A three-year NSF grant is supporting research on the mechanisms of infrared imaging in pit vipers and pythons. Graduate students are studying the proteins responsible for this ability, while undergraduate researchers are training Burmese pythons to perform complex behaviors in response to thermal signals.
Alice Chen's inventions aim to improve drug development and disease modeling using humanized mice with tissue-engineered human livers. Her work has the potential to lead to a safer, less expensive, and more efficient path for drug testing.
Deanna Thompson is utilizing NYSTEM funding to study adult neural stem cells for developing new stem cell therapies and research tools. Her research aims to understand how these stem cells proliferate and differentiate into new nerve cells, with potential applications in treating brain injuries, illnesses, and cancers.
Research suggests that cerebrospinal fluid contains a complex mix of proteins that change with age, supporting or hindering neural stem cell growth. The protein Insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) strongly correlates with cell division levels.
Whitehead Institute scientists have developed a novel method using the enzyme sortase A to site-specifically modify proteins, increasing their potency, thermal stability, and metabolism. This technique can be applied to improve therapeutically important proteins such as interferon alpha 2 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 3.
A new brain-imaging study has identified specific brain activity associated with 'A-ha!' moments, which may promote the formation of long-term memories. The researchers found that higher activity in the amygdala during insight moments predicted more successful performance in memory tasks.
A study published in Pediatrics found that pregnant non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of delivering stillborn babies or babies with congenital birth defects. Passive smoking increased the risk of stillbirth by nearly one-quarter and was linked to a 13% increased risk of congenital birth defects.
Researchers are using genetically modified salmonella packaged with Interlueken 2 to create a two-prong attack on cancer. The therapy, administered orally, shows promise in controlling tumors in the gut and may offer a cheaper and less toxic alternative to chemotherapy and radiation.
Researchers found that sewage discharge and urban runoff from coastal areas are affecting the genetic structure of sea stars, limiting their dispersal and decreasing genetic diversity. This study highlights the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems, suggesting a need for more effective management strategies.
A new study suggests that holding doors for others may be motivated by a desire to reduce the effort required, not just out of respect. The research found that when multiple people follow, the person holding the door holds it longer, and followers hasten their steps to fulfill an implicit pact.
The new journal Environmental Development aims to provide solutions to regional environmental issues through rapid assessments and integrative approaches. It bridges the gap between natural sciences, social sciences, and policy makers to foster global action and knowledge sharing.
Researchers identified 510 missing genetic segments that distinguish humans from chimpanzees and other animals. These segments affect gene regulation, enabling traits like large brains and sensory whiskers. The study reveals how human evolution occurred through subtle DNA changes.
Researchers at MIT have identified a single mutation in the H1N1 genetic makeup that would allow it to be much more easily transmitted between people. The finding should give the World Health Organization something to watch out for, as new strains of the virus may emerge with greater ability to infect humans.
Cardiff University astronomers propose that young stars' long naps could lead to the birth of smaller stars and planets. The researchers developed advanced computer models to simulate young star behavior, finding that disc fragmentation is possible in nature.
Satellites like GOES-13 and NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of a huge cold front stretching from Minnesota to Louisiana, generating tornadoes and heavy rainfall. The storm system is expected to bring up to 1 quarter inch more rain to the eastern US, with potential flooding in various areas.
Researchers found that signals from cerebrospinal fluid help drive neural development, while elevated CSF protein levels are associated with glioblastoma. The study identifies a potential link between CSF signaling and brain tumor growth, offering new insights into treating this malignant brain tumor.
Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Tech found evidence for three distinct layers of working memory, including a core focusing on one active item and surrounding areas holding multiple items. Predictability can improve multitasking by automizing certain tasks, allowing individuals to effectively switch between tasks.
Physicists at NIST have demonstrated an electromechanical circuit that processes information and controls motion at the quantum scale. The device uses a micro drum to transmit mechanical vibrations, achieving strong interactions between microwave light and the drum, paving the way for quantum applications.
Researchers have discovered that minced banana peels can quickly and efficiently remove toxic metals like lead and copper from river water, outperforming other materials in the process. The discovery could provide a sustainable solution for water purification, especially in areas where access to clean drinking water is limited.
