Researchers found that clouds cool the earth's surface by several percent, but scattered light can warm it. The effect depends on the measured visible-spectrum wavelength and whether light is direct or scattered.
Research at RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology reveals ERK signaling pathway's role in B cell differentiation into antibody-producing plasma cells. The finding could lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery for autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Researchers at TGen found that PVT1 expression levels increased up to 5-fold in response to hyperglycemia, leading to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in glomeruli. Knocking down PVT1 reduced ECM protein levels, suggesting a potential molecular mechanism for diabetic nephropathy.
Two studies published in the Journal of Dental Research found significant income-related inequalities in dental service utilization and tooth loss among Europeans aged 50+ and US adults. Income inequality was associated with higher odds of reporting greater tooth loss, highlighting the need to address social determinants of health.
The UK's first fully protected marine reserve is already providing positive results for both fishermen and conservationists after only two years in operation. The reserve has seen a significant increase in commercially valuable scallops and several species of algae promoting biodiversity.
Researchers found that pulmonary administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly reduces flu symptoms and prevents death in mice infected with lethal doses of influenza virus. The study suggests a novel method to confer marked resistance to influenza by enhancing innate immune mechanisms.
The San Diego Supercomputer Center is launching a new data-intensive supercomputer system named Gordon, which will have 250 trillion bytes of flash memory and 64 I/O nodes. This new system aims to solve the challenge of storing valuable data and accelerating scientific discovery by providing faster speeds and massive storage capabilities.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have discovered a new understanding of how the heart forms in frog embryos. They found that the blood separation comes from an entirely different part of the embryo, known as the 'second heart field'. This finding has implications for human health, particularly for patients with DiGeorge Syndrome.
A study by Lee A. Thompson and colleagues found that genetic influence was greater on reading than math, with shared environment influencing math more so than reading. The researchers analyzed the data from twins to determine the similarities in genetic and environmental influence between ADHD symptoms and academic ability.
Ronald S. Harwerth, a world-class glaucoma researcher, has received the 2011 Esther Farfel Award for his outstanding contributions to visual sciences. His work on diagnosing initial stages of glaucoma and binocular vision has earned him recognition as one of the premier visual scientists.
A Virginia Tech researcher is working on developing mathematical-based computer models to help emergency managers better plan, train, and carry out complex evacuation tasks. The goal is to create efficient and safe evacuation strategies for hospitals and entire coastal communities.
A team of scientists, led by Roger Hanlon and Naomi Halas, aims to emulate the camouflage ability of squid, octopus, and cuttlefish in high-tech materials. They will explore new avenues of vision research, including distributed light sensing throughout the skin.
Researchers found shorter telomere length in adults with PTSD and a history of childhood trauma, associated with increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. The study suggests that childhood trauma may contribute to the development of PTSD and accelerated aging.
Researchers found that readers who identify with fictional communities develop psychological affiliation, similar to real-life group affiliations. The study suggests that reading fulfills a deep psychological need for belonging.