Stenger examines the concept of fine-tuning in physics and cosmology, arguing that many claims by theists are based on misunderstanding science. He finds evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that God does not exist, exploring standard models of physics and cosmology to support his argument.
African Americans with multiple sclerosis have lower vitamin D levels than those without the disease. The study suggests low vitamin D may be a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis, but other factors such as genes and environmental triggers also play a role in disease severity.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center (MDC) have identified E-cadherin as a key molecule enabling embryonic stem cells to differentiate into diverse cell types. The study found that E-cadherin plays a crucial role in maintaining pluripotent stem cells and reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells.
A new study reveals that students struggling with math may have a neurocognitive disorder called dyscalculia, which affects roughly the same number of people as dyslexia. The research uses magnetic resonance imaging to map the neural network supporting arithmetic and discovers abnormalities in this network among learners with dyscalculia.
Engineers at MIT validate the scratch test as a simple method to assess a material's fracture properties. By analyzing the force and dimensions of scratches, researchers can determine a material's toughness, making it a valuable tool for understanding how materials break.
Researchers studied sediment transfer from land to deep sea using LiDAR and cosmogenic radionuclide-derived erosion rates. They found that sediment fluxes influence landscape evolution and geochemical cycling. Additionally, unique sedimentary desiccation structures were discovered in Bahamian ooid grainstone.
Researchers used fMRI to identify how precision-tinted lenses work, finding that they normalize brain activity in patients with migraine headaches. The study showed a 70% improvement in symptoms compared to control lenses, suggesting a potential biomarker for identifying patients who may benefit from tinted lenses.
A new research study by UM Frost School of Music's Music Engineering Technology Group explores the potential of multi-touch surfaces in music performance. The study reveals a custom system that reduces latency to an average of 30 ms while providing programmable haptic feedback.
Researchers discovered that reindeer can see ultraviolet light, which helps them find food and avoid predators. This unique adaptation allows them to thrive in the harsh arctic environment where humans would be vulnerable to snow blindness.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified over 11,000 protein interaction networks that control gene regulation in human cells. These networks, which consist of thousands of multi-protein complexes, play a crucial role in regulating the expression of genes and producing proteins.
Researchers from the University of Granada have proven that music therapy combined with guided imagery reduces pain, depression, anxiety, and improves sleep among patients suffering from fibromyalgia. The study shows that these techniques enhance well-being and personal power, allowing patients to take part in their own treatment.
A study by Dutch researchers has found that a hormone level test can predict when women will reach menopause, enabling them to make informed decisions about family planning and career choices. The test uses Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels to determine an individual's predicted age of menopause.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a new fMRI technique that can distinguish between different mental states based on synchronized brain network activity. The study used a novel approach to capture brain activity in real-world, self-paced conditions, allowing for more accurate identification of brain states.
Two renowned physicists and a chemist will collaborate on cancer research at Rice's BioScience Research Collaborative. They plan to apply physical principles to understand complex biological systems and develop new approaches to treat cancer.
A Chinese study shows that HPV vaccine Gardasil does not increase disease flares or antibody measures in inactive SLE patients receiving stable medications. The study confirms the safety of Gardasil vaccination to prevent HPV infection in this population.
Engineers at Vanderbilt University created a 'spongy' silicon biosensor that detects small molecules with high sensitivity. The new sensor's porous structure increases its surface area, allowing it to capture more molecules than traditional sensors.
Researchers are developing targeted treatments for serious disabilities like autism and schizophrenia by studying gene regulation networks in the cerebellum. The goal is to identify key genes involved in brain development and develop new drugs and cognitive therapies.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are two times more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to healthy controls. The study controlling for risk factors like smoking and obesity found a significant association, suggesting a link between the two conditions
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have developed an electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-based thermal control technology that promises to make it easier and more efficient to remove heat from small spaces. The technology, which uses electric fields to pump coolant through tiny ducts, could benefit a wide range of applications, in...
Advancements in telemedicine, medical robots, biomarkers, neural engineering, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine are transforming patient care. Five key areas of convergence will drive healthcare's future.
