The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is investing $1.1 million in Advanced Placement (AP) math and science courses for military families in select high schools. The program aims to provide students with opportunities to earn college credit and pursue careers in the sciences.
G-Zero Therapeutics, a UNC spin-off, has received a $3 million Small Business Innovation Research Grant to commercialize technology protecting patients from cellular damage caused by radiation or cancer chemotherapy. The grant will fund the development of treatments for bone marrow toxicity resulting from radiation and chemotherapy.
A glucosamine-like dietary supplement, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), suppresses multiple sclerosis attacks by inhibiting abnormal T-cell growth and function. The study, published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, suggests a novel mechanism for affecting T-cell function and autoimmunity.
The University of California San Diego is awarded a $5.9 million grant to study kidney complications related to type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The researchers aim to challenge current dogma by examining the link between mitochondrial function, metabolic alterations, and kidney disease.
Researchers found that free radical peroxynitrite is produced by myeloid cells in tumors and interferes with the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells. This mechanism may explain why some cancer immunotherapies fail to work, allowing tumors to evade immune detection.
The University of Cincinnati's CEEMS program aims to equip teachers with engineering skills to provide students with opportunities to reach revised Ohio State Science Standards. The five-year grant will reach 1,925 teachers impacting 38,500 students in the region, promoting STEM education and transforming teacher education.
A new algae monitoring method developed by USC scientists aims to predict when and where toxic algal blooms will occur. The research focuses on the increase of harmful toxins in shellfish due to neurotoxin-producing algae.
A European Survey of Oncology Nurse Breakthrough Cancer Pain Practices revealed an enormous opportunity to improve pain outcomes through education, with most nurses reporting inadequate training and confusion over medication options. The survey calls for nurse-specific guidelines and training to address the gap in management.
The EU-funded ADVANCE project will deliver methods and tools for formal modelling, verification, and validation to produce precise models for embedded systems. This will help eliminate design errors before projects go into manufacturing, reducing costs and improving system quality.
The Louisiana Tech "LA_i6" Proof of Concept Center will partner with companies along the I-20 innovation corridor to promote green technologies and their social, environmental, and economic impacts. The center aims to generate new sustainable economic growth in north Louisiana and accelerate the commercialization of innovative products.
Scientists found Asian elephants store thermal reserve by lowering body temperature at night, allowing them to regulate body temperature in hot environments. This mechanism, known as heterothermy, may be more common in mammals than previously thought.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with a growth mindset exhibit different brain activity when making mistakes, leading to better post-error adjustments. Those who believe intelligence is fixed show reduced brain activity and difficulty bouncing back from errors.
Researchers have successfully generated high-power, narrowband terahertz radiation at room temperature using a single semiconductor chip. This breakthrough could enable rapid security screening, border protection, high-sensitivity biological/chemical analysis, and astronomical applications.
The study reveals three distinct classes of protein motion: localized diffusion, methyl group rotations, and jumps. These motions are crucial for understanding protein functions critical to life, enabling scientists to design new biofuels and environmental remediation technologies.
Researchers developed a software toolkit that enables students to conduct their own scientific experiments, analyzing data and reaching conclusions based on hypotheses. The nQuire software covers three key topics of the new science curriculum, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
A team of researchers found that metazoan-dominated reefs existed again in the US southwest just 1.5 million years after the devastating Permian mass extinction, challenging the previous assumption of a five-million-year recovery time frame.
A study of 2,200 Australian youths aged 9-16 found that those who went to bed early and woke up early had lower risks of obesity and were more physically active. In contrast, late-nighters were more likely to engage in sedentary behaviors and have higher body mass indexes.
Carissa Perez Olsen, a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientist, has won the prestigious NIH Director's Early Independence Award. She will receive $1.25 million to study the mechanisms of cancer, aging-related diseases, and natural aging using C. elegans as a model organism.
Researchers discovered that frequent low-dose administration of chemotherapy medicine topotecan can slow prostate cancer growth without causing side effects. This 'metronomic dosing' alters the cellular activity of the drug, offering a promising new approach to treating slowly growing tumors.
