious 2010 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award for his outstanding work on nanomaterials. He will collaborate with German researchers to develop new materials for electronics, energy applications, and life sciences.
Yoga has a positive effect on mood and anxiety due to increased GABA levels, according to a study. Higher GABA activity is associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety, suggesting a new link between yoga and its benefits.
A Swedish study found that teenagers attribute bullying to individual characteristics, such as the bully's inner flaws and desire for power. Meanwhile, 42% of teens blamed the victim for bullying, with girls more likely to blame the bully than boys. The study has implications for bullying prevention efforts.
Researchers have developed a faster-growing E. coli strain suitable for mass production of high-quality DNA for vaccines and gene therapy. The modified strain retains useful traits while growing as quickly as other industrial strains.
A new urine test has shown promise in detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) by identifying specific markers in the urine. Elevated levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and its mRNA were found in urine samples from both mice and human patients with AKI, suggesting a potential diagnostic marker.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to produce high-quality graphene using plain table sugar and other carbon-based substances. The process, which can be done in just one step, produces large-area sheets of graphene at low temperatures.
A new consensus on TBI and PTSD establishes common language, measurement, treatment, and potential outcomes, promoting greater consistency and collaboration among researchers. The set of papers provides recommendations for clinical research on TBI and psychological health, aiming to advance the field.
Researchers at OHSU are exploring the safety and effectiveness of a non-surgical female sterilization method that uses polidocanol foam to close fallopian tubes, potentially reducing unintended pregnancy rates. The study aims to provide a game-changing family planning strategy for women in low-resource settings.
Researchers have found that up to 16,000 endangered turtles are being caught annually in Madagascar, highlighting the need for sustainable management. The study uses a new approach involving local communities to document turtle catches and provides a conservative estimate of annual catch rates.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered an all-optical transistor that controls the flow of light using a novel optical microresonator. The device enables a strong 'control' laser to turn on or off a weaker 'probe' laser, opening up new possibilities for telecommunications and photonics.
The International Council for Science has identified five Grand Challenges in Earth system science to address global sustainability. These challenges focus on improving forecasting, observing, confining, responding, and innovating to achieve global sustainability.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that people spend 46.9% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're doing, which can lead to unhappiness. Mind-wandering is often associated with contemplation of past or future events, and it appears to be the human brain's default mode of operation.
The study reveals that specialized blood vessel cells initiate and sustain liver regeneration by producing growth factors. This finding opens the door for designing new therapies to treat damaged livers. The researchers identified specific genes, such as Id1 and Wnt2, that enable endothelial cells to regulate liver regeneration.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that cohabiting parents who work nonstandard shifts experience more conflict between work and family life. They also report higher levels of depression and lower success rates as parents and workers compared to married peers.
Neurobiologists have identified specific types of neurons in the amygdala that process fear inputs and regulate subsequent fear responses. These circuits play a key role in the generalization of fear, allowing it to become divorced from its original situation, and may provide new targets for treating phobias and anxiety disorders.
A recent study found that invasive species and over-exploitation of water resources are the biggest threats to fish in the Mediterranean basin. The researchers used data on 232 fish species and their distribution range to show that fish communities are exposed to the greatest threat of extinction when these pressures are present.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism regulating circadian rhythms that could provide a new target for treating jet lag, shift work, sleep disturbances, diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancer. The discovery offers hope for modulating the body's core clock using synthetic ligands targeting nuclear receptors.
Researchers developed a bio-eco-friendly ceramic thin film nanogenerator that can convert tiny human movements into electrical energy without breaking down. The technology uses freely bendable piezoelectric ceramic materials to harness biomechanical forces produced by the body.
Researchers report that pioglitazone, a commonly used diabetes medication, slows down the growth of fluid-filled cysts in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The study found that pioglitazone inhibits a chloride channel in cells, which can help control PKD cyst growth.
A study by the University of Michigan Health System found that specialists spend over 650,000 work weeks on routine follow-up care for patients with common chronic conditions. Delegating a proportion of this care could create system-wide efficiencies and free up specialists to focus on new patients and complex cases.
A new study confirms medusahead has growth advantages over most other grass species, suggesting it will spread across the West, disrupt native ecosystems, and make millions of acres worthless. Researchers identify potential competing species to reduce its spread and preserve grazing lands.
Karl Deisseroth receives $10,000 HFSP Nakasone Award for his groundbreaking research on optogenetics, a technique that uses light to manipulate neuronal activity.