A recent study examining dietary cholesterol, egg intake, and heart disease risk found that saturated fat may be a greater contributor to increased blood cholesterol than previously thought. The study also suggests that egg consumption does not significantly increase blood cholesterol levels, contrary to long-held assumptions.
The TET1 enzyme controls gene activity during fetal development, preventing genes from being turned off at critical stages. By modifying methyl groups, TET1 acts as a safeguard to ensure normal cell growth and development.
Researchers have developed a method to recreate schizophrenic brain cells from skin cells, enabling safe and effective studies. This approach offers a step towards personalized medicine for patients with schizophrenia and potentially other diseases.
Methods Navigator is an online tool that enables life scientists to search, access, and apply the right method for their research. With access to over 50,000 articles and 120 commonly used protocols, Methods Navigator simplifies the scientific workflow.
A UCSF study has found a link between chronic brain inflammation and memory decline in older adults. The study, which examined the effects of C-reactive protein on memory, showed that high levels of this protein correlate with poorer verbal recall and smaller medial temporal lobes.
Despite being among the wealthiest nations, high-income countries like the US, UK, and Australia still experience high rates of stillbirths. The causes are complex, but factors such as obesity, advanced maternal age, smoking, and socioeconomic disparities contribute to these statistics.
Researchers found that thinner brain areas associated with Alzheimer's can predict dementia and disease development. The study analyzed MR images from two groups, revealing a threefold increased risk of Alzheimer's among those with the thinnest cortical areas.
A Kansas State University biochemist is using computer models to study the protein p21, which plays a key role in regulating cell division and has connections to cancer and aging. The study provides insights into how structural flexibility influences the function of this intrinsically disordered protein.
The Center for Metamaterials, led by Dr. David Crouse, aims to improve metamaterials research and application in renewable energy and sensors. The center will conduct fundamental research on materials and devices with high commercialization potential.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that Klotho, an anti-aging hormone, suppresses renal fibrosis and cancer growth in mice. This discovery offers a potential new treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury.
A new study suggests that Mecp2 is essential for refining synaptic circuits based on sensory experience, leading to the formation of abnormal connections in autism spectrum disorders. This model of Rett syndrome may have implications for other autism-related disorders.
Researchers found that healthy breast cells secrete interleukin 25 to actively kill nearby breast cancer cells without harming normal cells. This discovery suggests IL25 receptor signaling as a new therapeutic target for treating breast cancer.
Researchers found that observing someone's flaw leads to neural activations similar to physical pain, positively correlated with observers' empathic abilities. The study suggests a distinction between forms of empathy, highlighting the role of representation in social emotions.
The spread of non-native zebra and quagga mussels in the Great Lakes has caused significant ecological changes, stripping lakes Michigan and Huron of life-supporting algae. This has resulted in a remarkable transformation and threatens multibillion-dollar U.S. fisheries.
A study by Columbia Business School and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that judges' willingness to grant parole can be influenced by time between breaks. After a break, 65% of cases were granted parole, with rates dropping to zero and then rising again. The study bolsters research on psychological biases in experienced judges.
Stillbirths in low-income and middle-income countries are a major concern, with 98% of all stillbirths occurring in these regions. The Lancet report highlights the need for improved data collection and classification of programmatic causes of stillbirths.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an injectable gel that can release medicine only when needed, targeting specific joints affected by arthritis. The gel is made from a self-assembling material that can disassemble in response to enzymes present during inflammation.
Researchers at UMD have discovered a way to control magnetic properties of graphene, which could lead to new applications in magnetic storage and spintronics. The team found that missing atoms in graphene act as tiny magnets, interacting strongly with electrons and giving rise to a significant extra electrical resistance.
Researchers from the University of Arizona and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed graphene ceramic composites that exhibit new fracture resistance mechanisms, increasing toughness by over 200%. This breakthrough discovery could enable widespread use of ceramics in high-temperature applications.
Researchers studied freshwater fish fossils to understand the Neogene water cycle in Central Africa. A study proposed that Nuna was Earth's first supercontinent. Ancient cave systems near the Allgau Mountains preserved the oldest radiometrically dated dripstones known in the European Alps.
