Researchers have assembled a comprehensive data set to reconstruct the phylogeny of mollusks, revealing a close relationship between snails and mussels. The study confirms an old hypothesis that molluscs are divided into two subphyla, but with unexpected results, including the sister taxa status of snails and mussels.
Exposure to Bisphenol A in in vitro oocyte cultures reveals altered development and increased risk of chromosome abnormalities like Down Syndrome. This multigenerational effect suggests BPA's potential impact on fertility and offspring health.
A study published in Nature found that sirtuin genes do not affect animal longevity, contrary to previous claims. Instead, dietary restriction was shown to increase lifespan independently of sirtuins.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University found that aquarium fishes are more aggressive in reduced environments, with 182.9 million ornamental fishes at risk. Increasing tank size and complexity can reduce harmful aggressive behaviors, leading to healthier fish.
A new MSU study aims to develop a model of community engagement to guide ethical questions surrounding the use of newborn blood spots in research, addressing issues like informed consent and resource prioritization. The project seeks to inform public policy decisions and improve the state's bio-bank, Michigan BioTrust.
A researcher at Indiana University is investigating the most effective ways to present information about the HPV vaccine to young women, in an effort to boost vaccination rates. Her study will assess how women process and understand the information, as well as their attitudes and intentions toward vaccination.
The NHS has wasted £625 million on synthetic insulin over the past decade, as recommended human alternatives would have been just as effective, reveals research published in BMJ Open. The study analyzed publicly available data and found that the annual cost of synthetic insulin rose from 12% to 85% of total costs.
A new study published in Academic Pediatrics reports that adolescents are at heightened risk of alcohol use onset due to their position in the social network. The study found that closer proximity to more popular individuals and larger social networks increase the likelihood of drinking initiation.
A new study by Rice University suggests that only a minority of scientists at major research universities view religion and science as being in perpetual conflict. In reality, most scientists see both religion and science as valid avenues of knowledge that can bring broader understanding to important questions.
Researchers found that a key signaling pathway, Wnt, plays an important role in the disease and may offer a potential treatment target. The study suggests increasing a specific receptor, FZD2, could promote brain-cell survival and alleviate symptoms.
Researchers have discovered that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by a 'disinhibited' brain, with increased excitability in both the affected and unaffected hands. The study found altered sensory perception in CRPS patients, indicating a complex role of changes in the central nervous system.
The California Energy Commission awards Calit2 at UCI a $1 million grant to research plug-load devices, which consume 20% of building electrical power. The project aims to create more energy-efficient appliances and provide data for future standards by 2030.
The African Orphan Crops consortium will work with African scientists to identify and breed nutrient-rich food crops, addressing malnutrition and food shortages. The $40 million initiative will also establish the African Plant Breeding Academy in Ghana, training local plant breeders to adopt advanced breeding approaches.
Typhoon Roke intensified from a Category 1 to 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale due to rapid updrafts and heavy rainfall accumulation over Kyushu Island. The TRMM satellite captured 3-D radar data showing significant precipitation reaching altitudes above the freezing level, fueling the storm's intensification.
A study by the University of Gerona found that foreign children in Catalonia take at least 6 years to acquire the same language levels as native pupils. Researchers propose a new system based on bilingual education to overcome this barrier, which has proven successful in other countries.
A University of Illinois study found that smaller largemouth bass recover from exertion faster than larger fish. The researchers simulated angling situations and measured the physiological responses of small and large fish.
Researchers found that the current DSM-IV scoring system effectively captures the dimensional nature of personality disorders and proposed a quasi-dimensional approach instead of redefining them. The study showed that the three-point dimensional convention was more strongly associated with measures of psychosocial morbidity.
Bella Rodriguez-Torres, an 8-year-old cancer survivor, has been selected as the 2011 Survivor Circle Award winner. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma at age 4 and made a remarkable recovery, inspiring others with her positive attitude and determination.
Researchers at Salk Institute developed bacteria that can incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins, enabling the creation of new synthetic chemicals. This breakthrough may lead to the development of drugs that last longer in the bloodstream and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods.
Researchers found that administering synthetic marijuana helps block PTSD-like symptoms in rats after experiencing trauma. The study suggests a 'window of opportunity' for treatment, which may be longer for humans due to their lifespan.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a gene-based imaging system that can detect castration-resistant prostate cancer earlier than conventional methods. The system uses specific genes and reporter genes to accurately identify the spread of the disease, giving oncologists more time to treat it and pot...
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a PCR-free technique using the PhyloChip to identify the most metabolically active microbes in a sample. This allows for reliable and affordable analysis of microbial communities in various environments.
In a remarkable discovery, ground beetle larvae have evolved to lure and consume amphibians, reversing the typical predator-prey relationship. The larvae use unique movements and sit-and-wait strategies to draw in prey, before attaching themselves using double-hooked mouthparts.
A genome-wide study involving 50,000 participants has discovered 11 regions on the genome strongly associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The researchers found that several DNA variations contribute to both diseases, representing a significant advance in understanding their causes.
