Historians uncover previously unseen correspondence between Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, revealing a tangled web of ambition and institutional politics. The letters provide fresh insights into the personalities of the discoverers and their roles in the discovery of DNA's double helix structure.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a key protein factor, Ets1, involved in the progression of lung cancer. The study aims to identify new therapeutic targets to block tumor growth and metastasis, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to understand and improve an important protein purification process. The study validated the effectiveness of multimodal chromatography, a method that separates proteins from their surrounding materials using molecular glue.
A 40-year-long tobacco control program in California has led to significant reductions in smoking rates, resulting in lower lung cancer mortality. The study credits the state's aggressive tax on cigarettes and comprehensive tobacco control efforts.
Researchers at Duke University developed a tool called TaintDroid that monitors phone apps for transmitting private data. The study found that 15 of 30 popular apps sent users' private information to remote advertising servers, with some sharing location information even when the user wasn't running the app.
Computational biologists at the University of Pennsylvania found that species diversification rates have typically decayed over time, suggesting a limit to species diversity. The study used phylogenies from various groups and found relatively little extinction in the evolutionary trees, contrasting with the fossil record.
Researchers developed a novel, dual-platform technology to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in breast cancer more efficiently than traditional methods. The On-Q-ity C5 chip captured 65% of human breast cancer cells compared to 45% with size-based and 16% with antibody affinity methods.
Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened with NASA's satellite data revealing high thunderstorm clouds and heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides over the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba.
A new microRNA panel test has been developed to further subclassify non-small cell lung cancer, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions. This test has shown high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between subtypes of lung cancer.
A recent study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that abatacept failed to prevent disease flares in patients with non-life threatening systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The medication was administered to 175 patients, but it did not show significant therapeutic benefits over placebo.
Researchers found that adding phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer can speed up the biodegradation of oil in contaminated soil. The study suggests a treatment scheme involving nitrate salts to stimulate rapid biodegradation by increasing sediment porosity and oxygen availability.
Two new Udall Centers will advance Parkinson's disease research, focusing on genetic studies, brain circuit disruption, and novel treatments. The NINDS investment aims to accelerate basic, translational, and clinical research to find a cure for the devastating illness.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic found that radical prostatectomy significantly improves survival rates for men with localized prostate cancer. The procedure has led to excellent overall survival rates, with only 3% of patients dying from prostate cancer.
A new immunotherapy treatment has improved two-year survival rates for high-risk neuroblastoma patients by 20 percent compared to standard treatment. Researchers report a higher cure rate, but also more pain and toxic side effects.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have invented a method to change the color of single photons in a fiber optic cable, enabling faster data transfer and more secure communication. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize quantum computing and internet security.
A collaborative study identified 180 genetic loci influencing height, clustered around genes in six biological pathways. The findings shed light on the complex genetics of height and its relationship to other traits.
Researchers at UCLA are developing a new Internet architecture called Named Data Networking (NDN) that aims to improve security, efficiency and scalability. NDN will replace traditional host-based communication model with content-based approach, enabling secure end-to-end data transmission.
Researchers at NIST developed a surface-directed method for growing nanowires horizontally, producing nano-LEDs with improved properties. The technique enables easy localization of individual heterojunctions on the surface, making it suitable for various applications.
A study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found no link between increased sales of new antidepressants and lower suicide rates. The researchers also ruled out a connection between declining sales of older, more toxic medications and reduced suicide rates.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have made two fundamental discoveries about broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies, which effectively keep the virus at bay. They found that most antibodies bind to their target in a polyreactive manner, enhancing overall affinity by binding non-specifically to the virion.
A high protein diet during development can prime the body to react unhealthily to future food binges. The study found that rats fed a high protein diet showed increased body weight and fat mass in response to a high energy diet.
Researchers are studying how genetic code affects warfarin breakdown in Yup'ik Eskimos to develop personalized drug prescriptions. The study aims to improve treatment outcomes for Alaska Natives with limited access to healthcare.
