Researchers at Macquarie University identified two brain areas that work together to control breathing and swallowing in babies, which may be disrupted in SIDS cases. Understanding how these mechanisms fail could lead to new treatments for the condition.
A two-year trial found that switching from entecavir to lamivudine resulted in a 24% virologic rebound rate and 12% drug-resistance rate. Patients who continued on entecavir therapy maintained undetectable HBV DNA levels.
A recent study reveals that bats save the US agricultural industry at least $3 billion a year by controlling insect pests. The analysis also warns of potential losses due to white-nose syndrome and wind-energy facility fatalities, emphasizing the need for bat conservation.
Researchers have found that exposure to vibrations from power tools can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome, a condition that leads to numbness, loss of dexterity, and discoloration in the extremities. A study by Concordia engineer Subhash Rakheja suggests that simple seat upgrades can reduce exposure by up to 60 percent.
Cross River gorillas diverged from Western lowland gorillas about 17,800 years ago during the Pleistocene era. The two subspecies continued to interbreed intermittently due to successive rounds of climate change.
Researchers found that half of learned insights are consolidated in memories within a week, while others fade over time. The amygdala, associated with emotion, is activated during insight moments and predicts ability to recall degraded images.
Researchers used human embryonic stem cells to study myotonic dystrophy type 1, revealing reduced expression of SLITRK genes in affected brains. The findings highlight the potential of embryonic stem cells for understanding complex diseases like muscular dystrophy.
Researchers from Indiana University have identified serious logic flaws in third-party payment services like PayPal and Amazon Payments. The team exploited these flaws to receive electronic products at significantly reduced prices or for free.
The US saw a decline in cancer death rates between 2003 and 2007, with the overall rate of cancer deaths falling by an average of slightly less than 1 percent per year. Despite this encouraging trend, experts caution that more efforts are needed to prevent and treat cancer effectively.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that removing children's catheters as soon as possible can reduce the risk of life-threatening bloodstream infections. The study analyzed 1,800 children treated over six years and found that length of use was a potent predictor of infection.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating girls with Turner syndrome with low doses of estrogen and growth hormone significantly increased their adult height. The treatment also showed modest synergy between growth hormone and low-dose estrogen in promoting growth.
Children with extreme social anxiety struggle to interpret facial expressions, confusing angry faces with sad ones. This misinterpretation can lead to problematic interactions and difficulties in making friends.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that hands-free electronic water faucets are more likely to be contaminated with Legionella bacteria compared to old-style fixtures. The study found that these new devices pose a problem in preventing Legionella infections in hospitals, despite reducing daily water consumption by over half.
Carnegie Mellon University chemist Krzysztof Matyjaszewski and his team have developed a new method called electrochemically mediated ATRP, or eATRP, which allows for more precise control over the ATRP process. This breakthrough enables the creation of complex and specialized materials with tailored functionalities.
A new species of gigantic theropod dinosaur, Zhuchengtyrannus magnus, was identified from fossil skull and jaw bones discovered in China. The newly named dinosaur measured about 11 metres long, stood about 4 metres tall, and weighed close to 6 tonnes.
A double-blind parallel group study of 59 patients showed significant reductions in alkaline phosphatase levels with Obeticholic Acid, a novel bile acid receptor agonist. The results suggest that OCA may be an effective treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis, particularly at the 10mg dose.
Research finds smaller amygdala and insula regions in teenagers with conduct disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by aggressive and antisocial behavior. The findings challenge the view that adolescence-onset CD is solely caused by imitating peers, suggesting a potential neurological basis for the condition.
A new study found that genetic variants in dopamine-related genes increased the risk of smoking initiation in adolescents, while variants in nicotinic cholinergic receptors influenced persistence in adulthood. These findings could lead to genetic testing and targeted drugs for nicotine dependence.
Global reinsurance company SCOR is establishing a research centre at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to conduct applied research on insurance risk and related issues. The centre aims to produce research that will help the insurance industry meet growing protection needs in Asia.
Researchers examine daily variation in teenagers' sleep and its effects on well-being, academic performance, and stress levels. The symposium aims to better understand how sleep patterns influence adolescent development and overall health.
