Researchers have discovered how cone snails inject their venom after shooting a harpoon-like tooth into their prey. The venom is produced in the venom duct and pumped through by rapid contractions of the venom bulb, which also contains specialized muscles.
Researchers found a significant spike in marine phosphorus concentrations from 750 to 635 million years ago, linked to Snowball Earth glacial events. This increase in nutrient levels is believed to have facilitated the emergence of complex life, including animals, by driving oxygen production and ocean-atmosphere system shifts.
A Manchester-based research team has been awarded a £1.24M Wellcome Trust grant to investigate the control of genes in response to hormonal changes and inflammation. The five-year study aims to understand how tissues regulate their own functions and develop new treatments for pituitary tumours.
A new discovery in Libya's Dur At-Talah escarpment suggests that anthropoids colonized Africa from Asia, rather than evolving there. The site yields three distinct families of anthropoid primates that lived in North Africa around 39 million years ago.
A large-scale genome sequencing project involving 179 people from three continents has confirmed earlier work on genetic mutations and identified new gene mutations that occur often enough to be considered common in humans. The study also discovered new mobile elements, DNA sequences that randomly reshuffle in the genome.
NASA's space shuttle Discovery will carry two CU-Boulder-built biomedical payload devices, one testing the virulence of MRSA bacteria in microgravity. The experiments aim to help researchers prevent or control infectious diseases and improve our understanding of gene and protein changes in pathogens.
A Queen's University study reveals that Canada ranks ninth globally in end-of-life care quality, with low satisfaction rates among patients and families. Gaps in emotional support, communication, and patient-involvement are highlighted as key areas for improvement.
Researchers developed new methods to probe the human genome's repetitive landscapes, detecting subtle variations that account for normal diversity among people. These copy number variations may also determine disease susceptibilities and severity.
A new study from the University of California, San Diego, and Harvard University suggests that a specific variant of the DRD4 gene may contribute to liberal political views. Researchers found that individuals with this genetic variant were more likely to be liberal if they had an active social life in adolescence.
A clinical trial found that daily doses of crizotinib shrank tumors in over half of patients with ALK-rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer, and suppressed growth in another one-third. The treatment has been shown to significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for these patients.
A international study published in Nature has cataloged the human DNA mutation repertoire from five populations, including Europe, East Asia, South Asia, West Africa, and the Americas. The study found that approximately 15 million mutations were identified, with only about 50 arising from one generation to the next.
Researchers uncovered unique genomic instability in pancreatic cancer, which drives tumor adaptation and spread. This study highlights the need for improved early diagnosis methods and targeted treatments.
High doses of glucosamine can cause the death of pancreatic cells, potentially increasing the risk of developing diabetes. Research by Université Laval's Faculty of Pharmacy found that prolonged exposure to glucosamine triggers a mechanism that negatively affects cell survival in the pancreas.
A large-scale study published in BMC's Breast Cancer Research journal found no overall association between green tea intake and the risk of breast cancer. The study assessed over 54,000 Japanese women and found that drinking green tea had no protective effect against breast cancer regardless of tea type or quantity.
The A-Train constellation of satellites, including Aqua, CloudSat, CALIPSO, and Aura, observe the same path of Earth's atmosphere and surface at various wavelengths. Multi-sensor measurements from the A-Train have helped scientists understand unexpected factors contributing to Arctic sea ice loss in 2007.
Texas A&M University is part of a global conservation study that reviews the status of thousands of species and finds worldwide efforts have fallen short of biodiversity targets. Ongoing global-conservation efforts prevent extinction rates from worsening, with 50 species moving closer to extinction each year.
A team of international scientists led by Dr Florent Ginhoux have uncovered the origins of microglia, white blood cells specific to the brain, revealing they derive from a particular structure in the mouse embryo. This understanding may lead to new strategies to manipulate microglia for treating various brain disorders.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a method to measure the movement of the Earth's deep interior, which controls continents and ocean locations. This technique uses seismic waves to study the properties of a mysterious layer called D″, where the mantle meets the core.
A comprehensive review of national opinion polls shows that prospective voters have divergent views on the future of health reform legislation, mirroring Congressional leaders' positions. Nearly three-fourths of registered Democrats support the law, while 80% of Republicans oppose it.
