A meta-analysis of 400 published experiments reveals that species loss at the producer level reduces ecosystem productivity and sustainability. The study found that diverse communities are more productive and efficient than their average species, with some even outperforming the single best species in a monoculture. Loss of plant diver...
Researchers found that carotid artery stenting (CAS) with embolic protection is a cost-effective alternative to endarterectomy (END), offering reduced post-procedure hospital stay costs. The study results showed lower rates of death, heart attack, major stroke, and repeat carotid revascularization for CAS compared to END.
The study found three genes that protect mice from brain amyloid accumulation, with lower expression in the liver protecting the mouse brain. One gene encodes Presenilin, a protein contributing to human Alzheimer's, which is expressed in the liver but not the brain.
A Dartmouth HIV/AIDS study found that a protease inhibitor was working better than nevirapine among infants with no previous exposure to the popular anti-retroviral. The treatment could turn treatment 'on its head' in resource-limited countries, where cheaper alternatives are often preferred.
Researchers at UCI have found a second form of phototransduction light sensing derived from vitamin B2, which challenges the long-held understanding of this process. This discovery may reveal new information about cellular processes controlled by light and has implications for optogenetics.
Researchers found that graphene's electronic properties were significantly improved when mounted on boron nitride, a material almost identical in structure to graphene. The team was able to measure the topography and electrical properties of the resulting smooth graphene layer with atomic resolution.
A new study from Purdue University found that weight discrimination has a direct impact on the physical health of obese individuals, contributing to stress and declining functional abilities. Around 33% of severely obese people in the US report facing discriminatory experiences, which internalize prejudice and stigma.
New research suggests that increasing vitamin D3 supplies through sunlight exposure may be a safe and effective therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Studies found that patients with the highest vitamin D3 supplies experienced fewer attacks and slower disease progression.
A University of Georgia research team found that modifying a cell-surface protein called CNT1 can increase the effectiveness of gemcitabine, a common drug used to treat pancreatic cancer. By improving CNT1 function, researchers can help carry the drug into tumor cells and prevent proliferation.
A recent study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that a drop in temperature below 30 degrees Celsius can cause the meibum to become too thick and stiff, leading to dry eye suffering. This effect is exacerbated by wind, which accelerates the drop in temperature of the ocular surface and eyelids.
A study found racial disparities in kidney transplantation rates, with non-Hispanic whites and Asians receiving transplants at higher rates. Barriers to transplantation vary among racial and ethnic groups, including socioeconomic factors and regional organ availability.
Researchers presented studies on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in infants and the strain characteristics of transmitted strains, with implications for future vaccine strategies. A study found that post-exposure prophylaxis with a two- or three-antiretroviral-drug regimen is more effective than zidovudine alone, while a...
Researchers found that nerve cells' long journey to extremities leads to dysfunctional mitochondria, causing pain and tingling. This discovery may lead to new ways to treat neuropathy, often accompanying diseases like HIV/AIDS and diabetes.
A new study by University of Calgary researchers shows that human activity displaces predators more than prey in the food chain. By limiting human use of roads and trails to less than 18 people a day, the negative impact on wildlife food webs can be reduced.
A study found that primary care physicians rarely monitor patients on prescription opioids, even those at high risk of misuse. Only a small minority of patients underwent urine drug testing, and few were seen regularly in the office.
A recent study by St. Michael's Hospital found a significant gap in drinking patterns between men and women living in low-income neighborhoods. Men in these areas consume nearly four times as many drinks per week as women, while there is little difference in drinking habits among women regardless of neighborhood type.
Researchers at the NIH have discovered that increasing activity of brain enzyme PKMzeta enhances long-term memories in rats, while decreasing it erases them. This finding has significant implications for treating debilitating emotional memories and enhancing faltering memories in disorders of aging.
A team of researchers has uncovered numerous artifacts on California's Channel Islands, revealing a diversified sea-based economy among North American inhabitants from 12,200 to 11,400 years ago. The discoveries include stemmed projectile points and crescents associated with shellfish, seals, and other marine animals.
Researchers identified genes used by some bacterial strains to breach plant defences, revealing the essential role of isothiocyanates in protecting cruciferous plants from infection. This discovery has significant implications for improving crop plants' resistance to disease and increasing food security.