A new study published in Cephalalgia suggests that precision ophthalmic tints can suppress cortical activation in the brain, reducing migraine symptoms. The lenses significantly reduced discomfort when viewing stressful patterns, with a 70% reduction in distress.
A new study reveals that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can normalize behavior in mice models of bipolar disorder, reducing depressive symptoms and decreasing alcohol abuse. The researchers also found correlations between molecular changes and biomarkers, paving the way for targeted clinical studies in humans.
Researchers found that preharvest rainfall and firm fruit are key factors contributing to blueberry splitting. The study also showed that some cultivars, like 'Premier,' have a lower incidence of splitting than others, such as widely grown 'Tifblue.'
Researchers at the University of Maryland have identified a protein called HRG-3 that transports heme from the mother's intestine to her developing embryos in C. elegans. This finding could lead to new treatments for parasitic worm infections and iron deficiency, affecting over two billion people worldwide.
The new composites have a co-continuous structure, allowing for the combination of materials with different properties. This results in materials that are stiff, strong and tough, as well as damage-tolerant even when subjected to multiple cracks.
A small study on yoga in rheumatoid arthritis patients showed statistically significant improvements in disease activity scores, while another study demonstrated positive effects on the quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia. Yoga practice has been found to reduce anxiety levels and improve overall well-being.
A recent study published in Science argues against a widely publicized conclusion that bacteria consumed Deepwater Horizon methane, casting doubt on the attribution of low oxygen zones to methane oxidation. The researchers highlight uncertainties in methane discharge and oxygen depletion data, as well as limitations in the model used b...
Researchers discovered that babies as young as 12 months old can use their knowledge of basic rules to form expectations about new events. A computational model accurately predicts infants' surprise at unexpected events, suggesting they reason by mentally simulating possible scenarios.
A UCF scientist is part of a historic mission to retrieve the first-ever sample from an asteroid in orbit. The team will navigate unusual gravity fields and rotate quickly to land on the asteroid, collecting pristine space rock for insights into Earth's origins.
Researchers created functional neurons from human skin cells using four proteins, bypassing the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells. This advancement enables the study of neural diseases and development of more effective treatments and cures.
Researchers used the Jaguar supercomputer to simulate the interactions within carbon-14 nuclei and found that strong three-nucleon forces extend its decay. This discovery helps explain why carbon-14 is a useful tool for dating ancient objects.
Coastal communities can address localized ocean acidification hotspots by applying federal and state laws and policies at a local level, reducing the impact on marine environments.
Researchers found that cooperative bacteria can evolve behaviors that eliminate fitness advantages derived from cheating within social groups. The 'policing' mechanism allows cooperators to outcompete cheaters in mixed groups, but also strongly benefits cooperator cells in certain contexts.
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund found that nearly half of young adults (45%) couldn't afford needed healthcare in 2010, with 40% struggling to pay medical bills. The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference, with over 600,000 young adults gaining new insurance coverage since 2010.
Researchers aim to create biological circuits using RNA molecules for the engineering of programmable genetic networks. They have successfully eliminated protein requirements and developed a system that can sense RNA input and synthesize output signals, performing logic operations and regulating multiple genes. This breakthrough has si...
The latest issue of Cell journal features QR codes connecting readers to author-narrated figure walks and hidden treasures of animated figures, videos, podcasts, and more. This innovative approach improves the reader's experience and conceptualization of scientific content.
The study found that countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore and Pakistan are much tighter whereas countries such as the Ukraine, Israel, Brazil, and the U.S. are looser. Tight and loose societies vary in their institutions—with tight societies having more autocratic governments, media, and criminal justice systems.
Researchers have identified two gene classes associated with new prion formation in yeast, which may provide a genetic key to understanding neurodegenerative disorders like Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Huntington's disease. The study found that genes important for prion generation also increased toxicity in the presence of certain proteins.
A UK survey found variations in approaches to treating women with rheumatic conditions during pregnancy, with some clinicians continuing treatment while others discontinued it. Guidelines for managing this patient population are also lacking, with only 25% of rheumatologists and 6% of obstetricians having locally developed guidelines.
Typhoon Songda intensified into a super typhoon with wind speeds estimated at over 130 knots, causing heavy rainfall and rough seas in the Philippines and nearby regions. NASA's TRMM satellite captured detailed images of the storm's circular eye and rain bands.
