Researchers found that synthetic skins reacted similarly to rat skin when exposed to a skin cream treatment, suggesting potential for true human skin simulation. The study has implications for treating burn victims, who may require synthetic or animal skin substitutes.
Researchers identified mutations in genes associated with brain activity that frequently cause intellectual disability. These de novo mutations disrupt nerve cell communication, affecting at least two-thirds of cases. The study provides new insights into the genetic origins of intellectual disability and may lead to improved diagnostics.
Researchers evaluated virtual surgery performed on three-dimensional nasal airway models to predict post-surgical biophysical parameters. The results demonstrate promising potential for personalized nasal surgery using computer simulation techniques.
A study found that TV viewers who relied on television for companionship felt the most distressed when their favorite shows temporarily went off the air during the 2007-08 writers' strike. The study also showed that women were more likely to cope with this distress by engaging in social activities.
A new injection has been developed to limit the devastating consequences of heart attacks and strokes, with potential applications in transplant surgery. The injection targets a key enzyme responsible for inflammation, neutralizing its effects and significantly reducing tissue damage.
A special issue of American Psychologist explores the role of psychology in understanding and addressing global climate change. The issue highlights the importance of psychological factors in shaping human behavior, particularly in the context of low-carbon technologies, economic incentives, and information dissemination.
Researchers found obese patients with metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure are at substantial risk for cardiac, pulmonary, and neurologic complications. The study provides a simple way to identify patients who may face higher risks following surgery.
A new national survey of primary care physicians reports a significant increase in parental concerns about childhood vaccines, with 79% of physicians experiencing at least one vaccine refusal. The study highlights the need for more effective communication strategies to address these concerns and improve vaccination rates.
University of Iowa researchers identify TRAF6 as essential for LMP1 functions, which can be targeted to develop new therapies for B cell lymphomas and autoimmune diseases. The discovery may lead to the development of novel treatments that mimic CD40 activation while avoiding disruptions in normal immune function.
A University of Pittsburgh-led team has developed a single-electron transistor with exceptional sensitivity to electric charge, enabling long-lasting ultradense computer memories and quantum computers. The device's properties make it suitable for solid-state memory and nanoscale sensing applications.
Scientists found that sugarcane has a double benefit: reducing carbon emissions and cooling the local climate. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that expanding sugarcane crops in areas previously occupied by other Brazilian crops can lower air temperatures by up to 1.67°F (0.93°C).
New research reveals that conjugating green algae, such as Spirogyra, are the closest living relatives to land plants, contrary to the previously accepted theory. The study analyzed genetic divergence in 129 genes from 40 different green plant taxa and found significant evidence supporting this new finding.
A pilot study found that L-lysine reduced severity of symptoms and improved functional ability in eight out of ten patients with schizophrenia. The treatment showed a general trend for improvement due to treatment with lysine, but results were confounded by the beneficial effect of lysine continuing after treatment stopped.
Scientists have created star-shaped, biodegradable polymers that can self-assemble into hollow nanofiber spheres. When injected with cells into wounds, these spheres biodegrade, but the cells thrive and form new tissue. The technique shows promise for repairing complex or oddly shaped tissue defects.
A newly developed compound, SR1001, has been shown to effectively suppress the severity of multiple sclerosis in animal models with minimal side effects. The discovery holds promise for treating other autoimmune diseases and targets a specific cell type involved in autoimmunity.
Rockefeller scientists have developed a new polarized microscopy technique that can help deduce the orientation of specific proteins within cells. By harnessing the unique properties of polarized light, researchers have filled in the gaps left by other techniques and made important new discoveries about protein complexes.
The La Jolla Institute has identified LIGHT as a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions. Blocking LIGHT's interactions with its receptors significantly inhibited airway remodeling in mouse models of chronic asthma.
A study found that North America's first supervised injecting facility in Vancouver, Canada, helped reduce the number of fatal overdoses in the community by 35%. The area within 500m of the facility experienced a significant decrease in fatal overdose rates compared to the rest of the city.
Two studies provide the first detailed view of the chemical and mechanical interactions between the ribosome and membrane proteins. The researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to image the insertion process, revealing a
A study by University of Utah psychologists found that individuals with lower working memory capacity are more prone to inattention blindness, missing a person in a gorilla suit walking across the screen. This suggests that people with better control over their attention may be more likely to notice unexpected events.