Researchers found that mosquitoes are attracted first to carbon dioxide, then to skin odors, which could lead to more effective mosquito traps. The study's findings provide crucial insights into how female mosquitoes locate human hosts for diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
A new inherited neurometabolic disorder has been discovered, caused by mutations in the ADK gene. The disease, adenosine kinase deficiency, disrupts the methionine cycle, leading to symptoms such as encephalopathy and abnormal liver function.
A longitudinal study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that young adults undergo treatment ready to change, but lack confidence, coping skills, and commitment. Treatment increases their self-efficacy, enabling them to sustain healthy recovery efforts and improve outcomes.
The NIH Director's Early Independence Awards (EIA) program allows exceptional junior investigators to bypass traditional post-doc training and establish independent research careers immediately. The first recipients, 10 outstanding young scientists, will receive $19.3 million in funding over five years.
A study by Daniel Bartels and David Pizarro found a strong link between utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas and psychopathic, Machiavellian personality traits. Individuals with these traits are more likely to prioritize overall consequences over personal feelings and values.
Researchers tested a combination of oral drug sorafenib and microbead chemotherapy directly into tumors in advanced liver cancer patients. The treatment showed promise with no increased side effects compared to existing therapies.
Researchers tracked changes in ionosphere during a solar eclipse, finding acoustic waves with periods of 3-5 minutes originating from the Moon's shadow. Groundwater depletion has also contributed to sea level rise, with 1,100 cubic km pumped out between 2000 and 2008.
Researchers developed a novel bipartite gene therapy approach to temporarily preserve photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment targets defective phosphodiesterase metabolism, reducing cGMP and Ca2+ levels, and showing promise for treating this genetic disorder.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends preventive treatments for patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolic disease. The guideline suggests using mechanical compression devices and anticoagulants, such as blood thinners, to prevent clots.
CrossJect's Zeneo needle-free injection device addresses real market need with precise and reliable technology. The company has received significant funding from venture capital firms and the Eurostars Programme to accelerate development and bring its product to market.
A novel binding assay using mass spectrometry simplifies the search for SERT inhibitors, potentially improving treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. The technique avoids use of radiolabeled substances, offering a more efficient and cost-effective method.
A Spanish study found that women with higher education levels breastfed for longer periods, especially during the 1960s and 1990s. The researchers attribute this trend to increased access to healthcare services and advice from healthcare professionals, which helped maintain breastfeeding rates.
Researchers found evidence of large-scale dynamic DNA demethylation in non-dividing brain cells, challenging scientific dogma. This discovery has major implications for understanding learning, memory, and mood regulation, as well as potential new treatments for depression and neurodegenerative disorders.
A University of Melbourne study found that young men and women experience pressure to share sexual images via 'sexting', often due to societal expectations or peer group influence. The study highlights the need for meaningful dialogue to address the negative consequences of sexting among young people.
Researchers have identified a new strategy for preventing the migration of muscle cells that can lead to coronary artery reclogging after angioplasty. Introducing FRNK, a protein that inhibits muscle cell migration while allowing endothelial cell movement, could help prevent clots and reduce the need for repeat procedures.
Dr. Giuliano was awarded the Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction for his pioneering findings on lymph node removal and his contributions to less invasive breast surgery. His research has led to improved quality of life for women with breast cancer and reduced side effects from breast surgery.
A single high dose of psilocybin has been shown to induce significant and lasting changes in personality, particularly openness, in nearly 60% of participants. The study found that these changes were comparable in magnitude to those observed over decades of life experiences.
A new study found that patients with consumer-directed health plans have more control over healthcare costs, with two-thirds of the reduction in total healthcare costs coming from reduced utilization of medical services. This is due to lower use of name-brand medications, less in-patient care, and lower use of specialists.
A new method of surfactant delivery without intubation has been shown to reduce the need for mechanical ventilation and improve lung function in premature babies. The study found that infants treated with this method spent less time on mechanical ventilation and had a lower need for oxygen.
University of Utah chemists created a new method to identify optimal catalysts using data analysis and principles of chemistry. The technique reveals the link between size and electronic properties of catalysts in determining their effectiveness.
