The American Association for Anatomy's Young Investigator Awards recognize investigators in early stages of their careers for contributions to biomedical science. This year's winners include Tamara Franz-Odendaal, Thomas Jhou, Joanna Wysocka, and Thomas Maresca, who will present lectures at the AAA Annual Meeting/EB 2013.
A new study found that up to 40-50% of older adults with eye disease limit their activities due to a fear of falling. This fear leads to social isolation and disability in seniors, emphasizing the need for interventions to help them feel more confident about their abilities.
Researchers have discovered a new therapy combination that targets the PI3K and JAK2/STAT5 pathways to combat aggressive metastatic breast cancer. In mouse studies, this approach led to slower tumor growth, reduced spread, and improved survival rates.
A Wayne State University researcher has found that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of externalizing problems in young children. Adoptive parents' antisocial behavior is a significant predictor of growth in these problems, especially when combined with birth mother characteristics.
Boston College researcher Marc-Jan Gubbels is working on new drugs to prevent toxoplasmosis in cancer patients with weakened immune systems. The goal is to trap the parasite within cells and prevent it from attacking, which could lead to the development of more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Researchers have successfully transplanted stem cells from monkeys into testicular tissue, allowing sperm production to resume and restoring fertility. This breakthrough could provide a new option for male cancer patients who are rendered infertile by chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
The University of Illinois has received a five-year, $25-million grant to boost the efficiency of key food crops like rice and cassava through improved photosynthesis. This project aims to increase crop productivity while reducing water and nitrogen usage, addressing the challenge of global food security.
Researchers create compact, affordable terahertz scanning technology using CMOS technology, enabling applications in homeland security, wireless communications, healthcare, and touchless gaming. The new chips generate powerful signals that can penetrate various materials without ionizing damage.
Researchers found that commercial ultrasonic frequency devices did not deter or attract bed bugs, suggesting alternative methods may be more effective. The study's results highlight the importance of understanding bed bug bioacoustics and exploring low-frequency sounds produced by human hosts.
Researchers have developed a new class of adhesive materials modeled on the unique properties of porcupine quills. These quills can easily penetrate tissue but are difficult to remove, and studying their mechanism could lead to less-painful needles and adhesives that bind internal tissues securely.
The researchers used ab initio lattice calculations to unravel the structure of the Hoyle state, finding a compact triangular configuration of alpha clusters for the ground state and a bent-arm formation for the excited state. This work opens interesting questions regarding shape and stability in nuclear physics.
Behavior-based prevention interventions can help reduce smoking initiation by 19% among young people. The American College of Physicians recommends these interventions to prevent tobacco-related illness in children and adolescents.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have identified a new way to attack Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes ulcers and stomach cancer. By pinpointing the Achilles' heel of this tough bacteria, scientists hope to develop specific and effective treatments.
Typhoon Bopha dissipated in the South China Sea due to increased wind shear, weakening its strong thunderstorms and reducing its impact on the Philippines. The NASA Aqua satellite provided critical infrared data showing a significant decline in the storm's area of strongest thunderstorms.
Researchers have genetically engineered algae to produce a complex and expensive human therapeutic drug used to treat cancer. The method could be used to make novel complex designer drugs that can't be produced in any other systems, potentially driving down prices dramatically.
Researchers performed brown fat transplants in mice to treat obesity, finding significant reductions in body weight and improvements in glucose metabolism. The transplanted brown fat secreted hormones that mediated metabolic effects throughout the body.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured clear images of Cyclone Claudia's eye, showing a 10 nautical mile wide storm surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The storm's eye was characterized by high cloud top temperatures and intense rainfall.
A new study published in Neurology found that people who went hungry as children had slower cognitive decline than those who always had enough food to eat. The study involved over 6,000 participants and found a significant association between childhood hunger and reduced cognitive decline.
Three independent studies demonstrate that hyperactivation of MAPK signaling pathways underlies NF1-associated disorders. Researchers found that inhibiting MEK and ERK can block the development of JMML, reduce the growth of peripheral nerve tumors, and ameliorate myeloproliferative disorders in NF1 mutant mice.
