The 20th Century Reanalysis Project has created a comprehensive reanalysis of global weather events from 1871 to the present day. The dataset provides key historical comparisons for our own changing climate, allowing researchers to understand the impact of extreme weather and climate events over time.
Loyola University Health System neurologists Dr. José Biller and Dr. Michael J. Schneck predict an 'explosive growth in potential medical therapies' for age-related neurological disorders. New treatments and diagnostic tests have led to an increased demand for neurologists and interest in the field.
Research suggests that smoking before menopause may be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women who smoked more or longer had a higher risk of breast cancer, while passive smoking was not linked to an increased risk.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that current legal restrictions hinder the effectiveness of advance directives, which allow patients to specify their end-of-life care preferences. The researchers propose reforms to relax these restrictions and promote universal acceptance of oral advance directives.
Researchers have identified a link between mitochondrial fusion and a cell death pathway, with implications for treating heart disease and stroke. The study found that the proteins MFN1 and MFN2 regulate mitochondrial behavior, promoting or preventing apoptosis, depending on their combination.
Scientists identified a viral infection that causes high mortality among soft-shell crabs, which can result in significant financial losses for Chesapeake Bay watermen. By developing a genome-based technique to detect the virus, researchers aim to help improve the soft shell harvest and bring more profitable products to market.
Researchers found specific DNA regions, including those related to the Notch pathway, responsible for hypoxia resistance in flies. Gain-of-function mutations resulted in over-expression of the Notch domain and increased hypoxia tolerance.
A multidisciplinary faculty group at Tufts University School of Medicine recommends a strategic approach to teaching personalized genomic testing in medical school curricula. The group emphasizes the need for responsible use and privacy protection when introducing personal genotypes into education.
Researchers found that humans' unique throwing ability is tied to the size-weight illusion, which primes children to learn throwing. This skill enabled early humans to hunt effectively and survive, contributing to their species' success.
Research suggests that reduced exposure to seasonal cold may contribute to rises in obesity due to minimized energy expenditure and reduced body heat production. Increased indoor temperatures may also lead to a loss of brown fat, reducing the body's capacity to burn energy.
The research aims to mitigate Arctic climate change by reducing black carbon emissions at mid-latitudes and Europe. The study will assess the impact of black carbon on Arctic climate and its links with warming caused by carbon dioxide.
Glioblastoma cells can transform into blood vessel cells when oxygen is scarce, making treatment efforts less effective. This transformation allows the tumor cells to continue receiving nutrients and oxygen, leading to a resurgence of cancer growth.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a tiny slide-sized model of the female breast, dubbed 'breast on-a-chip,' to test nanomedical approaches for detecting and treating breast cancer. The model mimics the branching mammary duct system where most cancers begin.
A cognitive behavioral therapy program focusing on stress management appears to decrease the risk of recurrent heart attacks and cardiovascular events in patients with heart disease. The study found that the program was associated with a 41% lower rate of fatal and non-fatal heart events, as well as fewer recurrent heart attacks.
Researchers at UBC have created a global map of surface permeability, which could lead to new insights into water supply and climate modelling. The map, published in Geophysical Research Letters, provides critical data for managing groundwater resources and evaluating the impact of groundwater on climate.
Scientists at the University of East Anglia discovered a rogue gene, WWP2, that attacks and breaks down natural inhibitors preventing cancer cell spreading. Blocking WWP2 boosts these inhibitors, keeping cancer cells dormant.
A new species of parrot-sized dinosaur, Linhenykus monodactylus, has been discovered in Inner Mongolia with only one finger. The fossil found preserved bones from the vertebral column, forelimb, and hind limbs. It is believed that this feature may have been used for digging into insect nests.
Research suggests that dietary factors such as antioxidant intake, n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, and vitamin D status may contribute to the development of childhood asthma. A Mediterranean diet with high content of vegetables, fruits, and olive oil was found to be less likely to cause asthma symptoms.
A five-year study of 288 participants found that a combination of physical activity and weight loss improved mobility by 5-20% in older, obese adults. This counteracts the common belief that weight loss is unhealthy for older adults. Community-based programs can effectively provide seniors with poor mobility
Researchers will compare non-transplant eligible patients with implanted devices to those with current medical therapy, examining potential benefits for patients less advanced than current LVAD recipients.
