Researchers have developed ways to exploit the addictions of cancers to kill them without harming normal tissues. The study identified SUMOylation as a key biochemical process involved in coping with cancer cell stress, and inhibiting this enzyme may be a therapeutic strategy for myc-driven cancers.
The ARM Climate Research Facility has deployed 18 new scanning radars to study the lifecycle of clouds. These radars provide unprecedented data on cloud formation, structure, and evolution.
Salmonella forms two genetically identical types, each with an advantage in infection and evasion. The bacteria's ability to produce flagellin triggers a self-destructive response in immune cells, but restricting production helps it colonize hosts.
Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp argues that animals, including rats and mice, have emotional experiences and share core emotional functions with humans. This research could lead to a better understanding of human emotions and develop more effective treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at University of Warwick have found that the CPT1 enzyme has a switch controlling its activity, which can lead to better understanding of individual metabolic rates. This discovery may lead to development of drugs targeting specific patients with conditions like diabetic keto acidosis.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that humble leaders model growth and learning, and legitimize followers' journeys. Humble leaders who admit mistakes, praise followers, and learn from errors tend to have higher-performing organizations.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that shifting truck-borne freight to trains could significantly improve air quality in the Midwest. The study estimates that reducing truck traffic by just 5% would lead to a 31% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking about 4 million cars off the road.
Women who use breast-enhancing dietary supplements containing zearalenone (ZEN) may be increasing their risk of breast cancer. The review highlights concerns over ZEN's effects on the human reproductive system and breast cancer, as well as its links to premature puberty and infertility.
Research suggests the Earth's paleoclimate history indicates a more sensitive climate than thought, with temperatures far exceeding the Eemian period if global warming is not abated. A 2°C warming target could lead to drastic changes, including multiple meters of sea level rise and significant ice sheet loss in Greenland and Antarctica.
A new wireless sensor device can detect high concentrations of E. coli bacteria in under 1 hour and lower concentrations in less than 8 hours. This rapid detection system has the potential to serve as an early warning tool for beach safety, providing a more timely response to fecal contamination.
Cancer incidence rates have increased while deaths have decreased in Australia over the past quarter century. The study found that Indigenous Australians face higher death rates due to disparities in cancer diagnoses, treatments, and other illnesses.
Researchers found a strong association between smoking and squamous cell carcinoma in women, with increased risk seen with higher cigarette consumption. Smoking history was more strongly linked to SCC in women than men, with a four-fold increase in those who had smoked for 20 years or more.
Conservation biologist Krithi K. Karanth receives National Geographic's 10,000th grant to study human-wildlife conflicts and habitat destruction in five Indian parks. The project aims to identify risks and consequences for local people and wildlife species like elephants, wild pigs, leopards, and tigers.
Researchers found that increased starch intake was associated with a greater risk of breast cancer recurrence in women. Women who increased their starch intake over one year were at a higher risk for recurring, with changes in starch intake accounting for 48% of the change in carbohydrate intake.
A recent study found that law enforcement guards and non-governmental organization support have a measurable impact on the survival of African great apes. In contrast, national development and high human population density had a negative impact on their existence.
Researchers found that restricting carbs two days a week leads to greater weight loss and improved insulin levels compared to daily calorie restriction. This approach may be a more effective way to prevent breast cancer and other diseases, according to the study.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that adolescents with anorexia nervosa who receive high-calorie diets during hospitalization experience significant weight gain and have a shorter stay. The current conservative approach, which starts with low calorie intake, is not effective in preventing refeeding syndrome.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that CAFE standards can create a financial incentive for automakers to produce larger vehicles, leading to increased carbon emissions. The study suggests that the policy can be adjusted to reduce these unintended incentives.
A recent review of re-identification attacks on health data found that existing de-identification methods are effective in protecting individual identities. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed 14 relevant studies and found no convincing evidence of a weakness in current de-identification methods.
A study of 437 young women found that nearly half who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking by the end of their first college semester. Binge drinking was linked to an increased risk of sexual victimization, regardless of previous drinking habits. Parents are urged to talk with their children about drinking befo...
