A new genetic technique reprograms mature skin cells directly into brain cells without passing through the stem cell stage, opening a field for cell transplants. The discovery represents a fundamental change in the view of mature cell function, offering potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified the α3β4 nicotinic receptor as a key player in the appetite suppression pathway. When nicotine binds to this receptor, pro-opiomelanocortin neurons are activated, leading to reduced food intake.
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation has saved millions of lives with vaccine support from WHO and UNICEF. However, diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea still account for a quarter of child deaths in low-income countries. Middle-income countries may struggle to access new vaccines due to high costs.
A new inquiry-based curriculum is helping high school students better understand soil science concepts through research and experiments. The program has shown that students who work on real-world projects tend to perform better than those who only focus on standardized testing.
Researchers investigated how dogs respond to human attention, finding that both domestic dogs and wolves can beg for food based on a human's attentiveness. Dogs' ability to follow human actions stems from their willingness to accept humans as social companions and conditioning to follow human movements.
A recent study published in the Journal of Management Studies suggests that using ingratiation, or 'sucking up', can neutralize psychological distress and ostracism in the workplace. Employers should create a culture that discourages workplace ostracism by providing training to managers and employees.
A new study published in Health Affairs found that Massachusetts' pioneering pay-for-performance program did not identify or reduce racial and ethnic disparities in Medicaid patient care. The program aimed to improve quality of care, but its assumptions about diverse hospital populations were proven incorrect.
Researchers tested a Boston police officer's claim of running past a brutal beating without seeing it. The study found that even under less demanding conditions than the officer faced, it's possible to miss something as obvious as a fight. The results suggest that inattentional blindness may have played a role in the officer's conviction.
NASA has confirmed Tropical Depression 05W (TD05W) as the fifth NW Pacific tropical depression, bringing rainfall to the northwestern Philippines. The storm is expected to intensify into a tropical storm and move toward southern China.
An alarming new article in Respirology issues a serious warning of massive rises in deaths from asbestos-related lung diseases in Asia. The region accounts for 64% of global asbestos use, with Cyprus, Israel, and Japan having the highest age-adjusted mortality rates.
The diving bell spider uses a gill-like structure to extract oxygen from stagnant water, allowing it to stay submerged for over a day. The spiders' metabolic rate is low, similar to other spiders that sit waiting for prey.
A new method combining electrochemistry and photovoltaics is being explored to clean up oxidation reactions. By harnessing solar energy, the need for toxic chemicals can be eliminated, reducing environmental harm. The research aims to make chemical synthesis more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new imaging technology that uses nanosecond laser pulses to measure ultrasound signals from molecules, enabling precise three-dimensional images of arterial plaques. This breakthrough could lead to better diagnoses and treatments for cardiovascular disease and other disorders.
A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of a fungus that causes leaf blotch disease in wheat, revealing potential weaknesses to combat the devastating crop loss. The fungus' unusual genetic makeup may hold the key to breeding resistant crop plants or improving pesticide use.
The new decade of vaccines brings hope for disease prevention through innovative technologies like glycoconjugate vaccines and reverse vaccinology. Despite challenges, vaccines have already led to significant reductions in morbidity and mortality due to diseases like smallpox, measles, and meningitis.
Researchers discovered that ancient plants like spikemosses had stomata that could open and close in response to light, carbon dioxide, and abscisic acid, a key plant hormone. This finding suggests that water-conserving innovations occurred early in plant evolution.
The study found significant racial disparities in children's media use, with minority youth spending an average of 13 hours per day on media compared to 9.5 hours for their white counterparts. Minority youth also tend to watch more TV and listen to music, while Asian youth spend more time playing video games and using computers.
A study found that circulating levels of surfactant protein-D were associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease, independent of other risk factors. Blood levels of SP-D increase when the lungs are inflamed, such as in smokers or those with chronic lung conditions like COPD.
Researchers found that poplar bud extract has moderate antioxidant activity and demonstrates anti-aging effects on cells in laboratory tests. The study suggests potential use of poplar bud compounds in cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations for skin care.
Despite scientific evidence linking BPA to human health problems, regulators question the accuracy of study methods. BPA is widely used in consumer goods and food packaging, raising concerns about exposure levels.