Researchers have found that individuals can rapidly and voluntarily control neurons deep in their brains, allowing them to manipulate images on computer screens. The study uses epilepsy patients with electrodes implanted in their brains to record individual neuron activity in response to specific images.
A new oral drug causes dramatic shrinkage of a rare, aggressive form of soft-tissue cancer driven by an abnormally activated protein. The findings highlight the value of personalized medicine gene-testing strategies to predict best drug treatment for individual cancers.
A recent study by VCU Massey Cancer Center found that 21% of terminally ill cancer patients are eligible for genetic testing, yet none received it. This highlights the need for genetic services and patient education among dying cancer patients.
A new study finds that drinking sugary beverages, like soda, daily increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 26% and metabolic syndrome by 20%. Limiting sugary drink intake can help reduce these conditions.
A new assessment tool measures environmental performance of global aquaculture, revealing that large-scale farming still causes significant ecological damage. Despite best practices, industrial-scale aquaculture magnifies environmental degradation, especially in Asian countries with rapidly increasing production.
A study funded by NIH shows that participants can force a computer to display one image and discard another using only their thoughts. The research used brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to understand how the brain processes information, particularly attention and decision-making.
Dr. Charles DeCarli, an international leader in neuroimaging, has received the 2010 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking research on imaging of the aging brain and its connection to vascular diseases.
Alice Chen won $15,000 for implanting human liver cells in mice to facilitate drug testing. Mark Jensen received $10,000 for a method to manufacture composite lattice pole structures. The competition honored 15 students for their innovative ideas, with some using mice to study disease and others developing new materials.
A new study reveals climate change impacts low-elevation mountain plants more significantly than expected, with increased drought stress observed in forests below 4,000 feet. The findings inform local conservation strategies by predicting biological responses to climate change.
Cordelia Fine argues that reports of sex differences in the brain are often based on flawed research methods and misunderstood findings. She advocates for a critical evaluation of these claims to avoid reinforcing outdated gender stereotypes.
A study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that narcotics and diagnostic tests are overused in treating chronic neck pain, with only 53% of subjects prescribed therapeutic exercise. The researchers suggest that evidence supports the effectiveness of rehabilitation conditioning and acupuncture as treatments for chronic neck pain.
Researchers found that tobacco bio-oil, produced through pyrolysis, is effective against various insect pests and microorganisms. The oil killed all tested Colorado potato beetles and blocked growth of bacteria and fungi.
Education has played a crucial role in Sudan's fifty-year civil war, deepening the country's divisions. Schools were targeted to impose Islamic values and alienated South Sudanese people who are largely Christian or adherents of indigenous religions.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), a protein believed to be a beneficial tumor suppressor, can act as an oncogene in some lethal brain tumors. This finding suggests E-cadherin expression may promote tumor growth and migration, challenging current understanding of its role in cancer progression.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that certain cancer therapies require the presence of a specific immune cell type, T helper cells, for optimal efficacy. The study showed that disabled oncogenes were more successful in eradicating tumors in mice with intact immune systems.
Rutgers University has received a $1,820,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to acquire an advanced functional MRI scanner. This cutting-edge technology will enable researchers at Rutgers-Newark to study brain activity and develop new insights into neuroscience discovery.
Researchers uncover new absolute timeline for first appearances of skeletal animals during the earliest Cambrian period, revealing diverse evolution. The study also explores sediment delivery dynamics at mountain stream confluences, finding debris flows significantly affect sediment storage in adjacent mainstem valleys.
Scientists have developed a bioinformatics strategy to predict membrane protein structures, which are underrepresented in existing databases. Using this approach, researchers successfully determined the tertiary structure of a bacterial membrane protein and predicted the structure of a plant membrane protein.
A study by Duke University scientists found that the Bermuda High's center intensified by 0.9 geopotential meters a decade from 1948 to 2007, leading to increased summer rainfall variability in the Southeast. This intensification is attributed to anthropogenic warming and is expected to continue in coming decades.
Astronomers have discovered a neutron star with twice the mass of our Sun, ruling out certain theoretical models for its internal composition. The discovery has significant implications for astrophysics, nuclear physics, and our understanding of matter at extreme densities.