A soy germ-based supplement containing Natural S-equol significantly improved the appearance of crow's feet skin wrinkles in Japanese menopausal women, suggesting potential to slow skin aging. The study found that doses of 10 or 30 milligrams of Natural S-equol daily had beneficial effects on crow's feet wrinkles.
Researchers at URMC discover that a medication already approved to build bone mass in patients with osteoporosis can also increase cartilage around joints, potentially treating millions suffering from arthritis. The study suggests that the drug could be repurposed as an alternative to current treatments.
Researchers have pinpointed a new genetic segment on chromosome 9 as the cause of familial motor neuron disease, with affected patients carrying hundreds of DNA repeats that disrupt multiple mechanisms in motor nerve cells. This discovery may lead to new blood tests for early detection and treatment avenues.
Researchers will evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of a unique combination of HIV prevention strategies in Botswana, aiming to reduce infections by at least 50%. The study will analyze viral gene signatures and examine the effectiveness of targeting individuals with high viral loads.
Researchers developed a simple color test to detect economically motivated adulterants (EMAs) in heparin, which can trigger anaphylactic reactions. The test can also identify other potential EMAs, paving the way for portable detection methods.
Tropical Storm Ophelia formed in the Atlantic Ocean after strengthening from low-pressure System 98L. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 45mph and is moving west at 14mph.
A gene for Lou Gehrig's disease and frontotemporal dementia has been identified by researchers at the University of California - San Francisco. The mutated gene, C9ORF72, is associated with nearly 12% of familial cases and over 22% of sporadic cases of the diseases., Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation that triggers both Lou ...
University of Pennsylvania researchers have identified a gene responsible for early retinal degeneration, a disease causing blindness in dogs. The study suggests that this gene may be involved in the control of photoreceptor cell division, potentially leading to the development of therapies to regenerate retinal cells and restore vision.
Neuroscientists at CSHL develop genetic 'GPS' system to comprehensively label GABA neurons, enabling real-time tracking and manipulation. The system uses Cre-Lox recombination to create cell-type specific markers, allowing for the study of inhibitory modulation in living brains.
A new study found that humor therapy reduces agitation in dementia patients by 20%, comparable to widely used antipsychotic drugs. This approach also improves happiness and positive behaviors, but effects are short-lived once the program ends.
Scientists have developed new, eco-friendly plastics that outperform traditional polycarbonate materials in terms of heat resistance and biodegradability. These innovative plastics are set to replace BPA-containing plastics in baby bottles, shopping bags, and other products.
A study by Duke University researchers found that zinc plays a critical role in regulating communication between brain cells, particularly in the hippocampus. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of memory formation and epilepsy.
Researchers are sequencing the Atlantic killifish genome to understand how it tolerates pollutants and thermal extremes, providing insights into human impact on the earth and global warming. This study aims to accelerate our understanding of genetic determinants of health and disease in changing environments.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers has found a genetic abnormality that is the most common cause of two neurodegenerative diseases: frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The mutation, located in the C9ORF72 gene, was found in nearly 12% of familial FTD patients and over 22% of familial ALS patients.
Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a technique to transfer quantum information by controlling individual electrons in Gallium Arsenide. This innovation has the potential to enable faster and more efficient processing in quantum computers, addressing complex problems beyond classical computers' capabilities.
Researchers have developed a smart window system that can inexpensively switch between summer and winter modes, saving air conditioning costs in the summer and capturing free heat from the sun in the winter. The new technology uses a polymer, counterions, and methanol to create a stable, robust, and tunable smart window.
A new study using genetic information explores the effects of continental axes and climates on human migration and adaptation in the Americas. The research suggests that the north-south orientation of the American continents slowed the spread of populations and technology, compared to the east-west axis of Eurasia.
The University of Texas at Austin researchers have been awarded NIH grants to create novel therapeutics for treating heart disease. They will also develop technology to significantly reduce the time and costs required to test drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Empa have developed record-breaking flexible CIGS solar cells with an 18.7% efficiency, overcoming performance limitations on polymer films by reducing deposition temperatures. The innovation enables cost-effective roll-to-roll processing and lower manufacturing costs.
A new study found that fear of childbirth is a predisposing factor for emergency and elective cesarean sections. The research analyzed 353 women with fear of childbirth and 579 without the condition, revealing a higher incidence of traumatic deliveries and induced inductions.
A UK team has developed a novel electric motor for hybrid electric and pure electric vehicles that replaces rare earth metals with steel. This innovative technology aims to reduce the environmental impact and costs associated with mining these scarce materials.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered how Toxoplasma gondii evades the human immune system by hijacking immune cells and manipulating cell behavior. The parasite's ability to control its host's immune system challenges common conceptions of pathogen-host interactions.
Researchers discovered a chromatin insulator binding factor CTCF that blocks VEGF activation, regulating angiogenesis and cancer progression. This finding opens a window to manage angiogenesis and cancer using CTCF as a target.
The study identifies regions of the brain involved in tracking correlation, including the insula and anterior cingulate cortex. The researchers found that our brains learn to observe the outcome of one action and infer outcomes of other actions without needing to sample them individually.