Climate models project significant changes in Arctic ecosystems by 2099, with tundra coverage shrinking and temperate climates expanding; forest expansion may amplify global warming, impact wildlife habitats.
A new 'molecular switch' regulates epidermal stem cells, controlling skin growth and development. The study provides clues to new treatments for squamous cell carcinoma and burn patients.
Researchers found that low to intermediate rates of chicken litter-based fertilizers produced the highest plant growth index and flower yield. High rates can lead to symptoms like reduced growth, decreased root quality, and fewer flowers.
Researchers at NIST and NCI have developed a technique that slices off the top of a cell, making structures accessible for spectroscopic examination. This allows for chemical mapping of cells at submicrometer resolution, potentially enabling early detection of cancer.
Research suggests ibuprofen may protect against Parkinson's disease by targeting a specific receptor in the brain. Taking ibuprofen regularly reduced the risk of developing the disease by 38%, according to the study published in Neurology.
A protein complex called MSL amplifies the X chromosome in males, allowing enzymes to express genes more freely. This process helps correct the genetic imbalance between X and Y chromosomes in males.
Two new species of cladocerous crustaceans, Leydigia iberica and Leydigia korovchinskyi, have been discovered in the Iberian Peninsula. These ancient arthropods, dating back to the Permian period, are considered powerful bio-geographic indicators.
Researchers found that algal secretions can increase ice salinity and create channels in ice, allowing algae to live and grow. This adaptation may help sea-ice algae thrive in a warmer climate.
Researchers have discovered that adding one or two drugs to the standard ZDV treatment can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to infant. The study found that treatment with two and three drug regimens reduced HIV transmission by more than 50%.
UCLA researchers found a correlation between nicotine addiction and decreased prefrontal cortex activity in adolescent smokers. The study suggests that smoking can affect brain function, particularly during adolescence when the prefrontal cortex is still developing.
Scientists have found fluoride forms a protective shield on teeth that is only 6 nanometers thick, sparking doubts about its ability to fight cavities.
Researchers propose collaborative clinical trials to revitalize the US research engine, cutting time and costs while increasing approved treatments. The approach involves companies sharing costs to test new therapies or devices, promising safer and more effective treatments sooner.
Scientists from Thomas Jefferson University have discovered that the protein FADD controls multiple cell death pathways, which could lead to better treatment options for autoimmune diseases and cancer. The study found that FADD regulates apoptosis and keeps necrosis at bay, allowing researchers to develop more targeted drugs with fewer...
Researchers have discovered two classes of peptaibols with potential therapeutic value, including antibiotics and growth promoters. The fungus Trichoderma virens produces diverse compounds that can be tested for various applications.
Men taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) three times a day are 2.4 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction compared to non-users, according to a Kaiser Permanente study. Regular NSAID use is associated with a modest risk of ED, consistent across all age groups.
The Ohio Supercomputer Center is receiving $2 million from a federal grant to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers in adopting advanced manufacturing technologies. The initiative aims to promote job retention, supply-chain growth, and new exports by providing access to modeling, simulation, and analysis tools.
Scientists have identified a potential target to treat an aggressive type of prostate cancer, known as SPINK1. A 'blocking' antibody to SPINK1 reduced tumor growth by up to 74% in mice. The study suggests that targeting SPINK1 may be effective in treating SPINK1-positive tumors.
A study published in New Journal of Physics analyzed the pattern of populations speaking Castilian and Galician languages in Spain. The researchers found that levels of bilingualism can lead to the steady co-existence of two languages in a stable population.
Two studies published in Lithosphere suggest the existence of a pre-3.3 billion year old continent in the East Indian Shield, implying a possible original supercontinent. Additionally, measurements of SKS splitting in South America indicate that asthenospheric flow plays a significant role in shaping the upper mantle's anisotropy.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) may be responsible for some cases of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease. Researchers identified HERV-K mRNA transcripts in the brains of ALS patients and found that they were present in areas surrounding the motor cortex.
Women who experience depression and anxiety after a miscarriage may continue to feel these symptoms after a healthy child is born. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children found that mental health problems associated with miscarriage or stillbirth do not end with the birth of a healthy baby, but can persist for several years.
