Researchers have identified prairie cordgrass as a promising alternative to switchgrass for biomass production due to its high yield potential and environmental sustainability. The grass has been found to be well-suited for marginal land, particularly in wet environments, making it an attractive option for conservation efforts.
Researchers found that former drug traffickers often want to quit due to safety reasons, family ties, and personal growth, but struggle to relinquish power and status. The study suggests policies addressing socioeconomic conditions, cultural values, and the demand for illicit drugs are needed to help traffickers leave the trade
The Endocrine Society proposes a streamlined definition for EDCs and offers recommendations to strengthen current screening programs. The new statement outlines key issues related to identifying EDCs and protecting against adverse effects.
A recent study found that gout and hyperuricemia affect 8.3 million and 43.3 million Americans, respectively, with high rates of related medical disorders like hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and obesity.
Children with higher phthalate levels have nearly five times the odds of being obese compared to those with lower levels, according to a new study. The research found that elevated DEHP levels correlated with body mass index and percentage of fat mass, increasing obesity risk independently of physical activity and daily calorie intake.
TRMM satellite data shows Debby's heaviest rains were falling at a rate of over 2 inches per hour, with numerous reports of 6-10 inches of rain already reported. The storm is expected to bring very heavy rains to northern and central Florida.
A new study finds that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who also have obstructive sleep apnea are at greater risk of metabolic disturbances, including prediabetes. The study's results indicate a strong relationship between sleep apnea severity and diabetes risk in PCOS patients.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have made progress in deciphering the neural processes behind human thought. Using brain recordings, they identified unique patterns that reflect how people associate words in their memories. These patterns, known as 'neural fingerprints', can potentially be used to read out individual's memory or...
Researchers at the University of Houston will pursue projects related to prostate cancer, diabetes, and obesity with funding from the NIH and DOD. The center's eight active NIH grants account for more than $18 million in research funding.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered that nanodiamonds can help remove crystallized fat from surfaces in eco-friendly low-temperature laundry cycles. This breakthrough could lead to significant energy savings and reduced wear on washing machines, as it allows for higher temperatures to be used more frequently.
A large study found a direct association between the presence of a small genetic alteration in a hormone receptor and increased body fat and insulin resistance. The BclI polymorphism, which makes the glucocorticoid receptor more sensitive to glucocorticoids, was linked to greater effects with similar hormone levels.
Exposure to environmental chemicals like PCBs in the womb causes long-term changes to the developing brain, leading to delayed puberty and disrupted reproductive cycles. The study identified five genes critical to normal hypothalamic control of reproduction, providing a potential target for interventions.
A study by Columbia University found that prenatal exposure to butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) in nearly 100 percent of mothers studied increases the risk of childhood eczema. The condition is characterized by dry, itchy red skin and affects early childhood.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a system that accurately predicts wave power, enabling devices to extract twice as much energy as currently possible. This breakthrough addresses key challenges in marine energy technology, including device durability and efficiency.
Tropical depression Doksuri was born in the western North Pacific Ocean on June 26, 2012. The NASA Terra satellite captured an infrared image revealing higher thunderstorms around the center of the cyclone.
Shimi, a musical robot companion developed by Georgia Tech's Center for Music Technology, uses listener feedback to recommend songs and dances in sync with the beat. The smartphone-enabled robot has various interactive capabilities, including face detection and rhythm analysis.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center tested a 2-drug combination of sirolimus and tacrolimus to prevent acute grades of graft vs. host disease after blood cell transplantation, finding it more effective than another combination in preventing grades II-IV acute GVHD and moderate-severe chronic GVHD.
Researchers from CCNY and UC Berkeley have created rewritable computer chips using a beam of light. The technique, published in Nature Communications, uses laser light to control the spin of an atom's nucleus for encoding information.
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center found that tPA is safe to use in acute stroke patients on warfarin, contradicting previous concerns about high intracranial bleeding risk. The study included over 23,000 patients and found similar intracranial hemorrhage risks for those on warfarin and non-warfarin users.
A study by Rhode Island Hospital researcher Suzanne de la Monte found a significant link between brain insulin resistance and neuronal stress in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that reducing toxin production in the brain and restoring insulin responsiveness may help slow cognitive decline.
