A new combination therapy has been developed to target fungal infections in implanted medical devices, effectively clearing biofilm-based infections. The therapy inhibits a protein called Hsp90, rendering antifungals effective against biofilms, offering hope for patients with device-related infections.
A recent study by Michigan State University's Corwin Smidt found that news coverage of Washington politicians' rhetoric has limited influence on public opinion. Instead, citizens are swayed by stories about grassroots protests and local events.
A study from Lund University in Uganda found that almost one third of students have experienced sexual coercion, which is linked to risky sexual behavior. The researchers suggest targeting both perpetrators and victims to combat HIV in the country.
A minimally-invasive procedure aimed at reducing lung inflation and shortness of breath in patients with severe emphysema has failed to demonstrate sustained long-term effects. Despite initial improvements, the procedure's durability was lacking, with no significant differences noted between treatment and sham groups after six months.
Researchers found that visual processing also activates the same parts of the brain involved in touch sensations, allowing computers to accurately predict which object is being viewed. This connection enables a 'mind's touch,' where memories of tactile experiences are replayed when viewing corresponding visual images.
A study analyzing hundreds of millions of names reveals global 'naming networks' that bind people to cultural, ethnic and linguistic communities. The researchers used forenames and surnames to create a representation of population structure around the world.
The report highlights the importance of living conditions, such as housing quality and access to healthy food, in determining health outcomes. Health Impact Project director Aaron Wernham praises the publication as a 'game-changer' for promoting the use of health impact assessments in decision-making.
A recent study has identified a genetic marker on bovine chromosome 20 associated with the incidence of three costly cattle diseases: pinkeye, foot rot, and pneumonia. This finding has the potential to improve disease tolerance in cattle and reduce economic losses for producers.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology identifies a link between maternal diet and child allergies, finding that polyunsaturated fatty acids improve gut immune cell response. This may reduce allergy risk by accelerating the development of a healthy immune system.
A team of scientists predicts that Earth's climate has undergone rapid transitions over the last 800,000 years, with evidence from ancient snow layers and volcanic eruptions. The study extends the current 100,000-year record to create a new testing ground for climate models.
Researchers analyzed the genome of a superbug called vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) to understand its resistance to antibiotics. They identified changes in genes that led to daptomycin resistance, offering insights into developing new drugs to combat this growing health threat.
The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, is a significant insect pest reducing US soybean yields by $2.4 billion annually. Biological control, host plant resistance, and other factors affecting its populations are reviewed.
A recent study found that when people have been recently sick, they are more likely to pay attention to and avoid others who might make them sick. This activation of the behavioral immune system is independent of conscious worries and is linked to a faster response in avoiding potentially contagious individuals.
A recent study suggests that relying on natural gas instead of coal would fail to significantly slow down climate change. The research found that a shift in energy sources could lead to a slight increase in worldwide warming over the next 40 years, with temperatures eventually dropping by only a few tenths of a degree.
Scientists at Norwich BioScience Institutes discovered that plant pores, essential for life and carbon cycles, are evenly spaced due to a specific protein called SPEECHLESS. This protein's activity helps create an even spatial pattern during plant growth, allowing plants to breathe efficiently in different environments.
The system produces enough electricity to power 35 homes for a year and prevents the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to nearly 5,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. The pilot project demonstrates how hog farms can manage waste, reduce emissions, and generate on-farm renewable power.
Scientists at University of Cambridge identify gene HCN2 as key regulator of chronic pain. The discovery opens up possibility of developing new, targeted pain medications.
The Soybean Rust Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (PIPE) has saved farmers between $209-299 million since its introduction in 2005. The platform relies on accurate and timely monitoring data, weather data, and state-of-the-art information technology to provide essential management decisions.
Two new genetic variants, rs4129267 and rs7130588, linked to increased asthma risk have been discovered. These variants may lead to the development of a new treatment for asthma using drugs currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
A study by Université Laval researchers found that 40% of adult Canadians experience insomnia symptoms at least three times a week. The survey also revealed that many people try to treat their sleep problems themselves, rather than consulting a healthcare professional.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that a viral gene in gypsy moths manipulates their hormones to induce continuous eating and prevent molting, causing them to climb and die on treetops. This behavior enhances transmission of the virus to new hosts.