A new global analysis reveals nearly 80% of the world's human population lives in areas where river waters are highly threatened, posing a major threat to human water security and biodiversity. Rivers worldwide face similar stresses from agricultural intensification, industrial development, and other factors.
Researchers found that free heme released from red blood cells during infection causes organ failure, but hemopexin can neutralize its toxic effects. Administering hemopexin improves survival rates in mice and may predict mortality in patients with severe sepsis.
A national epidemiologic study finds a strong link between adult diabetes and particulate air pollution, persisting after adjustment for other risk factors. The relationship was seen even at exposure levels below the current EPA safety limit.
A recent study found that the majority of US adults lack sufficient information to make the best medical decisions. To address this issue, doctors need to help patients prepare better for health decisions. Key findings include the importance of informed consent and patient decision aids in ensuring patients' preferences are respected.
A recent study published in Neurology found that intravenous treatment with dexamethasone can significantly reduce the mortality rate of patients with bacterial meningitis. The study revealed a 10% lower death rate among those treated with dexamethasone, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic option.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have found rhesus macaques can recognize themselves in a mirror under specific conditions, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery may refine the use of the mark test and challenge existing theories on self-awareness in primates.
Researchers have created a new soy-based glue that can replace traditional wood adhesives, eliminating the release of formaldehyde vapors. The adhesive, made from soy flour and a special additive, performs as well as conventional adhesives but is environmentally friendly.
A new microRNA screening assay detected the majority of early-stage colorectal cancers with good specificity and sensitivity from a single plasma sample. The test has the potential to be safe, cheap, robust, accurate, and convenient for national screening programs.
Researchers identified duplicated or missing DNA segments in children with ADHD, suggesting a neurodevelopmental disorder. The study also found overlap between ADHD and autism, suggesting a shared biological basis.
A study by Intel Labs, Penn State, and Duke University found that 15 apps send users' geographic location to remote servers. Additionally, 20 applications shared unique phone identifiers and phone numbers with developers without user consent.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have been awarded a $1.9 million grant to continue their research into creating human induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells using a method that eliminates cancer risks. The goal is to develop universal red blood cells and platelets for transfusion, eliminating immune rejection problems.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is leading a $16.5 million grant program to develop nanotechnology tools for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease. The center aims to utilize nanotechnology to better prevent and treat atherosclerosis, heart attack, and heart failure.
Researchers at WUSTL will explore therapies and diagnostic tools for heart and lung diseases using nanotechnology. The project aims to improve treatment options for cystic fibrosis, acute lung inflammation, and atherosclerosis.
The Penn Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is one of 18 official study sites for the PPMI, a $40 million, 5-year observational clinical study that aims to identify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease progression. The study will use advanced imaging, biologics sampling, and behavioral assessments to provide valuab...
A global study reveals that multiple environmental stressors threaten the world's rivers, affecting human water security and biodiversity. The research team integrated maps of 23 stressors to provide a single index, highlighting areas with high incident threat levels.
A study by Rice University found that investment analysts' negative stock recommendations increase the probability of CEO dismissal. The researchers analyzed panel data on S&P 500 companies from 2000 to 2005 and found a significant impact of downgrades on CEO turnover decisions.
A new computer simulation by Gurtina Besla and her colleagues shows that the Magellanic Stream resulted from a past close encounter between the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, rather than the Milky Way's gravity. The study challenges traditional models of galaxy formation.
Researchers at UIC's Brodie Laboratory have successfully developed a technique to reattach teeth using stem cells, which could lead to a major advance in the battle against gum disease. The new strategy involves using periodontal ligament stem cells to form new fibrous attachments between the tooth and bone.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital and two other centers will explore new treatment strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a debilitating disease affecting children and young adults. The goal is to identify existing drugs that can inhibit muscle fibrosis and develop non-invasive imaging techniques to assess muscle damage.
