Researchers will assess nine ecosystem services provided by grasslands before and after woody plant encroachment in Kansas and New Mexico. The study aims to understand the ecological, economic, and social consequences of this dramatic change.
Researchers used mathematical algorithms to determine that drivers should pay more attention during the shortest lifetime of spatio-temporal correlations of traffic intensity, found to be between 6pm and 8pm. This period experiences high 'stop and go' phenomena, requiring constant driver attention.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new immune alarm signal that triggers the human immune system before a virus attack. This knowledge may lead to more efficient vaccines and better treatment of recurrent infections, potentially reducing the risk of diseases like AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, and cold sores.
Scientists have discovered that zebrafish can only absorb cholesterol when fed a high-fat diet, and certain long-chain fatty acids enhance this process. The study sheds light on the complex biological mechanisms of cholesterol processing and its regulation by dietary fat.
Researchers demonstrate carbon nanotube-based integrated circuits that work under low supply voltages, producing less heat and extending Moore's Law. The results offer promise for increasing circuit density without overheating.
Notre Dame has established professorships in adult stem cell research thanks to a $5 million gift from the Gallagher family. The new positions aim to accelerate the discovery of treatments for degenerative diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, using non-embryonic stem cells.
A comprehensive review of 142 clinical trials found that strategies targeting patients and the healthcare system are effective in improving diabetes outcomes. Programs aimed at physicians were only successful for diabetics with poor health control, while patient-targeted interventions showed promise regardless of HbA1c levels.
A study published in PLoS One found that individuals with Williams syndrome exhibit abnormal hormonal responses to emotional triggers, particularly increased levels of oxytocin and arginine vasopressin. This may help understand human social behavior and inform treatment for related disorders.
A study by European Society of Human Genetics researchers identifies a crucial factor, CD36 fatty acid transporter protein, in suppressing response to VPA treatment. Monitoring blood for CD36 levels can help doctors determine response to treatment before starting therapy.
The University of Louisville Hospital has implemented new guidelines to guide perinatal nurses in caring for women at risk of postpartum depression (PPD). The guidelines, developed by a team led by M. Cynthia Logsdon, aim to improve PPD assessment, education, and referral policies.
A recent study by George Washington University School of Nursing found that three ACA provisions have inadequate addressed the needs of elderly Americans receiving long-term services and supports. The research highlights the potential for unintended consequences, including poor outcomes, if these provisions are not retooled.
Research suggests women require higher power reading glasses than men of equivalent age due to preferred reading distances or arm length. The study found no significant gender-related difference in the eye's focusing ability.
A team of scientists from Washington University in St. Louis has identified the eastern gray squirrel as a major animal reservoir for tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichioses and STARI. The study uses a new assay to detect species-level tick blood meals, confirming the presence of gray squirrel DNA in infected ticks.
A previously unappreciated open star cluster, Ruprecht 147, has been found to be an important tool in understanding stellar astrophysics and the search for Earth-like planets. The cluster is close to Earth and contains stars similar in mass and age to the Sun, making it a valuable laboratory for studying bright stars.
A new study published in the FASEB Journal reveals that smoking before conception can damage genetic information in sperm cells, potentially harming offspring with increased risk of cancer and other diseases. The research highlights the importance of quitting smoking for men trying to conceive.
Multiple large fires are burning across western US states, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing images of smoke and hot spots. The High Park Fire in Colorado has burned over 68,200 acres, while the Poco Fire in Arizona has burned over 11,950 acres.
Researchers are enrolling patients to detect lung cancer through volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. Early detection can significantly improve treatment options and survival rates.
A new study found that STEM degrees are associated with significantly higher earnings for minority college students. Latinos reported the highest average earnings after college, with an average annual salary of $42,180. STEM majors also led to higher job salaries, with a 50% premium compared to non-STEM fields.
Researchers have identified several South African daffodil plant compounds that can potentially bypass the blood-brain barrier, a key challenge in developing new antidepressant drugs. The study's findings, published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, offer hope for the development of novel treatments for depression.