A University of Rhode Island study found that Tanzania's Saadani National Park protects mangrove ecosystems while providing new income opportunities for local communities through increased fishing and shrimping activities. Mangrove cover declined by 27% before park establishment, but remained stable with reduced harvesting.
Researchers identify cause of hummingbird courtship sounds: fluttering tail feathers generate louder sound when neighboring feathers flutter at the same frequency. The unique sound is thought to be a form of aerodynamic signaling during courtship.
The new duty-hour limits will require US teaching hospitals to spend up to $1.3 billion a year on implementing the changes, which aim to reduce medical errors caused by fatigue. The reforms also introduce changes in the training environment, including standardized hand-overs and education on fatigue and patient safety.
A comprehensive review of the first decade of gene-by-environment interaction research in psychiatry found that novel findings were more likely to be published but also more likely to be false positives. The study suggests a focus on replication is necessary to confirm accurate correlations between genes and environmental variables.
A new study published in Pediatric Neurology reveals that tics are a common disorder affecting approximately 16.86% of schoolchildren in Spain, with boys being more frequently affected than girls. The study found that while severe tics were previously thought to be rare, most cases are actually mild and have no functional impact.
The NSF has provided a six-year, $13.6 million grant to establish a multi-university center at Duke University and N.C. State University to investigate soft matter research. Researchers will focus on creating new materials with defined characteristics for various applications, including organic solar cells and tissue implants.
The University of Oregon, NC State, and Arizona State University will collaborate to evaluate special education assessment and accountability. The project aims to better understand academic growth in students with disabilities and determine which accountability mechanisms accurately reflect a school's impact.
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that fast-rising health costs have eaten nearly all the income gains made by a median-income American family of four over the past decade. The family would have had an additional $545 per month to spend if healthcare costs had risen only as fast as other goods and services.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how dopamine levels affect brain cells involved in movement control, offering new hope for treating Parkinson's disease. A study found that a lack of dopamine alters the interaction between two groups of brain cells, leading to difficulties controlling movement.
The role of clinical microbiology laboratories is evolving with the increasing availability of sophisticated technologies, which can improve the quality and delivery of services. The tools and changes they bring can substantially enhance patient care by reducing mortality rates from sepsis.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to create synthetic collagen, which forms from a liquid in just an hour and has properties similar to native collagen. The material may be used as a scaffold for regenerating tissues and organs using stem cells.
Researchers identify EIF4G1 gene mutation that leads to death of brain cells, resulting in Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. The study offers insights into how the gene controls protein levels to cope with biological stress.
Researchers have produced a comprehensive guide for using low-intensity, pulsed ultrasound to non-invasively stimulate brain circuits. The approach holds promise for treating life-threatening epileptic seizures and has been shown to be effective in animal studies.
A new study by University of North Carolina researchers found that adopting simple infection control measures can dramatically reduce targeted infections, mortality, and costs. The interventions included strict hand hygiene practices and measures to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The study finds wide variation in state performance on long-term services and supports, with top-performing states still facing challenges. States can improve by adopting policies shown to provide better outcomes, and all states need to vastly improve areas such as home care and support for family caregivers.
The Legume Integrated Pest Management Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (ipmPIPE) provides a new option for generating, summarizing, and disseminating real-time pest data. It identifies priority pathogens and insect pests for monitoring and offers management and education tools.
Scientists at A*STAR's IMCB discover that antibodies can directly target intracellular oncoproteins like PRL-3 to suppress cancer growth. This breakthrough finding offers hope for cancer prevention and has the potential to expand the scope of tailor-made antibody therapy and cancer vaccines.
Research finds that students from higher SES backgrounds, native English speakers, and academically superior students are overrepresented in US high school music ensembles. The study suggests a decline in music ensemble participation due to increased focus on 'tested' subjects and reduced elective courses.
Researchers describe the earliest complete fossil hominin hand post-dating stone tools, Australopithecus sediba's hand. The study reveals that it used its hand for arboreal locomotion but also showed human-like precision grips, a prerequisite for tool-making.
