Four Penn State faculty have been selected to participate in collaborative projects with international partners on various topics, including ocean acidification, earth surface sedimentary flow processes, climate change adaptation, and public health. The partnerships aim to address global issues and promote interdisciplinary research.
A Virginia Tech engineer is leading a government team to investigate the geotechnical impacts of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The team will focus on documenting extreme events and their effects on infrastructure.
Researchers discovered that zoledronic acid can prevent lung cancer metastases from recruiting new blood vessels. The drug showed a statistically significant reduction in VEGF and b-FGF levels, suggesting potential anti-angiogenic effects.
A new study found that teenagers rated positively by their teachers had higher levels of well-being later in life, including higher work satisfaction and more frequent social activities. Happy children were also less likely to develop mental disorders throughout their lives.
A study published in Psychology and Health found that making a concrete plan and visualizing its execution leads to better food habits. Students who combined planning with visualization increased their fruit consumption twice as much as those who only planned.
Researchers found that Hashimoto's thyroiditis symptoms persist even when thyroid function is normal, affecting quality of life. Women with higher levels of anti-thyroid antibodies experienced more symptoms.
Researchers found no evidence of viral infection causing acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in most patients. Instead, torque teno virus (TTV) was detected in lung fluid samples from a small percentage of IPF patients, suggesting it may be a marker of lung injury rather than a cause.
A new study examines recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users in California, finding that nearly three-quarters of reported cases are linked to this condition. The study highlights the risk of repeated cases despite potentially developing protective immunity against botulism.
A newly discovered activity of the p53 gene activates microRNA miR-200c to reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. The study offers a potential therapeutic strategy for targeting tumor-initiating cells with stem cell characteristics.
Homeless kids who use online social networking sites are more likely to have been tested for sexually transmitted infections and better informed about preventing them, despite increased risk of risky behaviors
Researchers use fMRI to probe for higher-level cognitive functioning in severely brain-injured patients, finding a wide variation in response capabilities. The study suggests that no bedside exam can accurately assess cognitive function in these patients, highlighting the need for further exploration and understanding.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found a statistically significant increase in microearthquakes after the Chilean earthquake in February. The study suggests that seismic waves from distant earthquakes can trigger events on the other side of the Earth, with secondary and tertiary waves playing a key role.
The study reveals that no single factor leads to a grasshopper outbreak, but rather multiple interacting factors are necessary. Grasshoppers have a significant impact on plants by altering nitrogen cycles in grasslands, which can either increase or decrease plant production depending on the type of vegetation they feed on.
A new study reveals that the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and BORIS proteins directly regulate Rb2/p130 gene expression in lung cells. The findings show that small lung cancer cells exhibit low expression levels of Rb2/p130, while non-small lung cancer cells are overexpressed compared to normal lung cells.
A NYU nursing-dental research team will assess the feasibility of using gingival crevicular blood to gauge hemoglobin A1C levels as a means of diagnosing diabetes and identifying pre-diabetes. The study aims to determine if there is a correlation between A1C finger-stick and oral blood samples.
Researchers have successfully performed energy-state occupancy readouts of artificial atoms using common computer interfaces, enabling the creation of quantum mechanical charge carriers. This breakthrough brings the technology one step closer to practical applications.
A new asthma management program for preschoolers, developed by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, has shown dramatic results in reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The program, which includes educational activities for parents and children, as well as training for healthcare providers, has led to a ...
Researchers identified heparin as the underlying mechanism that initiates the production of bradykinin, contributing to swelling, anaphylactic, and inflammatory symptoms associated with aberrant mast cell activity. This discovery provides a new strategy for treating allergic diseases by blocking bradykinin or factor XII activity.
Scientists have unraveled the environmental changes in the Arctic during an ancient bout of natural global warming. The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) led to a 15-metre succession of sediment representing a 170,000-year event, with sea level peaking about 13,000 years into the period.
Researchers found alpha cells can harm beta cells through glutamate toxicity, leading to diabetes. A protective protein called GLT1 helps regulate glutamate levels and may offer a new diagnostic test or therapeutic target.