Scientists design artificial protocells with bait proteins that mimic henipavirus receptors, successfully entraping and deactivating experimental analogs of Nipah and Hendra viruses. This innovative technique could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs by exploiting the virus's basic infection mechanism.
Researchers identified a dominant Indo-European mutation in Spain and its spread to America, linked to high prevalence on La Palma and Brazil. The study mapped over 130 pathogenic mutations, revealing the mutation's impact on DNA repair pathways and cancer risk.
A new national study found a significant increase in boxing injuries, including head and neck injuries, among participants 6 years of age and older. The study also revealed that concussions among younger boxers are a growing concern due to potential long-term neurological implications.
A study finds that widespread discharge of inefficiently treated wastewater into rivers could occur if existing plans for antiviral and antibiotic use are implemented during a pandemic. This could lead to water quality deterioration at drinking water abstraction points, potentially causing eutrophication and environmental toxicity.
A team from Montana State University solved the mystery of missing sunspots from 2008 to 2010, which coincided with unusually weak magnetic fields at the sun's poles. The discovery allows for the prediction of space weather, influencing technology in space and on Earth.
Researchers at Alfred Wegener Institute expand prevailing theory on climate history by showing local climate changes in southern hemisphere can trigger temperature fluctuations in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, suggests alternative explanation for historical Earth climate data from Antarctica.
A study of 40,000 UK households reveals that children living in households with the bottom fifth income have similar average life satisfaction scores as those in the top fifth. Family relationships, particularly mother-child relationships, play a significant role in determining young people's happiness.
The University of Washington is developing design tools and using commercial nanofabrication tools to create inexpensive next-generation silicon-based electro-optical chips. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is funding this effort to improve data communications, lasers, and detectors.
A University of Louisville professor is developing a statistical model that can help determine what prolongs cancer-free survival. The new multi-state model analyzes how diseases progress from one stage to another, allowing for broad inspection of patient patterns and data collection.
Researchers found significant improvements in lesion detection with whole-body TOF FDG PET scans, particularly in larger patients and shorter studies. TOF scans yielded better image signal-to-noise due to travel time consideration, reducing scanning time and patient motion.
Researchers estimate that if currently threatened species go extinct, the sixth mass extinction could arrive within 3 to 22 centuries. However, they also believe it's not too late to save critically endangered mammals and other species through conservation efforts.
By analyzing CD8+ T cells from healthy blood donors, researchers created a statistical model that accurately predicts the age and quality of T cells. This allows clinicians to transfer only young functional cells back into patients' bodies, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes for various cancers.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a protein called FLIP as playing a pivotal role in controlling programmed cell death pathways, offering new potential targets in the fight against cancer and virus-infected cells.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that curcumin amplifies the therapeutic activity of anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat colon cancer. This combination has already shown promising results in human clinical trials and may alleviate unwanted side effects.
New research in hair dyeing aims to create longer-lasting, more-natural-looking colors using nano-sized colorants. Gene therapy is also being developed to reverse gray hair, offering new prospects for a younger appearance.
A new study has found that macrophages have a seven-cell uptake threshold, governing the healing process. The researchers also discovered substances informing cells on tissue repair rates and accelerating macrophage transition to immune organs.
A study published in Nature warns that Earth is on the brink of a mass extinction like those that have occurred five times during the past 540 million years. The study finds cause for hope and alarm, with critically endangered mammals facing an even greater risk of extinction within three generations.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found phytoplankton bloom timing has progressed up to 50 days earlier in the Arctic Ocean, with unknown impacts on the food chain. The shift may have consequences for the entire ecosystem and global carbon cycle.
Researchers found a significant association between IL28B genotypes and interferon-based antiviral treatment outcomes, as well as graft inflammation caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The presence of G-allele serves as a marker for severe HCV-induced graft inflammation and predictor of unsuccessful treatment.
Physicists at JQI successfully demonstrated spin-orbit coupling in a gas of bosonic rubidium atoms, opening new possibilities for studying fundamental physics. The technique also showed promise for creating novel interactions between fermions, which could lead to breakthroughs in topological quantum computation and superconductivity.