TDR, a UN program, has won the 2011 Gates Award for its impact in advancing research efforts worldwide to fight neglected diseases. It supports and advocates research, reducing leprosy to elimination and river blindness, and continues work on dengue, tuberculosis, and other diseases.
A novel gene called MLIP has been identified as affecting heart development and the aging process. The discovery opens up new avenues for understanding cardiac development and loss of cardiac function.
The Cole Foundation has awarded over $700,000 in fellowships to researchers studying pediatric leukemia and lymphoma. The funding will support the work of 14 scientists at Université de Montréal and McGill University, with projects focused on understanding the disease's causes and developing new treatments.
A new study by the University of Leicester found that being able to see a preferred GP reduces emergency hospital admissions. The research, led by Dr John Bankart, discovered that patients who reported having continuity of care were less likely to be admitted to hospital.
A study by Irish researchers found significant reductions in emergency hospital admissions due to respiratory illness and cardio-pulmonary disease after the implementation of a workplace smoking ban. The most pronounced decrease was observed in the 20- to 29-year-old age group.
Researchers develop new method to unreel silk from wild cocoons without damaging strands. The technique allows for long, strong fibers, opening up the silk industry to new regions with wild silkworm populations.
Scientists at the University of Alberta discovered the first step in a bacterial immune response, where RNA is cut into pieces to target invading viruses. This finding has implications for controlling bacterial growth and fighting human infections.
The Bee Informed Partnership aims to reduce honey bee mortality, increase profitability, and enhance sustainable management systems. The project will use epidemiological methods to identify effective practices and create a dynamic Honey Bee Health database with an interactive web-based interface.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can influence brain chemistry and behavior, with changes in bacteria disrupting behavior and increasing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Disrupting the normal bacterial content of the gut with antibiotics also produced changes in behavior.
A new study found significant organic material buried in deoxygenated layers of sediment, indicating a mass mortality event in the oceans during a greenhouse effect. The research suggests that subtle changes in temperature and CO2 levels can trigger catastrophic effects on ocean sustainability.
Two teams from Queen's University Belfast are working on different approaches to cure Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in premature babies. The first team aims to tackle the disease at an early stage, while the second team investigates using stem cells from umbilical cords to repair damaged eyes.
Researchers at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences developed an algorithm for pose estimation, which involves detecting specific objects or individuals under various conditions. They achieved this by utilizing a unique visual database from the Dutch band C-Mon & Kypski's music video crowd-sourcing project.
The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has received a $50 million gift from the Stanley Medical Research Institute to extend funding for its Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research. Researchers will continue to unravel the genetic mysteries of psychiatric illnesses, aiming to develop new treatments for patients.
A recent study published in Nature has identified a key molecular mechanism that causes stem cells to differentiate into muscle cells in embryos. This breakthrough discovery could lead to new treatments for muscle dysfunction associated with aging and disease.
Sodium channels are a key component of animal nervous systems but evolved prior to their development, according to new research published in PNAS. The discovery suggests that complex traits like the nervous system can evolve gradually from pre-existing genes.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service have identified several blueberry cultivars with high resistance to mummy berry disease, caused by the fungus Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi. These cultivars, including 'Brunswick' and 'Bluejay,' can withstand both stages of the fungal infection.
A large-scale study found that men who drink coffee regularly have a lower risk of developing lethal prostate cancer. The study, led by Harvard School of Public Health researchers, also showed that decaf and regular coffee both reduced the risk, with even moderate consumption offering significant protection.
A study in institutionalized Romanian children found that social deprivation and neglect correlates with lower IQ and behavioral problems. Prematurely shortened telomeres, a measure of cell aging, were also observed in these children.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides that choked rivers and overwhelmed the Panama City water-treatment plant, forcing a month-long shutdown. The new digital map of landslide scars will help authorities calculate future storm risk and minimize its impact on water supply.
A cluster randomized trial found that lifestyle interventions, including physical activity and dietary counselling, reduced the risk of large for gestational age newborns by 44% in pregnant women at high risk. However, the study did not show a significant reduction in the risk of gestational diabetes.
