A new knowledgebase, Kbase, will integrate disparate data streams on plants and microbes to facilitate question-asking about huge datasets. This will help make progress on improved ways to generate biofuels and optimize plant yields.
Scientists have identified molecular differences between disease-indicating proteins and those that exist naturally, enabling the development of reliable diagnostic tests. This breakthrough could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of fatal diseases, such as cancer.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a genetic mutation in VPS35 that causes Parkinson's disease, leading to protein buildup in the brain. This finding opens up new avenues for understanding and treating the complex disease.
Researchers at UWM have discovered that propranolol, a common beta blocker, can prevent the brain from retrieving memories associated with cocaine use in animal models. This finding could lead to the development of a first-ever pharmacological treatment for cocaine addiction.
A new gene, MAN1B1, has been identified as the cause of recessive intellectual disability in five families. The gene codes an enzyme involved in quality control functions in cells, leading to faulty proteins being released into the body.
A new study found that a global payment system in Massachusetts lowered medical spending by nearly 2% while improving the quality of patient care compared to traditional fee-for-service systems. The Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) model, which includes more than a third of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' provider network, s...
The NASA Aura satellite measures pollution 'butterfly' formed by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from agricultural fires in central Africa. High concentrations of NO2 were detected over the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola, posing a threat to air quality and health.
A team of biochemists at the University of Arizona discovered that disrupting a molecular process used by mosquitoes to direct proteins to their proper destinations causes more than 90 percent of affected mosquitoes to die within 48 hours of blood feeding. This approach could be used as an additional strategy in the worldwide effort to...
NASA's Aqua satellite captured clear images of Typhoon Ma-on's eye, indicating a strong storm. The typhoon has strengthened to Category Four status with maximum sustained winds at 132 mph.
Wake Forest University and Fisk University have partnered to create crystals that can accurately detect nuclear threats, radioactive material, and chemical bombs. The $900,000 grant will support research in radiation detection, leading to improved detector devices for screening cargo and passengers.
A new study by NOAA finds that strong El Niño years can lead to nearly three times the average number of storm surge events along the East Coast, with a third-of-a-foot elevation in mean sea level. Coastal communities may need to prepare for higher sea levels and more destructive storm surges.
Researchers Richard Boone and Pat Marsteller propose enhancing the NSF's GK-12 program, which has placed 10,000 graduate students in over 6,000 schools. The revamped program aims to strengthen science education for K-12 students and improve teaching skills for graduate students.
Two studies published in Appetite found that consuming in-shell pistachios reduces calorie intake by 41% and provides visual cues to control portion size. Pistachio shells offer a simple technique to fool oneself full, supporting the 'Pistachio Principle'.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that donated red blood cells lose their key feature to diminish lifesaving power with storage time. This loss can lead to complications in critically ill patients, prompting a search for ways to optimize transfusion benefits and extend stored blood's shelf life.
Researchers in Argentina used fossilized insect cocoons to describe how wasps played a crucial role in consuming rotting dinosaur eggs. The study provides insight into the murky world of insect communities that thrived at the feet of gigantic dinosaurs.
A new study found that female teens who binge drink have less brain activation and worse performance on attention and working memory tasks. Male binge drinkers showed some but less abnormality compared to non-drinkers. The findings suggest that adolescent girls may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of heavy alcohol use.
Researchers found that alpha males in Kenya's baboon groups have higher glucocoricoid levels, indicating a potential cost to high social rank. The study has implications for human behavior and societal structures.
The decline of apex consumers has triggered trophic cascades, affecting ecosystem dynamics and leading to changes in vegetation, wildfire frequency, and disease outbreaks. Restoration efforts focus on reestablishing large animals, requiring large-scale approaches to conserve functional ecosystems.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that Massachusetts health reform led to a 7.6% increase in health insurance among residents and a 4.8% decrease in those forgoing healthcare due to cost
A new study found that acute stress can increase alcohol consumption by altering its effects, while chronic stress may prolong recovery from a stressful event. The study's results suggest that using alcohol to cope with stress may actually make a person's response to stress worse.
