Women who inherit BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations from their father are at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, yet this risk is often overlooked. A study found that patients with a paternal family history of cancer were 5 times more likely to be referred for genetic testing than those with a maternal family history.
Researchers from Imperial College London describe a tabletop instrument that produces synchrotron X-rays with energy and quality comparable to some of the largest X-ray facilities in the world. This development could enable more precise investigations at higher resolutions, benefiting scientific and medical advances.
Conservation programs in China's Wenchuan County preserved forest cover after the 2008 earthquake, protecting endangered species like the giant panda. The research found that expansive national conservation efforts reduced natural disaster damage and human impacts.
MIT neuroscientists identify a 'chain reaction' of brain activity that controls the timing of song in birds, with individual neurons firing at precise intervals to produce a stereotypical song. The study's findings support the 'synfire chain' model, where each neuron triggers the next, like falling dominos.
A new surgical procedure using Kryptonite superglue has improved the recovery of heart patients after open-chest surgery, accelerating healing and reducing complications. The adhesive allows for new bone growth, enabling patients to breathe deeply without powerful painkillers.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that bitter compounds can open lung airways better than current asthma treatments. The researchers discovered taste receptors in the lungs that respond to bitter substances, which could lead to new therapies for asthma and other obstructive lung diseases.
Researchers have discovered a protein called PIM-1 that can serve as an early warning system for pulmonary hypertension, allowing for earlier diagnosis and potentially more effective treatment. Gene therapy has also been shown to reverse the condition by blocking the inappropriate activation of this protein.