A study by Temple University found that parents' work-life stress hinders healthy eating in families, particularly among urban fathers who face higher rates of unemployment. Fathers and mothers experience different challenges in preparing meals, with mothers spending more time on food preparation but reporting fewer family meals.
Theoretical calculations predict a significant difference in the bandgap between ordered and fully disordered ZnSnP2 materials. Experimental measurements support these predictions, suggesting a graded solar cell system that absorbs light across a wide spectrum.
A multidisciplinary team at MIT developed a new mathematical approach to simulate noncrystalline materials, which could lead to more efficient solar cells and organic LED lights. The method uses free probability applied to random matrices, achieving accurate predictions with great precision.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues have tested deferasirox as a treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood-related malignancy that affects the ineffective production of blood cells. Deferasirox reduced iron levels by 23% in 53% of patients, showing promising results for this type of cancer.
Recent research reveals that the spiral pattern of leaf formation affects the symmetry of tomato and Arabidopsis leaves. The study found measurable anatomical differences between the left and right sides of both young and mature leaves, identifying a previously overlooked axis of asymmetry.
The study reveals that Stonehenge was built as a monument to unify the peoples of Britain after a long period of conflict between eastern and western regions. The monument's alignment suggests it was more significant during winter solstice than summer solstice, with evidence pointing to a unified cultural shift around 3,000 BC.
Researchers have designed a new device that converts sea wave motion into electrical energy with high power density and robustness. The proposed electric linear planar switched reluctance generator addresses the challenges of low speed and irregular movements in ocean waves.
NASA's Aqua satellite data revealed that sea surface temperatures of 290 Kelvin (62°F) in the area where Chris is located were not sufficient to maintain its strength. As a result, Chris weakened and became a post-tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph.
Tropical cyclone System 96L is intensifying off the Yucatan Peninsula, with a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression by weekend. NASA predicts heavy rains and localized flooding along US Gulf Coast.
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the enzyme YfcM as a key player in bacterial pathogenicity modification. The discovery of YfcM, which displays hydroxylase activity and lacks sequence similarity to known proteins, has significant implications for the development of new antibiotics.
Researchers found that snacking on raisins significantly lowers postprandial glucose levels compared to common alternative snacks. The study, conducted among 46 participants, showed a 16% decrease in mean post-meal glucose levels with raisin consumption.
A new study published in Molecular Ecology found that most southern right whales born near New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands were fathered by local males, indicating strong local fidelity to breeding habitat. This finding suggests that the New Zealand population is relatively isolated from other populations, which could have implicat...
Researchers developed a gluten-free pasta product from green banana flour, which tasters found more acceptable than regular whole wheat pasta. The product has less fat and is cheaper to produce, making it a potential option for patients with celiac disease.
The University of Houston has been selected as one of 10 universities nationwide to participate in the GENI project, which aims to shape the future of internet networking. The university will enable research innovations that will facilitate advanced research on network protocols and have a substantial impact on its competitiveness.
A 9-year study by UCSF researchers found that preventing or better managing diabetes can help prevent cognitive decline. The study linked the severity of diabetes to increased risk of cognitive decline and showed that patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels suffered faster declines.
A new study of lake sediment cores from Sanak Island in the western Gulf of Alaska suggests that deglaciation occurred 1,500-2,000 years earlier than previously thought. This finding opens the door for re-evaluating coastal migration models for the Americas.
Researchers found striking similarities between Ethiopian and non-African genomes, suggesting a 3,000-year-old genetic exchange. This discovery supports the legend of the Queen of Sheba and her companions, providing insights into human evolution and cultural diversity.
Grammy-winning Maná leads a project proposing direct payment schemes for landowners in Mexico's La Primavera Forest, promoting conservation and biodiversity. The model aims to compensate citizens who benefit from the reserve's ecological services while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at UCLA have combined gene expression and peripheral blood analysis to identify potential precursors of autism. The study found strong links between genetic variations in specific regions of the genome and altered expression patterns in genes related to nervous-system function.
A new study emphasizes the importance of including parents in newborn screening programs for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), a group of rare metabolic disorders. The researchers argue that without parental consent, the 'all-or-nothing' constraint leads to inadequate informed decision-making.