A European study finds that over 60% of key wildlife sites receive excessive aerial nitrogen pollution, threatening biodiversity. Concerted action is needed to address the issue and link conservation, air pollution, and agricultural policies.
Archaeologists have created a 3D topographical map of the ancient Maya city 'Head of Stone', which reveals the location and size of its many buildings and architectural patterns. The site, dated from 800 B.C. to 900 A.D., includes a triadic pyramid, astronomical observatory, ritual ball court, and residential mounds.
Research reveals that host birds have evolved advanced strategies to fight back against brood parasitic cuckoos, including varying egg patterns and egg discrimination. These defenses make it harder for the cuckoo finch to lay accurate forgeries, ultimately outsmarting the parasite.
Researchers found that a short-term high-fat diet reduced tissue damage in the heart after a heart attack by up to 70%. The study suggests that 'splurges' of high fat consumption may preserve cardiac function. Further research is needed to understand why this protection wears off over time.
The discovery of Liaoconodon hui, a complete fossil mammal from China, provides clear evidence of the transitional middle ear evolution in mammals. The specimen shows cartilage supporting the detached middle ear bones, shedding light on the evolutionary shift from reptiles to mammals.
Researchers have discovered a new phenomenon that enables ultrafast magnetic reversal, which could lead to significantly faster data storage. The study found that certain atoms can reverse their magnetization in as little as 300 femtoseconds, making it possible for magnetic memory to operate at terahertz speeds.
Stanford researchers found a link between the collapse of the Soviet Union's anti-alcohol campaign and Russia's four-year mortality crisis. The study suggests that the campaign's closure led to a resurgence in deaths from alcohol poisoning, drunken violence, and slower killers like heart attacks and strokes.
Canada's food safety system lacks adequate regulation, allowing preventable contamination to harm many people and potentially lead to deaths. The current system needs improved standards and incentives for industry to prioritize food safety.
The Lancet Series on Stillbirths reveals over 2.6 million stillbirths annually, with 98% in low-income countries, and explores causes and actions to halve this devastating event.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed software that creates a privacy mode for Android systems, giving users flexible control over personal information. The TISSA prototype includes four possible privacy settings for each application, allowing users to customize the level of information accessed.
A new study shows that optimal algal biofuel growth locations can significantly reduce water use, potentially replacing up to 48% of the country's transportation oil imports. Algae-derived oils could also meet congressionally mandated renewable fuel targets and provide a carbon-neutral energy source.
A NIH study found that active surveillance for bacteria and barrier precautions did not reduce the transmission of two important antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospital-based settings. The use of gloves and gowns was also not sufficient to prevent bacterial spread.
A recent study found that coffee made from capsules contains higher levels of furan, a toxic compound linked to cancer, compared to drip coffee. The levels were highest in espresso and lowest in instant coffee. However, the amounts are still within safe limits for human consumption.
Researchers at MIT have created ultracold gas clouds that repel each other, unlike normal gases. This discovery could help explain the behavior of high-temperature superconductors and neutron stars.
Researchers discovered 56 substances contributing to beer's bitterness and identified five major contributors to harsh aftertaste. Controlling initial pH value and storing at low temperatures can help delay bitter flavors.
The US is expanding its 20-year-old program to secure and destroy Cold War-era nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in East Africa. The Cooperative Threat Reduction Program aims to counter the threat of bioterrorism in volatile regions where deadly diseases like Ebola and Marburg viruses occur naturally.
Thomas Jefferson University researchers show intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) delivers higher doses to the prostate bed while sparing surrounding tissue, leading to improved PSA levels and reduced side effects. The study fills a gap in documentation of this technique's benefits for post-operative patients.
Textiles and rope fragments found in a Peruvian cave have been dated to around 12,000 years ago, confirming the antiquity of artifacts previously found at the site. The dating technique used reveals that women may have played a key role in textile production during early high-altitude explorations.
Fiorenzo Omenetto, a Tufts biomedical engineer, has been awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship to develop bioresorbable optical and electronic components. His research focuses on silk-based photonics, which could address unmet needs in medical, food safety, and environmental applications.
