A Vanderbilt-led team is developing a microbrain bioreactor to improve drug testing by replicating the human brain's complex chemical communication and molecular trafficking. The device will test new therapies for stroke, obesity, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have identified RhoC as a key driver of breast cancer stem cell metastasis. High levels of RhoC are associated with worse patient survival rates. Targeting this molecule may lead to more effective treatments for certain types of cancer, potentially managing cancer stem cells and invasive behaviors.
A new study found South Asians have higher levels of blood sugar than white Europeans, independent of risk factors. This suggests that South Asians should be monitored more closely for type 2 diabetes, as the diagnosis is already higher in this ethnic group.
NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite identified 'hot towers' in Typhoon Vicente, indicating rapid intensification. The storm intensified by 50 knots within six hours, with sustained winds reaching 120 knots.
A population-level approach to preventing cardiovascular disease could reduce deaths by up to 50%, according to the European Society of Cardiology. The organization recommends changes in agricultural policies, taxation, and advertising to support healthy diets, physical activity, and reduced alcohol consumption.
A study by Florida International University reveals that employers use Facebook to assess job candidates, potentially creating a new digital divide. The findings raise ethical questions about the role of social media in hiring processes.
Scientists used C-14 dating and soil analysis to determine the age of Croscat Volcano's last eruption. The study reveals that the region experienced mild temperatures and increased rainfall around 13,270 years ago before the volcanic activity began.
A new combination of drugs to treat tuberculosis shows promise, killing over 99% of patients' TB bacteria within two weeks. The treatment could also be used for patients infected with drug-resistant forms of the disease.
A large systematic review of 12,000 papers found that improved endoscopy equipment, more endoscopic surgery, and larger tissue samples are crucial for effective management. The review used the Delphi process to reach consensus on key findings, which should guide clinical practice and inform future research.
The International Society for Advancement of Cytometry presented its 2012 awards to Dr. Leon Terstappen and Dr. Robert Leif, recognizing their innovative work in cytometry technology. The awards also honored Drs. Jan Visser and Peter Lansdorp for their significant contributions to the field and society.
A multi-institutional initiative seeks to improve the genetic basis of drought resistance in a grass closely related to current biofuels feedstocks and food crops. Researchers will dissect the genetic basis of drought tolerance in these plants, with the goal of developing crops that can endure harsh conditions.
Infants as young as one year old can detect how speech communicates unobservable intentions, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. By recognizing patterns in spoken descriptions, infants can acquire knowledge about matters beyond their direct experiences.
Three scientists, Drs. David Smith, Samuel Friedman and Jeremy Luban, will study how to prevent transmission among the newly infected and identify genetic influences in disease progression. Their research aims to develop novel systems for mapping patterns of new HIV infections and preventing stigmatization.
A 32-country study found that linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, is effective in improving glycaemic control without weight gain or increased risk of hypoglycemia. The extended trial demonstrated sustained glucose control for up to 102 weeks treatment duration.
By 2040, parts of Washington State could lose up to a third of their carbon stores due to increasing wildfire risk. This would significantly impact the region's ability to act as carbon sinks and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study published in Climate of the Past indicates that CO2 levels and temperature rises follow each other closely in terms of time. The research, conducted at the University of Copenhagen, suggests that the processes in the deep-sea around Antarctica play a key role in the CO2 increase.
NASA successfully tested a hypersonic inflatable heat shield, surviving re-entry at 7,600 mph. The Inflatable Reentry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE-3) demonstrated the technology's potential for planetary entry and descent or cargo return from the International Space Station.
New lipid screening guidelines for children are overly aggressive, according to UCSF researchers. The recommendations fail to weigh health benefits against costs and have the potential to label millions of healthy children with so-called dyslipidemia.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that strobe eyewear training enhances visual short-term memory by disrupting vision and forcing participants to adjust their processing. The effects of improved visual memory retention were observed even after removing the eyewear, lasting up to 24 hours.
Researchers have discovered a powerful class of antioxidants that can block the development of Parkinson's disease by bolstering the natural antioxidant Nrf2. The synthetic triterpenoids increased Nrf2 activity, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in brain cells, which are characteristic of Parkinson's.
Researchers found that vivid memory and real perceptual experience share striking similarities at the neural level, but not in every detail. The study used fMRI to analyze brain activity while participants watched video clips and then recalled them, finding a 91% match in sensory and motor areas of the cerebral cortex.
