Researchers used DNA analysis to identify the Passenger Pigeon's closest living relatives, revealing that it was most closely related to other North and South American pigeons, not the Mourning Dove. The study also sheds light on the bird's extinction, which was caused by human hunting and habitat destruction.
Climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro are at risk for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) due to rapid ascent rates. Prior acclimatization to increased altitude offers a significant protective effect against AMS, whereas prophylactic drug use or mid-climb rest days do not significantly reduce the risk.
UCLA Engineering has received a $6 million award from NIST to construct the Western Institute of Nanotechnology on Green Engineering and Metrology (WIN-GEM), a cutting-edge facility supporting energy conservation technologies in microelectronics and nanotechnology.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation awarded $10.1 million for five new clinical studies and 14 pre-clinical therapeutic development projects. The funding aims to improve treatment regimens for Parkinson's patients, reduce complications, and develop novel therapies.
A recent study has found that environmental changes, such as dry and wet conditions, may have influenced the development of early human ancestors. The research team analyzed chemical compositions of rocks from Olduvai Gorge, which revealed more extreme climate fluctuations than previously thought.
A new, fully characterized viral vector is introduced as a reference material to standardize gene therapy protocols in research applications and human clinical trials. The availability of this reference standard allows vector parameters to be expressed in common units, enabling comparison and normalization across laboratories.
Dr. Edward Chien's $3.7M NIH grant will recruit up to 700 pregnant women to develop more accurate algorithms for tracking fetal development and predicting healthy small fetuses. The study aims to identify pathologic versus normal growth patterns in both singletons and twins.
Recent research suggests that measuring fatty tissue around the heart is an even better predictor of major heart problems. Noninvasive CT scanning can provide this important information. The researchers conclude that assessment could add meaningfully to clinical risk assessment and generate CT information regarding plaque buildup.
A new study by Andrés Villarreal reveals profound social inequality by skin color in Mexico, with individuals having darker skin tones facing lower education levels, lower status jobs, poverty, and limited access to affluence. The research suggests that discrimination in the labor market may contribute to these disparities.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that fish located near coal-fired power plants have significantly lower levels of mercury than those further away. High levels of selenium, a chemical also emitted by these facilities, are believed to be the reason behind this surprising finding.
University of Oregon researchers discovered that good bacteria modulate the Wnt signaling pathway, which is also associated with colorectal cancer. This finding suggests that microbial signals may play a significant role in cancer risk, and targeted therapy may be possible.
A clinical trial of gene therapy for muscular dystrophy has uncovered an unexpected aspect of the disease, revealing that some patients mount an immune response to the dystrophin protein even before receiving treatment. The study suggests that tailoring treatment approaches to suit individual patient needs could lead to better outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that 43% of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery have insufficient vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth and absorption of calcium. Patients are advised to screen for low levels before surgery, as deficiency may negatively impact patient outcomes.
A University of Florida study found that heavy combat exposure can have a detrimental effect on physical health and psychological well-being in veterans, even decades after the conflict. The research suggests that early treatment and intervention can help alleviate long-term effects and promote greater wisdom and well-being.
Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism controlling blood pressure, shedding new light on the causes of pre-eclampsia. The study found a fine-tuning mechanism responsive to tissue oxygen changes, providing potential insights into prevention and treatment.
The FASEB MARC Program has awarded $7,400 to four poster/platform presenters and faculty mentors at the ASBMR 2010 Annual Meeting. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research by supporting underrepresented minorities.
Research reveals vultures use face flushing technique for displays of dominance and interaction with peers, where rapidly changing skin color provides up-to-date information on status.
USDA-funded scientists in Hawaii have developed new fish feeds using discarded fish parts that can attract shrimp and boost their growth, similar to studies on Alaskan pollock and cod. Researchers are now refining these practical feeds for nutritional balance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental safety.
Researchers found that desert night lizards stay with their parents and siblings for several years after birth, forming family groups. The study suggests that viviparity provides the opportunity for prolonged interaction between mothers and offspring, predisposing animals to form cooperative behaviors.
Researchers have demonstrated that producing nanoscopic crystals of a pharmaceutical product can make it soluble in water, allowing for oral administration. This approach has the potential to address the issue of many medicinal drugs being ineffective when taken by mouth due to their low solubility in water.