Researchers at University of Western Ontario developed a strategy to stimulate blood vessel formation in tissues lacking oxygen, potentially treating conditions like coronary artery disease. The approach, using fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), activates supporting cells that create functional new vessels that last over a year.
Researchers at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases have identified a key player in muscle repair: the gene Ezh2. By activating this gene, satellite cells may proliferate and compensate for underlying defects, potentially increasing quality of life for individuals with degenerative diseases.
Researchers identified networks of genes crucial for healthy heart formation, shedding light on congenital heart disease. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and dosage, and the study provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying fetal-heart development.
Cardiac specialists will use new guidelines to determine who should receive a mechanical heart-pumping device. The guidelines have the potential to change clinical practice patterns for patients with severe heart failure. Dr. Morgan's presentation at the ISHLT annual meeting in San Diego highlights the importance of these changes.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology sequenced the antennal transcriptome of the tobacco hornworm moth, revealing specific proteins involved in olfaction. The study identifies 18 odorant binding proteins and 21 chemosensory proteins, providing new insights into the insect's ability to detect and process odor molecules.
A study published in the Journal of Child Neurology found that brain donors with autism and epilepsy had a significantly higher mortality rate than those with autism alone, increasing by over 800%. The research highlights the importance of early identification of epilepsy in children with autism.
Researchers at the University of Calgary developed a new digital tool using fractal dimension analysis to assess breast cancer tumours. The method provides an objective and reproducible measure of tissue abnormality and aggressiveness, promising more accurate risk assessment and therapeutic decisions.
The use of stored red cells during transfusions may cause adverse effects in patients due to impaired oxygen delivery. Researchers are exploring the impact of stored blood on respiratory gases to improve blood storage methods and mitigate patient risks.
A new probiotic treatment has been shown to reduce the rate of recurrent urinary tract infections in women. The study found that women who received a Lactobacillus crispatus intravaginal suppository had lower infection rates compared to those who received a placebo.
Researchers found that vaccine candidates were more efficacious against US-strain genital herpes, while African viruses required higher doses for similar protection. The study's findings offer hope for developing a potent vaccine to prevent HIV transmission in Africa.
Breast cancer patients whose cells use ketones and lactate as a food supply can be identified by gene profiling, predicting recurrence, metastasis, and poor clinical outcome. The researchers propose using this approach, called Metabolo-Genomics, to target oxidative mitochondrial metabolism with new anti-cancer drugs.
Solar activity has increased significantly after a three-year period of minimal sunspot activity, signaling the start of Solar Cycle 24. The longest recorded period of inactivity began in 2008 and lasted until this year.
A Berkeley Lab-led team has solved the structure of human FEN1, a key player in DNA replication and repair. The study reveals how FEN1 binds to DNA, opens it by severely bending the template strand, and prepares flaps for joining to new fragments.
A laboratory study found that energy drinks combined with alcohol enhance feelings of stimulation but do not alter the level of behavioral impairment, particularly for impulsive behavior. This combination may make energy drink-alcohol consumption riskier than drinking alcohol alone.
Researchers will use DNA-based models to predict genetic merit for feed efficiency and identify specific bacteria that affect cattle digestion. The study aims to improve animal well-being, reduce production losses, and minimize environmental impacts.
Scientists have discovered how nifurtimox kills parasites by converting it into a toxic form through an enzyme in the parasite. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-parasitic medicines with fewer side effects and improved efficacy.
The study found that Twitter users in disaster-stricken areas tended to tweet about their unsafe situation, while those in remote areas posted updates to let their followers know they were safe. The researchers also identified numerous unreliable retweets and low signal-to-noise ratio for messages using hashtags.
A new study found that impulsive choice in alcohol dependence may be linked to functional anomalies in brain regions involved in cognitive and emotional control. Individuals with more severe AUDs showed increased activity in regions such as the insula and supplementary motor area when delaying gratification.
A large retrospective analysis of 15,768 COPD patients found that ICS therapy significantly reduced all-cause mortality, particularly at 90-day intervals. This study contradicts previous expert assumptions and provides new insights into the use of ICS in pneumonia treatment.