Researchers demonstrate a minimally-invasive method to deliver drugs and particles to the eye's suprachoroidal space, targeting diseases like macular degeneration. The technique has the potential to reduce side effects and improve treatment outcomes for chronic eye diseases.
A study found that YouTube videos showing the Epley maneuver, a simple treatment for BPPV, are highly accurate and widely used by healthcare providers and people with vertigo. The videos have also helped to educate patients about how to treat this disorder.
A recent study found that premature babies born in high-tech, high-volume hospitals have a higher chance of survival compared to those born in non-specialized facilities. The research, analyzing over 1.3 million births, revealed a 300% improvement in survival rates for preterm infants.
A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology suggests that aspirin use may protect against Barrett's esophagus (BE), the largest known risk factor for esophageal cancer. High-dose aspirin was significantly associated with decreased BE risk, but caution is advised due to potential cardiovascular benefits.
A new study suggests that raisins can provide the same workout boost as sports chews, promoting higher carbohydrate oxidation and faster running times. Raisins offer an added benefit of providing fiber and micronutrients like potassium and iron.
Researchers found a significant association between total hip and knee replacement surgeries and an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the first two weeks after surgery. The risk remained elevated for six weeks, with the strongest association in patients over 80 years old.
A new study suggests that loss of microRNA-122 leads to liver cancer and that restoring this molecule may slow tumor growth. The researchers developed a model where mice lack miR-122 and develop liver cancer, which can be treated by restoring the molecule.
Scientists have discovered a potential cause of Earth's 'icehouse climate' cooling trend, linking it to changes in seawater sulfate content. The study proposes that times of high sulfate concentrations correlate with global cooling, while low concentrations correspond to greenhouse periods.
A 3-week research expedition, GLAD experiment, will map surface currents that transport pollutants. The study aims to improve oil spill and at-sea emergency response by investigating pollutant transport and deposition along the Gulf of Mexico.
Washington University's engineers will work on low-cost solar cells and systems, while Indian partners deploy the technology. The initiative aims to leapfrog energy production technology, moving directly to solar in under-electrified areas of India.
A recent survey conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, found 48 distinct bird species within a 84-acre area, surpassing previous records from 1913 and 1938. The study suggests that urban green spaces can serve as islands of diversity, supporting a wide range of bird species.
A community health campaign in Uganda tested 4,343 people for HIV and offered testing, treatment, and prevention services for malaria, tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension. The campaign demonstrated the feasibility of rapid testing and linkage to care in resource-poor settings.
Researchers found that pyrite, also known as fools' gold, plays a significant role in regulating atmospheric oxygen levels. The formation and burial of pyrite has been more important than previously thought, accounting for over 80% of sulfur removed from the ocean.
A new study analyzing public basking shark sightings suggests an increase in the number of animals recorded in British waters since the 1980s. The researchers found a rise in medium and large-sized sharks, indicating an aging population, and identified three hotspots off South West England, Western Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
Global food output has doubled in the past half-century, yet hunger and malnutrition continue to plague the world's poorest populations. The researchers propose an ambitious plan to remake the way food is grown, processed, distributed, sold, and consumed, focusing on innovations that take into account farmers' needs, nutrition-related ...
Researchers track changing aridity patterns across the Northern Hemisphere using fossil mammal data, while also studying a change in volcanic behavior at Pisciarelli, Italy. In the Atacama Desert, they discover new barrier islands and explore periglacial weathering mechanisms.
Researchers found that two closely related sea star species diverged around 6,000-22,000 years ago, ruling out slow genetic changes over time. The boundary between cold and warm water in the Coral Sea may have isolated a small population of ancestral sea stars.
A recent HPTN study found significantly higher rates of new HIV infections among young black gay and bisexual men in the US compared to white MSM. The study's findings highlight the need for urgent action to stem the spread of HIV among this population.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers shows that extracting carbon dioxide directly from the air using newly-developed adsorbent materials is economically feasible. The technique could be used to supplement capture of CO2 from power plant flue gases, with estimated costs of $100 per ton. The method has the potential to...
Research published in the journal Gut suggests that increasing dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins C, E, and selenium could cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The study found a significant association between high antioxidant intake and reduced pancreatic cancer risk, with potential prevention of over one in 12 cases.
