The Milky Way is destined for a head-on collision with the Andromeda galaxy in 4 billion years. Computer simulations show that stars will be thrown into different orbits around the new galactic center, and our solar system may be tossed farther from the core.
A team of researchers at UC Davis has identified several proteins as diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for kidney cancer. The study used metabolomics techniques to analyze chemicals in urine and serum samples from mice implanted with human kidney cancer cells.
A new study uses mathematical modeling to predict burglary patterns in urban areas, identifying hotspots and potential preventive measures. By analyzing spatio-temporal patterns of crime, the authors provide a method to track social and economic conditions of neighborhoods over time.
A University of Delaware-led research team has developed more accurate calculations for the interactions between molecules of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, essential for spectroscopy in astrophysics. These advancements enable researchers to analyze molecular clouds where stars are born with greater precision.
Researchers found that rotavirus incidence is higher during the coldest, driest months of the year in South Asia. They also discovered an association between rotavirus and vegetation density, suggesting a potential tool for disease surveillance and prevention.
A new podcast from the American Chemical Society explores how meeting current biofuel production targets with existing technology would significantly reduce food production, leading to widespread environmental concerns. The study's findings highlight the need for more accurate estimates of biofuel production capabilities.
Researchers found a key protein, CBA1, that enables marine algae to capture vitamin B12 from seawater. This discovery has significant implications for the marine food web and climate, as well as potential industrial and therapeutic applications.
The May issue of Reproductive Health Matters explores the causes and impact of the gap between policy and practice in maternal health and maternal mortality in India and other countries. It highlights both the good and bad news characterizing this gap, including hopeful signs of progress.
A new study from University of New Mexico researchers found that college undergraduates are less upset by questionnaires about sex and trauma than expected. Participants reported higher negative emotion but also more positive emotions, personal insight, and less boredom compared to standard intelligence tests.
A new paper-based device can detect airborne metal exposure almost immediately, potentially preventing illnesses in millions of metal workers. The device accurately determines iron, nickel, and copper levels in air samples, providing a chance for workers to leave hazardous areas before it's too late.
Scientists found that Ang-2 regulates angiogenesis through TIE-2 and integrin signaling, leading to two independent effects on tumor blood vessels. This discovery prompts the development of new therapies targeting Ang-2.
Researchers found that highly active middle-aged subjects avoid arterial stiffening associated with aging. The study suggests that high physical activity may be more beneficial for women than men in preventing cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at UGA found that judges' race and gender influence the assignment of majority opinions in state supreme courts. Black male judges were less likely to be assigned high-profile cases, while white female judges received more assignments than expected.
Studies show that ligand cells produce pulling force to pull on Notch, activating cellular responses. The findings provide compelling evidence for the role of mechanical force in Notch signaling, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets for diseases related to Notch signaling.
Scientists have identified a highly conserved 'switch' in the Hepatitis C virus that can be targeted by custom-designed drugs to lock it into an inactive state. This discovery offers a promising approach to treating the virus, which affects over 170 million people worldwide.
A Texas AgriLife Research team is conducting a 3-year study to analyze the benefits of converting traditional cotton land to grow switchgrass or biomass sorghum for bioenergy crops. The study aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote agricultural sustainability.
Scientists have developed a practical way to make stainless steel that disinfects itself, using a bio-inspired adhesive and silver-based particles. The new process takes only 10 minutes and uses water instead of toxic substances.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have identified the genetic basis for CLOVES syndrome, a rare congenital malformation and overgrowth disorder. They found that between six and 60 percent of cells in affected tissues contained mutations in a gene called PIK3CA, which activate cell division and growth pathways.
Research suggests that fantasizing about idealized future scenarios can influence people's preferences for learning about the positives over negatives. This can impact decision-making, even for those considering careful deliberations. Positive fantasies can mimic the effects of intentions and lead to biased information acquisition.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine are pioneering a new way to diagnose heart disease by focusing on fluid dynamics, not muscle mechanics. This approach uses advanced ultrasound techniques to visualize blood flow in the heart, providing clues for early detection and effective therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at UAB discovered newborn twin girls' remains in Olèrdola archaeological site, providing first documented case of prehistoric twins. The discovery offers insights into child burial practices and socio-cultural relationships during the Iberian Age.