Researchers developed two non-invasive testing methods to identify dissolved cocaine in wine or rum bottles using Raman spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These techniques allow customs officials to quickly detect cocaine without opening the bottle, potentially tracking the recipient without arousing suspicion.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have discovered a way to overcome radiation resistance in leukemia cells by targeting the SYK tyrosine kinase molecular target. This breakthrough could improve treatment outcomes for children with relapsed leukemia, who currently face poor survival rates.
A new study from the University of Toronto suggests that having more schedule control at work can lead to blurring of boundaries between work and family life. Researchers found that individuals with partial or full schedule control experienced less negative consequences in terms of work-family multitasking activities.
A study found that having an incarcerated father is associated with substantially elevated risks of marijuana and other illegal drug use in adolescence and early adulthood. Young people with incarcerated fathers also exhibited elevated trajectories of marijuana usage, extending into their mid-twenties.
A recent study found that less than half of essential workers are willing and able to report to work during a serious pandemic. Motivation to work is tied to workplace safety measures, trust in employers, and past experience. Employers can increase worker willingness by providing resources and support for personal obligations.
A new report warns that national targets in the Copenhagen Accord may not be enough to limit global warming to 2°C, threatening a 4.2°C rise in temperature and the destruction of coral reefs by 2100.
A global team of scientists, led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine researcher Robert Kaplan, has identified hundreds of gene variants that influence adult height. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 184,000 people worldwide, proves the effectiveness of genome-wide association studies in explaining observable traits.
Research indicates that children experiencing multiple family living arrangements during childhood may face negative effects on their well-being. Family instability can impact a child's physical and emotional health in the short- and long-term, according to Susan L. Brown's new study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
A new drug, tanezumab, significantly reduces knee pain in osteoarthritis, but a small number of participants developed worsening arthritis and bone changes requiring joint replacements. The FDA is examining data to decide on the drug's future use.
A University of Michigan study found that people who lie on the phone feel a stronger desire for mouthwash, while those who lie via email want hand sanitizer. This suggests a connection between abstract moral issues and concrete physical experiences.
A large international study has identified hundreds of genes contributing to human height, revealing that a combination of multiple genes determines an individual's stature. The research points the way for future studies exploring how these genes interact to impact growth and development.
A study by the University of Melbourne found that close relatives of women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 35 have a higher risk of developing other cancers. These include prostate, lung, brain, and urinary tract cancers, with increased risks ranging from 2 to 8 times higher than expected.
Researchers at Florida State University developed a novel genetic screening method to identify drug-resistant HCV strains and molecular-level mechanisms. This technology also works on HIV and influenza, offering a potentially life-saving solution for over 170 million people worldwide infected with HCV.
A UTHealth researcher has been awarded a three-year grant to develop an early biochemical diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to detect the disease years before symptoms appear, allowing for treatment to begin earlier and potentially preventing death.
The new research program aims to address pressing concerns in the plant sciences, including food production and human health. It will provide critical support to up to 15 plant scientists over five years, selecting those with exceptional talent and innovative ideas.
A study of 58 caregivers found that a lack of understanding and help from friends and relatives is the biggest cause of stress. Caregivers reported signs of anxiety and depression due to common problems such as criticism, social isolation, and difficulty sustaining themselves and their families.
Researchers discussed novel approaches in cleft lip repair and highlighted advancements in cochlear implant technology. A new study also explored the importance of health literacy, cultural competency, and health disparities for patients with diverse backgrounds.
A recent analysis by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that more people are consuming alcohol now than in the early 1990s. The study, which gathered data from over 85,000 respondents, suggests that a range of factors, including social, economic and ethnic influences, contribute to the increase.
The ISIM structure passed extreme cryogenic temperature tests without cracking, with thermal contraction and distortion measured to be within the design requirement. The unique composite laminate and bonding technique used in its construction were successfully tested, ensuring the telescope's instruments remain in precise locations.