Researchers from NIST have created a new method to make neutral atoms behave as if they are charged particles in an electric field. This allows for the simulation and study of fundamental electrical phenomena, including superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect. The synthetic electric fields mimic the behavior of charged particles ...
Scientists at NIST have developed a method to measure the wear and degradation of AFM tips in real time, allowing for dramatic improvements in precision and speed. This technique uses contact resonance force microscopy to track the resonant frequency of the sensor tip, enabling atomic-scale resolution and reducing inaccuracies.
Bats play a crucial role in reducing pesticide use and crop damage, with estimates suggesting their value to agriculture is roughly $22.9 billion annually. However, widespread bat population declines due to diseases like White-Nose Syndrome and wind turbine collisions threaten this ecological balance.
Research suggests that probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 can reduce negative effects of AIEC in Crohn's patients, modulating inflammatory immune proteins. The study emphasizes the potential of EcN in IBD treatment and its use as a therapeutic option for CD patients with pathogenic AIEC.
A new therapeutic target for lung cancer has been identified by researchers at Seoul National University. The variant of the protein AIMP2 is highly expressed in lung cancer cells and has been shown to compromise the tumor-suppressing activity of AIMP2, suggesting its potential as a new treatment option.
Young people value their mothers' care, empathy and ability to have fun with them. They also appreciate her influence in their lives and admire her resilience and dedication.
The 125 million-year-old fossil find suggests an earlier origin for eudicots and flowering plants. The newly discovered species, Leefructus mirus, exhibits characteristics similar to those of modern buttercups and Ranunculaceae family members.
Researchers found optimal light and temperature conditions for Tecoma stans, a flowering shrub native to Central and South America. The plant requires 14+ hours of light per day and supplemental lighting, making it an energy-intensive crop.
Researchers will study how tumor cells avoid immune detection, enabling cancer spread, and test whether modifying the environment can activate unresponsive immune cells against cancer. The grant enables visualization of tumor and immune cell interactions in real-time.
A new vaccine has been developed by McMaster University researchers, effective in treating people with cat allergies. The peptide immunotherapy vaccine is given through skin injections and may require fewer doses than traditional allergy shots, reducing side effects.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a software tool that helps programs run more efficiently while maintaining their safety features. By utilizing multi-core computer chips, the tool speeds up programs by 580% compared to manual reprogramming.
The symposium aims to address the effects of victimization on sexual-minority youths, including risks of being victimized at school and predictors of peer acceptance. Researchers will discuss findings on academic outcomes for sexual-minority adolescents and the impact of peer acceptance on their school experiences.
Researchers at NIST have developed an electronic technique called Johnson noise thermometry to measure the Boltzmann constant with an uncertainty of 12 ppm. This method has the potential to advance international efforts to revamp the world's scientific measurement system, enabling more precise definitions of units like the Kelvin.
A European-wide retrospective analysis found both D-penicillamine and trientine to be effective treatments for Wilson disease, providing positive survival rates in patients free from a liver transplant. The study showed that over 98% of patients did not require liver transplantation.
A study published in Environmental Health found that children who eat regular breakfasts have lower blood lead levels than those who skip breakfast. The risk of lead poisoning is higher in boys and younger children.
Researchers found a connection between migraines with aura and patent foramen ovale in children, a common heart defect affecting 25% of the US population. The study suggests closure of PFO may help treat certain types of migraines, offering new hope for treatment.
The annual report to the nation on cancer trends finds a slight decline in brain tumor incidence rates, with a notable increase in non-malignant tumors among adults. Non-malignant tumors were found to be twice as common as malignant tumors in this age group.
An intensivist-led approach to caring for brain dead donors can lead to a greater likelihood of recovering organs for transplant. This team-based care involves monitoring and managing donor bodies to optimize organ function and increase the pool of available organs.
Researchers employ helium-4/helium-3 thermochronometry to reconstruct the landform history of Fiordland in New Zealand from 2.5 million years ago, finding that most valley-making occurred at downstream mouths of glaciers for the first million years and later at glacier heads.
Researchers observed killer whales favoring Weddell seals as their primary target despite the availability of other prey species. The study provides insight into the cooperative hunting behavior of killer whales in Antarctic waters.
