The study aims to determine the best balance between effective treatment and side effects for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The researchers will assess the breathing capacity, satisfaction levels, and muscle function of patients, using three steroid treatments: prednisone, deflazacort, and a combination of both.
Researchers have discovered unique metabolic properties of bone-marrow stem cells that allow them to survive and replicate in low-oxygen environments. This finding may lead to new strategies for enriching stem cells by selecting those with specific metabolic characteristics.
Researchers found that environmental factors like temperature and light are equally important to the Azara's owl monkeys' natural rhythms as their internal biological clock. The study suggests that moonlight is a key adaptation for primates to exploit the nocturnal niche, with activity patterns changing in response to lunar cycles.
The Biophysical Society has recognized eight individuals with its 2011 awards for their significant contributions to the field of biophysics. The awardees include researchers who have made pioneering discoveries using NMR methods, membrane protein biochemistry, and single molecule fluorescence microscopy.
Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 2 storm with powerful winds of 104 mph due to increasing wind shear and cooler waters. NASA satellites captured rainfall data, showing moderate rainfall mostly north of the storm's center.
Research at Collier Glacier has found a significant decline of over 20% in size since the late 1980s, consistent with global glacial retreat. The glacier's mass has shrunk to about half its peak size in the 1850s, and studies suggest it will continue to lose mass, particularly during El Nino events.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have discovered a link between chronic stress and heart attacks using hair cortisol levels as a biological marker. The study found that heart attack patients had higher cortisol levels in their hair samples compared to control group, suggesting chronic stress as a contributing factor.
The US Neurology guidelines provide a framework for diagnosing and treating infantile spasms, with a focus on early intervention and personalized treatment strategies. The consensus among experts is that broad clinical evaluation, vigabatrin or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) as first-line treatment, and timely assessment of treatme...
The Biophysical Society has selected 2011 Fellows for their outstanding achievements in the field of biophysics, including advancements in molecular dynamics simulation and superresolution microscopy. The newly appointed Fellows will be honored at the Awards Ceremony during the annual meeting.
Ayusman Sen, a renowned Penn State chemist, has been awarded the prestigious Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) Medal. His research focuses on developing novel catalysts and antimicrobial polymers with diverse applications.
Researchers at UT Health Science Center San Antonio will study protein fragments released into the bloodstream following heart attacks to identify those who need more intensive treatment. The goal is to develop a blood test to diagnose which heart attack survivors are at risk of heart failure.
Research using satellite telemetry found that migrating birds have a short 'window' of 5-15 days when they can disperse the H5N1 virus over 500km. Asymptomatic infection is crucial, and individual birds must fly quickly and take shortest routes to spread the disease.
The GOES-13 satellite captured an image of Hurricane Earl northeast of North Carolina, showing a huge storm with cloud cover stretching over the northeastern U.S. The category 2 hurricane is expected to turn towards the northeast and approach southeastern New England.
Parkinson's disease affects brain circuitry that impacts cognitive functions like planning and decision-making. Researchers discovered patients can perform automated tasks better than non-patients, yet struggle to adapt to changing behaviors.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method for attaching phosphorus to organic compounds using ultraviolet light, eliminating the need for hazardous chlorine. The breakthrough could lead to more sustainable production of industrial chemicals and materials.
Afla-Guard, a biological control developed for peanut cultivation, has shown promise in reducing aflatoxin levels on corn crops. In a two-year study, the product demonstrated an overall reduction of 85% in aflatoxin levels compared to control fields.
The quagga mussel's voracious appetite for phytoplankton is causing a decline in its abundance, which in turn is affecting the food chain and fisheries in southern Lake Michigan. As a result, zooplankton populations are dwindling, and fish species such as alewives, chubs, and Atlantic salmon are facing extinction.
A Loyola University Health System study found that only seven of the 22 patients who experienced pulmonary embolisms showed evidence of leg blood clots. Researchers suggest screening for DVTs in the arms as well as legs before and after surgery to assess risk.
Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Seiji Yamamoto create a theoretical model to understand the quantum quirks of high-temperature superconductors and ferromagnetism. Their model predicts the origins of metallic ferromagnetism, providing a rigorous answer to a long-standing question in condensed matter physics.
Tropical Storm Fiona is weakening and stretching out in a north-south direction, according to NASA satellite data. Forecasters expect her to dissipate over the holiday weekend in the Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers suggest molecular structures involving transition metals could catalyze the synthesis of basic biochemicals, leading to the origin of life. The model proposes that simple transition metal-ligand complexes in hydrothermal ocean vents catalyzed reactions that gave rise to more complex molecules.
Only one in six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese successfully maintains their weight loss, according to a new study. The researchers found that women, adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic whites were more likely to achieve long-term weight management.
A long-term study found that women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations significantly reduced their risk of breast and ovarian cancer with preventive surgeries. Risk-reducing mastectomies and removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries lowered cancer risks, including those with prior breast cancer.
NASA's Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) mission is analyzing Hurricane Earl's structure and behavior. The GRIP aircraft are equipped with instruments such as HAMSR, which provides detailed data on the storm's temperature, water vapor, and cloud liquid water distribution.