A Kaiser Permanente study found that increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes among patients with diabetes. Patients whose HDL levels decreased had more heart attacks and strokes, with a 11% increase in risk compared to those with stable HDL levels.
The Borexino instrument has measured the flux of beryllium seven (7Be) solar neutrinos with high precision, allowing for a detailed study of their behavior. This advance confirms predictions of neutrino oscillations, flavor changes, and flow predicted by models of the sun and particle physics.
A study by LSU sociologists found that individuals with stronger sense of community attachment experienced higher anxiety, worry and fear during the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Strong attachments can create a self-reinforcing cycle of stress and anxiety when communities are threatened by natural resource depletion.
A new study from Rice University and Duke University found that removing digital rights management (DRM) restrictions can actually decrease music piracy. The research showed that while DRM restrictions make piracy more costly and difficult, they also have a negative impact on legal users who don't intend to engage in piracy.
Researchers argue that economic behavior is linked to ecosystem vulnerability to invasive species. Biological invasions serve as a model for studying general ecological processes. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting impacts of global change on ecosystem services.
Novel imaging agents detectable by PET imaging may visualize tumors in their earliest stages, enabling early detection and treatment of cancer. The compounds target COX-2, an enzyme found in inflammatory lesions and tumors.
The UMass Amherst School of Public Health has received a four-year, $2.5 million grant to establish a Public Health Training Center. The center will provide training to community health workers and place UMass Amherst SPHHS undergraduate student interns in local communities to develop diabetes prevention strategies. The goal is to focu...
Researchers found two moons orbiting the triple asteroid Minerva, offering insights into its formation and structure. The discovery sheds light on how large asteroids in the main-belt form, suggesting they are composed of rubble held together by gravity.
Researchers aim to develop a safe and effective vaccine against Pneumocystis, a deadly fungus causing HIV-related pneumonia. The project has the potential to lower treatment costs and improve quality of life for individuals living with HIV.
A University of Guelph study shows that gray jays relying on cached food for survival must store it in trees with specific characteristics, such as coniferous species. This crucial cache is vital not only for overwinter survival but also successful reproduction in the Canadian boreal forest.
New study finds that popular ornamental woody plants sold as non-invasive may actually retain invasive potential. The offspring of these cultivars often 'breed true' and can be more fecund than their parents, making them potentially more invasive.
Researchers at University of Illinois successfully localized quantum matter waves in three dimensions, a phenomenon theorized decades ago. The findings have implications for various electronics applications and could lead to better understanding and manipulation of materials.
The University of Oklahoma will host a regional climate science center, providing expertise and strength to address climate variability and change. The center will link weather and climate projections with operational decisions made by land managers, supporting natural resource management.
Jacqueline Ross, a Markham teacher with 17 years of experience, has developed a unique laboratory-based biotechnology course that combines theoretical learning with practical application. The Ontario Genomics Institute Genomics Teaching Prize recognizes her innovative approach to teaching genomics and its societal implications.
In a study of wild field crickets, males are found to protect females from predators, increasing their chances of survival. In exchange, paired males sire more offspring with each partner, suggesting that this 'chivalry' may have evolutionary benefits. The findings challenge traditional interpretations of male guarding behavior.
A new study reveals liver cancer incidence rates are rising in North America and Oceania, while declining in some Asian countries. Despite this, liver cancer remains a significant health issue in these regions, with high rates of infection and limited effective treatments.
Researchers found that racially integrated neighborhoods with similar socioeconomic and environmental conditions showed reduced health disparities among black and white Americans. The study suggests that addressing neighborhood resources and underlying health conditions can help close racial gaps in health outcomes.
Researchers from UNH and NOAA successfully mapped over 17,000 square kilometers of the Gulf of Mexico using multibeam sonar technology. The technology detects gas seeps in the water column with remarkable accuracy, providing essential data for understanding ocean environments and regulating oil-drilling activities.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that two nuclear receptors, EcR/Usp and E75A, work against each other during Drosophila metamorphosis. The study reveals that E75A replaces EcR/Usp to repress genes in the absence of ecdysone hormone.
Researchers have found visual evidence for two extrasolar planets in archival Hubble data from 1998, using a novel approach to detect faint planet signals. The discovery allows for the tracking of planetary orbits and provides insight into system stability, mass, and eccentricity.