A study published in PLoS ONE found that listening to loud music through earphones for extended periods can cause neurophysiological changes related to sound discrimination. The researchers discovered that portable music player users had a harder time distinguishing between sounds and background noises.
A team of researchers from MBARI and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary will use a robotic submarine to study the biological impacts of a shipping container on the seafloor. The goal is to determine what effects, if any, the container has had on seafloor life.
A new study finds that weed-eating fish like parrotfish and surgeonfish can only keep coral reefs clear of weeds before they take over. Beyond a certain density, the fish no longer control the weeds, allowing the corals to be lost.
The study found that humans have unique non-coding DNA segments missing in chimpanzees and other animals, which are correlated with specific human physical characteristics. These differences may have evolved to favor pair-bonding relationships and group living, rather than rapid copulation.
Researchers identified 510 genetic regions highly conserved among chimpanzees and other mammals but missing in humans. These deletions are linked to specific anatomical changes unique to the human lineage, including reduced tactile sensitivity and increased brain size.
Researchers identified a single genetic mutation in the CUBN gene linked to albuminuria, a condition indicating kidney disease, in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the mechanisms behind kidney disease and potentially leading to novel treatment targets.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a novel brain circuit that produces the opposite effect of anxiety, counteracting it instead. The discovery was made using optogenetics technology and found that stimulating this circuit enhances animals' willingness to take risks.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researchers have identified a new biomarker for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), a degenerative brain disease with no cure. The biomarker, transferrin, shows promise in early diagnosis and potential therapy development.
Researchers found that training improves subjective perception of stimuli, leading to conscious sight. The brain regions involved in learning effects differ from those for automatic stimulus processing, suggesting two distinct neural pathways.
A new study has revealed the brain networks involved in person recognition using both face and voice information. The research found that specific regions of the left angular gyrus and right hippocampus are activated when recognizing people from combined visual and auditory cues.
Researchers found that ultrafine particles can activate platelets, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in people with diabetes. The study provides new insights into air pollution's impact on heart health, emphasizing the importance of controlling exposure to pollutants for vulnerable populations.
A new computer toolkit named nQuire has been developed to teach children how to think like scientists, enabling them to gather data, analyze results, and make informed decisions. The project shows that this approach can improve learning outcomes, maintain student enjoyment of science lessons, and develop critical thinking skills.
A new study by Rice University's Baker Institute found that US researchers who collaborate with international scientists receive more citations and greater recognition than their peers. This is particularly true when the US scientist is a corresponding author, with an average of 20.3 citations compared to 15.0 for independent publicati...
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified a protein that plays a key role in storing fat in the body. The study found that mice with high levels of this protein were more prone to developing unhealthy fat tissue after a high-fat diet, highlighting its potential as a target for obesity treatment.
The revised McDonald Criteria simplify the diagnostic process by incorporating new data on MRI, speeding up diagnosis while maintaining accuracy. The updated criteria apply primarily to individuals with clinically isolated syndrome or symptoms consistent with a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease.
Researchers found that interstitial lung disease is associated with reduced total lung capacity and less emphysema in smokers. Smokers with abnormal lung densities are at increased risk for restrictive lung oxygen volume deficits.
A new study by the American Sociological Association reveals that classrooms with inadequate material resources and teachers feeling undervalued lead to worse mental health outcomes in first-grade children. The research emphasizes the importance of considering mental health as a crucial educational outcome.
Professor Gerard Karsenty is awarded the first Herbert A. Fleisch ESCEO-IOF Medal for his pioneering work in understanding skeletal development and physiology. The medal recognizes his outstanding achievements in basic bone science, including identifying Runx2 as a master gene of osteoblast differentiation.
A multidisciplinary team found that patients with tumors in the right parietal cortex struggled to process categorical spatial information, leading to errors in mental rotation tasks. The left prefrontal cortex was also affected, causing difficulties in setting up specific programs within the brain for task organization.
Researchers have identified a new biomarker for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which can accurately diagnose the condition in patients while they are still alive. The biomarker, transferrin, is significantly decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with sCJD before the end stage of the disease.
Researchers found that Americans experience higher rates of chronic disease and markers of disease than their English counterparts at all ages, despite the US having a higher healthcare spending. The study suggests that allocation of health care resources, lifestyle, and social conditions may play a role in the observed differences.