Researchers have challenged the existence of a supersolid in helium-4, proposing an alternative explanation for its behavior. The alternative theory suggests that the observed effects can be attributed to the 'freezing out' of imperfections within the lattice, rather than a phase change to a supersolid.
A new study models technology complexity to predict rapid improvement. The researchers found that more complex systems change and improve slowly over time.
Research published in BMC Public Health reveals a shift in cesarean section trends with advantaged mothers more likely to have their babies via Caesarean section. The study found equalized rates for emergency sections but higher rates of elective surgery in more affluent areas.
Advances in understanding Fragile X syndrome have led to the possibility of treating this inherited intellectual disability. Several drugs tested in humans show promising results, offering a potential breakthrough in correcting underlying causes.
Cardiac patients can now receive a reduced radiation dose during diagnostic perfusion imaging, thanks to new image-processing software. The study found that images produced with a half-dose protocol were of similar quality to those obtained with conventional protocols, while reducing the patient's exposure to radiation.
The CHEO Research Institute has developed a secure protocol to protect patient identity while facilitating the sharing of health data for public health purposes. The new system enables providers to report diseases to authorities without fear of retribution, promoting accurate disease control and outbreak detection.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of action for Herceptin, revealing its ability to stimulate interferons and activate lymphocytes. Combining Herceptin with lymphocyte-stimulating therapies greatly increases efficacy in animals, paving the way for targeted therapies.
A four-year study aims to understand the role of serpin-2 in mosquito immunity and physiology. Researchers hope that targeting this molecule could make mosquitoes more susceptible to diseases like malaria.
Researchers have rediscovered four new species of purse-web spiders in South Africa, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts due to habitat loss and urbanization. The study provides valuable insights into the biology and evolution of these unique spiders.
A new study suggests that carefully selected fragrances can positively influence nightclub goers' experience, leading to increased dancing activity, improved music ratings, and enhanced mood. The introduction of pleasant ambient scents may also lead to improved quality of the environment and greater spending in nightclubs.
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute offer new insights on reforestation in Latin America, highlighting the importance of native species, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. The research provides a framework for land managers to weigh environmental and economic factors in their decision-making.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified the ventromedial frontal cortex as the brain region responsible for making everyday decisions about value. The study, led by Joseph Kable, found that people with damage to this area are less consistent in their choices and unable to assign a value to certain items.
Researchers found PCR testing for Borrelia burgdorferi DNA in joint fluid confirms diagnosis but is not a reliable indicator of active joint infection. Patients with persistent arthritis require more intensive antibiotic and DMARD therapy.
Researchers studied 'greenhouse oceans' using core samples from the ocean bed off western Africa, finding significant organic material buried in deoxygenated layers. The study suggests that natural processes can remove excess carbon from the atmosphere, potentially mitigating the effects of climate change.
Spanish researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of plant lice in Madrid, Spain using social network platforms. The discovery highlights the potential for online communities to aid in biodiversity research and monitoring.
Balicatib, a new osteoporosis treatment, causes skin hardening syndromes in patients. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that the drug inhibits CathepsinK, leading to collagen and elastin degradation.
In Poland, the criminalization of abortion has led to a vast illegal private sector with no controls on price or quality. Since abortion became illegal, hospitals have seen a 99% decline in procedures, while doctors have generated millions in unregistered income by performing clandestine abortions.
A team of scientists at A*STAR have discovered a way to convert proteins involved in controlling genes into other types of cells by changing a single amino acid. This breakthrough has implications for generating stem cells more efficiently and could help develop treatments for diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
New non-volatile main memory technology poses security risks, but NC State researchers have developed a solution using i-NVMM with incremental encryption. The system protects 78% of main memory during typical operation, slowing performance by only 3.7%. This makes i-NVMM more secure than conventional DRAM.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that public sector prisons tend to have more experienced staff, but also face uniformed staff jadedness and cynicism. Private prisons, however, showed strengths in policing and control, organization, and prisoner development when staff were well-trained and used authority...
