A DNA vaccine regimen primed with H5N1 influenza followed by a booster dose of traditional influenza vaccine showed improved immune response and protected levels of antibodies, targeting the virus's stem region. This strategy could help prepare for future pandemics by reducing traditional vaccine manufacturing capacity.
A new study using radiocarbon dating found that the Northeast Pacific was not an important reservoir of carbon during glacial times, contradicting previous assumptions. The researchers suggest that other potential sources of CO2 during glacial periods need to be explored.
The Fisher-Price iXL Learning System, a smart device for children ages 3 to 7, received the 10th User-Centered Product Design Award for its outstanding user-centered design. The award recognizes innovative approaches to human factors/ergonomics and industrial design.
A new polymeric material has been developed that can disassemble in response to low-level near infrared light, making it suitable for non-invasive medical procedures. This breakthrough could allow previously inaccessible target sites to be reached for diagnosis and treatment.
A team of researchers has identified a way to accelerate the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves in mice, enabling full muscle function recovery. Clinical data suggests that strategies increasing nerve growth rate may enhance functional recovery in patients after peripheral nerve damage.
Researchers discovered two previously overlooked stages of carbon nanotube growth, including a disorderly tangle of tube growth that yields to orderly rows. The discovery sheds light on the controlled growth phases and their purposes in producing aligned carbon nanotubes for various materials and biomedical research.
Researchers have resolved a long-standing debate over water molecules at the air-water interface, finding strong hydrogen bonding between water pairs at the outermost surface. The study uses theoretical and experimental techniques to pinpoint the origin of water's unique surface properties.
A study by Fox Chase Cancer Center found that sentinel lymph node biopsy can predict cancer recurrence and guide treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma patients. The procedure led to lower risk of cancer recurrence and improved survival rates in two-year follow-up.
A groundbreaking study by Michigan State University researchers found that people who believe they can learn from their mistakes exhibit distinct brain activity compared to those who do not. This difference may be used to tailor training programs to individuals' learning styles and abilities.
Researchers have developed a virtual fly-through 3D imaging technique that accurately detects regional lymph node metastases in non-small cell lung cancer patients. The method achieved an 81% diagnostic accuracy rate, making it a promising tool for non-invasive diagnosis.
International scientists have decoded the genetic makeup of two heat-loving fungi that can degrade biomass at high temperatures, accelerating the breakdown of fibrous plant materials. The findings may lead to faster and greener development of biomass-based fuels, chemicals and other industrial materials.
Researchers highlight the importance of clinicians recognizing signs of bioterrorism threats. Behavioral-based weight loss treatments have been shown to be safe and effective, yielding clinically meaningful results. Additionally, proper selection and programming can make MRI scans safe for cardiac device patients.
Researchers developed a tracking system to monitor worm behavior and brain activity, revealing that certain neurons remain active as the worm moves. The study provides a new window for exploring links between brain and behavior, genetic mutations, and mental illness in humans.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that $6.7 billion was spent on unnecessary tests or medications, with brand-name statins accounting for 86% of the cost. Excess spending included blood work, bone density scans, and antibiotic prescriptions.
Researchers developed an internet-based multimedia informed consent resource to make it easier for cancer patients to understand and feel comfortable enrolling in clinical trials. The tool, accessed via the Internet, contains a video version of the traditional informed consent process and a PDF of the written materials, allowing patien...
Recent research by Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske found that benevolent sexism motivates chivalrous acts but reinforces assumptions about men's competence over women's. Studies have shown that women who exhibit traditionally feminine traits receive benevolently sexist treatment, while those who assert themselves are met with hostility.
Researchers found that children exposed to general anesthesia and surgery before their second birthday were approximately three times as likely to develop speech and language problems compared to those who never underwent procedures. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that anesthesia exposure may affect brain development and ...
A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found a link between shift work and increased cortisol levels. This association was discovered in individuals working shifts at a young age and may contribute to cardiovascular risk.