Researchers are developing efficient spectrum-sensing technologies to support high-speed internet in rural areas and enable super Wi-Fi networks. The goal is to efficiently use limited radio spectrum resources to meet the growing demand for wireless technologies.
Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique, electrochemical impedance microscopy (EIM), that can explore subtle features of cell adhesion, apoptosis, and electroporation. EIM provides sub-micron spatial resolution and is label-free, making it non-invasive to samples.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that Hispanic seniors are less likely to be immunized against flu and pneumonia compared to similar White seniors. Researchers discovered that Hispanic seniors who prefer speaking Spanish and live in linguistically isolated communities have the lowest immunization rates.
A study by Ohio State University found that 100% of pharmacy professors who had Facebook profiles would not send friend requests to their current students. The study suggests that faculty benefit from clear guidelines on social networking use to decrease discomfort around handling student friend requests.
A study by Elisabetta Rapiti found that women taking tamoxifen had 87% fewer lung cancer deaths than the general population. The research supports a hormonal influence on lung cancer and estrogen's role in patients' prognosis.
A long-term study found that children with lower self-control at age 3 were more likely to have health problems, substance dependence, and financial troubles by age 32. Self-control can be taught, reducing healthcare and criminal justice costs.
GRIN plasmonics combines transformation optics and plasmonics to control strongly confined light waves. The technique uses an isotropic dielectric material on a metal substrate to create efficient plasmonic devices, including Luneburg and Eaton lenses.
A new study by Michigan State University sociologist Zachary Neal challenges conventional wisdom on economic development. According to Neal's research, attracting business air-travel passengers first can lead to a significant increase in jobs.
A study by University of Chicago scholars finds that women in Congress consistently deliver more federal projects to their home districts and sponsor more legislation than men. Women's higher performance is attributed to voter discrimination against female candidates, leading only the most talented females to run for office.
The Micropilot software brings machine learning to microscopy, analyzing low-resolution images and automatically performing complex experiments when cells with interesting features are detected. It has been used to uncover the roles of proteins in cell division and will be a key tool for European systems biology projects.
A new study explores the impact of sun dimming on atmospheric teleconnections, which are crucial for predicting weather regimes. The research suggests that a dimmed sun could alter the link between tropical temperatures and extra-tropical circulation, potentially affecting prevailing weather patterns.
A new study found that 72% of patients in early-phase cancer trials accurately understood the trial purpose, but exhibited unrealistic optimism in response to specific questions. This bias may interfere with applying information realistically and compromise informed consent.
A UBC study has identified genes that allow the blue stain fungus Grosmannia clavigera to bypass lodgepole pine's natural fungicide, enabling it to infect and kill trees. This knowledge could inform strategies to prevent future outbreaks of mountain pine beetles.
A new study reveals that a biomarker test for DNA methylation is technically feasible and could aid in earlier and more precise diagnosis of melanoma. The test distinguishes malignant melanomas from non-malignant moles, with high predictive value.
Antennal drumming behavior has been linked to development of social caste in a native paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus. The new work shows that exposure to simulated antennal drumming biases developing larvae toward the physiological characteristics of workers rather than gynes.
Researchers have re-examined the assumption that organic molecules in the air evaporate quickly, discovering that they actually evaporate much slower than expected. This finding could significantly impact climate and air quality models, suggesting that there may be no missing source of atmospheric organics.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed synthetic antibodies that can be used for diagnostic tools. By optimizing binding affinity using random peptide sequences, these synbodies show promise in detecting diseases early on.
Grand Challenges Canada and Canadian partners have joined forces to tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affecting over 1 billion people worldwide. Researchers will develop new drugs using compounds from African botanical and microbial sources, collaborating with African scientists.
Researchers at TU Delft are developing an objective, quantitative method to assess MRI scans for Crohn's disease activity. This new method aims to improve disease monitoring and reduce the need for colonoscopies, a stressful procedure.
Researchers from UC Davis and UC Berkeley have discovered a new dinosaur, Eodramaeus, that lived 230 million years ago in South America. The carefully dated fossils suggest dinosaurs existed alongside other animals during the same periods of extinction, challenging the prevailing hypothesis about their origin.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization found that the brain's activity patterns are highly chaotic, with information lost at a rate of one bit per active neuron per second. This high deletion rate indicates that the cerebral cortex is tailored to process brief snapshots of sensory input.