A study of 16,882 adolescents and young adults found binge eating associated with incident overweight/obesity, worsening depressive symptoms, and onset of marijuana and other drug use. Overeating without loss of control was linked to marijuana use but not frequent binge drinking.
Abnormalities in DNA repair mechanisms are a hallmark of cancer cells, leading to increased errors and genetic mutations. The UNM Cancer Center researcher is investigating the role of enzymes that repair DNA damage, aiming to identify new targets for cancer therapy.
A recent in vitro study discovered that formulas are toxic to cells due to free fatty acids, while breast milk protects against cell death. The researchers found that digestion of formula leads to cellular death in under 5 minutes, whereas breast milk does not.
A clinical trial at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that intensified chemotherapy significantly reduces relapse odds for young patients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The treatment regimen improved event-free survival rates to 76% five years after complete remission.
Research found that healthcare providers often advise overweight and obese women to gain less weight than recommended, leading to potential health risks. Women also received limited exercise guidance, with most advised to limit or stop exercising altogether.
A study found that antibodies attached to bacteria via their Fc regions in saliva, while in blood they bound primarily via their Fab regions. This difference in orientation was linked to the local antibody concentration, with low levels favoring Fc-mediated binding and high levels favoring Fab-mediated binding.
Patients who viewed a simulated CPR procedure were less likely to choose CPR, while those watching the video found it helpful. The study suggests that educational videos can supplement patient-doctor relationships and provide patients with more knowledge to make informed decisions about end-of-life care.
A new study published in CMAJ found that depressed elderly men have a twofold risk of hospital admission and experience longer hospital stays. The study, which analyzed data from 5411 men aged 69 years and older, suggests that depression exacerbates chronic diseases and impairs communication with healthcare providers.
The Rochester Epidemiology Project is a comprehensive medical records pool making Olmsted County, Minn., one of the few places to study virtually an entire geographic population. The project has supported over 2,000 studies, including findings on dementia, ADHD, and skin cancer.
Scientists found that oxygen levels were extremely low on Earth 2.7 billion years ago, but also discovered microbes actively feeding on sulfate in the ocean during this period. The study provides new insight into ancient metal-ore deposits and their role in understanding early life evolution.
Pomalidomide, a new immunomodulatory drug, demonstrates significant increases in progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with relapsed and treatment-resistant multiple myeloma. The study found improved outcomes in both younger and older patients, offering a promising new option to extend survival.
Davide Gaiotto has won a $100,000 New Horizons in Physics Prize for emerging work as a young researcher, while Stephen Hawking received a $3 million Fundamental Physics Prize for his path-breaking discoveries about black holes. Perimeter Institute congratulates its researchers on these major international awards.
People who experienced hunger as children had slower cognitive decline than those who never went hungry, with African American participants showing a significant protective effect. The study suggests calorie restriction or selective survival effects may be responsible for this finding.
Research identifies key challenges in providing adequate care to adult SCD patients, including increased reliance on emergency departments and hospitalizations. The studies suggest that targeted interventions can reduce unnecessary medical utilization and promote long-term disease management, ultimately improving health outcomes for th...
A study from researchers at UC Berkeley suggests that reframing pro-environmental rhetoric according to values resonating with conservatives can reduce partisan polarization. The findings indicate that such approaches can increase motivation among conservatives to support environmental causes.
Researchers at MIT develop the smallest indium gallium arsenide transistor, promising to replace silicon in computing devices. The tiny transistor performs well despite being just 22 nanometers in length.
Scientists create medical needles that easily penetrate surfaces and resist buckling, as well as next-generation medical adhesives. The discovery is based on the unique geometry of porcupine quills, which enable them to penetrate tissue with ease while maintaining high adhesion.
The study found that tobacco smuggling in Europe is lower than expected, with availability being the primary driver. Illicit tobacco was more common in countries bordering Ukraine and Russia, as well as those with lower prices for Marlboro packs.
Research by John Winters found that every 10% rise in four-year college degree attainment boosted women's employment rates with high school diplomas or less by 3.2%. Mid-sized college towns and cities benefited the most from higher education, while larger cities with high college-degree proportions also saw improved employment outcomes.
Kerosene wick lamps release 20 times more black carbon than previously thought, a hazard for human health and the environment. Replacing kerosene lamps with inexpensive LED alternatives can curb black carbon emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation.