Agricultural companies have shown a stable and profitable performance over the past several years, outperforming the S&P 500 index with an 8.6% market value increase from 2007 to 2011. The top-performing sectors were fertilizer, equipment, and seed and genetic companies.
The XENON collaboration has announced results from a 100-day experiment, revealing no evidence of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), leading candidates for dark matter. The high sensitivity achieved by the XENON100 detector may allow future detection in the near future.
A new study finds that human responses to a changing environment determine environmental tipping points in ecosystems. Regulatory choices can influence behavior and alter ecosystem outcomes. Strong institutional support is crucial for effective management.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham's Malaysia campus are working on a new method to improve the commercial production of vanilla plants through tissue culture. The research aims to overcome issues with genetic instability in micropropagated sub-clones, which can lead to reduced quality and yield.
Tropical Storm Errol has strengthened overnight and developed into a well-defined center of circulation, with strong thunderstorms and cold cloud tops. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, rough surf, and gusty winds along the northern coast of Western Australia.
Researchers observed a 5.1% increase in brain tissue thickness after brain bypass surgery, reversing loss and improving neurocognitive function in patients with impaired blood flow. The study offers hope for treating chronic cerebrovascular disease and its associated neurocognitive impairment.
A nationwide study found nearly half of US meat and poultry samples contaminated with drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive inspection program.
A Loyola University Health System study found that binge drinking can change the body's immune system response to orthopaedic injury, complicating trauma care. This means that measuring chemical markers in the blood may be misleading when alcohol is involved.
A new study found that children with eczema are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s. The research, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggests that preventing childhood eczema and hay fever may prevent adult asthma.
The new miniature sensors, developed by University of Southampton researchers, can measure ocean temperature and salinity with high precision. The sensors will be tested on an expedition from Australia to Mauritius, providing valuable information about climate change.
A blood test has identified seven plasma biomarkers that can predict the risk of metastasis in melanoma patients. The test was tested on 216 individuals and showed a high accuracy rate of 0.898, indicating its potential for use in clinical settings.
A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with different theories of intelligence evaluate their own learning differently. Entity theorists tend to disengage when faced with challenges, while incremental theorists believe more time and effort can lead to better results.
A new study by researchers at UC Berkeley reveals that who you are and where you live significantly affect which activities have the largest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An online calculator allows households to track and reduce their carbon footprint by analyzing location, lifestyle, and household type.
Researchers from the NIH have completed a comprehensive genome analysis of skin cancer, revealing key mutations that contribute to melanoma. The study identified 16 genes deemed to be melanoma driver mutations, including the oncogene BRAF and the ionotropic glutamate receptor gene GRIN2A.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a connection between Merlin and angiomotin, two proteins involved in cell signaling pathways. This discovery may lead to a new therapeutic approach for NF2 by targeting tumor cells directly and starving them of nutrients.
A study at Henry Ford Hospital found that non-cardiac surgery can be performed safely in patients with a heart device. The study looked at the management of blood-thinning medication and found no complications due to bleeding or device malfunctions.
SLU professor of neurosurgery Saleem Abdulrauf's high-flow brain bypass procedure improves treatment outcomes by reducing invasive procedures and maintaining blood flow in the brain. The technique is built upon the original brain bypass surgery developed in the 1960s and has been recognized for its potential to minimize recovery time.
A study found that teen drivers in Virginia Beach, Va., had a 41% higher crash rate compared to Chesapeake, Va., where classes started later. This is attributed to sleep loss and daytime sleepiness caused by early school start times.
A study by Matt Evans finds that Israeli media frame information to separate secular and religious Jewish communities, using techniques such as selective reporting and emotive language. This division is not limited to Israel, with similar framing tactics observed in the US media.
A population-based study found that parental alcohol use disorders significantly increase the risk of offspring developing an AUD. Female offspring were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk, suggesting a stronger genetic component for female development of AUDs.
Researchers used GPS satellite systems to measure tide-induced displacements and estimate density and elastic moduli, revealing an abnormal low-density asthenosphere under the western United States and eastern Pacific Ocean. The study provides new directions for understanding Earth's chemical and mechanical dynamics.