UC Irvine will lead a new $12.5 million research center applying social science to digital information design and analysis, alongside four other universities. The center aims to bridge the gap between technical and social disciplines, with annual themes focusing on restoring materiality to information.
Astronomers found a rare gravitational arc behind an extremely massive galaxy cluster 10 billion light-years away, defying statistical expectations. The arc is the result of powerful gravity distorting light from a more distant galaxy, offering insight into the early universe's conditions for massive cluster growth.
Hospitals in Canada can save millions by prescribing the cheapest version of medications for patients, according to a new study. The study found that substituting the least expensive version of proton pump inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers could save taxpayers $1.6 million, $162,000, and $14,000 respectively.
Researchers at UCLA found that glucose starvation activates a metabolic and signaling amplification loop that leads to cancer cell death. The discovery reveals the power of systems biology in uncovering relationships between metabolism and signaling.
A stepped-care approach to weight loss resulted in clinically meaningful weight loss with lower costs compared to a standard behavioral weight loss intervention. The study found that the stepped-care intervention was more cost-effective, with a mean cost per participant of $358 compared to $494 for traditional programs.
Multinational companies like Nestle and PepsiCo have significant penetration in low- and middle-income countries, leading to rapid increase in unhealthy food consumption. The study highlights the role of global producers in manufacturing and marketing unhealthy commodities, which contribute to non-communicable diseases.
A new study suggests that moderate coffee consumption may offer protection against heart failure, with a reduced risk of 11% observed among moderate drinkers. The research found that four to five cups of coffee per day provides the strongest protection, while excessive consumption may pose potential harm.
The University of Leicester will receive £340,000 in funding to support its asthma and allergy research. The Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association has funded the study, which aims to better understand fungal allergies and develop new treatments.
The No-Mix Vacuum Toilet system uses vacuum suction technology to separate liquid and solid wastes, reducing flushing water needs by up to 90%. The system can also produce bio-gas for energy generation and fertilizers for agricultural use.
University of Georgia scientists discovered a new flu-fighting role for the immune component IL-15, which reduces peak viral load by nearly three times in mice infected with influenza. The study found that administering IL-15 enhances natural killer cell movement and attracts CD8 T cells to the lung airways.
A new study suggests long-term calcium and vitamin D supplement use is linked to high urinary levels of calcium, potentially increasing the risk of kidney stones. The researchers found that approximately 33% of participants developed hypercalciuria, which was unrelated to vitamin D dosage.
A landmark randomized clinical trial is testing whether earlier treatment can prevent or delay heart damage in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study uses enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to detect early changes in heart function and evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-fibrosis drug regimen.
A new ecosystem model reveals how women are being driven out of academia due to institutional barriers, including the lack of part-time work opportunities and biased research metrics. Women who take career breaks or go part-time may struggle to remain competitive with full-time peers.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that tailored school nutrition programs led to a 30% decrease in unhealthy foods and a 26% increase in healthy food options. The Healthy ONES model emphasizes stakeholder engagement and community-driven process interventions to address childhood obesity.
The project aims to improve professional translators and mediators in navigating cultural differences and minimizing misunderstandings. Experts investigate the impact of language, body language, and cultural variables on mediation processes.
Fires raged in southwestern and northeastern Colorado, with the High Park Fire consuming 83,205 acres, the second-largest fire in Colorado history. The Weber Fire burned approximately 8,300 acres, while the Little Sand Fire had been burning for weeks, threatening nearly 200 people.
The Helmholtz Alliance LIMTECH aims to increase the energy and resource efficiency of liquid metal technologies. Liquid metals are used in various industrial branches due to their high thermal conductivity and ability to store large quantities of energy.
A new mouse model reveals that abnormal heart cell development during embryogenesis may be responsible for congenital heart disease. The study suggests that genetic mutations, such as the GATA4 mutation, can lead to underdevelopment of heart walls and septal defects.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin can protect the injured spinal cord and minimize clinical and biochemical effects of myelopathy in rats. The combination reduces inflammation, provides structural material to plasma membranes, and produces strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that higher neighborhood density improves single-family home values. The study also discovered a positive association between proximity to retail and multifamily rental property values, highlighting the economic value of walkable neighborhoods.