St. Jude researchers found that 18.3% of relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients had alterations in the CREBBP gene, compared to just 1% in non-relapsed patients. The study suggests that CREBBP mutations may be a potential indicator of relapse risk.
Researchers have developed a programmable molecular robot that can move between track locations separated by 6nm and choose among different branches of a molecular track. The robot uses a 'fuel hairpin' molecule to propel itself along the track and receive routing instructions, enabling precise control over its route.
A Northwestern University research team found that binding chemotherapy drugs to nanodiamonds significantly improves the effectiveness of cancer treatment, particularly in cases where tumors are resistant to conventional therapies. The discovery holds promise for treating aggressive cancers with fewer toxic side effects.
A new study uses optogenetics to precisely identify neural circuits responsible for anxiety, identifying two key pathways in the amygdala region that promote or alleviate anxiety. This breakthrough brings psychiatric professionals closer to understanding anxiety disorders.
Research using fMRI scans found that brain activity in areas responsible for emotional regulation increased significantly between ages 10 and 13, allowing children to better resist peer influence. This study provides insight into the brain's wiring during adolescence and may lay the foundation for future studies with clinical relevance.
The Boston Medical Center will receive a $245,000 grant to enhance its Centering Pregnancy program, which has been shown to decrease late preterm delivery by up to 40% and increase pregnancy knowledge and satisfaction with care. The grant aims to promote preventive care and address health disparities in Massachusetts.
Researchers at the University of California have discovered a new spider toxin that targets T-type and N-type calcium channels, which play a role in congestive heart failure, hypertension, epilepsy, and pain. The toxin offers a new target for studying these channels and developing drugs to treat human diseases.
Researchers have identified a pattern of DNA sequence called microhomology that plays a key role in the formation of gene fusions in pediatric brain tumors. This discovery sheds light on how these genomic rearrangements form in the early stages of cancer and may have implications for understanding other types of cancers.
Researchers developed a novel 3D cell imaging method using multifocal plane microscopy to track single molecules in live cells for extended periods. This technique overcomes previous limitations and enables the study of complex spatial-temporal dynamics of protein transport.
A census of white sharks in the northeast Pacific Ocean found a surprisingly low number of adults, estimated at 219. Researchers used photographs of individual shark fins to identify 131 unique individuals.
System 96P is developing tropically near Vanuatu, with strong convection and tropical cyclone warnings issued by the government. Infrared satellite imagery shows increased deep convection over a low-level circulation center, but wind shear may weaken the storm.
Researchers argue that IRBs often neglect reporting and methodological quality in preclinical experiments, leading to inadequate risk-benefit assessments. A proposed solution suggests considering evidence on risks and benefits of agents targeting related biological pathways.
A study from Rhode Island Hospital found a new test for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) to be more accurate, detecting 100% true positives with no false positives. The test was found to be prevalent in women aged 36-45 and 51-60, indicating the need for routine screening for this common sexually transmitted infection.
A novel clinical trial is exploring a new method to potentially prevent recurrence of early stage, aggressive breast cancer. The study is recruiting patients with HER-2 neu+ breast cancer and aims to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from an additional cancer-targeting drug.
A new super-resolution microscopy technique reveals changes in protein concentration on human immune cells exposed to E.coli and Y.pestis toxins. This work provides insight into why some bacteria can evade the immune system.
The March of Dimes is investing $2.4 million in new funding for research on predicting and preventing preterm birth, a leading cause of infant death. Five scientists will study low doses of carbon monoxide, genes, blood tests to identify high-risk women, and fetal membrane weakening.
Researchers used DNA microarrays to analyze gene expression in livers from patients with biliary atresia and found a key regulator: RRAS. This gene plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease, making it a potential prognostic biomarker.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that domestic hens exhibit a clear physiological and behavioral response to mild chick distress, suggesting an empathic capacity. The study used both behavioral and physiological methods to measure these traits in birds.
Physiologist E. Paul Zehr uses Batman as a framework to discuss exercise and physical training, illustrating how the body responds to physical discipline. His approach connects science to popular culture, helping students understand physiology better.
A team of researchers has successfully programmed a robot to understand when it gains a human's attention and when it falls short. Using social cues, the robot achieves close to 80% accuracy in detecting whether someone is paying attention or ignoring it. The findings could pave the way for robots to engage with humans more effectively.