Research emphasizes strengthening simple number concepts through specially-designed teaching schemes supported by adaptive software, aiming to help learners build basic understanding of arithmetic and tackle math difficulties.
Researchers at TGen found that naturally occurring plant compounds could slow down Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting a protein linked to memory loss. Harmine and other beta-carboline alkaloids show promise as therapeutic drugs, targeting tau phosphorylation and neurofibrillary tangles.
Chronic estrogen exposure has been linked to an increase in superoxide, a compound that causes stress in the body, leading to hypertension. Resveratrol has been shown to reverse this effect, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for female patients using hormone replacement therapy.
A study in C. elegans reveals that the tiny protein HRG-3 plays a crucial role in transporting heme to developing embryos and other parts of the worm's body. This finding holds promise for developing effective treatments against parasitic worms, which affect over a quarter of the world's population.
Researchers found that closely related species respond similarly to noise by tweaking their songs in different ways, with plumbeous vireos raising the pitch of their lowest note and grey vireos adjusting the highest part of their song. The study provides insight into how birds cope with increasing noise levels in their environments.
Researchers have identified a master gene controlling lysosome and autophagosome function, shedding light on rare genetic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. The discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for inherited conditions like Tay-Sachs and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that folic acid supplements given to mother rats significantly protect their offspring from developing colorectal cancer. The research suggests that folic acid may have different effects on cancer development in different organs, and more studies are needed.
A study found that RA patients had lower seroprotection rates and seroconversion rates compared to healthy individuals after receiving the H1N1 vaccine. This highlights the need for specific immunization strategies for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in future flu pandemics.
A new study published in Annals of Neurology found that residents of the Stroke Belt, a southern region of the US, have a higher incidence of cognitive decline than other regions. The research team believes shared risk factors are to blame and suggests investigating regional patterns contributing to modifiable risk factors.
A new study developed by McGill Professor Roussos Dimitrakopoulos has created more accurate mine planning models that take into account uncertainty in the supply of minerals. This results in higher return on investment for mining companies while increasing metal production from the same asset.
A new UCLA study reveals that individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) exhibit abnormal brain activity when processing holistic visual elements, such as the overall shape of an object. This finding suggests that BDD patients have general abnormalities in visual processing, which may contribute to the development of the disorder.
Researchers found that a specific section of the AKAP12 gene responds to retinoid treatment, reducing vascular cell growth. The study suggests that this gene could be a target for treating vascular diseases and potentially other cancers.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women's risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be identified up to seven years before pregnancy based on routine measures of blood sugar and body weight. The study revealed a strong correlation between adverse cardio-metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar, hypertension, and bein...
Neurologix presents 1-year data from its Phase 2 study of NLX-P101, a gene therapy for Parkinson's disease, showing sustained improvements in motor symptoms. Patients treated with NLX-P101 experienced highly clinically meaningful symptom improvements, with a mean 37% improvement after one year.
A University of Toronto study found that formerly depressed patients' brain activity responses to sadness can predict future depression relapse. The research suggests that a frontal brain region's analysis and interpretation of sadness may perpetuate depression.
Austrian researchers have successfully implemented an algorithm for error correction in a quantum processor, enabling repetitive corrections. This achievement is a significant milestone towards developing practical quantum computers.
Research suggests that implementing landfill gas-recovery projects quickly can maximize methane gas retrieval from organic waste. Landfill gas (LFG) has the potential to be used as an alternative fuel, with half the caloric value of natural gas.
A two-year study reveals the daily habits of feral and free-roaming house cats, with some having surprisingly large territories. The owned cats had significantly smaller territories and were less active than the un-owned cats, which had to search harder for food to survive.
A UNC laboratory study shows that Tacrolimus, a commonly used organ transplant rejection medication, inhibits breast cancer growth by over 70 percent in pre-clinical studies. The drug works by blocking new blood vessel growth to tumors, a therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor growth.
Researchers found that combined exposure to the three chemicals increases the risk of Parkinson's disease threefold. People who live and work near fields sprayed with these pesticides experience the greatest increase in risk.