Scientists developed a new method, GROMIT, to study gene regulation by employing a jumping gene as an informant. The technique revealed that each regulatory element can control a broader range of genes than previously thought, and expression levels are fine-tuned at the tissue level.
A Baylor University study reveals Native Americans significantly altered the eastern North American landscape and floodplain development hundreds of years prior to European settlement. The research found that prehistoric indigenous land use caused widespread ecological change and increased sedimentation in hydrologic systems during the...
Researchers used fossil coral reefs and sediment slides to detect historic earthquake patterns, creating an underwater map of the Red Sea floor. This method can be applied anywhere, including Japan and the west coast of the U.S., helping city engineers pinpoint high-risk locations ahead of potential earthquakes.
A new study finds that corruption can help companies develop organizational capabilities to operate successfully in corrupt environments, leading to more success when investing internationally. The study identifies various strategies firms use to capitalize on corruption, including political networking and joint venturing.
A long-term study reports the effectiveness of stem cell transplants in replacing bone marrow and reducing disease activity in people with rapidly progressive MS. The treatment showed promising results, with an average improvement in symptoms lasting two years.
Researchers at Stanford and Boston report effectively desensitizing milk-allergic patients using a combination of omalizumab and oral immunotherapy. The study found that 9 out of 11 children successfully completed an oral milk challenge and were able to ingest the equivalent of 8 ounces of milk or more per day.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that adolescent girls exposed to heavy alcohol use during their first trimester were three times more likely to develop conduct disorder. The study examined 592 adolescents and their mothers or caretakers, utilizing data from a long...
Cyclone Cherono has weakened due to increased wind shear, as captured by NASA infrared satellite imagery. The storm's remnants are now moving away from Mauritius, causing ocean swells and rough surf.
The James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield is a complex system of five layers, each less than half the thickness of paper, working together to create an effective SPF of 1,000,000. The sunshield unfurls like a giant beach umbrella to protect the telescope and instruments from solar heat and light.
Researchers found that exposure to salty water reduces Vibrio vulnificus levels in oysters, potentially providing a low-cost solution to FDA regulations. The study suggests an 'oyster relay' method could be effective in minimizing the presence of the bacterium.
A new motion sensor system developed by MU researchers uses sensors on a horse's head, limbs, and tail to detect lameness. This system improves early detection and treatment outcomes for horses with lameness by removing human bias and increasing frequency of motion sampling.
A daily dose of safflower oil improved health measures such as good cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation in obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes. The researchers found a significant association between safflower oil supplementation and reduced cardiovascular disease risk.
Marine biologists from the University of Miami have created a probabilistic survey approach to count reef fish, increasing efficiency and accuracy. This framework can support long-term sustainability of reef resources globally, informing management decisions for coral reefs in various regions.
A new study by Weill Cornell and UC Davis foresees improvements in patient outcomes after a major earthquake through more effective use of information technology. The control tower-style telemedicine hub could boost the likelihood that critically injured victims will get timely care and survive.
The European Consensus Group has developed guidelines for HIV tropism testing, which is required before starting maraviroc treatment. The guidelines recommend phenotypic enhanced sensitivity Trofile assay or V3 loop genotypic sequencing for drug-naive patients with toxic side-effects or poor tolerability.
The Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) Project collects genomic data from 12,000 children with developmental delays or multiple malformations. The goal is to develop clinical tools to unlock genetic reasons for these conditions, enabling doctors to make rapid diagnoses in up to one in five cases.
A UT Dallas researcher is studying how preschool and elementary-age children evaluate information to solve problems and learn critical thinking. The study aims to combat misleading advertising by understanding how children differentiate between reliable and doubtful sources of information.
Research on space-bound bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa could lead to improved treatments for people with compromised immune systems. The study reveals that spaceflight affects common regulators in both disease-causing bacteria.
Ecologists have developed a new method for rearing honey bee larvae in the laboratory, allowing researchers to study the causes of their decline more effectively. The technique, which uses an artificial plastic honeycomb, has shown high survival rates and improved data analysis capabilities.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced the travel award recipients for the 2011 GSA 26th Fungal Genetics meeting. Three awards totaling $4,950 were conferred to underrepresented minority students and scientists. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research.