A protocol developed by Johns Hopkins cardiologists has enabled patients with implanted cardiac devices to safely undergo MRI scans. With appropriate precautions and careful patient monitoring, the risk of device malfunction is very low.
Viruses, such as adenovirus, exploit host cell mechanisms to smuggle their DNA into the nucleus for reproduction. The viral DNA is transported into the nucleus using the kinesin motor protein and a gatekeeper molecule, allowing it to reproduce easily.
A team of researchers transformed everyday iPhones into medical-quality imaging and chemical detection devices, enabling doctors to diagnose blood diseases in developing nations. The modified phones can perform detailed microscopy and spectroscopy, transmitting real-time data for further analysis and diagnosis.
The University of Pennsylvania has received a $12.5 million grant from the NIH to accelerate medical research into new therapies for inherited forms of blindness and lung cancer. Researchers aim to use gene therapy and microscopic imaging tools to develop innovative treatments, potentially improving millions of lives.
A Tel Aviv University researcher successfully implanted a robotic cerebellum into a rodent's skull, restoring its movement capacity. The 'robo-cerebellum' enables communication between the brain and body by receiving and transmitting sensory information from the brain stem.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered how cell-penetrating peptides, such as the HIV TAT peptide, interact with cells to facilitate the transfer of molecular cargoes. The study reveals that these peptides can act like a Swiss Army Knife, interacting strongly with membranes and cytoskeletons to produce multiple pathways of translocation.
The IGB and University of Illinois have received a $3.2 million NSF grant to train up to 30 graduate students in vertically integrated training with genomics. Students will learn to integrate genomic tools with traditional taxonomic approaches to study grand challenges in biology.
A randomized phase III trial found that higher doses of radiation therapy do not improve overall survival for stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients. The standard dose of radiation therapy (60 Gy) was shown to be sufficient and effective in treating the disease.
The study reveals regional and temporal variations in organ donation across the UK, with Wales consistently outperforming its neighbors. England and Scotland have lower organ donation rates, while Northern Ireland surprises with high lung donation rates.
A study of over 1,100 healthy Indiana school children found that being overweight or obese nearly triples the risk of developing high blood pressure. Leptin, a protein hormone involved in body weight regulation, is also positively associated with increased blood pressure in these children.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital have identified a new mechanism that may protect against organ injury and death from anemia. This discovery could lead to new treatments and approaches for patients with anemia.
In a study analyzing Utah homicide data from 2002-2007, child abuse homicide offenders were convicted at an 88.2% rate, comparable to the 83% conviction rate for adult offenders. The authors found no significant differences in felony conviction or sentencing severity between child and adult abuse cases.
Perinatal exposure to BPA may alter long-term hormone response and increase predisposition to breast cancer. Researchers found that BPA-exposed female mice had an increased response to progesterone and a higher cell number in their milk ducts.
A study found that residential washing machines often can't kill dangerous hospital-acquired bacteria at lower water temperatures. Washing with hot water and ironing afterwards can eliminate MRSA and Acinetobacter from uniforms.
A study published in Pain found that observers estimate lower pain intensity and are perceptually less sensitive to patients they don't like. Researchers used video fragments of patients experiencing shoulder pain and asked participants to rate pain severity and likability.
Neuroscientists at the University of Leicester discovered a protein called lipocalin-2 that helps regulate dendritic spine formation and maturation, reducing future anxiety associated with stressful events. The study found that mice without this protein were more anxious and had stronger memories of stressful events.
The TB bacterium has a unique molecule on its outer surface that blocks the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a key protein in the body's immune response. This allows the bacterium to remain infectious and evade the host's defense.
Climate change threatens global food security, but new studies suggest that genetic traits in seeds and crop wild relatives can help. Developing heat-tolerant potato varieties could reduce climate-related damage by up to 65% of the world's potato crop.
