A CU-led team has been awarded a $9.2 million DOE grant to research modifying E. coli to produce biofuels like gasoline. The team aims to develop technologies that can efficiently and inexpensively convert E. coli into ethylene and isobutanol, widely used commodities for gasoline production.
Researchers at the UNM Cancer Center are studying GPER, a novel estrogen receptor, to develop potential therapies for breast cancer. By understanding how GPER influences tumor growth and metastasis, they aim to create more effective treatments that can reduce resistance to existing drugs.
Researchers have successfully formed graphene into useful three-dimensional structures by mirroring the structure of cork, enabling record-breaking strength and elasticity. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, has opened up new avenues for investigations of graphene's potential applications.
The completed genome annotation is expected to accelerate progress in both biomedical and agricultural research. The project's findings provide valuable insights into the evolution and domestication of pigs, as well as potential applications in animal breeding and disease modeling.
Scientists have found elusive Dirac electrons in a unique material, paving the way for faster and more secure quantum computing. The discovery uses superconducting properties to create a new kind of qubit, potentially overcoming local noise problems in quantum computers.
Researchers found that male toads storing sperm during the breeding season produced sperm with higher motility than those kept under natural conditions without females. Frequent mating also appeared to slow down sperm senescence, a process affecting sperm quality with age.
Dr. Bernard Thébaud's team presents promising findings on treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a lung disease affecting thousands of premature newborns annually. Their study suggests the use of human umbilical cord-derived stem cells as a potential treatment, paving the way for further research and clinical trials.
Arturo Casadevall, Ekaterina Dadachova, and Joan Berman received funding to develop novel vaccines for tuberculosis (TB) and an innovative HIV treatment. They will use radioimmunotherapy (RIT) to target and destroy HIV-infected cells in the central nervous system.
Dr Paul Kelly's research will identify and validate biomarkers to improve gut health in children, leading to new approaches to combat stunted growth in developing nations. The study aims to provide insights into environmental enteropathy and its consequences, ultimately guiding scaled-up interventions.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women who suffered from childhood cancer were more likely to experience early menopause, with a median age of 44 years. The researchers identified radiation doses and cancer treatments during puberty as risk factors for non-surgical menopause.
A new study by Emory researchers has proven successful in preventing depression in people with epilepsy, reducing seizures and improving quality of life. The web-based method, called Project UPLIFT, provides patients with depression prevention and stress management skills, increasing knowledge and skills to replace negative feelings.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Engineering have designed a novel light aperture that can stably trap objects as small as 2 nanometers using plasmonic technology. The device uses a silver and silicon dioxide structure to focus light and create a powerful, concentrated beam that can trap tiny particles.
Researchers highlight the need for fundamental research in geothermal and shale gas development to overcome challenges and maximize energy recovery. Enhanced geothermal systems and shale gas extraction face roadblocks, including induced seismicity and environmental impact.
A new study by Dr. Elizabeth Mokyr Horner found that individuals experience a large improvement in well-being and life satisfaction after retirement, but this benefit stabilizes at age 70 regardless of the individual's retirement age. The researcher concludes that well-being may be affected minimally by increasing the retirement age.
Training human volunteers to control their own brain activity enhances visual sensitivity, according to a new study. The non-invasive neurofeedback approach uses real-time brain imaging to enable participants to watch their brain activity on a screen.
University of Illinois Chicago researcher Karen Troy has received a $1.6 million grant to investigate the effects of mechanical forces on bone strength. She will conduct two studies, one testing dose response and another examining rate-dependent effects, using quantitative computed tomography to measure changes in bone mineral density.
UC Davis chemists used a Japanese synchrotron to study hydrogenases, natural catalysts that power the 'hydrogen economy'. They discovered new details about the iron-nickel complex, revealing how atoms can move in the enzymes.
A Brown University analysis found that states spending more on home-delivered meals under the Older Americans Act have fewer low-care nursing home residents. Home-based meals emerged as a statistically significant factor affecting state-to-state differences in low-care nursing home population.
A study by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management found that people distort their memories and convince themselves they passed up opportunities for racism, even if none existed. This mental trick increases willingness to express less racially sensitive views and feel licensed to behave in questionable ways.