Chris Hacon, a distinguished University of Utah math professor, has been selected as a Simons Foundation Investigator, receiving up to $1.32 million over five years. He will support graduate students and visiting experts in algebraic geometry.
A study examining diagnostic tests in adolescents with hypertension found that echocardiograms and renal ultrasonography were underused, while electrocardiograms were overused. The findings highlight the need for better adherence to pediatric guidelines and further research on treatment effectiveness.
Researchers use GPS-enabled backpacks to study flocking sheep and a herding dog, confirming the selfish herd theory by tracking individual animal movements. The findings show that under threat, sheep move towards the center of the flock while the rest moves away from the danger.
A new study reveals disturbingly high HIV infection rates among young black gay and bisexual men in the US, with a 2.8% annual rate of new infections nearly 50% higher than among white MSM. The study also found that poverty and untreated sexually transmitted infections were associated with HIV infection in this population.
A Finnish research team has uncovered the protein structure that regulates cell signalling and blood cell formation, shedding light on haematological disorders. The study provides new opportunities for disease-specific treatment and may lead to targeted therapeutics for common myeloproliferative diseases.
A new study finds that mice have a unique neural circuitry for processing instinctually important smells like those associated with predators. The TAAR-expressing neurons form an independent olfactory subsystem, distinct from the more common olfactory receptor neurons, which detect a broader range of smells.
Researchers have discovered a promising compound that inhibits clotting in the bloodstream without triggering excessive bleeding. PAMAM G-3, an experimental compound, prevents activation of the process leading to blood clot formation while maintaining normal blood clotting factors.
The USPTO has implemented the America Invents Act, a significant reform of US patent law, allowing for public input and feedback throughout the rulemaking process. The act introduces a new framework for patents, with a focus on balance and collaboration between the agency and various stakeholders.
Scientists at Monash University have deciphered the atomic structure of PlyC, a powerful anti-bacterial lysin that kills bacteria causing infections from sore throats to pneumonia. PlyC's unique 'saucer' shape and eight docking sites make it 100 times more efficient than other lysins at killing certain bacteria.
Researchers found that neural precursor cells protect the young brain against high-grade gliomas, especially glioblastoma, by inducing stress-induced cell-death in tumor cells. The cells release substances that activate TRPV1 ion channels in the tumor cells, leading to their death.
A neuroeconomic review investigates how anxiety disorders impact everyday decision-making processes. The study highlights the overlap between neural systems underlying anxiety and decision-making, suggesting that fear and anxiety can alter choice patterns. Anxious individuals exhibit specific biases in decision making, which may be med...
A novel approach to discover the first new tuberculosis (TB) combination drug regimen has cleared a major hurdle with a Phase II clinical trial finding it could kill more than 99 percent of patients' TB bacteria within two weeks. The results add to a growing body of evidence that this regimen could reduce treatment by more than a year ...
Recent eruptions demonstrate the vulnerability to ash dispersal, which can disrupt aviation and cause billions of dollars in economic loss. Scientists now understand that particle size is determined by post-eruption collisions, not just initial fragmentation.
Researchers found that miR-122 modulates fat and cholesterol metabolism and has a tumor suppressive function in hepatocytes. A mouse model with MiR-122 loss of function also promoted breast tumor growth by differentially regulating ERα and ERβ.
University of Alberta researchers have identified a new class of compounds that can clear prions from infected cells. These compounds demonstrate promise in treating prion-induced brain disorders, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute developed the Cellarium, a live cell array technology that enables unprecedented insights into individual cell behavior. The system allows for dynamic measurements of live single cells, providing valuable clues to health and disease.
A study of over 9,600 children in Chile found that 80% had one or more abnormalities associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, with functional neurologic impairment being the most frequent. This highlights the importance of considering prenatal alcohol exposure as a potential risk factor for functional deficits in offspring.
A team of scientists has developed low-lactose functional milk enriched with American ginseng, which maintained beneficial levels after processing. The product was well accepted by a niche group of consumers, particularly those interested in the health benefits of ginseng.
A recent study by an international research group challenges the conventional wisdom that deforestation is solely caused by human activity. The research suggests that pre-human climatic changes may have led to the current open habitats of Daraina region in northern Madagascar, affecting the population of golden-crowned sifaka.