A new translational research center aims to predict and prevent osteoarthritis in young people and improve care for adults suffering from the disease. The center will integrate imaging, biomechanics, and clinical medicine to develop clinical tools that can assess degeneration and risk factors.
Ancient structures at Göbekli Tepe in Turkey were initially thought to be the world's oldest temples, but an archaeologist argues they may have been large communal houses instead. The presence of art and decoration does not necessarily mean the buildings were exclusively religious spaces.
A study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that individuals lacking personal wealth are significantly less likely to enter into a first marriage. The research suggests that wealth plays an important role in marriage decisions, with owning a car increasing the probability of getting married by 2.6 percentage points.
A study published in PLOS Genetics identified a gene and protein involved in regulating insulin secretion in obese mice. The researchers found that a single amino acid difference in the tomosyn-2 protein destabilizes it, leading to an insufficient insulin response and diabetes susceptibility.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism where Chlamydia trachomatis tricks host cells into taking up the bacteria by coating itself with a growth factor made by the cells. This disguise creates a positive feedback loop, enabling bacterial infection and spread.
Researchers have discovered two genetically distinct HIV types in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV-associated dementia, which may predict disease progression and cognitive damage. The study found that one variant infects macrophages, a type of white blood cell, while the other reproduces in T cells.
A living species of aquatic beetle, Helophorus sibiricus, was discovered in 20-million-year-old sediments in southern Siberia. The fossil provides new data on the average duration of an insect species and suggests that some species may survive for millions of years.
Researchers found almost no DNA structural mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed using a standard four-gene method. The study used advanced chromosomal error-mapping methods and detected only one mutation per line, which likely originated from the reprogramming process.
The Optical Society's Applied Optics journal publishes a special focus issue on Light and Color in the Open Air, featuring striking images of natural optical phenomena such as rainbows, fog bows, coronas, sprites, and mirages. The accompanying online photo gallery showcases the beauty and science behind these phenomena.
A Californian-based study found traffic-related air pollution, particularly PAH, is linked to a 30% increase in premature births. Seasonal changes and proximity to the coast also affect pollutant concentrations.
A research team led by Professor Christian Weber has discovered a peptide that promotes the healing of damaged blood vessels and prevents restenosis in stent implantations. The peptide, cathelicidin, was found to improve endothelial cell recovery and prevent the formation of neointima.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine found that the brain uses predictive coding to generate templates of specific smells, setting up a mental expectation before sensing them. This ability provides humans with a behavioral advantage in reacting quickly and accurately to stimuli in their environment.
Researchers have discovered a method to harness patient-derived neural stem cells as an alternative source of insulin-producing beta cells for regenerative treatments. This breakthrough could potentially overcome the shortage of donor pancreatic beta cells and provide a safer, more accessible way to treat diabetes.
Scientists have detected pulsed gamma-ray emission from the Crab pulsar at energies far beyond what current theoretical models can explain. The VERITAS telescope array detected gamma-rays with energies exceeding 100 billion electron-volts, putting new constraints on the mechanism for how the gamma-ray emission is generated.
Researchers are utilizing Office of Naval Research's FARSIGHT to identify and classify cancer-related cells. The technology, originally developed for mine hunting, improves accuracy and consistency in cell identification, potentially saving lives in the future.
The European Space Agency (ESA) will collaborate with NASA on the Solar Orbiter mission, a spacecraft designed to study the powerful influence of the sun. The mission aims to understand how solar activity affects Earth's magnetic environment and potentially damaging satellites.
Researchers discovered that longer flanking repeat regions and timing of genetic recombination affect the risk of genomic disorders. Studies on Smith-Magenis syndrome and Potocki-Lupski syndrome found correlations between chromosome length and genetic material loss or duplication.
NASA's TRMM satellite provided critical clues to Philippe's strengthening, revealing towering thunderstorms and intense rainfall. The satellite's data showed deep convective towers reaching heights of over 13km, indicating the storm was intensifying.
Researchers at Temple University found that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound in marijuana, can prevent the onset of neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy drugs. The study's lead author notes that cannabidiol may be an effective therapeutic for breast cancer patients experiencing debilitating pain.