The Solar Probe Plus mission will send a robotic spacecraft to the sun's atmosphere to answer long-standing questions about its outer layers. The probe will measure magnetic and electric properties, helping to understand how solar wind is generated and better comprehend the heliosphere.
A recent study found that electric stimulation of the right anterior temporal lobe improved proper name recall by 11% in young adults. This technique, known as tDCS, may also lead to longer-lasting effects and hold promise for treating memory decline in older adults.
The University of Colorado Cord Blood Bank has received a $6.3 million grant to collect and bank umbilical cord blood from minority groups, increasing genetic diversity and matching rates for minority patients. The bank will support an additional 5,000 cord blood units and expand collections to Arizona.
The US Department of Homeland Security is developing a national standard for bomb suits to provide sufficient protection for first responders. The proposed standard outlines minimum performance requirements, including blast and thermal heat protection, freedom of motion, and defogger performance, to ensure the safety of bomb technicians.
Researchers used DNA from century-old specimens to identify the passenger pigeon's closest living relatives, revealing a unique bird with a distinct place in the evolutionary history of pigeons and doves. The study found that the passenger pigeon was not closely related to the mourning dove as previously thought.
A new Montreal study suggests a link between air pollution from traffic and an increased risk of post-menopausal breast cancer. The study found that women living in areas with high levels of nitrogen dioxide, a by-product of vehicular traffic, were more likely to develop breast cancer.
Researchers at the Salk Institute mapped the neuronal circuitry connecting photoreceptors with retinal ganglion cells, revealing computations in individual neurons and shedding light on the neural code used by the retina. The study aimed to improve retinal implants and understand visual processing.
A new soy-based natural S-equol supplement reduced the frequency of moderate to severe hot flashes and muscle and joint pain in postmenopausal U.S. women. The study found that lower doses of Natural S-equol significantly improved symptoms, with no clinically significant adverse effects.
A patchwork of reproductive health regulations across Europe hinders access to medically assisted reproduction (MAR) treatments. Many patients resort to seeking care abroad due to limited availability and reimbursement policies.
Marine scientists urge urgent action to save coral reefs from climate change, overfishing, and pollution. They propose management advice to empower local communities and control human impacts.
A national study found that keeping blood pressure at 130/80 mm Hg reduced the risk of disease progression by 27 percent for patients with proteinuria. However, intensive lowering of blood pressure in all African-Americans did not slow disease progression.
A year-long pilot study will assess the nutritional value of food offered in Lincoln Parish Schools, aiming to develop healthy student-approved menus. The study also explores behavior economics strategies to encourage students to make informed food choices.
Researchers found that brain cells in Parkinson's patients abandon their energy-producing machinery, the mitochondria. Boosting the mitochondria with FDA-approved drugs may prevent or delay the onset of Parkinson's disease.
A systematic review of research on herbal supplements for anxiety found strong evidence for extracts of passionflower, kava, and combinations of L-lysine and L-arginine. The study pooled results from 24 studies involving over 2,000 participants.
Georgetown University School of Medicine family medicine physician Susan Okie provides an overview of changes made by the FDA under Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. The FDA has adopted a more proactive approach to its public health mission, and is working to address growing pains within the agency.
Scientists have discovered a close link between elevated iron levels and the production of brain-destroying plaques found in Alzheimer's patients. The findings lay the foundation for new therapies to slow or stop iron buildup, which contributes to the disease.
A new consensus statement recommends regular glycemia screening and early identification of patients at metabolic risk to slow or reverse beta-cell decline. The Endocrine Society has launched a website to promote pathophysiology-based clinical practices and aid primary care physicians in interpreting concepts of disease pathogenesis.
A new tool called BLADE has been developed to eliminate drive-by download threats, which infect computers silently without user knowledge or consent. The software successfully blocked all drive-by malware installation attempts from over 1,900 malicious websites, including Adobe Reader and Sun Java targets.
Researchers have developed a dynamic model to explain Mount Etna's existence, suggesting it resulted from decompression melting of upper mantle material. The theory provides an alternative explanation for the volcano's geological environment and surrounding volcanism.