Research published in Arthritis Care & Research found that traffic accidents increase the likelihood of developing chronic widespread pain by 84%. Individuals with poorer health or psychological issues may be more prone to developing this type of pain following a traumatic event.
Trauma patients who arrive at hospitals on weekends are more likely to survive, according to new research. The study found that the unique organization and staffing of trauma systems provide a built-in protection for these critically injured patients.
Researchers found that rapid growth and wrinkling at the periphery of petals create stress within the bud, forcing it to open. This contradicts earlier theories about flower blooming, but supports a theory proposed by German literary master Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
A recent survey of over 22,000 individuals found that those with higher education levels are more willing to pay for environmentally-friendly products, but less likely to make small changes to their daily habits.
Research suggests that prayer can help people cope with their anger by changing how they view a negative situation and taking it less personally. The benefits of prayer do not rely on divine intervention.
A US study found that adolescent girls and young women living in high socioeconomic neighborhoods are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma. The incidence of melanoma increased over time among these groups, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts.
Research reveals prenatal exposure to nicotine increases vulnerability to nicotine self-administration in adolescent mice, making them more likely to start smoking and susceptible to addictive effects. The study supports the hypothesis that adolescents with prenatal nicotine exposure are more prone to nicotine addiction.
A recent study published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery found that periocular treatment significantly improved overall quality of life for patients with facial paralysis. The treatment also reduced symptoms of dryness and irritation around the eyes.
The DSF Charitable Foundation has given a $3.9 million grant to Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST) to develop novel biomedical tools for monitoring and manipulating gene expression. The grant will support the development of peptide nucleic acids, synthetic analogs of DNA and RNA with ex...
Scientists at Notre Dame and Cornell have made a breakthrough in understanding the genetic disorder Niemann-Pick Type C, which affects brain cells and causes devastating symptoms. Using histone deacetylase inhibitors, researchers were able to correct the damage done by the genetic flaw and restore normal cell function.
Children with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) experience changes in their sense of taste, which may be related to childhood obesity. Researchers found that the taste thresholds of sweet and salty tastes were elevated for children in the COME group.
A Monash University study has found a direct link between time lived with obesity and the risk of mortality. Participants who experienced medium to long durations of obesity had significantly higher mortality rates compared to those who were never obese.
Researchers deciphered a molecular code that regulates brain channel protein activity, modulating neuronal excitability. SNX27 distinguishes GIRK channels from similar proteins, targeting them for destruction and affecting substance abuse behaviors.
A Canadian study published in CMAJ found that avalanche victims buried in Canada died significantly quicker than those buried in Switzerland. The study analyzed data from 301 Canadian and 946 Swiss records of completely buried avalanche victims between 1980 and 2005.
The Philippine Foundation was awarded a grant to establish an innovative bone health awareness program, promoting healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits to prevent osteoporosis. The program aims to raise awareness and make a real difference in communities, with a focus on education and community engagement.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a significant increase in men undergoing cosmetic procedures, with over 1.1 million procedures performed in 2010. Facelifts and other surgical procedures saw substantial growth, bucking the trend of minimally-invasive treatments.
A study conducted in Sri Lanka found that a polypill, which combines multiple medications into one dose, was well-tolerated and accepted by both patients and doctors. The trial showed significant reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Researchers have reanalyzed Stanley Miller's 1958 'primordial soup' samples and found a diverse array of organic compounds, including sulfur amino acids. The discovery supports the hypothesis that volcanoes and lightning played a key role in creating the building blocks of life on Earth.
The genome sequence of Daphnia pulex, a small freshwater crustacean, has revealed neurotrophins that suggest the nervous system of crustaceans is more complex than previously believed. This finding may have implications for understanding the impact of climate change on crustacean behavior.
The North Carolina State University Engineering Entrepreneurs Program (EEP) has been successful in producing results, with alumni 73% more likely to start a new company and 23% more likely to create new products and services. The program focuses on learning by doing, encouraging students to form their own start-up companies and develop...