A study of 100,000 nurses in nine countries found high burnout rates, particularly in South Korea and Japan. Better hospital work environments led to lower burnout and job dissatisfaction.
The Office of Naval Research is exploring alternative energy sources, including fuel cell vehicles and high-efficiency trash disposal technology. The goal is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency for the military.
Researchers have identified a genetic trigger that promotes the differentiation of olfactory stem cells into sensory neurons in the nose epithelia. This discovery provides potential therapeutic strategies for treating anosmia and other age-related declines in sense of smell.
A new study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science warns that evolutionary tradeoffs limit human cognitive abilities. Research suggests that increasing intelligence comes with problems, such as increased disease risk, and there may be an upper limit to how smart humans can get.
Cornell University researchers found that altering endothelial cell behavior in hardened vessels can reduce the effects of aging on vessel health. By tricking cells into thinking vessels are not stiff, inflammation is reduced, potentially preventing atherosclerosis.
Researchers found highly acute vision in Anomalocaris, rivalling that of modern insects and crustaceans. The giant marine predator's compound eyes were exceptionally preserved, with each eye containing over 16,000 lenses.
Physicians at Barrow Neurological Institute have written a biography of Ukrainian anatomist Vladimir Betz, who discovered giant pyramidal neurons known as Betz cells. These cells' function with cortical organization was a turning point in neuroscience, revolutionizing cell fixation and staining methods.
New research suggests that virtual worlds can help young people learn and negotiate new situations, developing skills like organisational and cognitive abilities. The Inter-Life project created private islands where participants interacted using avatars, leading to improved engagement and learning outcomes.
Scientists at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to detect single atoms using ultra-thin glass fibers, allowing for precise measurement of tiny amounts of substances. The technique enables the control of quantum states without destroying them.
Material chemists and engineers at Brown University developed algorithms to identify optimal 2-D planar nets for self-folding polyhedra. Experiments confirmed the design principles, allowing for the creation of complex 3-D structures with high yields.
Androgen suppression therapy used to treat advanced prostate cancer may significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, say specialists. This risk is often overlooked in standard management of the disease.
A recent study from UNC at Chapel Hill may help explain the failure of some HIV prevention clinical trials and suggests ways to improve their success. The study found that drug concentrations in tissue can make a difference in effectiveness, and adherence to taking the drug as prescribed is crucial.
Tropical Storm Alenga is strengthening due to warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 63 mph. The storm is forecast to continue intensifying before encountering strong westerly wind shear and weakening.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that African-Americans, Hispanics, and uninsured patients use fewer post-hospitalization services after traumatic injury. Notably, Hispanic patients were far less likely to utilize post-hospitalization facilities and services regardless of insurance status.
A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work in half, regardless of task difficulty or stress levels. Researchers found that employees who took a short break consumed an average of 15g, equivalent to a small 'treat size', compared to 28g for those who didn't exercise.
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute created the first realistic 3D reconstruction of a thalamocortical column in the rodent brain. This achievement marks a significant milestone toward developing a complete computer model of the brain, which may lead to a deeper understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
A new study found that taking two breast cancer medications together, anastrozole and fulvestrant, significantly extended the lives of women with metastatic breast cancer. Women who received the combination treatment lived over six months longer than those who took the drugs in sequence.
Researchers found that combining everolimus and exemestane significantly improved progression-free survival by 4.2 months, with a clinical benefit rate of 50.5% in the combination arm. The study suggests a new approach for treating hormone-resistant breast cancer, which may change treatment practices.
Researchers analyzed long-term imaging data to uncover coordinated anatomical changes in brain development across the cortex. They found that functionally connected regions mature together and exhibit tightly coupled patterns of growth, with notable differences between males and females.
Researchers at Loyola University Medical Center report positive results from a clinical trial of an experimental drug targeting tumor stem cells. The study found that the drug turned off key genes responsible for making cancer stem cells resistant to conventional drugs.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel antimalarial agent, BCX4945, which kills the deadliest malaria parasite by starving it of vital building blocks. The study shows promising results in non-human primates, paving the way for more potent therapies against this deadly disease.