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Therapy Trial radically changed the practice of women's health, showing that younger women have better outcomes on hormone therapy than older women. The study highlights the importance of individualized care for women and underscores the need to understand different types of hormone therapy.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered a new therapeutic strategy to reduce amyloid-beta production in Alzheimer's disease. By understanding how cholesterol binds to the amyloid precursor protein, they found that blocking this interaction could prevent amyloid-beta generation and treatment of dementia.
The CNRCS has awarded three students for their work on prostate cancer, including Jayantha Tennakoon, who aims to identify molecules that provoke cancer cell growth. Undergraduate Hannah Do is maintaining a drug library to isolate new therapeutic targets for advanced prostate cancer. Eylem Aydogdu became the first Ph.D. graduate at the...
The global cancer burden is projected to rise by over 75% by 2030, driven by demographic changes and Westernized lifestyle factors. Countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) are expected to experience a significant surge in cancer cases, particularly those associated with infection.
Researchers at TUM and DIfE discovered the hTAS2R4 and hTAS2R14 receptors responsible for Stevia's bitter taste. The study found that the structure of glycoside molecules plays a key role in determining sweetness or bitterness in Stevia.
Researchers found that iron can substitute for magnesium in RNA binding, folding and catalysis, enabling more diverse structures and functions. This discovery suggests that life evolved in the presence of iron and is optimized to work with it.
A University of Florida study examines the social, environmental, and economic impacts of a South American highway project. The research found that highway paving facilitates migration, population growth, and forest clearing, while also providing access to markets and improving economic security.
An international team led by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to obtain ultrahigh-resolution views of nano-crystals of biomolecules, including a small protein found in egg whites. This technique enables researchers to view molecular dynamics at a time-scale never observed before.
A new small-scale solid oxide fuel cell system achieves up to 57 percent efficiency, significantly higher than previous systems of its size. The system uses methane as fuel and incorporates microchannel technology and external steam reforming for increased efficiency and scalability.
Scientists used a novel X-ray technique to analyze the structure of hen egg white lysozyme at a high resolution of 0.19 nanometres, demonstrating the potential of free-electron lasers in structural biology. The technique, which uses ultrashort X-ray pulses, enables the study of previously intractable molecular structures.
Researchers genetically modified kidney cells to produce a protein that promotes cell growth and regeneration. The transplanted cells engrafted themselves into damaged kidneys, resulting in improved function and limited physical damage. This breakthrough has significant implications for the treatment of human kidney failure.
New strategies targeting pregnancy, infancy, and toddlers are needed to combat rising childhood obesity rates. A community-wide approach that addresses behavioral and environmental factors is proposed to tackle the epidemic.
Researchers used ultrafast laser ARPES to study the electronic states of high-temperature superconductors. The technique revealed trends in Cooper pair formation, which may be connected to the mechanism holding them together.
Astronomers use XMM-Newton data to detect X-ray 'echoes' from a distant galaxy, revealing a new way to study supersized black holes and their accretion disks. The echoes, which lag behind AGN flares by up to 30 minutes, provide insights into the environment around these massive black holes.
A new Georgia Tech study identifies four behaviors characteristic of Twitter hyperadvocates, including sending high-volume tweets, retweeting with minimal original content, and coordinating with other users. These behaviors can create an echo chamber effect, increasing the perceived legitimacy of advocated positions.
A Penn study found that many patients with head and neck cancers experience significant late effects, but rarely report these issues to their doctors due to concerns about doctor's response. The researchers emphasize the need for improved survivorship care to encourage patients to seek help.
Research shows that adult JIA patients with higher functional disability have lower educational achievement and job stability, while those with oligoarticular JIA perform better. Education is key to success for these individuals, suggesting that career guidance and disease management are crucial for employment outcomes.
Researchers found that N-acetylcysteine significantly decreased irritability in children with autism, while being well-tolerated and causing minimal side effects. A large randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings and explore potential treatment benefits for other symptoms.
Researchers have identified a prototype compound that can directly activate the BAX protein, leading to apoptosis in cancer cells. This new paradigm for designing cancer drugs may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been awarded a $5.9 million NIH grant to develop a new TB vaccine against multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains. The approach is based on genetically altered Mycobacterium smegmatis, which can generate a robust immune response in animals.