A rigorous bioinformatic analysis of the strengths and limitations of a screening protocol method recommended by the federal government was conducted, leading to the development of GenoTHREAT. The software tool helps detect the use of synthetic DNA as bioterrorism agents and is being released in an open-source format.
A new DNA study by University of Gothenburg researchers has uncovered over 120 previously unknown bryozoan species in Swedish waters, including a completely new species. The findings shed light on the evolution and relationships of these nearly invisible animals, which are found in marine and freshwater environments.
Researchers are exploring ways to use distributed energy sources, such as wind turbines, to avoid cascading failures in power grids. The team plans to test their approach using the university's wind turbine and four other wind turbines installed at the Riley County Public Works Facility.
Researchers developed a breakthrough sensor using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that boosts faint signals, allowing identification of substances based on reflected light color. The chip's design features uniform rows of tiny pillars made of metals and insulators, significantly boosting the Raman signal.
A study of 82 patients found gastric banding resulted in a mean excess weight loss of 42.8%, with 40% experiencing major complications and nearly half requiring band removal, despite a 60.3% patient satisfaction rate.
Brown University researcher Robert Reenan has created mutant fruit flies that mimic human epilepsy, with the goal of finding genes that can suppress seizures. By using a unique technique called homologous recombination, Reenan hopes to induce mutations in the flies that may lead to a genetic cure for epilepsy.
Researchers used image-analysis methods to analyze microcinematic movies of bacteria forming aggregates, revealing that size matters most in predicting survival. The team found a signaling mechanism within the aggregate itself that trumps neighbor-related factors, contradicting existing theories.
A study found nearly one-third of pediatric cochlear implant recipients passed newborn screening but were diagnosed later with hearing loss. Children who failed screenings were diagnosed and implanted earlier than those who passed or weren
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that coupling electronic prescription drug ordering systems with computerized adverse event reporting dramatically reduced medication errors in a psychiatric unit from 27.89 to 3.43 per 1,000 patient days over four years. The system's integration of decision support and safety net tools furth...
A study published in CMAJ found that elderly patients taking combination ACE inhibitors and ARBs had a higher risk of kidney failure and death. The researchers observed that most patients stopped the combination therapy within three months due to low blood pressure.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a templated growth technique to produce graphene nanoribbons with metallic properties, addressing the challenge of connecting graphene devices. The narrow ribbons can conduct current with minimal resistance, making them ideal for quantum devices.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people can use comfort food as a social surrogate to combat loneliness. Participants who wrote about eating a comfort food reported reduced feelings of loneliness compared to those who wrote about an unfamiliar food.
A study published in Education found that Transcendental Meditation improved math and English academic achievement in low-performing students. Meditating students showed significant increases in scale scores and performance level scores compared to non-meditating controls.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a single, stationary lens to create 3D images of microscopic objects from nine different angles. The freeform lens, made from thermoplastic material, enables miniaturized products with reduced equipment needs and improved precision.
A new study reveals that people who experience flooding are more likely to perceive climate change as a pressing issue and take action to reduce their energy use. The research found that direct experience of extreme weather events can increase concern about climate change and willingness to engage in energy-saving behavior.
New research suggests that ancient trash mounds, or middens, left behind by prehistoric humans may be responsible for the formation of tree islands in the Florida Everglades. These elevated areas allowed trees to grow and provided a habitat for wildlife. Human disturbance is now threatening the existence of these unique ecosystems.
Jason Julian, a University of Oklahoma geography professor, has been awarded a Fulbright fellowship to research the impact of land use changes on optical water quality in New Zealand rivers. His study will explore connections between landscape characteristics, land use, and water clarity over the past 20 years.
A new study found that primary care doctors are less likely to refer short girls for diagnostic testing compared to boys, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Girls with growth faltering may go undiagnosed or be diagnosed later than boys, particularly those with Turner syndrome, a genetic condition that affects height.
Researchers at WashU Medicine successfully grew and manipulated human intestinal microbes, identifying new probiotics and exploring microbe transplants as a treatment for obesity and diseases. The study provides a pipeline for manipulating diverse microbial communities from people of different ages and cultures.
Researchers examine if lowering blood pressure reduces kidney disease progression in a federally funded study. About half of the 100 patients will have their systolic pressure below 120 to measure its impact.