Researchers identified AEG-1 as a strong predictor of progression-free survival in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer treated with erlotinib. Patients with low AEG-1 expression had longer progression-free survival compared to those with high expression.
Patients presenting to emergency departments with adverse drug events have a 50% greater risk of spending additional days in hospital and a 20% higher rate of outpatient health care needs. The research team estimates that the added cost is $49 million annually.
A new study by Rice University researchers reveals that overfertilizing corn crops for ethanol production can lead to decreased cellulose content in plant residues, making it more difficult to extract ethanol. The study suggests using less fertilizer can improve feedstock quality and alleviate environmental damage.
Researchers discovered that people who are motivated to be dominant gaze longer at angry faces and shorter at happy faces. The study suggests that engaging in gaze contests is an automatic response for those with a dominance motive.
Researchers at Harvard University found a key gene governing color patterns in deer mice, which could explain stripes and spots in diverse vertebrates. The Agouti gene's embryonic activity influences pigment distribution across the body.
Virginia Tech researchers have discovered an enzyme mixture that can work in the presence of toxic infused liquid biomass, eliminating the need for detoxification and reducing production costs. The enzyme cocktail increases biofuel yields by avoiding the production of by-products and synthesis of cell mass.
A new University of Florida study has identified the southern US as the origin of invasive red imported fire ants worldwide. The research used molecular genetic markers to track the ants' movements and found that all but one invasion came from the southern US.
A team of scientists and Alaska Natives collaborated on the excavation of a cremated child's remains, estimated to be around three years old. The discovery sheds new light on the burial practices and daily lives of Ice Age peoples in Northern North America.
Researchers have discovered a new role for Tonoplast Intrinsic Proteins (TIPs) in regulating water uptake during seed germination, contradicting previous focus on Plasma Membrane Intrinsic Proteins (PIP). The study provides the first complete map of TIP expression in maturing and germinating seeds.
Despite significant advances in kidney care, type 1 diabetes patients with kidney dysfunction continue to face increased risks of kidney failure and heart-related death. New therapies are needed to retard progression to end-stage renal disease.
A recent study found that hepatitis C patients in the US are twice as likely to be uninsured, with only a third having access to antiviral therapy. The lack of adequate health insurance coverage is a significant barrier to treatment, particularly for those with comorbidities.
Researchers found that older adults rely on implicit memory, which influences behavior without awareness, while younger adults use explicit memory. This discovery has implications for age-specific marketing and learning strategies, as well as our understanding of cognitive decline with age.
A team of USDA scientists used infrared heaters to simulate growing conditions expected by 2050 and found that applying heat to wheat planted in September enabled the crop to survive frosts with minimal yield loss. The results provide valuable guidance for growers on how to adjust planting schedules as the climate warms.
The Children's Hospital of Orange County has received a $30 million estate gift from the late Robert L. Tidwell, the largest gift in its history. The donation will be allocated towards CHOC's 'Change CHOC, Change the World' campaign, which aims to make Orange County one of the safest and healthiest places for children in the nation.
MIT researchers discovered that ocean currents cause elongated microbes to filter light, affecting photosynthesis and phytoplankton growth rates. This phenomenon was previously overlooked in models of light propagation, but fluid flow can change things, influencing carbon fixation and remote sensing estimates.
Elite suppressors have lower levels of integrated HIV DNA and more effective killer T cells, making them resistant to antiretroviral therapy. Researchers speculate that therapeutic vaccinations targeting elite suppressor-like immune responses may be effective against the treatment-resistant latent reservoir.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating pecans increases healthy antioxidant levels in the body, reducing unhealthy cholesterol oxidation by up to 33 percent. The study suggests that pecans' antioxidants may contribute to heart health and disease prevention.
Researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that combining rituximab with fludarabine can produce long-term remissions in CLL patients. After nearly 10 years of follow-up, 13% of patients achieved remissions lasting more than seven years.
Studying homoplasy helps scientists analyze overwhelming genetic data and identify evolution processes. Examples include salamander body length increase through individual vertebrae modification and flower petal evolution on multiple occasions.
Delirium is a growing concern in hospitals, affecting over 7 million Americans annually and causing prolonged hospital stays, increased mortality risk, and vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are calling for improved monitoring and treatment strategies to reduce the delirium burden by half within two decades.