A new study led by San Francisco State University's Daniel Bernardi aims to track rumors and identify those with the power to become weapons in counterinsurgency operations. The team will develop a database of rumors that could undermine efforts in Afghanistan.
Researchers at National Jewish Health found that T-cell receptors from mice continue to function with shark, frog, and trout receptor pieces substituted in. This interaction between the T cell and MHC molecules is crucial for immune defense and organ transplants.
Researchers will develop a 'therapeutic robot' to aid people with mobility problems and create wearable sensors that allow blind individuals to perceive their environment. They will also investigate the spatial and temporal regulation of cell differentiation in tissues.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from plants and cold-water fish as beneficial for health. These fats block JNK activation by saturated fatty acids, which are linked to adverse health effects.
A large-scale genetic study has uncovered new genes associated with type 1 diabetes, a condition affecting 200 million people worldwide. The research adds to knowledge of gene networks involved in the origin of this complex disorder.
Researchers found a molecule in intestinal cells that induces immune tolerance and reduces excessive immune reactions. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize treatment for autoimmune disorders such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and Lupus.
Dr. Malgorzata Borowiak has been awarded a grant from the Helmholtz Association to return to the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, as head of a Young Investigators Group. She aims to contribute to diabetes research by studying beta cell development.
The Elsevier Foundation OWSD awards recognize eleven talented women scientists from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean for their research excellence. The winners will receive a cash prize of US$5,000 and are expected to act as role models to other girls and young women considering a career in science.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new technique that allows them to pinpoint the exact DNA sequences and locations bound by regulatory RNAs. The study reveals the intricate world of gene expression and how RNA molecules control neighboring and distant genes.
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine highlights the risk of injury for schoolboys playing rugby. The researchers warn that parents, teachers, and coaches should be informed about the level of risk involved.
A research team at the Hubrecht Institute demonstrates a mechanism by which left–right asymmetry in vertebrates is established and maintained. The study reveals a genetic midline 'barrier' that induces and maintains Nodal and BMP proteins to pattern the embryo along the left–right axis.
The MESSENGER spacecraft has shown that Mercury's surface material composition differs significantly from other terrestrial planets, with higher abundances of sulfur and potassium. The planet's surface also features a unique magnetic field and extensive volcanic plains covering over 6% of its surface.
A recent study found that cocaine use is predictive of open-angle glaucoma, with current and former users having a 45% increased risk. Patients with open-angle glaucoma and history of exposure to illegal drugs were nearly 20 years younger than those without drug exposure history.
Cornell researchers analyzed 2.4 million Twitter tweets from 84 countries, tracking daily mood patterns influenced by work, sleep, and daylight. Positive tweets peak early morning and midnight, with increased abundance on weekends, and follow a seasonal pattern tied to daylight hours.
A University of Adelaide study found that an immune response in the brain contributes to how people respond to alcohol, influencing behavioral changes such as difficulty walking or talking. Blocking toll-like receptors may help reduce these effects and potentially treat alcohol dependence.
Researchers found that the El Niño effect drives faster conversion of CO2 in the terrestrial biosphere, leading to a revised estimate of global primary productivity. The new value suggests that land plants are more productive than previously thought, with implications for climate models and future carbon cycle research.
A new study at the American Dietetic Association Conference shows that moving fruit into a colorful bowl increases fruit sales by 104% in schools. The Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs is working with the White House and food industry leaders to promote healthier school lunches.
Research reveals a link between diabetes and cancer, showing that cancer-promoting proteins like Lin28a can increase insulin sensitivity in mice, while others with high let-7 levels become more resistant to diabetes.
A two-year study funded by ESRC explores how married couples make decisions, from daily routines to complex choices. The findings highlight the importance of supporting people with dementia in decision-making processes, considering their relationship dynamics and individual preferences.
Scientists at the University of Illinois' Beckman Institute have created an active pumping mechanism for microvascular systems, which greatly enhances the repair of damaged materials like cracks in coatings on buildings or bridges. The pressurized delivery system outperforms traditional capillary force methods by a significant margin.
The MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program will develop major aging-focused stories or series, covering concerns such as seniors drowning in debt and the struggles of Iraqi and Afghan refugees. The program aims to cultivate public awareness of these issues, which affect all generations and cultures.