Researchers at Douglas Mental Health University Institute are launching the world's first prevention study on Alzheimer's disease. They will recruit 250 healthy adults aged 60 or over with a family history of the condition and observe their biomarkers for ten years to find preventative agents.
Scientists develop bio-inspired liquid repellence technology, called SLIPS, which can be used in biomedical fluid handling, fuel transport, and anti-fouling technologies. The surfaces are self-healing and can withstand extreme conditions.
A recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that married women's autonomy and decision-making power are linked to their sexual activity. Women who have more control over household decisions tend to have sex less often, with a significant increase in time since their last intercourse.
Research suggests that periods of rapid temperature fluctuation coincided with the appearance of distant human relatives and the spread of stone tools. Genetic modelling techniques revealed a correlation between climatic variability and key events in human evolution.
The discovery of GNR@SWNTs opens up potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and energy storage. Researchers have found that the shape of encapsulated graphene nanoribbons can be modified by different polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules, allowing for metallic or semiconductor properties.
A group of neurologists reviewed the most frequently watched YouTube videos about movement disorders and found that 66% were identified as showing 'psychogenic' movement disorders. The doctors agreed on diagnoses in 87-100% of all cases, highlighting the need for careful consideration when seeking medical information online.
Researchers found that penguins can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar odors, using smell to guide behavior and avoid kin recognition. This study provides important insights into bird social recognition and has potential applications for conservation and breeding programs.
A new human genetic mutation, C9ORF72 repeat expansion, is identified as the most common cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. This mutation explains at least a third of all familial cases in Europeans and nearly half of all cases in Finland.
Scientists have made new discoveries about the biological makings of queen bees and worker bees, finding major differences in protein activity during early stages of life. These findings suggest that proteins with metabolic enhancing activities play significant roles in caste determination.
A new study published in PLOS ONE challenges the idea that women's voices contain cues for men to detect ovulation. The researchers found that the variation in women's vocal quality throughout the menstrual cycle does not provide reliable information about the timing of ovulation, making it a poor mating clue.
Researchers analyzed genomes from East Asian, European, and African populations to discover the San people diverged from other humans 130,000 years ago. This finding contradicts previous estimates, providing a richer understanding of human evolution.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that administering methylphenidate, a commonly used stimulant drug, can significantly speed up recovery from general anesthesia in rats. This breakthrough could potentially reduce post-anesthesia complications and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found elevated levels of radioactivity in San Francisco Bay area rainwater after the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant accident, but at non-health-risking concentrations. The study collected samples from March 16th to March 26th and detected above-normal radioactivity starting on March 18th.
The Office of Naval Research is pursuing an Affordable Common Radar Architecture (ACRA) to upgrade the Navy's aging combat ship radar systems. The ACRA design features a novel architecture with two separate antennas to control cost and improve upgradeability.
A twin study at King's College London found significant epigenetic differences between psychosis discordant twins, suggesting a role for epigenetic processes in neuropsychiatric disease. The study provides potential new avenues for treatment and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic drugs.
Researchers found phase synchronization between El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the annual temperature cycle in the eastern equatorial Pacific. This phenomenon indicates that at certain times El Niño and the annual cycle run according to the same beat, while at other times their phases 'slip past' each other.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified two molecular pathways that activate brown fat, a type of fat that burns energy rather than storing it. The study provides new opportunities to stimulate brown fat growth, which could lead to the development of treatments for obesity and diabetes.
A team of scientists from Kansas State University and seven other institutions is conducting a large-scale experiment to understand the impact of stream organisms on water quality across North America.
Researchers found that information communication technologies were used both to spread freedom messages and to incite violence during civil strife in Egypt and Kenya. The Egyptian government cracked down on blogs and social networks, while telecommunications companies responded differently depending on the government's request.
A new genetic mutation has been discovered in the C9ORF72 gene, responsible for over a third of familial ALS cases. The repeated DNA sequence causes toxic RNA buildup, leading to motor neuron demise and disease progression.
Scientists discovered that a protein called Knickkopf protects the insect's newly formed cuticle from being dissolved by chitinase. This finding has enormous potential for improving selective pest control and developing new biomaterials like football padding or lightweight aircraft components.
Breast cancer researchers identify FGFR3 as a key protein responsible for tumor growth and resistance to hormone therapies. This discovery may lead to the development of novel drugs targeting this protein to treat recurrent breast cancers.
A chance viewing of a new channel forming in the Wabash River provided researchers with a rare opportunity to study dynamic river cutoffs. The event delivered massive amounts of sediment into the river system, changing its landscape and raising concerns about its impact on sediment transport and deposition processes.
A study in Psychological Science found that self-compassion uniquely predicts good outcomes for individuals going through a divorce. Self-compassion, including kindness towards oneself, recognition of common humanity, and the ability to let painful emotions pass, can promote resilience and positive outcomes.
A new analysis of census data estimates that 750,000 soldiers died in the American Civil War, a 20% increase from the commonly cited figure of 620,000. This reevaluation is based on a more detailed comparison of male and female survival rates using historical census data.