Researchers have solved the molecular mechanism of anammox, a crucial pathway in the nitrogen cycle that converts ammonia to nitrogen without oxygen. The study reveals the role of hydrazine and nitric oxide as intermediates, shedding light on how this process occurs.
Researchers observed dense groups of Wels catfish in the Rhone River, estimating a total biomass of up to 1132 kilograms. These aggregations could excrete large amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen, creating potential biogeochemical hotspots.
A study by Brown University found that nursing home flu shot vaccination rates are lower for black patients compared to white patients. Despite efforts to improve vaccination rates over time, the disparity persists within individual facilities, with black patients refusing shots at a higher rate than whites.
The first NIH-funded Center of Research Translation will focus on personalized drug development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aiming to find treatments effective for the majority of patients. The center will lay the groundwork for exon-specific drugs and optimize delivery and molecular targeting.
A large study found that daughters of women given diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy face an increased risk of reproductive problems and certain cancers. The study also found a twofold higher risk of infertility and a fivefold increased risk of preterm delivery among DES-exposed women.
A genetically engineered mouse model with tripled Ube3a gene dosage exhibits robust examples of all three traits considered hallmarks of autism: reduced social interaction, impaired communication, and excessive repetitive behaviors. The study provides further clues in understanding brain defects that lead to autism development.
Tropical Depression Nalgae's remnants are moving towards Vietnam with scattered areas of light to moderate rainfall. The system weakened rapidly after making landfall on Hainan Island, China, losing convection and maximum sustained winds of 20 knots.
Researchers found that the polyphosphate storage site represents the first known universal organelle, present in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. This discovery challenges traditional definitions of bacterial organisms, suggesting LUCA was more complex than previously thought.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham are developing a new organic medical imaging system using nano-transducers made from biological membranes to detect diseases earlier and track medication. The system has the potential to monitor electrical activity in the brain and track individual cells in the human body.
The Koffler Scientific Reserve is launching a four-year project to collect seeds from 34 target species, which will be banked for 5-50 years. Researchers will analyze how these species react to changes in their surroundings, such as climate change and new land-use patterns.
A new study reveals that defects in peripheral tissues contribute to SMA pathology, and systemic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) increase survival time by 25-fold. ASO treatment also restores normal IGF-1 levels, which are reduced in untreated mice with severe SMA.
Hypothetical questions used in jury selection and political polling can create bias or entrench existing beliefs. Researchers found that pre-trial questioning can actually introduce bias, making it essential to recognize the potential for influence.
A new study found that nearly one in four Americans must travel farther to a nearest trauma center due to hospital closures, especially affecting African Americans, poor and uninsured residents. The study highlights the need for policy makers to subsidize trauma centers serving vulnerable communities.
A study by Fox Chase researchers found that a portion of the prostate bed is outside IMRT treatment margins in post-prostatectomy patients, suggesting too little treatment in the target area and too much in surrounding structures. The Calypso system helps ensure precise delivery within narrow treatment margins.
Tropical Storm Philippe is battling intense wind shear from the northwest, causing heavy rainfall and powerful thunderstorms on its southeastern quadrant. The storm may strengthen and reach hurricane status in the next couple of days.
A literature review found that people's judgments of others' moral wrongdoing are influenced by their physical state, with exposure to cleanliness improving moral perceptions. Additionally, using soap can alleviate post-decision doubt and reduce feelings of guilt associated with negative experiences.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $1.1 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to continue its 10-year-old program training researchers in China to investigate suicide causes and prevention.
A new study shows that trees in London's urban areas remove between 850 to 2000 tonnes of particulate pollution from the air every year. This research uses a prediction model to estimate future air quality and suggests that targeted tree planting and a mix of evergreen species can maximize benefits.
A study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a combination of chemotherapy and Herceptin significantly increases survival in patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer. The regimen without Adriamycin was comparable to the standard therapy, reducing heart toxicity and acute side effects.
A new paper by Michigan State University scientist Zach Hambrick finds that working memory capacity can outperform practice in complex tasks such as piano sight reading. The study shows people with higher levels of working memory capacity perform better even with extensive experience and knowledge.