A study by the University of Salamanca found that Latin American immigrants in Spain earn around 20% less than Spanish workers with similar education and experience levels. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Economics, analyzed data from the 2006 Salary Structure Survey.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that newborn hearts can heal themselves completely. Within three weeks of removing a portion of the heart, it was able to grow back the lost tissue and function like a normal heart. This breakthrough offers new possibilities for treating heart disease.
Researchers found that humans can't produce a specific sialic acid molecule, leading to insulin and glucose metabolism problems. This discovery suggests evolutionary changes may have influenced human metabolism and increased diabetes risk.
A new genetic discovery suggests that the loss of function in a human-specific gene called CMAH may contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes. The study found that mice with this gene mutation developed insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell failure, leading to decreased insulin production and impaired blood glucose control.
A four-year USDA-funded grant will improve agricultural productivity and nutrition in Mozambique through a trilateral cooperation between the US, Brazil, and MSU. The initiative aims to create economic opportunities for low-income farmers by training them on technology and marketing fresh produce.
A La Jolla Institute-led team has identified the primary cellular players in an adenosine-fueled inflammation cascade that contributes to insulin resistance. By using an adenosine receptor blocker, the team prevented the activation of macrophages, leading to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels in diabetic animals.
A strain of probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum CECT 7366, has been identified as effective in treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. The probiotic strain demonstrated significant inhibition levels against H. pylori and partially relieved damage to gastric tissue.
Scientists discovered an 11,500-year-old Paleoindian house in central Alaska with a cremated child skeleton. The findings provide a unique glimpse into the domestic life of the region's early people, including women and children. The child was around three years old and died before being cremated in a pit within the house.
Early Earth's core may have formed from lighter chromium isotopes, which are mostly missing from the planet's mantle and crust. This finding provides new insights into the planet formation process.
A new gene expression test distinguishes between metastasizing and non-metastasizing head and neck cancers with high accuracy. The test was validated in a large multi-center cohort, predicting the absence of metastasis in 89% of cases.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered a strong correlation between victimization experiences and substance abuse. Lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to report any victimization over their lifetime, with higher rates of childhood sexual abuse and partner violence.
A study of over 3,000 children found a correlation between low vitamin D levels and an increased likelihood of developing allergies, including food and environmental allergens. Children with vitamin D deficiency were 2.4 times more likely to have a peanut allergy.
Scientists study silicic calderas and crustal structure in the Iberian Peninsula, finding links to tectonic controls. Researchers also analyze eolian dynamics and sediment mixing in the Gran Desierto dune field using thermal infrared spectroscopy and remote-sensing data.
A study found that dialysis patients receive high doses of radiation, increasing their cancer risk. The researchers recommend tracking radiation exposure to develop alternative strategies and justify CT scans.
Researchers found that PSA velocity is a poor predictor of prostate cancer and may lead to unnecessary biopsies. The study, which analyzed data from over 5,000 men, suggests that using changes in PSA levels as a basis for recommending biopsy can result in many unnecessary procedures.
A phase 3 study shows that denosumab delays and prevents bone events in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer, improving outcomes compared to zoledronic acid. Denosumab reduces the risk of bone fractures and other complications by inhibiting osteoclast activity.
Research suggests that PSA velocity is a poor predictor of prostate cancer and can lead to unnecessary biopsies. The study found that men with rapid rises in PSA levels did not have cancer more often than those with slower rises, highlighting the need for alternative screening methods.
A new study suggests that females may rely on indirect forms of aggression, such as social exclusion, when faced with social threats. Female participants were more likely to choose an alliance option when they felt threatened by the prospect of being excluded.
Researchers at University of Alberta have identified over 4,200 blood chemicals that doctors can use to diagnose and treat health problems. The new database provides a comprehensive reference point for monitoring patient health and detecting early signs of medical issues.
A recent study found that maternal fructose consumption during pregnancy results in sex-specific changes in fetal and neonatal endocrinology, with female fetuses showing higher leptin and blood glucose levels. Male offspring also exhibit increased plasma fructose levels and hypoinisulinemia.