A new study found that Latino patients with limited English skills have poor blood sugar control if seen by non-Spanish speaking doctors, even with available interpreter services. Direct communication with a Spanish-speaking doctor can improve health outcomes.
A new nutritional supplement containing S-equol has been shown to reduce moderate to severe hot flashes, muscle and joint pain, and improve bone density in postmenopausal women. The supplement also lowers 'bad' LDL-cholesterol levels and is considered safe for long-term use.
The new facility will help scientists better understand solar flares, which affect technologies like GPS systems and power grids. The expanded array will increase the number of available radio frequencies, allowing researchers to decode flare spectra and make new discoveries.
B-cell receptors form ordered oligomer complexes that only become active when binding partners disintegrate into subunits. This new model challenges the accepted scientific doctrine and may contribute to the development of new vaccination strategies and treatments for B-cell tumours.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a new class of long non-coding RNA molecules that function like gene enhancer elements, promoting gene expression and potentially accounting for unknown genomic activity. This breakthrough joins a growing body of evidence challenging the central dogma of genetics.
A study published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine found that stressed-out mothers can exacerbate their children's asthma symptoms. Researchers discovered that mothers who suppress their emotional expressions or are chronically irritated and angry can increase their child's disease status. The study suggests that parents should focus on man...
A study found that female bears with cubs and independent young bears in the Cantabrian Cordillera do not enter hibernation. In contrast, older bears, including females preparing to give birth, exhibit typical hibernation behavior.
Researchers used MRI to identify microbleeds and altered iron distribution in the brains of individuals with mild cognitive impairment. These biomarkers predicted disease progression with high accuracy, offering new hope for early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
A UBC-CFRI study found elevated levels of Th17 cells in young patients with type 1 diabetes, suggesting a potential target for new therapies. The discovery may lead to innovative treatments for childhood diabetes.
The sun uses its solar wind and ultraviolet radiation to strip Mars' atmosphere, making it cold and dry. MAVEN will examine the ways the sun loses the Martian atmosphere and measure hydrogen isotope ratios to discover how much water has been lost to space.
Researchers aim to establish dosing and safety guidelines for transplanting human umbilical cord blood cells into animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to gain FDA approval for clinical trials with patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers reconstructed an ancient protein and traced its subtle changes over time to produce diverse modern-day descendants. They found that evolution tweaked the ancestral structure to create partnerships with new hormones or signals, leading to independent proteins with increased stability.
New research suggests that massive volcanic eruptions led to the extinction of Neanderthals, causing a dramatic climate shift that devastated ecosystems. The study, published in Current Anthropology, proposes that the eruption cleared the way for modern humans to thrive in Europe and Asia.
A study from the Université de Montréal found that office workers have become less active over the last three decades, contributing to the rise in obesity. The researchers suggest integrating sport, work, and transportation to combat inactivity and promote exercise.
The Field Training Guide, developed by Johns Hopkins researchers, aims to improve research ethics training for field workers. The guide addresses key aspects of human subject interaction and is freely available online.
Scientists are struggling to explain the recent increase in Antarctic sea ice extent, with a new study suggesting that ozone depletion is not the primary cause. Meanwhile, researchers have also gained new insights into lunar topography using high-resolution data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter. Additionally, a study on Earth's r...
A study found a group of genetic mutations that predict sensation seeking behavior, linking it to dopamine levels. The research used a new technique to analyze genes in the dopamine system, identifying 12 potentially important SNPs that explained about 4% of the difference between individuals' sensation-seeking scores.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a new class of liquid crystals with enhanced electric dipoles, promising to improve the performance of digital displays. The newly developed liquid crystals also possess a unique 'zwitterionic' structure, which sets them apart from existing materials.
The University of Nottingham leads a new knowledge exchange network focusing on Earth observation technology for various scientific applications. The cluster aims to develop and promote cutting-edge technologies to monitor environmental changes and their implications.
Research found no evidence that doubling inhaled corticosteroids reduces need for rescue oral steroids, contradicting common practice. Increasing doses may provide false reassurance and undermine effectiveness of daily inhaled steroids.
Researchers found that oxygen therapy can increase peroxynitrite levels in the lungs, leading to inflammation, hemorrhaging, and swelling. A new compound, peptide 326, has been developed to interfere with this process, offering hope for reducing lung damage.