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that sewage-derived nitrogen is becoming a dominant source of pollution in the Caribbean, threatening coral reefs and marine life. The researchers' findings suggest that poor stormwater management and wastewater treatment are to blame for this shift.
Researchers found that COPD patients who participated in a self-confidence-building program increased their light physical activity immediately after training, with average gains of 20 minutes per day. However, these improvements were short-lived and did not persist beyond the end of the program.
The Giant Magellan Telescope will be built with seven 8.4-meter primary mirrors and is expected to begin science operations in northern Chile in 2019, allowing astronomers to study dark matter and dark energy. The telescope's resolving power will be larger than any other ever built, enabling groundbreaking discoveries about the universe.
A study published in Radiology found that restrictive gadolinium-based contrast agent guidelines effectively prevented nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and its severe complications, including joint deformity and immobility. The guidelines require a blood test to estimate kidney function before administering the contrast agent.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab demonstrated antenna-enhanced gas sensing at the single particle level using a palladium nanoparticle on a gold nanoantenna. The technique amplifies plasmonic sensing signals, eliminating statistical characteristics and offering noninvasive, biocompatible applications.
Amar leverages OSC supercomputers to test a new mathematical approach that accelerates complex computer calculations for simulating micro-thin material formation. The first-passage time approach speeds up KMC simulations by a factor of 36 to 100 times, improving efficiency in modeling and growth of materials.
A longitudinal twin study found no correlation between early sexual initiation and later sexual risk-taking, contradicting the long-held assumption that waiting for sex until marriage reduces risk. The study suggests that genetic and environmental factors contribute to early sexual initiation and risk-taking.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that agomelatine, a melatonin analogue, may have a role in treating major depression. The research found that agomelatine has similar antidepressant efficacy to other common medications while improving sleep quality and reducing relapse rates.
Researchers have uncovered the detailed dynamics of the Epac2 protein switch, which plays a critical role in cAMP-mediated cell signaling. This finding holds promise for developing new therapeutic strategies specifically targeting this pathway to combat diseases like diabetes and cancer.
A study of 1,000 stroke survivors found high levels of disability immediately post-stroke, with a significant proportion experiencing moderate to severe disability up to 10 years later. The research highlights the importance of long-term management strategies for stroke survivors.
A new alpha-blocker treatment, silodosin, has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). The study found that approximately 60% of men reported feeling better after treatment, compared to 30% on a placebo.
A large Danish study found no significant association between prenatal use of newer-generation antiepileptic drugs and major birth defects. The study included data on over 837,000 infants and compared their birth defect rates with those exposed to older-generation antiepileptic drugs.
A new study links obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to increased tumor growth and aggressiveness in melanoma cancer cells in mice. Recurrent hypoxia, a hallmark of OSA, enhances tumor proliferation and necrosis.
Researchers from Beirut develop a new method to verify passwords using key-pattern analysis (KPA), which considers the speed and timing of user keystrokes. This approach renders stolen passwords useless by creating a unique biometric profile of the user's typing pattern.
NASA has selected Southwest Research Institute's MASPEX mass spectrometer for technology development funding to analyze comets and improve understanding of their origin. The instrument is expected to excel in identifying isotopes in low-density populations and provide valuable insights into the origin of life.
A study on ancient Egyptian mummies reveals that Princess Ahmose-Meryet-Amon had atherosclerosis in two of her three main coronary arteries, which would have required by-pass surgery. The findings contradict the common perception that atherosclerosis is a disease of modern lifestyle.
The Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Zambia has provided services to over 58,000 women, saving lives and establishing a new solution for routine prevention intervention in resource-constrained environments.
A rigorous study found that video game playing leads to increased spontaneous food intake in male teens. The study measured energy expenditure and calorie consumption during a 1-h gaming session versus rest, revealing a net positive energy of 163 kcal when gaming was played.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a signaling molecule called heme that drives expression of photosynthesis-related genes. This discovery may help plants overcome stress and improve growth, leading to increased crop yields and better plant health.
A University of Washington psychologist argues that humans need exposure to the natural world for physical and psychological well-being. Studies show that technological substitutes for nature are better than none but not as good as real outdoors.