A study of 107 pregnant women found that the H1N1 flu vaccine boosted their immune system and protected their newborns via transplacental transfer of antibodies. The results show that the influenza vaccine is safe during pregnancy and recommended for pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies.
A Wayne State University physician is working to develop an outcome measurement that accurately reflects Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease progression in children. She aims to identify quality-of-life measures that can track changes in scores over time, enabling the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a new gene editing technique that uses patients' own cells to correct genetic mutations in the HBB gene, which causes sickle cell disease. The method repairs the beta-globin gene without introducing harmful genes into cells and appears to be more efficient than traditional techniques.
A nationwide research collaborative found that serious traumatic injuries, including major burns, elicit a highly reproducible genomic response in human immune cells, altering around 80 percent of normal gene expression patterns. The study contradicts the widely accepted theory of an initial pro-inflammatory response followed by an ant...
The Focus Issue on Digital Holography and 3-D Imaging presents recent breakthroughs in digital holography, enabling non-invasive biomedical imaging and applications in structural analysis. Novel techniques such as compressive holography and lens-free tomographic microscopy are showcased, advancing 3-D display technologies.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that yawn contagion is linked to social empathy, with family members and close friends triggering the most responses. The researchers identified a pattern of empathy similar to other measures, suggesting that yawn contagion occurs due to our natural inclination to connect with others
The addition of bevacizumab to trastuzumab and docetaxel improved progression-free survival in patients with HER2-positive, locally recurrent/metastatic breast cancer. Median progression-free survival increased by 2.8-2.9 months with bevacizumab.
The US Tox21 program begins testing 10,000 compounds for potential toxicity using a high-speed robotic screening system. The testing will provide results useful for evaluating the potential health effects of these chemicals and revolutionize the assessment of new environmental chemicals and drug development.
Scientists isolated a protein called periostin that plays a major role in metastasis development. Blocking this protein can prevent the formation of secondary cancers, offering a promising therapeutic option for late-stage cancers.
Researchers confirm zoledronic acid's continued effectiveness in reducing breast cancer recurrences and improving survivorship rates among premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study found a 28% reduced risk for recurrence and a 36% reduction in mortality risk, with no toxic side effects.
Researchers identified a DNA methylation site that can detect ovarian cancer recurrence in blood samples, offering potential enhancement to existing biomarkers. This epigenetic marker may help monitor disease status after surgery and improve detection of the disease.
Researchers identified that sausages made with olive oil-in-water emulsion stabilized with casein are slightly tougher due to weak lipid-protein interactions. Adding microbial transglutaminase to the emulsion system can lead to physical entrapment of the oil within the meat matrix, making the sausage even tougher.
A new study provides clear procedures for collecting and analyzing microRNAs, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy. Researchers developed measures to overcome interfering activities and improved the sensitivity of miRNA detection by up to 30-fold, enabling faithful quantitation of miRNA abundance in body fluids.
Aaron Ciechanover, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for his pioneering work on the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cellular waste disposal and its role in various diseases.
A research group at Brown University has sequenced the entire transcriptome of the mouse neural retina, finding that disease genes are disproportionately highly expressed and have unique sequences. This study provides new insights into the genetic nature of neural diseases.
UCLA researchers propose an unconventional approach to controlling HIV epidemics by implementing PrEP programs in areas with low treatment success and high drug resistance rates. This strategy aims to decrease the number of infections, resulting in a greater decrease in drug resistance.
Women who practiced stress reduction and mindful eating had greater reductions in deep belly fat, associated with an elevated risk for heart disease or diabetes. Mindfulness techniques helped prevent weight gain even without dieting.
A study published in PLOS ONE introduces a lighter-weight GPS tag model that enables tracking of animals weighing at least 5.5 pounds, previously inaccessible due to equipment limitations. The team identified optimal deployment strategies for the smaller devices, resulting in successful tracking across a broader range of sizes.
Experts Roger Short and Kara Britt argue that nuns should be given the contraceptive pill due to its link to reduced ovarian and uterine cancer risk. The pill's overall mortality benefits, particularly in nulliparous women, make it a viable health option for nuns.