A new commentary in The FASEB Journal emphasizes the importance of using only FDA-approved diagnostic tools for chronic Lyme disease. Patients should demand proof of safety and benefit before beginning treatment, as some treatments have little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.
A new study by RAND Corporation suggests that increased consolidation among health plans nationally can benefit consumers by lowering hospital prices. In metropolitan areas with the fewest health plans, hospital prices were found to be about 12 percent lower.
Hurricane Katia is causing rough surf along the U.S. east coast, while Tropical Storm Lee's remnants bring heavy rain to the Mid-Atlantic states. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Maria appears disorganized, and Tropical Storm Nate is expected to strengthen in the warm waters of the Bay of Campeche.
A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found a strong association between cam-type deformities and early signs of hip damage in young, asymptomatic males. The researchers detected 67 definitive cam-type deformities, which were more common in men with higher body mass index and decreased internal rotation.
Tropical Storm Nate formed quickly in the Bay of Campeche near Mexico's east coast, with NASA satellites capturing its rapid development. The heaviest rainfall was found on the southern side of the storm, with cloud tops reaching heights of up to 14km.
The Henry M. Jackson Foundation has awarded fellowships to three USU students, including Jeremy Gilbreath, Camden Elliott, and Kerry Whittaker, to investigate the structure and function of bacterial pathogens, Loss of Control Eating Disorder, and the relationship between positive psychosocial factors and cardiovascular health
Researchers found that babies' brain activity changes from non-specific 'neuronal bursts' to localized activity in specific areas of the brain, indicating they can perceive painful stimulation as separate from touch. This shift may occur around 35-37 weeks gestation.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is partnering with the Cancer Support Community Greater Miami to raise awareness of cancer survivorship issues. The partnership will be showcased at ASTRO's 53rd Annual Meeting, where attendees can learn about the programs offered by the Cancer Support Community Greater Miami.
Scientists developed an electrically neutral matrix to hold DNA fragments, which spontaneously align and form ordered structures at high concentrations. This technology has potential applications beyond gene therapy, including the delivery of chemical drugs.
A new study from Concordia University and Mount Allison University found that homeschooled children who followed a structured curriculum performed significantly better on standardized tests than their public school peers. On average, they scored two to four grade levels higher in certain tests, with some scoring as much as half a grade...
A European review of child organ donations highlights legal, ethical and cultural barriers across countries. The shortage of deceased donors from children is exacerbated by incompatible organ size and low donation rates.
A team of scientists, including students from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, studied the sounds of California mantis shrimp to understand their communication methods. They found that males made rhythmic 'rumbles' in groups of three to attract females and defend territories.
Researchers from Caltech and UCLA found that the human amygdala responds preferentially to images of animals, with no emotional content influencing this response. This hemispheric asymmetry suggests an early evolutionary specialization for processing unexpected stimuli in the right hemisphere.
A Scripps Research team has overcome a major purification problem for stem cells, enabling more reliable and safe treatments. The new method uses lectin arrays to separate stem cells from other cell types, promising significant cost savings and reliability improvements.
A team led by Yves Marcel has discovered a process called autophagy that mobilizes and exports cholesterol from cells. This could provide a new target to reverse atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers found a 2.5 times higher prevalence of HFI in modern female participants compared to historic skulls, with average age of onset dropping drastically. Hormonal imbalance, lifestyle factors, and fertility habits may contribute to the condition.
Sunspot 1283 has erupted with multiple flares, including an X1.8 flare on September 7 and a moderate M6.7 flare on September 8. NASA predicts that the latest coronal mass ejection may cause some aurora on the morning of September 11.
Researchers at Clemson University have identified a promising new binder material for lithium-ion battery electrodes extracted from common brown algae. The alginate has helped boost energy storage and output for both graphite-based and silicon-based electrodes, addressing challenges in existing batteries.
Australopithecus sediba fossils display both primitive and human-like traits, challenging long-standing theories about human evolution. The discovery of well-preserved hand and foot bones provides insights into the species' tool-making abilities.
A recent U-M study highlights the need for a shared emphasis on both obesity prevention and treatment strategies to achieve the White House's goal of eliminating childhood obesity. The study concludes that prevention programs alone cannot effectively address the epidemic affecting minority children, who are disproportionately affected.