Preventive mammography rates in women aged 40-49 have dropped nearly 6 percent nationwide since the USPSTF recommended against routine mammograms. The decline is consistent with public resistance to the guidelines change and a modest effect seen in the first year after publication.
A new invasive imaging technique monitors brain function in patients with diseases such as epilepsy, providing real-time analysis at a higher resolution than current technologies. The procedure uses pre-placed electrodes to image the brain, offering unprecedented insight into its function.
Researchers identified a mechanism related to RNAi that scans for intruders by comparing foreign sequences to a memory of previously expressed native RNA, creating an 'epigenetic memory' that silences the gene. This memory can be passed on from one generation to the next.
A computer-software program, LOGIC-Insulin, effectively controlled blood-sugar levels in critically ill patients compared to nurse-directed care. The study showed improved blood-glucose control and reduced risk of hypoglycemia in the LOGIC-Insulin group.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a surprising finding about WNT signaling and its role in fat cell growth. They discovered that Sfrp5, a molecule previously thought to have an opposing effect, actually stimulates fat cells to grow larger and burn fat slower.
Mineral evolution has led to at least 90 different mercury-containing minerals on Earth, mostly formed during three periods of supercontinent assembly. The creation of these minerals is linked to hydrothermal activity associated with continents colliding and forming mountain ranges.
A small study exposed young, healthy volunteers to ozone for two hours, showing vascular inflammation and changes in autonomic nervous system control. The findings suggest a plausible explanation for the link between acute ozone exposure and death.
A recent study found that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill exacerbated existing environmental problems in Louisiana's salt marshes, causing erosion and permanent habitat loss. However, the study also suggests that healthy marsh plants can quickly regrow and recolonize affected areas, potentially mitigating the damage.
Michael Maroun, a UC Riverside graduate student, is attending the 62nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting to interact with 25 Nobel laureates in physics. He hopes to make mathematical physics more popular and give it international attention.
Conservationists hope that Cambodia's vultures can come back from the brink as a study reveals critical steps towards saving these scavengers. The creation of new feeding stations and restoration of wildlife populations represent next important steps in vulture conservation.
A study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that nonwhite Medicare patients with heart failure are less likely to enroll in hospice, but more likely to experience hospitalizations and increased costs when they do. Racial disparities persisted over time, highlighting the need for improved end-of-life care options.
A new EEG test distinguishes between children with autism and neurotypical controls by analyzing brain connectivity. The test reveals reduced short-range connectivity in the left hemisphere, particularly in language regions, but increased long-distance connectivity as a compensatory mechanism.
Researchers discovered a key brain receptor that regulates gastric emptying and food intake. Mice lacking this receptor showed accelerated obesity and faster food consumption.
A UCLA research team created the world's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators, which could lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient mobile communication devices. The new oscillators use electron spin instead of charge, offering significant advantages over current silicon-based oscillators.
A new fossil discovery solves the mystery of flatfish evolution, revealing a 50-million-year-old fossil fish named Heteronectes that shows an intermediate stage between most fish and specialized flatfish. The study provides evidence for the gradual evolution of flatfish anatomy.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital found distinguishing EEG features in children with autism as early as age 2. Researchers used computer algorithms to analyze EEG data and identified 33 coherence factors that consistently distinguished children with autism from controls.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center found a synergy between sun exposure and cutaneous HPV infection in developing non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. People with low melanin production, such as those with light skin, are more susceptible to these risks.
A new gene expression test can accurately classify thyroid nodules as low-risk, allowing for the avoidance of unnecessary surgeries and lifelong hormone replacement treatment. The test demonstrated a 92% correct identification rate and 85-95% negative predictive value, ruling out malignancy.
Research in Spain finds low correlation between immigrant population and crime, with education and language playing key roles. Young men from immigrant populations are more likely to commit crimes.
A meta-analysis of 43,191 participants found statin therapy reduced recurrent cardiovascular events in both men and women. However, the benefits were not significant for women in terms of all-cause mortality or stroke risk. The study highlights the need for more female participants in cardiovascular prevention trials.