Researchers used ARPES to study graphene's behavior near the Dirac point, observing unusual electronic interactions and renormalization. This discovery confirms graphene's semimetal properties and provides insight into its unique electronic structure.
Researchers developed genome-scale editing tools, replacing instances of a stop codon in E. coli with another, creating novel cell strains with increased functionality and safety. The new method, CAGE, surpasses current methods by two orders of magnitude.
A hydrogen fuel cell-powered mobile lighting system was deployed at the Kennedy Space Center for the final Space Shuttle Atlantis launch, providing clean and quiet power. The system has the potential to drastically reduce dependence on diesel-fueled mobile lighting across the US, offsetting up to 900 gallons of fuel per year.
Recent studies have shown that bone marrow transplant survival has significantly increased for young, high-risk leukemia patients, particularly those without matched donors. The results are attributed to advances in treatment and donor selection.
The decline of apex predators has severe impacts on ecosystems, causing trophic cascades that affect habitat loss, pollution, wildfire, climate change, invasive species, and disease spread. This loss is driving the sixth mass extinction event, threatening human health and well-being.
A new study by Danit Ein-Gar, Baba Shiv, and Zakary L. Tormala found that receiving minor negative information after a series of positive reviews can accentuate the positive impression, especially under low thought conditions.
A field study found that diners with large forks ate less than those with small forks due to the need to visually track their progress. The authors suggest consumers learn to better understand hunger cues to avoid overeating.
Researchers discovered that moles' extra 'thumb' develops from a single bone that forms later than the real fingers. This adaptation allows for increased digging efficiency.
A new study published in The Lancet found that the number of sexual partners, rather than concurrent partnerships, is strongly predictive of HIV transmission in women. Researchers analyzed data from over 87,000 individuals in South Africa and found that men with multiple lifetime partners were more likely to transmit HIV.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that the accuracy of pre-sport participation ECGs is fairly low, with an average score of 67% among pediatric cardiologists. This has led researchers to question the validity of mandatory ECG screenings for young athletes.
A new study found that bariatric surgery is a cost-effective treatment option for all obese patients, with significant savings in medical costs over lifetime. The analysis suggests that the procedure should be universally available to all obese people, making it a good value and a potential game-changer in obesity treatment.
A new study published in Science found that high-ranking male baboons have higher stress-hormone levels than lower-ranking males, even during periods of stability. This suggests that life at the top has a real downside and being an alpha male comes at a cost.
Up to 60% of consumers may reject the second-best option and choose a lower-rated item when given a choice between two close options. This phenomenon is known as the carryover effect, where attributes that were initially important become less relevant in subsequent decisions.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have identified a protein that may play a key role in the development of lymphoma by inhibiting a tumor-suppressing gene. The study found that this protein, known as RNPC1, is frequently overactive in dog lymphomas and may contribute to the formation of cancerous cells.
A University at Buffalo study found that Jakobshavn Isbrae expanded outward at a similar pace as it retreated in recent years, supporting evidence that calving glaciers are sensitive to climate change. The glacier's growth was linked to the Little Ice Age period around 200 years ago.
A study found that luxury brands associated with self-enhancement concepts can cause consumers to feel a sense of disfluency when receiving social responsibility messages. In contrast, brands associated with openness or conservation concepts tend to have less conflict and experience more positive reactions to CSR initiatives.
Mutations in Timothy syndrome can cause severe cardiovascular disorders by disturbing calcium homeostasis. The current research focuses on the structure of L-calcium channels and reveals a highly conserved motif called G/A/G/A, essential for sealing the closed channel pore.
New research explains how positivity bias in the brain contributes to successful aging, with increased engagement in positive emotions leading to greater emotional stability. The study suggests that focusing on the positive can help individuals age successfully.
A novel combined therapy has been developed to treat brain cancer patients with neoplastic meningitis, a devastating neurological complication. The treatment involves delivering chemotherapy directly to the brain's surfaces while draining excess spinal fluid to alleviate pressure and improve quality of life.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a soft memory device that functions well in wet environments, similar to the human brain. The device has biocompatibility and holds promise for interfacing electronics with biological systems, such as cells or tissue.