A new poll reveals strong support for required hearing screening across all age groups, with 82% of parents backing it for 6- to 7-year-olds and 77% for 2- to 3-year-olds. Hearing loss from prolonged sound exposure is a concern, particularly among tweens and teens.
A new imaging-guided targeted biopsy method using MRI and ultrasound fusion has been shown to detect prostate cancer more accurately than traditional blind biopsies. The technique led to a high rate of cancer detection and identification of aggressive tumors, improving patient outcomes.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that the odds of visual field testing for glaucoma decreased significantly for Hispanic men and women in a large U.S. managed care network between 2001 and 2009, with decreases of 63% and 57%, respectively.
Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a toxic cellular process by which a protein deficiency leads to dementia. The study found that elevated levels of defective sortilin mRNA disrupts mRNA splicing, resulting in the generation of a defective protein that deprives neurons of progranulin's protective effects.
A careful approach to planning based on craniofacial surgery principles can help maximize patient outcomes in terms of facial form and function. Understanding the relationships between facial structure allows surgeons to compensate for missing bony or soft tissue landmarks, ensuring optimal positioning of the facial transplant.
Researchers used big data statistical tools to trace directionality in gene migration, finding a westward migration of genes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. This method can also be applied to estimate information flow in complex networks.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that a medication called naltrexone can help women who quit smoking keep their weight off. The drug reduced weight gain in women by more than half, compared to those who took a placebo, and improved their overall success rate.
A Wake Forest Baptist study found that gaining weight back after intentional weight loss in postmenopausal women is associated with negative long-term effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Maintaining weight loss offers the most health benefit, but even partial weight regain increases cardiovascular risk.
A study found that frequent internet use reduces cancer fatalism, especially among those with low education and health knowledge. The research suggests internet access can be a crucial channel for health communication in addressing cancer disparities.
A study reveals that just 28.8% of young people in Spain read newspapers on a daily basis, while 77.4% rely on social networks for news. The results indicate a significant shift in news consumption habits among this age group, with social media playing a leading role.
A new study has provided detailed knowledge of the resin secretory system in Boswellia trees, revealing a 3-D network of inter-connected canals that allow for efficient transport of resin. This discovery could lead to improved tapping techniques, reducing damage to trees and ensuring their long-term survival.
Mountaintop mining has significant environmental and social impacts, but a new public ecology approach aims to balance economic needs with ecological protection. The approach involves broad participation, transparency, and compromise among stakeholders, including miners, environmental groups, and government agencies.
Research suggests that making prescription refills more affordable and easier to get can reduce disparities among hypertension patients. Lower copayments and the use of mail-order pharmacy increased refills of blood pressure medicine and were associated with reduced disparities in medication adherence.
A survey of American researchers at the ASH annual meeting found that 63% relied on NIH funding for their studies. This reliance is seen across both U.S. and international respondents, with 75% expressing extreme concern about potential budget cuts.
A prospectus published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A outlines key issues and research directions for UK marine science over the next two decades. The publication provides a vision for each field, addressing scientific challenges and technological advances necessary to meet them.
A preclinical study using a molecularly targeted treatment has successfully shrunk large majority of neurofibromas in mice with Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). The treatment, PD0325901, blocked MEK protein signaling, reducing tumor growth and feeding blood vessels.
A system using ultrasound to measure piston movement could improve engine efficiency by adjusting lubrication levels. The technique allows for accurate testing of the seal between piston rings and cylinder walls.
Researchers found that individuals with better decision-making skills have lower cortisol levels in saliva during stressful situations. The study used virtual reality technology to induce stress in healthy women and measured cortisol levels in saliva.
The report highlights increased representation of women, minorities, and foreign nationals among US doctorate recipients. Employment opportunities after graduation are also a focus, with the expansion of the postdoctoral pool noted as a trend.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that oxytocin administration to fathers increased their parental engagement, with parallel effects observed in their infants. Oxytocin levels were also found to increase in both parents and children, leading to improved social behavior and bonding.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that carbon nanotubes can accelerate the growth of neuronal cells and lower nerve-damaging chloride levels. This finding has potential applications in developing new neural engineering devices using carbon nanotubes to treat neural injuries.