Researchers recommend a national strategy for therapeutic cancer vaccines, focusing on cancers with poor treatment options. Vaccines targeting such cancers may offer better survival rates and fewer side effects than current treatments.
A Harvard expert investigates brown spots on King Tut's tomb walls, discovering they are not living organisms but rather dead microbes. The analysis of the spots reveals that the tomb was buried in an unusual hurry, with moisture and food providing a bountiful environment for microbial growth.
System 98A has intensified due to warm waters of the Arabian Sea and reduced convection inhibiting effects, with cold cloud tops indicating heavy rainmaking capabilities. The system is forecast to drift northwest and may strengthen into a tropical storm within 24 hours.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have developed a way to form biological molecules that can be directly integrated into electronic circuits. A new microscope technique was also developed to measure the electrical properties of these devices.
Researchers at Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal have identified a key molecule directing axons during neural circuit formation. VEGF plays a crucial role in attracting nervous system axons, offering potential for therapies to re-grow axons after spinal cord injuries.
A study published in Neuron identified many small genetic variations associated with autism, including a key region that may explain human social behavior. The research suggests that autism is caused by many small genetic defects rather than one major defect.
A clinically extensive study of 1000 families with one autistic child and one unaffected sibling validated the importance of spontaneous causal mutations in autism. The study estimates a minimum of 250 to 300 locations in the human genome where gene copy number variation can give rise to autism spectrum disorder.
A new study published in Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery suggests that medical management may be preferred over surgery for children with orbital cellulitis. The research identifies the size of a subperiosteal abscess (SPA) as a determining factor in whether surgery is required for treatment.
Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a unique fluid-tuned 'metasurface,' which can concentrate energy in a material and change its properties. The metasurface's resonant frequency can be tuned by adding purified water, allowing it to reflect, store, or transmit energy.
A new analysis finds that most countries participating in REDD+ cite agriculture as the main cause of deforestation, but few provide details on how to address this issue. Countries pursuing food and biofuel production policies are intensifying agriculture-related pressures on forest lands.
A new study at Oregon Health & Science University found that immediate IUD insertion after abortion significantly reduces unintended pregnancies compared to delayed insertion. The study also highlighted the challenges of accessing IUDs due to federal policy restrictions.
Researchers have developed new tissue engineering methods to treat joint damage in osteoarthritis, including implantation of biomaterial scaffolds that guide cell growth and regeneration. The technology has shown promise in promoting cartilage tissue repair and regeneration.
A study analyzing stock market volatility over 50 years reveals the existence of hidden temporal order and high correlations between fear-driven market fluctuations and price variations. This discovery implies that traditional investment strategies should incorporate consideration for the 'volatility of volatility' in portfolio design.
A team from the University of Sheffield has discovered a novel mechanism that potentially accounts for the development of many different types of lymphoma. The research found that B-cells are deficient in one of the main DNA repair pathways, which explains why strong UV exposure is a major environmental risk factor for the disease.
A team of scientists has created a new 3D tumor model that can grow in a realistic and easily accessible substrate, speeding up cancer drug discovery. The model's 3D nature provides a more accurate representation of how tumors grow in the body, reducing the likelihood of promising drugs failing during animal testing.
A study found that Americans often regret lacking strong social relationships and higher education. Regret can be painful but also useful, motivating individuals to improve their lives.
A potent toxin, ciguatoxin, has been discovered in Hawaiian monk seals, posing a significant threat to their dwindling population. The toxin accumulates in fish consumed by humans and causes acute gastrointestinal and neurological illness.
In a study of moustached tamarins, researchers found that 75% of infants survive with male help, but only 41.7% without. Female infanticide occurs when mothers kill their own offspring due to social competition and high levels of prenatal stress.
Tropical Storm Adrian forms in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, strengthening with high cloud tops and moderate rainfall, triggering a tropical storm watch in Mexico. The storm is forecast to reach hurricane strength by the National Hurricane Center.
A study published in Cancer Research found a link between the ABCB5 marker and treatment resistance in colorectal cancers. The researchers discovered that eliminating cells expressing ABCB5 is crucial for successful treatment, supporting the cancer stem cell hypothesis. This finding has significant translational and therapeutic relevance.
