Researchers engineered E. coli bacteria to produce taxadiene, a precursor to the cancer drug Taxol, achieving 1,000 times more production than previous strains. The technique could bring down manufacturing costs and help discover new therapeutic compounds for cancer and other diseases.
Julie Dunning Hotopp, a UM School of Medicine Institute for Genome Sciences researcher, received a $2.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health's New Innovator program. She will study DNA transfers between the microbiome and the human genome to understand how certain infections can lead to cancer years later.
A new randomised trial shows that starting chemotherapy earlier does not improve survival or quality of life for women with relapsed ovarian cancer. The study found that patients who received early treatment experienced a faster deterioration in quality of life, including role, emotional, social, and fatigue symptoms.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a class of material known as metallacarborane that could store hydrogen at or better than benchmarks set by the US Department of Energy. The material has the potential to meet DOE storage goals for hydrogen fuel, which could be used in cars, fuel cells, and industry.
Physicists at the University of Arizona have developed a new way to convert waste heat into electrical power using quantum physics. The technology holds great promise for making various devices more efficient and reducing ozone-depleting chemicals.
Research by K-State assistant professor Chardie Baird and Florida State University professor John Reynolds suggests that discouraging students from pursuing their educational aspirations can lead to depression. The study found that adaptive resilience allows individuals to adapt to failed expectations, leading to healthier lives.
Researchers mapped histone modifications in fat cells to identify two transcription factors SRF and PLZF involved in fat cell development. The study provides a roadmap for understanding normal fat cell development and has potential implications for metabolic diseases such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
The Einstein research aims to understand the role of proteins in normal biological processes and disease pathways. The project will focus on determining the structures of thousands of biomedically important proteins.
A phase 3 trial shows cabazitaxel improves overall and progression-free survival in men with advanced multi-drug resistant prostate cancer. The medication was found to be effective in patients whose disease progressed after standard chemotherapy with docetaxel.
Researchers have identified a protein called P450 that metabolizes arachidonic acid in blood vessel walls to create EETs, which relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. This discovery may lead to the development of new blood pressure-lowering agents and treatments for high blood pressure.
Dialysis patients can reduce their risk of hospitalization by addressing depression and physical inactivity, and modifying blood access from catheters to arteriovenous access. A recent study found that converting to arteriovenous access reduced hospitalization risk by about 30%.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital are developing a new method to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections in infants using RNA biosignatures. The five-year study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for serious bacterial infections such as bacteremia and meningitis, which can be life-threatening.
Friesen's research found that her literacy dogs, Tango and Sparky, helped Grade 2 students overcome reading trepidation and develop a love for literature. The program improved children's reading behaviors, increased their confidence, and motivated them to read at home.
A 'knot' in a bright, narrow ribbon of neutral atoms emanating from the solar system's edge appears to have 'untied,' according to researchers. The knot, influenced by local interstellar magnetic fields, was found to be stable over six-month periods but displayed changes in polar regions and diminished as it spread out.
Researchers propose a new approach to combat cancer and autoimmune diseases by targeting the balance between NF-kB and p53 signaling pathways. This balance is believed to be a promising target for developing new drugs, with potential benefits including improved disease treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that adding rituximab to chemotherapy significantly prolongs lives of CLL patients. Chemoimmunotherapy showed improved response rates and disease progression rates compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
Kathleen Alexander has discovered a novel tuberculosis species, M. mungi, in banded mongooses, which behaves differently from other TB infections, killing infected animals within two to three months. The pathogen's source and host range are areas of ongoing research.
A $1.5M NIH grant supports Manu Platt's project to develop models for identifying children at risk of stroke due to sickle cell disease. The goal is to create a mathematical model predicting stroke risk and allow for earlier intervention, improving treatment options.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine are investigating how expanded insurance coverage in Massachusetts affects cardiovascular care and outcomes, with a focus on vulnerable populations. The center aims to understand the impact of health reform on access to care and clinical outcomes.
A 36-million-year-old fossil reveals that ancient penguins had reddish-brown and grey feathers, distinct from the black tuxedoed look of living penguins. This discovery provides insights into the early evolution of penguin feathers, coloration, and flipper shapes.