Astronomers at the University of Michigan discovered ocean-like water in Comet Hartley 2, a finding that suggests comets may have delivered a significant portion of Earth's oceans. The discovery was made using data from the Herschel Space Observatory and suggests that the source of Earth's oceans is more complex than previously thought.
Researchers found that patients with a family history of prostate cancer had equivalent PSA controls, freedom from metastasis, and overall survival following radiotherapy. This suggests that more aggressive treatment may not be necessary for these patients.
The study found that nearly one in five patients underwent a surgical procedure in the last month of life, and nearly 1 in 10 had a procedure in their last week. The likelihood of surgery varied by age, location, and hospital bed availability, suggesting that some operations may be discretionary or avoidable.
A study found that performing tracheostomies within seven days of a severe head injury improves overall patient outcome. This is especially true for patients with a reasonable chance of survival, where early tracheostomy reduces the risk of complications and increases the likelihood of discharge in an independent state.
Carbon nanotubes have exceptional thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, but agglomerate formation hinders their full potential. Simulations using the Ohio Supercomputer Center unveil the effectiveness of tie molecules in improving CNTs' stability and performance.
A study published in Nature suggests that soil environment, not molecular structure, determines the degradation rate of humus, a key factor in the global carbon cycle. The researchers propose new experiments and models to improve forecasting of soils' response to climate changes.
People with disabilities continue to face difficulties meeting major social needs, including accessing health care facilities and services. Iezzoni's analysis highlights barriers that restrict their access to health services, including lower rates of mammography and Pap tests. She argues that healthcare professionals need to understand...
A study published in Neuron found that brain regions beyond the reward centers engage when playing games, suggesting a more widespread role for reward processing in the brain. The research used multi-voxel pattern analysis to identify patterns of brain activity associated with wins and losses.
A new study from Stanford University reveals that North American babies infected with toxoplasmosis in the womb are more likely to suffer severe complications, including brain calcifications, hydrocephalus, and eye disease. The study suggests that a lack of prenatal screening and treatment may be contributing to these outcomes.
A new oral drug, teriflunomide, has been shown to significantly reduce the relapse rate of people with multiple sclerosis and slow the progression of the disease. The drug was found to be effective in increasing the time between relapses and reducing disease progression by almost 30%.
Researchers aim to speed up data processing applications such as internet searching, data compression, and image recognition. They plan to utilize the spin degree of freedom to store and process information in a single chip.
Research suggests that diseased brain proteins can be taken up by healthy neurons and propagated within them, leading to neurodegeneration. Alpha-synuclein fibrils have been shown to induce the formation of Lewy bodies, hallmark lesions of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers analyzed 300,000 NBA free-throws, finding strong support for the hot hand phenomenon, which suggests a streak of positive outcomes is likely to continue. This study sheds new light on an old question, supporting fans' view that the phenomenon exists and opens doors for further physiological and psychological investigations.
A team of scientists has challenged existing models on how soil organic matter decomposes, suggesting that factors beyond molecular structure influence its breakdown rate. The study's results have implications for climate change mitigation strategies and bioengineering efforts to sequester carbon in soils.
Researchers have discovered genetically engineered canola populations growing outside of established cultivation regions along roadsides across North Dakota. These 'escaped' plants accounted for 45% of total roadside plants sampled and persisted from year to year, raising questions about oversight and monitoring protocols.
Lack of compensation for human egg donors could stall recent breakthroughs in stem cell research due to difficulty in recruiting altruistic donors. A recent study on somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has created the first human stem cell line, but more donor eggs are needed to advance research.
Researchers developed a theoretical model to understand how to best avoid jamming of soft matter, which can be applied in food and cosmetics production. The model takes into account common properties between three classes of materials: soft matter, metallic liquids, and granular materials.
A study from the University of Rochester found that chronic stress disrupts a mother's natural stress response, leading to problematic parenting behaviors. Mothers with higher depressive symptoms exhibited hyperactive stress responses, resulting in harsh and reactive parenting.
Genencor calls for industry, science, and policy collaboration to develop a biobased economy driving renewable energy, fuels, and chemicals production. Key components include cultivating feedstock, developing infrastructure, and building sustainable biorefineries.
A new MIT study reveals that non-compete agreements lead many engineers to abandon their chosen industry after switching jobs, often at significant financial cost. The study found that about one-third of tech workers who sign non-compete agreements leave their industry altogether.