Researchers found that root grafting between individual jack pine trees increased radial growth rates and allowed for the sharing of resources such as water, photosynthates, and nutrients. This cooperative behavior challenges the traditional view of trees as competitors and suggests a new strategy for tree interactions.
A new study reveals that women are more likely to be referred for unnecessary nuclear stress tests than men, with a majority of inappropriate studies ordered by primary care physicians. The research suggests that education among primary care providers is needed to improve test ordering for women.
A group of ecologists has issued a call to reevaluate the impact of non-native species on ecosystems, challenging traditional assumptions about their effects. Research highlights that some native species also have negative consequences, such as decimating pine forests.
A UC Davis study of a tiny seashore animal found that climate change may already be pushing these organisms beyond their limits, despite potential for some adaptation. The study suggests many species face environmental stress due to fragmentation and climate change, making natural selection less effective.
The MU GK-12 Program aims to enhance science content and motivation in 4th and 5th graders, while teaching graduate students effective communication skills. Graduate fellows will work with elementary school teachers and engage students in scientific research processes.
A study published in Ecology Letters found that the last glacial maximum has a significant impact on the current distribution of European scarab dung beetles. The insects' presence is more influenced by the climate of the past glaciation than the present one, with two distinct patterns emerging in the north and south.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital mapped the interactome for autism spectrum disorder, identifying hundreds of new protein interactions. The study also confirms previously known connections and reveals unsuspected connectivity between genes associated with idiopathic and syndromic autism.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosted three robotics competitions to prove advanced robotics and microrobotics technologies. The Virtual Manufacturing Automation Competition and Mobile Microrobotics Challenge evaluated teams' ability to assemble components and navigate microbots, respectively.
A study of male rhesus macaques found that they steer clear of red-clad humans and steal food from the other tray, indicating an aversion to red. The researchers believe this reflects an evolutionary adaptation reflecting our species' social nature.
The Conservation Genetics Lab uses genetic techniques to identify inbred populations and introduce new genetic variation. They also apply this technique to endangered species in captive breeding programs and use DNA evidence to catch wildlife criminals.
Researchers identified rare genetic variations in children with autism spectrum disorders, including duplications and deletions of DNA regions. These findings suggest a diversity of genetic causes for the disease and highlight the importance of targeting specific subtypes of autism for effective treatment.
A Scripps Research scientist has won a grant to study the malaria parasite in the liver, aiming to develop better drugs to combat the disease. The research will focus on understanding pathways essential to parasite development in both blood and liver stages.
A new study found that psychology majors' median starting salary of $35,300 is well below the average for college graduates. Advanced degrees also do not seem to improve earnings in this field.
Scientists at NIST have developed a method to capture metal-based nanoparticles on a surface and release them at the desired moment, allowing for effective assessment of their toxicity in cell cultures. This approach enables precise delivery of particles to cells, mimicking real-world encounters, and reducing clumping issues.
Researchers found that only one-quarter of water molecules at the surface exhibit characteristics of both gas and liquid phases, allowing for new understanding of chemical reactions and atmospheric balance. The study provides a framework for investigating other interfaces, such as those in living cells.
A new Temple University study analyzes distracted driving laws passed between 1992 and 2010, revealing significant variation in laws across states. The research highlights the need for systematic evaluation of distracted driving laws to inform effective policy-making.
Researchers have found that shingles may be associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, particularly in the year following a shingles attack. The study suggests that this risk is still relatively low and varies by geographical location and income.
A new animal study finds that a high-fat diet can cause inflammation and injury to brain cells in the hypothalamus, leading to weight gain. The research suggests that this neuronal injury may be permanent, contributing to the difficulty of achieving sustained weight loss in obese individuals.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered the mechanism of cilia assembly, revealing two subunits of tubulin that, when mutated, cause cilia loss. This breakthrough has implications for understanding diseases like polycystic kidney disease and growth disorders.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has received a $150,000 grant to support efforts by eco-guards to protect Grauer's gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The grant will help equip park rangers with field equipment to monitor and limit poaching within the park.