A team of researchers led by Ayse Pinar Saygin found that the human brain responds with a mismatch in perception when an android's appearance and motion are at odds. This phenomenon, known as the 'uncanny valley,' occurs when an artificial agent becomes too human-like, causing discomfort and unease.
Researchers have identified a new genetic risk factor for restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs. The discovery provides new avenues for understanding the disease and developing effective treatments.
A novel virus has been identified that can infect both humans and New World monkeys, spreading between species. The titi monkey adenovirus (TMAdV) was found in a California primate research center and later infected a human researcher and a family member.
Researchers at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) have made a breakthrough in understanding how neurons connect and communicate. Drs. Artur Kania and Tzu-Jen Kao discovered that axon guidance is modulated by ligands present within the same neuron, leading to increased diversity of neuronal connections.
Researchers used network science to study swarming behavior in locusts, finding that social interactions play a crucial role in coordinating movements. The study suggests that animals may be creating equivalent social networks to humans, with locusts convincing others to move in the same direction.
Scientists have successfully used camel blood-derived nanobodies to target and kill cancer cells expressing specific markers. The approach involves attaching the nanobodies to nanoparticles that deliver a killer gene, preventing non-specific cell killing and improving safety.
Researchers use old mathematical techniques and insights on CMEs to devise a fresh way to measure magnetic fields in the sun's upper atmosphere. By spotting a diffuse ring around a CME, they can determine the strength of the magnetic field using Alfvén speed.
A study by Kansas State University researchers linked increased soybean and biofuel crop production in Brazil to significant deforestation in the Amazon. Reducing soybean production by 10% could decrease deforestation by nearly 40%.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that using hypoallergenic baby formula does not decrease the risk of allergies in high-risk infants. The trial involved 620 infants and assessed whether hypoallergenic formula could prevent childhood eczema, asthma, or hay fever up to seven years of age.
A double-blind clinical trial is underway at UTHealth, studying the safety and efficacy of an innovative stem cell therapy for patients up to 19 days after ischemic stroke. The therapy, developed by Aldagen, uses a patient's own bone marrow stem cells to enhance recovery.
Rice University scientists have developed a cable made of metallic nanotubes that can carry electricity with minimal loss. The 'amplified' nanotubes are created by chemically attaching an iron/cobalt catalyst to the ends of nanotubes and fine-tuning the temperature and environment for amplification.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism in regulating human genes by enabling pre-mRNA splicing. The U2AF protein plays a crucial role in this process, which involves the cooperation of different proteins to remove introns and form mature mRNA. This process is essential for genetic information flow from DNA to RNA to proteins.
Consumers in a positive mood make quicker and more consistent judgments than unhappy people. Positive affect conditions lead to faster response times and more consistent evaluations.
A novel virus spread through a California monkey colony in late 2009, infecting over a third of the monkeys and causing devastating respiratory illness. The virus also infected two human researchers and family members, demonstrating its ability to jump between species.
A team of researchers has uncovered a startling new feature of lanthanum strontium manganese oxide, which can change its stripes from fluctuating to static and back. At the right temperature, it switches from a metallic state to an insulator, exhibiting colossal conductivity changes.
A recent study found that infants can perceive flicker or movement but struggle to identify individual elements within a moving scene. This suggests that babies have a slower visual processing speed than adults, with a limit of around half a second.
Researchers develop a new LEAP (Low-Energy Anti-fibrillation Pacing) method to terminate life-threatening cardiac fibrillation, reducing energy required by more than 80%. The technique uses weak electrical signals to synchronize the heart's tissue, gradually suppressing chaotic activity.
Researchers have developed a method to create perfect-fit prosthetic dentistry using 3D printing technology. The approach combines medical imaging with computer-aided design to produce complex shapes like teeth and crowns. This technique has the potential to reduce production time and improve fit, making dental care more efficient.
The success of antiretroviral-based HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment for prevention, has transformed the landscape. Effective prevention strategies focus on implementation challenges such as HIV testing, mother-to-child transmission, and behavioural approaches.
Researchers have discovered conserved enzymes for cell wall synthesis across various plant species, including barley, rice, and wheat. This finding has significant implications for improving crop yields and unlocking the full potential of industrial applications.