A new study finds that Candida albicans responds to pheromones from multiple species, not just its own, leading to same-sex mating and biofilm formation. This adaptability could increase drug resistance or altered pathogenic properties, making it a potential target for infection prevention strategies.
A new study found that Black and Hispanic young women are screened for chlamydia at a significantly higher rate than young white women, contributing to nationwide reporting of higher rates of this sexually transmitted disease among minority young women. Screening likelihood varied by insurance status and age.
Scientists have discovered that HIV uses the molecule rNTP to replicate inside macrophages, allowing it to evade the immune system. By targeting this molecule, researchers may be able to develop new drugs to stop the virus in its hiding spot within the human immune system.
Researchers have successfully used nanoscale transistors to detect the binding of DNA double helix halves, directly amplifying single biomolecule charge. This technique offers a powerful tool for studying single molecule interactions and has potential applications in protein assays, DNA sequencing and other areas.
New research reveals that odontoblast cells in teeth orchestrate an immune response to protect against bacteria-induced decay. The cells produce proteins that down-regulate inflammation, protecting the underlying pulp from damage.
Scientists from University of Copenhagen reveal curved carbon's potential for unprecedented control over electron spin, paving the way for new applications in spin-based nanoelectronics. The discovery opens up possibilities for controlling and manipulating the spin of electrons.
Researchers fill in a missing gap in the mechanism of how brassinosteroids cause plant genes to be expressed, with implications for agricultural science and evolutionary research. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is identified as the key component of the signaling pathway.
Research on fire salamander larvae reveals that accelerated development comes with a higher risk of mortality, highlighting the need for further study on human development and its relationship with environmental challenges. The study found that larvae that developed more quickly suffered greater rates of mortality.
Researchers found layers of coal ash in rocks from the extinction boundary that provide direct proof of massive volcanic eruptions and burning coal. This discovery supports models for significant greenhouse gas generation during the late Permian extinction.
Scientists have created the world's first human cell model of progeria, a rare genetic disease causing severe premature ageing in children. The model reveals defects in mesenchymal stem cells and vascular smooth muscle cells that exacerbate symptoms of ageing.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that genetic sequencing is insufficient to understand human disease, highlighting the need for functional tests. The study used a suite of diseases called ciliopathies, which can cause various traits in patients.
Researchers at Hebrew U. warn that climate change may cause many tree species with wind-dispersed seeds to become extinct due to reduced wind speed and increased seed production. This could lead to a slower spread of trees than expected, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Joslin Diabetes Center researchers discovered that plasma kallikrein interferes with brain clotting, leading to increased bleeding during strokes. Normalizing blood glucose levels may block this effect and reduce brain hemorrhage.
A new study reveals that nearly a third of zooplankton's diet comes from land-derived organic matter. The research provides insight into the complex interactions within aquatic food webs and the role of watershed inputs.
Researchers found that portable HEPA filters reduced fine particulate matter and woodsmoke concentrations, improving endothelial function and decreasing inflammation. These findings support the hypothesis that reducing particle concentration can favorably influence cardiovascular morbidity.
Research by Dr. Sébastien Sauvé and André Lajeunesse found that antidepressants accumulate in fish tissues, affecting brain activity and potentially causing long-term harm to the Saint Lawrence River's ecosystem. The study's findings highlight the need for further research into the impact of chemical pollution on aquatic organisms.
Researchers identified miR-96 as a key regulator of auditory sensory hair cell development. The study revealed that mutations in this microRNA prevent the normal progression of hair cell development, leading to deafness. This breakthrough discovery opens new avenues for developing treatments for progressive hearing loss and deafness.
Researchers found a significant decrease in tooth decay among young American Indians who switched from sweetened soda to water, with up to 63% reduction in early stage cavities. The study suggests that promoting water as a primary drink can have a substantial impact on preventing tooth decay.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new process relating to the way drops of water spread after striking a surface, which could help engineers design more durable condensing surfaces. The effect explains why blades used in power-plant turbines tend to degrade rapidly and need frequent replacement.