Researchers found that lamin filaments are essential for proper gene positioning and organization, a crucial factor in maintaining nuclear shape and function. Mutations in lamin genes cause 14 different diseases, including Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, by disrupting muscle-specific gene reorganization.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have developed a new technique for delivering radiation therapy using a multileaf collimator, significantly reducing treatment time and minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding tissues. The new method achieves better target coverage and dose sharpness than traditional CyberKnife technology.
Research from the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme found that average wellbeing levels among older people in South Africa and Brazil improved between 2002 and 2008 due to economic growth and social policies. Economic performance, labour market conditions, and pension income were key factors influencing improvement in wellbeing.
Research shows playing street football two to three times a week can halve the risk of early death in homeless men. The study found improvements in aerobic fitness, cholesterol, body fat, and blood pressure.
Researchers identify enzymes from fungi like Thielavia terrestris and Muceliophthora thermophila, which thrive at high temperatures, to accelerate biomass breakdown and improve biofuel production. The discoveries have great promise for significant improvements over existing systems.
Astronomers have discovered a correlation between gravitational wave events and radio flares, enabling them to pinpoint the source of these cosmic occurrences. By analyzing surrounding interstellar material, researchers can verify that detected gravitational waves come from specific regions of space.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute have identified a previously unknown molecular interaction between protein kinase C theta and CD28 that is essential for T lymphocyte activation. This discovery opens up a novel therapeutic avenue for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the cellular inter...
Researchers found a shared, unusual genomic architecture in patients with severe diseases, including MECP2 duplication syndrome and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease. This structure is associated with increased genetic material dosage and makes the disorder worse.
Researchers have uncovered a well-preserved example of a massive landslide triggered by a volcanic eruption on Tenerife. The study provides insights into the long-term effects of such events on hazardous pyroclastic dispersal, with potential implications for tsunami risk assessment and global preparedness.
A NASA-led study found unprecedented Arctic ozone loss in 2011, comparable to Antarctic ozone holes, caused by unusually low stratospheric temperatures. The researchers warn that Arctic ozone loss events may become more frequent due to climate change, posing a threat to human health and ecosystems.
Researchers have uncovered a key enzyme in plant immunity, NADPH oxidase, which regulates the production of toxic molecules that encourage cell death. This discovery could lead to disease-resistant crop varieties and new treatments for human immune disorders such as chronic granulomatous disease.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute identified a previously unknown mechanism generating protective immune memory cells to fight recurring infections at mucosal linings. This discovery could lead to the creation of new and more effective vaccines by triggering the newly identified mechanism, particularly for Listeria and HIV.
A new study uses the Tilman model of competition between invasive species to understand how prostate cells invade bone marrow and take over the microenvironment. The research reveals that cancer cells follow a similar path to ecological invasions, highlighting the potential for ecological modeling to understand metastasis.
Research on Galapagos mockingbirds reveals co-evolutionary history with parasites, affecting bird survival and conservation. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering parasite histories in re-introducing birds to new islands.
A collaborative network of scientists, including UNC's Cam Patterson, has been awarded a $6 million grant to explore the biology of heart failure and find new therapies. The project aims to define the role of proteotoxicity in clinically relevant models of heart failure.
A new study cautions that thoracic imaging protocols must carefully balance radiation doses to the breast and lungs. The study found that changing protocols can reduce breast radiation dose by over 50% and lower lung radiation dose. Researchers emphasize the need for caution when planning CT protocols.
A study suggests that hydrogen fluoride gas (HF) is the primary form of fluorine released from domestic coal in endemic areas, leading to severe cases of fluorosis. This new understanding may change current knowledge on the pathogenic mechanism of coal burning endemic fluorosis.
A recent study found that using a lower dose of contrast media (60 milliliters) in 320 detector row CT scans resulted in sufficient enhancement in over 96% of coronary segments. Larger patients with higher body mass indexes showed improved results, supporting the use of this lower dose protocol.