A landmark study found that annual mammography screenings for women aged 40-49 reduces breast cancer deaths by nearly 30%. The results confirm that age 50 as a screening threshold is unfounded, and women should begin getting annual mammograms at age 40.
Researchers have developed a novel strategy for creating patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that exhibits significant advantages over current methods. The new approach uses synthetic modified messenger RNA molecules to reprogram adult cells into iPSCs with high efficiency and safety.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of the Southern house mosquito, a key vector for diseases such as West Nile virus, encephalitis, and elephantiasis. The study reveals insights into the mosquito's genetic structure and potential targets for disease prevention.
Tropical Storm Nicole has weakened into a remnant low pressure area off the Florida coast. A massive trough of low pressure over the eastern seaboard is streaming tropical moisture from Nicole's remnants, bringing heavy rainfall totals to the region.
Dr. Blaser and his team will investigate whether changes in the human microbiome as a result of antibiotic use have fueled the obesity epidemic. The grant will assess the roles of gastric and colonic microbiota related to hormones and metabolism in both humans and mice.
Research at the University of East Anglia reveals that adding histidine to salmon diets prevents cataract formation. The nutrient was found to be deficient in post-1990s fish feed due to BSE concerns, leading to a significant increase in cataracts.
Researchers emphasize Couples Voluntary Counseling and Testing (CVCT) as a proven method to decrease HIV/AIDS rates in Africa. The approach identifies undiagnosed individuals, allowing for targeted interventions before new infections occur.
The Water Tunnel of the Americas (WTAPC) will be the largest and most advanced facility, enabling researchers to test models of structures and determine forces of extreme weather on buildings and structures. The 'green' project uses a blow-down water tunnel design generating power from the Panama Canal.
Italian researchers found that liver transplant candidates with a strong religious connection had better post-transplant survival rates. The study also revealed that religiosity can prolong life span in individuals undergoing liver transplantation.
Archaeologists Vance Holliday and David Meltzer argue that the Clovis comet impact hypothesis is not supported by archaeological evidence. They found no evidence of a sudden cooling of the climate or a post-impact gap in human occupation at Clovis sites.
A Yale team has achieved the entanglement of three solid-state qubits for the first time, paving the way for quantum error correction and future quantum computing. The accomplishment builds on their previous development of a rudimentary solid-state quantum processor.
Researchers developed a novel water method to reduce discomfort during unsedated colonoscopy, enhancing cecal intubation and patient willingness to repeat procedures. The study showed significant improvements in these outcomes compared to traditional air insufflation methods.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine found gray matter changes in breast cancer patients' brains during and after chemotherapy treatment. Memory and executive functions were most affected, with some women experiencing subtle and others severe cognitive impairments.
Seth Field, a UC San Diego researcher, has been awarded $3.86 million to study GOLPH3's role in breast cancer. His project aims to understand the mechanism by which GOLPH3 contributes to cancer and develop new therapy targets.
A team of researchers led by Ellen Velie aims to identify risk factors for breast cancer in young women, particularly black women younger than 50. The five-year study will investigate the impact of early life growth patterns, physical activity, diet, and body size on tumor characteristics.
A new approach, Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), improves communication between child and caregiver to prevent chronic and sub-clinical PTSD in 73 percent of children. The intervention also promotes recovery more quickly than a comparison intervention.
Scientists have found that garlic oil can protect against heart disease in people with diabetes by reducing inflammation and weakening the heart's muscle tissue. The antioxidant properties of garlic oil were identified as a key factor in this effect.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created a precision simulator for superconductors using ultracold atomic gas. By trapping and holding lithium atoms in beams of light, they can observe how electrons would behave in particular types of superconductors.
A recent study in the Journal of AAPOS found that feeding premature infants one hour before their retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examination unexpectedly reduced stress levels. The researchers also discovered that this practice did not increase vomiting or gastric aspirates, contrary to current practice.
The 'Cleanair' system reduces building energy consumption by up to 25%, saving CO2 emissions and improving indoor air quality. Lab tests have proven its effectiveness in removing various pollutants, including particles, viruses, and volatile organic compounds, making it a game-changer for asthmatics and overall health.
Scientists have discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone of a nearby star, making it potentially habitable. The newly discovered planet, Gliese 581g, is about three to four times the mass of Earth and has a stable surface climate.