A study published in Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research found that Tyk2 protein helps suppress breast tumor growth and metastasis. Mice with normal Tyk2 expression were less susceptible to breast cancer, suggesting boosting Tyk2 activity may be beneficial for treating the disease.
Researchers identify key protein CFH that blocks inflammatory immune response to oxidative stress, found in conditions like atherosclerosis and AMD. The study reveals potential therapeutic target for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
A study published in JAMA found that patients with severe 2009 H1N1 influenza who developed respiratory failure and received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment had a lower rate of in-hospital death compared to those who did not receive ECMO. The study used matching techniques to analyze data from 1,756 patients.
Researchers discovered zinc's critical role in regulating neuronal communication, affecting memories formation and learning. The study found that removing zinc interferes with long-term potentiation, a process important for memory and learning.
A new species of fossil silky lacewing insects has been discovered in China, providing insights into the evolutionary history of the family Psychopsidae. The newly found species, Undulopsychopsis alexi, exhibits unique characteristics, including an undulate wing margin and unusual venation patterns.
Patients with acute lung injury receiving dietary supplements did not experience improved outcomes, but rather more days on ventilators and in the ICU. The supplements increased plasma EPA levels but had no statistically significant impact on mortality rates.
Pre-schoolers improved their verbal intelligence and brain function after participating in a four-week learning program that combined interactive, music-based cognitive training cartoons. The study, led by Dr. Sylvain Moreno, found rapid transfer of cognitive benefits in 90% of children.
Research at children's hospitals found high compliance with asthma care measures but not associated with lower emergency department usage or readmissions. The CAC-3 measure set evaluates home management plans, which may need refinement for better outcomes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new method to describe electronegativity, a basic chemical concept that can be difficult for college students to grasp. The system, called an atomic solid state energy scale, offers simplicity of understanding and opens important new avenues in materials and chemical research.
A study of 107,018 Medicare patients found that same-day discharge after elective PCI did not increase the risk of death or rehospitalization. Patients who underwent shorter procedures with lower predicted risk were more likely to be discharged the same day.
A team of researchers from Boston University's School of Medicine and College of Engineering have been awarded a $4.8 million NIH grant to develop a low-cost, multiplexed virus detection platform capable of rapidly detecting viral pathogens such as Ebola, Lassa Fever, and Marburg. The resulting diagnostic platform should be able to det...
A systematic review published in The Cochrane Library found that regular exercise can improve physical fitness, walking capacity, and heart rate among people with CKD. Exercise programs can also increase muscular strength, reduce blood pressure, and enhance overall quality of life.
Estimating the severity of a flu epidemic can be done in real-time using serological data coupled with clinical surveillance data. This approach provides valuable insights for pandemic preparedness and response, making it useful not only for influenza pandemics but also for other emerging infectious diseases.
A study of preterm infants found that those exposed to stressors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit had decreased brain size and functional connectivity, as well as abnormal motor behavior. The researchers suggest further research is needed to improve outcomes for premature infants.
A systematic review found that taking natalizumab for two years lowers the number of MS patients who experience relapses and progression of disability. The medication also delays disease progression, according to MRI brain scans.
Medical benefits of infant male circumcision are clear, with substantial protection against certain STIs. Experts counter misinformation on circumcision's effects on sexual satisfaction and performance. They defend parental rights to make informed decisions about their children's health.
A team of researchers suggests that pumice, a glassy and porous rock, could have given rise to early life forms. The authors propose four properties of pumice that would enable it to support the emergence of life and create an ideal habitat for microorganisms.
A study published in JAMA found that hospitals' compliance with the Children's Asthma Care measures had no impact on patient outcomes, including return to the hospital for another asthma attack. The researchers concluded that these measures may not be suitable for public reporting, accreditation, or pay-for-performance policies.
Researchers reveal new insight into global photosynthesis, estimating a 25% increase in the chemical process governing CO2 absorption and release. The study provides a benchmark for models simulating carbon cycling through plants.
Researchers have uncovered a compound monogenetic volcano at Ilchulbong, Jeju Island, revealing multiple magma pulses and vent shifts. Additionally, petrographic analysis of Enkingen impact breccias indicates significantly more than previously estimated impact melt volume.