Researchers from MIT revisited data from a seminal online experiment and found that a clear quantitative indicator of quality consistently predicts song popularity across all sites. High-quality songs will gradually rise to the top, even on sites where downloads determine ordering, but equilibration takes time.
Many pharmaceutical companies are making progress in embracing green chemistry principles, reducing waste generation and operating more environmentally friendly ways. The American Chemical Society's Green Chemistry Institute is helping its members share best practices and compare progress.
A rare ground level enhancement (GLE) event was triggered by a May 17, 2012 M-class flare. Scientists are excited to analyze data from the PAMELA mission, which measured high-energy solar particles that caused the GLE.
A study led by Marine Biological Laboratory scientists found that even low levels of arsenic in drinking water can disrupt lipid metabolism, leading to nutrient deficiencies in breast milk and growth deficits in offspring. The researchers also discovered that exposure to arsenic increases the risk of fatty liver disease.
Scientists have successfully imaged biomolecules at individual atom level using X-ray lasers, enabling new avenues for biological research. The technique, known as serial femtosecond crystallography, has been used to study a small protein called lysozyme and holds promise for understanding complex biological systems.
Research finds that UK boys would prefer a male befriender due to concerns about being discouraged from activities they enjoy with female friends. Girls also benefit from male companionship, particularly those from lone mother families, but are rarely matched with men due to the shortage of volunteer male befrienders.
Researchers find methane source: intense UV radiation from meteorites releases methane from organic materials. Temperature affects methane production, with warmer regions having higher concentrations.
Researchers at EPFL successfully rehabilitated rats with spinal cord injuries using a combination of robotic harnesses and electrical-chemical stimulation. The study, published in Science, reveals that the dormant spinal column can be awakened to restore voluntary movement, suggesting new methods for treating paralysis.
Researchers have mapped the female fruit fly's post-coital behavioral switch using neural circuitry analysis. The study reveals that stimulation of specific neuronal clusters triggers a dramatic change in behavior, influencing both the female's and male's actions.
A recent study found that a specific gene linked to fat tissue inflammation may protect against diet-induced obesity-related health problems. The researchers discovered that overexpressing this gene increased fat deposition while suppressing inflammatory responses and improving insulin sensitivity in genetically modified mice.
Researchers found that plant species reproducing sexually have stronger disease resistance due to increased adaptive evolution of the chitinase gene. This supports the theory that sex provides a genetic advantage in adapting to environmental changes.
A new study funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council found that vitamin D3 supplements are more effective in raising vitamin D levels in humans than vitamin D2. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,000 people, suggests that vitamin D3 may be better for overall health.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new nanotechnology that amplifies fluorescent signals in biological tests, allowing for the detection of biomarkers at lower concentrations. This breakthrough could lead to improved early detection of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, enabling more effective treatment.
The University of New Hampshire is poised to analyze a unique dataset from the PAMELA European satellite, which recorded a moderate solar flare and produced a ground-level enhancement (GLE). This rare event has puzzled scientists, but the PAMELA data will provide fresh insights into the evolution of high-energy particles.
Researchers found that blocking 2% of the sun's light would make the sky three-to-five times brighter and whiter, while increasing global photosynthetic activity could pull more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. However, this method may also reduce the effectiveness of solar power.
A University of Manchester study found Johnson's Baby Extra Sensitive Wipes equivalent to water in hydrating newborn skin, challenging current NICE guidelines. The trial involved 280 babies and showed no significant differences in hydration or secondary outcomes, except for a slight increase in napkin dermatitis.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory Enterprise for Multiscale Modeling of Materials has received funding for designing new materials with a holistic perspective. Researchers will develop materials for extreme dynamic environments and lighter-weight electronic devices.
Biologists at The University of Texas at Austin discovered that humans, fish and frogs share neural circuits responsible for diverse social behaviors. These circuits have existed for over 450 million years, indicating a common genetic framework for the evolution of new behavior.
A growing population faces challenges of feeding itself through cleaner and more efficient methods. Innovations in flameless cooking, such as the Oorja stove, offer promising solutions. Researchers are exploring new technologies to reduce costs and increase accessibility, aiming to generate 100W of electrical power from confined gas.