Sophie Warny, LSU assistant professor of palynology, receives $582,000 NSF CAREER Award to study Antarctic warm periods. The grant will support high-resolution paleo-environmental studies and educational outreach.
A new national study found that an estimated 5.25 million football-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments between 1990 and 2007. The annual number of injuries increased by 27 percent, with nearly 2,000 children treated daily during football season.
Researchers at EPFL and EMPA developed a technique to improve control over laser parameters, including wavelength and polarization. This innovation boosts high-speed optical fiber communications with reduced errors, while also enabling energy-efficient lasers and precise spectroscopic applications.
A study found that extending the HPV vaccine dosing schedule to every 3 months was comparable to the standard schedule in terms of antibody concentration levels. This alternative schedule may provide a more feasible option for expanding vaccine use in developing countries.
Harvard researchers develop rigorous mathematical theory to predict surface stability or instability under irradiation over time. The theory reveals that the cumulative effect of atoms knocked around, not blasted away, determines surface stability.
A new clinical trial shows that safinamide can help patients with severe Parkinson's disease by reducing dyskinesia, or movement problems. The study found that taking safinamide in addition to levodopa and other dopaminergic treatments reduced dyskinesia by 24% in some participants.
The ESNA project developed a flexible framework for business-oriented wireless-sensor network applications, enabling precision agriculture, energy monitoring, and industrial process control. The project's strong European lead in wireless sensor networks is being leveraged by commercial actors and spin-offs targeting various industries.
Researchers have identified two bioflavonoids, catechin and naringenin, with antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus. These compounds, combined with existing flavonoid quercetin, may provide a promising therapy for millions of people worldwide.
Research reveals that birds developed better olfactory capabilities during early evolution, surpassing even those of small meat-eating dinosaurs. This finding contradicts the long-held notion that bird ancestors prioritized vision and balance over smell.
Researchers found that drinking tart cherry juice daily can significantly reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk in overweight adults. A cherry diet also reduced atherosclerosis and other heart disease risk factors in mice, with improved cardiovascular health leading to a 65% reduction in early death.
A need for pediatric-specific quality measures is highlighted due to differences in adult and pediatric patients' treatment and prevention efforts. The authors advocate for separate, targeted efforts to reduce healthcare-associated infections in infants and children.
The study will investigate environmental and genetic factors affecting child health, development, and quality of life. Researchers aim to understand the impact of various factors on chronic illness in children.
Researchers found that manuka honey can inhibit bacterial attachment to tissues and make MRSA more sensitive to antibiotics, reversing antibiotic resistance. This discovery could lead to the development of cheaper and more effective treatments for wound infections.
A new study by Cornell University researchers finds that shale gas contributes significantly to global warming due to high methane emissions. The study's findings challenge the logic of using shale gas as a bridging fuel to reduce global warming.
A review paper by IOF examines global hip fracture incidence trends, finding changes in age-specific rates in different regions. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the socio-economic burden of fragility fractures worldwide.
Qiaoqiang Gan and his team have developed nanoplasmonic structures that can slow broadband light waves, allowing them to trap multiple wavelengths of light on a single chip. This breakthrough could lead to significant increases in processing and transmission capacity for optical data storage and communications.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System has uncovered a link between genetic variations associated with alcoholism, impulsive behavior and a region of the brain involved in craving and anxiety. Variations in the GABRA2 gene contribute to the risk of alcoholism by influencing impulsive behaviors.
Nine patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were treated with Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells, showing no unresolved serious adverse reactions or death. The trial indicates the feasibility of transplanting stem cells directly into the spinal cord, paving the way for future treatments.
A cancer specialist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been awarded $1.7 million by the NCI to develop a new strategy to overcome resistance of cancer cells to radiation therapy. The goal is to create personalized radiation therapy regimens with fewer side effects.
A new University of Georgia study found that cultural factors in the firefighting profession contribute to line-of-duty fatalities, with cardiovascular events being the leading cause. The research also identified under-resourcing, inadequate preparation, and incomplete adoption of incident command procedures as contributing factors.
A multicenter study found that older adults at risk for stroke have increased risk of verbal fluency decline and difficulty ignoring irrelevant information. The research suggests treating stroke risk factors may decrease executive function decline in otherwise healthy patients.