Researchers have successfully trapped and controlled light within a graphene lattice, allowing for the development of computers with optical switches. This breakthrough demonstrates the high potential of graphene in nanoelectronics.
Magnetic toys with small, detachable parts pose a significant risk to young children's health. When multiple magnets are ingested, they can trap internal soft tissues and cause fistulas, leading to serious illness if left untreated. Parents are advised to be vigilant when giving their children such toys.
Weill Cornell researchers devise innovative boxer-like strategy to deliver one-two punch to multiple myeloma by weakening defenses and then killing cancer cells. The approach, using two anti-cancer drugs, shows potential for treating other tumor types.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have identified a new class of anti-inflammatory compounds that inhibit the Nox2 enzyme, which produces reactive oxygen species. This approach may be more effective than traditional antioxidants in treating conditions like stroke, heart failure, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Autism Speaks releases three new tool kits to help parents manage challenging behaviors, improve communication and social skills. The kits provide guidance on applied behavior analysis, professional behavioral treatments and toilet training strategies.
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery task force recommends expanded lung cancer screening guidelines using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk individuals. The new guidelines increase the recommended age range to 79 and expand eligibility to smokers and former smokers with specific risk factors.
A recent study published in the Journal of Political Economy found that human capital endowments passed from father to son play a crucial role in determining a son's success. The researchers used detailed government data on Swedish fathers and sons to isolate differences in income due to factors other than human capital.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that fructose significantly improved blood sugar control in participants with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, comparable to oral antidiabetic drugs. The study also showed no negative effects on body weight, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels.
A Kansas State University researcher analyzed police data to find that black and Hispanic women are just as likely as white men to be ticketed or searched during a traffic stop. Black and Hispanic men were more likely to receive tickets or be searched, with significant disparities in outcomes.
This year's predicted dead zone size features a wide range of 1,197 to 6,213 square miles due to differences between two forecast models. The actual size will be released after monitoring surveys led by Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.
The Aging Brain Care model, developed by Indiana University researchers, aims to deliver better health care to older adults through interdisciplinary care teams and personalized treatment plans. The expanded program is expected to reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries.
The newly discovered two-planet system of Kepler-36 features a rocky planet Kepler-36b and a gas giant Kepler-36c that experience close encounters every 97 days. Researchers are struggling to understand how these worlds ended up in such tight orbits, but the discovery has significant implications for the search for exoplanets.
Researchers at University of Calgary developed a biometric security system that combines different measurements like eye colour and fingerprints to create a learning system simulating the brain. The algorithm can learn new patterns and adapt to changing conditions, improving accuracy and recognition process.
The study of Lake El'gygytgyn sediment cores reveals extreme warm periods in the Arctic correspond with ice-free and warm times in Antarctica, linking the two hemispheres. The findings suggest additional climate feedbacks are at work and challenge current climate models.
A team of researchers discovered that human alpha-defensin 6 (HD6) forms 'nanonets' around microbial surfaces to disable microbes, providing clues to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease. The study provides new insights into the body's innate defense system and its role in intestinal health.
Researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine review the impact of MG53 protein therapy as a treatment option for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study found that MG53 facilitates rapid membrane repair to prevent damage to normal muscle, suggesting potential synergy with other therapies.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a new signal transduction pathway in alternative RNA splicing, which could lead to novel cancer drugs. The SRPK kinase plays a central role in regulating VEGF and controlling tumor growth.
The Fogarty African Bioethics Training Program has been awarded a five-year continuation grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue training researchers and enhancing research ethics capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. The program has already trained numerous alumni who have become recognized international experts in bioethics.
A contingency management program significantly improves smoking reduction and abstinence in drug-dependent pregnant women. The study found that nearly half of the participants met a 75% reduction target and a third achieved total abstinence.
Research reveals that environmental estrogens, such as BPA and genistein, activate estrogen receptors in the heart valves of zebrafish embryos. This finding suggests that these compounds may have a critical role in early developmental stages, potentially leading to deleterious effects.
A pioneering study finds genetic changes that explain why one person has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and another does not. The research identifies potential new regions where copy-number variants are associated with ASDs and shows a significant impact of these variants on gene expression.