Researchers created a technique using computer models that can analyze tiny samples of soil to predict its behavior in relation to foundations. This technology could be applied to build structures on the moon or remote locations where traditional testing is impractical.
The Solar Probe Plus mission will explore the sun's corona and solar wind in unprecedented detail. The NRL's Wide-field Imager will provide direct measurements of the plasma and create 3-D images of clouds and shocks.
A team of UNC scientists has received a $2,308,800 grant to develop targeted nano-particle technology for early detection and more effective treatments of pancreatic cancer. The goal is to design nanoscale metal-organic frameworks capable of carrying imaging and therapeutic cargoes or multiple drugs.
Dr. Michelle A. Williams receives two major NIH grants totaling $5.6 million to study complications affecting pregnancy, including abruptio placentae and partner abuse's impact on preterm delivery. Funding will support genomic testing and statistical analysis at Swedish Medical Center and UMDNJ-RWJMS.
The addition of immunotherapy to standard therapy increases the percentage of children with high-risk neuroblastoma who are alive and free of disease progression after two years. The new regimen, which targets a substance on tumor cells called GD2, presents a clear paradigm shift in treating this cancer.
Researchers identified 20 barley proteins, 40 yeast proteins, and two corn proteins, revealing the largest portrait of the beer proteome. These findings may help brewers optimize fermentation processes and enhance beer's flavor and aroma.
A $1.76 million study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute investigates the role of two proteins, osteocalcin and osteopontin, in bone fractures over time. The research aims to develop new methods of diagnosing osteoporosis and treating related bone diseases.
Children with ADHD have more missing or duplicated segments of DNA compared to other children, suggesting a strong genetic link. The study also found significant overlap between these segments and genetic variants implicated in autism and schizophrenia.
Studies presented at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO reveal that self-reported patient wait times significantly impact all measured aspects of the ambulatory patient experience. Additionally, incorporating physician extenders in outpatient otolaryngology practices can increase patient education, promote productivity, and im...
A University of Georgia study suggests that mothers who consume a diet high in trans fats double the likelihood that their infants will have high levels of body fat. Infants whose mothers consumed more than 4.5 grams of trans fats per day while breastfeeding were twice as likely to have high percentages of body fat.
A University of Arizona research team found that digital coupons are often difficult to use due to technical issues with redemption and cashier knowledge. The study suggests that a more convenient and user-friendly experience is needed to make digital coupons successful.
A new clinical trial found that 96% of patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma survived for three years after receiving reduced chemotherapy doses. The study, led by Katherine Matthay at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, aimed to minimize the toxic effects of cancer drugs on young children.
A new blood test called AccuPSA can detect rising prostate specific antigen levels after radical prostatectomy, allowing for earlier detection of cancer recurrence. This test has the potential to eliminate unnecessary treatments and improve health care costs by enabling earlier treatment with potentially better outcomes.
Researchers have found genetic evidence that baleen whales lost their teeth 25 million years ago, a finding that matches the fossil record. The study used genetic analysis to show that a transposable genetic element was inserted into the enamel production gene in the common ancestor of baleen whales.
The award recognizes the university's portable, scalable self-contained wastewater-treatment system that converts wastewater into effluent meeting EPA standards in under 24 hours. The technology has been adapted for potable water production with minor modifications.
A University of Michigan study found that in-country OB/GYN training programs significantly contributed to doctors' decision to remain in Ghana. The availability and presence of a viable training program played a crucial role, along with social and economic factors, in graduates' choices.
A phase II clinical trial found tanezumab to be effective in reducing osteoarthritis knee pain, with a 62% reduction in walking knee pain compared to placebo. The drug also showed promise in improving physical function and relieving stiffness.
A recent study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture found that blueberries can help prevent the growth of atherosclerotic lesions in arteries. The research involved feeding 30 young laboratory mice diets spiked with freeze-dried blueberry powder for 20 weeks, resulting in a significant reduction in lesion size.
Scientists have discovered that red light influences the regulation of nectar secretion in extrafloral nectaries of plants like Lima beans. This process involves the phytochrome protein and affects the binding of plant hormone jasmonic acid to isoleucine.