Researchers have discovered a crucial gene that boosts antibody responses against retroviruses, including HIV. The discovery highlights the potential for targeted therapies to enhance antibody production and combat viral infections.
Researchers focus on Northern Bettong to understand climate change impact. Short-term weather events reveal clearer insights into animal movements and range boundaries than gradual climate changes.
A new study published in Psychological Science explains how motivation drives groups to behave in a particular manner. The research found that a threat to American identity influences how Americans respond to the symbolic building of a mosque near Ground Zero.
A three-year study led by FSU biologists is examining the conditions supporting the goliath grouper's population recovery in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The research aims to inform policy decisions on sustainable fishing levels, economic uses of marine resources, and conservation efforts.
Researchers create computerized caricatures of idealized faces for Labour and Conservative MPs based on participants' perceptions. The study finds that the public's perception of an MP's face influences their political affiliation
The Crab pulsar generates beams of radiation from its spinning magnetic field, detected as rapid pulses of gamma-ray radiation. Researchers have detected these pulses with unprecedented energies, exceeding 100 billion electron-volts, putting new constraints on the mechanism for how this emission is generated.
The Biophysical Society has announced its 2012 Society Fellows, recognizing their outstanding research in molecular motors, computational biology, single molecule biology, and protein folding. The fellows are honored at the Awards Ceremony during the Biophysical Society's 56th Annual Meeting.
A global survey of over 15,000 people found that friends and family have a significant impact on personal health, with nearly half believing they are responsible for their lifestyle. People who model a healthier lifestyle often distance themselves from others, while those with unhealthy habits tend to disengage from healthy influences.
A multi-institutional project based at the University of Chicago aims to apply data mining methods to understand the genetic and environmental factors behind neuropsychiatric disorders. The Sylvio O. Conte Center will combine statistical power from pre-existing genetics, pharmacogenomics, text-mining, and clinical record databases.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that fair sanctions are orchestrated by the interaction between two frontal brain regions: the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This communication is crucial for punishing norm violations at one's own expense.
Arizona State University is developing a high-throughput system for rapid radiation biodosimetry to measure gene expression in individuals exposed to abnormal levels of radiation. The project aims to ensure medical responders have the necessary information to provide appropriate medical treatment and human health safety.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University discovered that calcineurin inhibitors spurs the production of a natural protein in the kidney, leading to hypertension. A thiazide diuretic drug blocks this protein, reducing hypertension in mice and showing promise for transplant patients with similar issues.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully created a catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into fuel using artificial photosynthesis. The innovation uses an ionic liquid to reduce energy requirements, making it more efficient.
Measurable changes in brain function and communication between regions may indicate disease progression in early HIV infection. Cognitive decline is associated with reduced survival time and increased risk of death.
The NIH has launched a new research program to investigate the impact of climate change on human health, with a focus on identifying risk factors and vulnerabilities among various populations. The program aims to develop data and models to support health impact predictions and guide public health interventions.
A new study identifies genetic signatures in Arabidopsis thaliana that govern fitness in different climates. The research reveals climate influences the suite of genes passed on to plants to optimize their survival and reproduction.
A team of astrophysicists has detected pulsed gamma rays from the Crab Nebula with energies up to 400 billion electronvolts, far exceeding previous detection limits. The high-energy emission challenges existing pulsar models and may require significant adjustments to our understanding of these extreme systems.
A new study found that teenagers experience more arguments with family members on days when they had conflicts with peers, and vice versa. Family fights lasted longer than peer conflicts, affecting relationships for up to two days later.
Researchers have analyzed and ranked various risk factors for open angle glaucoma to enable earlier screening. The study found that certain factors such as age, smoking history, visual field test results, and Cup-to-Disk ratio significantly increase the risk of developing OAG.
A newly discovered metabolic pathway involving the dioxin receptor has been found to promote tumor growth and weaken the immune system in glioma patients. The research, published in Nature, suggests that inhibiting this pathway could be a potential target for cancer treatment.
Researchers found widespread disagreement among scientists studying cancer metastasis, with no two scenarios identical. The study suggests making assumptions explicit can improve biomedical modeling and create new opportunities for understanding alternative theories.