A global effort combines technologies and expertise from Canada and India to develop new classes of antimalarial drugs, targeting three key malaria targets. The program also harnesses novel technologies for slow-release medication delivery, potentially leading to a 'one pill cure' and reducing drug resistance.
A new five-year program at Penn State seeks to enhance the teaching of Earth and space sciences in middle grades and beyond. Researchers will investigate young people's understanding of fundamental scientific concepts and develop professional development approaches for teachers. The goal is to increase student conceptual understanding ...
A specialist in genetic medicine is leading a multi-national team investigating the genetics of immune system disorders, including NIMBL conditions such as Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The €7.5 million project aims to improve patient care and develop treatments for these devastating genetic disorders.
Pediatric researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia developed a program to guide mothers in breast-feeding their newborns with complex birth defects. The Transition to Breast Pathway improved breast-feeding rates, reduced infant stays in the NICU, and lowered the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
A recent study suggests that the monkeypox virus can cause significant lung damage by decreasing production of proteins involved in maintaining lung tissue structure and lubrication. This finding may lead to new approaches for treating conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.
The ARTEMIS mission involves two micro-satellites orbiting the moon, providing a three-dimensional perspective on energetic particle acceleration near the moon's orbit. The mission will also explore the space environment of the moon and its interaction with the solar wind.
Demetrius H. Bagley, M.D., a renowned urologist and researcher at Thomas Jefferson University, has received the Karl Storz Lifetime Achievement Award in Endourology for his pioneering work in ureteroscopic management of upper tract pathology.
Scientists developed a new approach to eliminating unpleasant odors using nanoparticles coated with copper, which are hundreds of times smaller than peach fuzz. These particles show promise for removing sulfur contaminants and harmful bacteria.
Researchers at NC State University found that elevated SP2 protein in stem cells causes them to form cancerous tumors. Overproduction of SP2 stops stem cells from producing mature descendants, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and tumor formation.
A new study suggests that medical schools can tap into doctors' sense of mission and self-identity to increase the number of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas. Training students in underserved settings during medical school and residency can also improve their likelihood of continuing to serve those populations.
A University of Michigan study found that brief episodes of cooperative social contact enhance executive function, a key component of mental activity. Engaging in conversations with a friendly tone results in improved performance on common cognitive tasks.
Dr Veerle Huvenne, a NOC marine geoscientist, has been awarded a major research grant to map complex deep-sea environments and study the biodiversity they support. The project, CODEMAP, aims to use state-of-the-art surveying methods to map habitat heterogeneity as a proxy for biodiversity.
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) has recognized 63 life scientists for their outstanding research contributions. Among the new members are 12 female researchers who have made significant advancements in various fields of molecular biology, neuroscience, and cancer biology.
Researchers tracked ocean temperatures in Baffin Bay using data from tagged narwhals, finding temperatures nearly a degree Celsius warmer than previous climatology data. The study highlights the importance of monitoring changes in this region, crucial for understanding the Arctic's impact on global climate.
Researchers demonstrate that individuals can intentionally alter the firing rate of specific neurons in the brain, increasing some while decreasing others. This control is achieved through focusing thoughts on particular images displayed on a computer screen.
The project produced a comprehensive map of human genetic variation using next-generation DNA sequencing technologies, containing approximately 15 million SNPs and over 20,000 structural variations. The database contains more than 95 percent of the currently measurable variants found in any individual.
Archaeologists issue call to action for scientists to assess and preserve archaeological sites at risk from sea level rise and urban development. A scientifically sound method has been proposed to measure vulnerability using quantifiable factors like shoreline change and geomorphology.
Problem drinkers reduce their alcohol consumption over time, but fail to reach 'normal' levels. Despite decreases, heavy drinkers continue to consume more than the general population.
A new study found that many pancreatic tumors are slow-growing, taking nearly 20 years to become lethal after the first genetic perturbations appear. This challenges previous theories and suggests a potential window of opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers used MEG to study brain activity in PTSD sufferers and healthy individuals, finding increased circuit activity on the right side of the brain. This hyperactive network is linked to involuntary flashbacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
A recent study has raised concerns about the safety of certain plant-based antioxidants, including quercetin and ferulic acid. The research found that these antioxidants may aggravate or even cause kidney cancer in diabetic laboratory rats.