Researchers developed a biological memristor using human blood, exhibiting memory effects when exposed to voltage polarity and magnitude. The breakthrough demonstrates the potential for creating liquid memristors from human tissues, paving the way for future cyborg devices.
Researchers estimate that lifting the ban on HIV-infected organ donation could provide transplants to 500 patients annually. The study suggests that this change would not only benefit HIV-positive patients but also reduce waiting times for non-HIV infected patients.
Researchers have successfully treated severe Crohn's disease with a new cell therapy approach using Type 1 regulatory lymphocytes. The preliminary results indicate improved condition and good tolerability, paving the way for further phase 2b clinical trials.
Researchers grew mesenchymal stem cells as tiny spheres to form a variety of cell types, expanding their potential for regenerative medicine. The 3D technique recreates the microscopic environment found in human bodies, allowing MSCs to specialize more rapidly and completely.
A study found that depression erodes intimate relationships by impairing partners' ability to perceive each other's thoughts and feelings. The more depressed a woman is, the less accurately she infers her partner's emotions, leading to increased alienation and depression in both partners.
A case study reports that singing lowered a 76-year-old woman's blood pressure from 240/120 mm Hg to acceptable levels for knee replacement surgery. The patient's blood pressure remained lower after continued singing for several hours, and she was cleared for successful surgery.
Scientists at Queen's University have won a £2 million grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to study dark matter, dark energy, and the Sun. The funding will support international collaborations with top universities, including Harvard and Vanderbilt.
Researchers from the University of York and Manchester have extracted protein from a 600,000 year old mammoth fossil, providing a near complete collagen sequence. This breakthrough enables the identification of ancient fossils and opens up new possibilities for studying extinct animals.
A global consensus report defines meibomian gland dysfunction as a chronic, diffuse abnormality affecting the tear film. The report proposes a universal classification system and diagnostic tests to aid clinicians in diagnosing and managing MGD-related disorders.
The Kepler spacecraft provides clear views of changes in star brightness, allowing astronomers to probe a star's core and determine its density and chemistry. The mission helps understand the life cycle of red giant stars, including whether they burn hydrogen or helium in the core.
A new study found that teenage fatherhood significantly impacts young adult outcomes, including a 15-point reduction in high school graduation rates and an 11-point increase in receiving a GED. The experience of teenage fatherhood also increases the likelihood of full-time employment and military service.
A new study found that human metapneumovirus and bacterial pneumonia contributed to the deaths of mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. The virus was closely related to strains circulating in South Africa, suggesting that tourists may have carried it into the parks.
A new study in The FASEB Journal found that free access to scientific journal articles does not increase their citations, contradicting the widely-held 'open access citation advantage' theory. The research suggests that open access articles are seen by more readers but not cited more frequently.
Researchers at Ohio State University used mass spectrometry to discover that pyrrolysine is produced through a simple series of chemical reactions involving two lysine molecules. The finding provides a more complete understanding of how amino acids are made and offers new insights into the biosynthesis pathway.
Scientists have developed a fast-recharge, three-dimensional lithium-ion battery that recharges in minutes, not hours. The new battery has a longer lifespan and can store more energy per unit volume, making it ideal for electric cars.
A new study suggests that fatality figures from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have been greatly underestimated, with a true death toll potentially 50 times higher. Marine conditions and far-off deaths mean recovered carcasses only account for a small proportion of fatalities.
Research from the University of Toronto Scarborough found that traditional problem-focused approaches to work-life balance can cause more problems due to stress and exhaustion. In contrast, avoiding conflicts by taking breaks can lead to reduced conflict between life roles and improved satisfaction with life.
A study from Michigan State University suggests that lack of motivation and equipment are the primary barriers to physical activity among adolescent boys. An after-school exercise program may help overcome this decrease in exercise, according to researcher Lorraine Robbins.
Researchers discovered that HIV envelope protein complex can be exposed to raise more broadly cross-reactive antibodies against HIV. This finding could lead to the development of effective vaccines against HIV and AIDS.
A study published in The Lancet found that properly trained auxiliary nurse midwives and nurses can administer safe, low-technology medical abortion services as effectively as doctors. This could expand access to safe abortion services in developing countries where unmet need is greatest.