Scientists at Stanford University have identified segments of the Main Himalayan Thrust fault that could lead to massive earthquakes in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, researchers are studying small tremors in the Cascadia subduction zone to improve earthquake prediction and mitigation strategies for the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers found that comatose patients' brain networks are restructured in a radical way, with some regions becoming hubs and others less connected. This changes could be linked to consciousness disorders and may help clinical practitioners diagnose comatose patients more accurately.
In early 19th-century Ireland, women who drank tea were seen as reckless and uncontrollable, wasting their time and money on a supposedly luxury they couldn't afford. This perception was fueled by concerns about tea's supposed addictive qualities and its associations with slavery and revolutionary feminism.
Researchers found that protected sleep periods increased time slept while on call by 50% and decreased overall time awake, leading to improved sleep quality and reduced fatigue. The study provides evidence that young doctors value the importance of sleep and are looking for ways to increase performance to better treat patients.
Researchers discovered Crag's crucial role in maintaining photoreceptor integrity by regulating the trafficking of rhodopsin. The protein activates Rab11, which enables the transport of vesicles loaded with freshly made rhodopsin, resetting the light-sensing mechanism.
A new study from the University of Southampton shows that copper can prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes and kills bacteria on contact. The research highlights the importance of copper touch surfaces in reducing the risk of infection transmission, particularly in hospitals and public buildings.
Researchers are exploring ways to improve solar power forecasting, grow algae for biofuel sustainably, and model the environmental effects of tidal power. PNNL scientists have developed new approaches to predict clouds, analyzed resources needed for algal biofuel production, and created a computer model to study tidal energy extraction.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a new method for prioritizing genes in plant genomes, which has been shown to improve the likelihood of finding critical genes controlling traits such as drought tolerance and grain yield. By applying genetic-analysis methods used to study humans, scientists were able to identify a ...
Researchers found that nitrous oxide emissions in California may account for 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with a potential impact on the state's 2020 emission reduction targets. The study used a new method combining atmospheric measurements and model predictions to estimate N2O levels.
A study by UK researchers found that attending physicians tend to rate borderline performances lower when previously exposed to good, rather than poor, performances. This contrast bias may result in biased judgments in competency-based education assessment systems.
A new study published in AIDS Journal found that HIV subtype distribution is strongly influenced by spatial accessibility and transportation networks in Africa. The research used advanced mapping techniques to assess the role of 'spatial connectivity' in the spread of HIV across sub-Saharan Africa.
A new study published in the AIDS Journal found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV can lead to reduced food insecurity among patients. The treatment improved work status and mental health, resulting in decreased hunger rates, with the most pronounced effects seen in those receiving ART.
Researchers found elevated mercury levels in coastal fog due to upwelling of deep ocean water, which brings the element to the surface and into the atmosphere. While the levels are extremely low, more research is needed to understand the processes involved.
A protected sleep period of 5 hours improved morning alertness for medical interns, with an average increase in sleep time and a significant reduction in call nights without sleep. The study found that participants with protected sleep periods felt less sleepy after on-call nights.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that most employees who work remotely add 5-7 hours to their workweek compared to those who work exclusively in the office. This increased work time often occurs after a standard 40-hour workday.
The December issue of Genetics Society of America's journal features research on genetic variation in yeast, gene functional trade-offs, and serotonin signaling in C. elegans. These studies explore how genetic variations affect function and provide insights into the evolution of pleiotropy and the mechanism of signaling by serotonin.
The Deshpande Center has awarded grants to ten MIT research teams working on early-stage technologies with the potential to significantly impact various fields. These projects aim to develop new technological innovations in areas such as cancer treatment, computation, and food production.
A new study has identified factors during pregnancy and postpartum that can predict pelvic girdle pain among working women. History of low back pain and higher somatization are found to be predictors, while more sleep or rest and fewer days of bed rest after delivery are associated with a lower risk.
A new study published in Genetics reveals that assessing skin cancer risk can be improved by accounting for genetic factors, such as family history and ethnicity. The researchers developed a more precise model for assessing risk using phenotypic and genetic information from over 5,000 participants.
Researchers found that targeting glutamate receptors in the vagus nerve may control pancreatic functions, providing new hope for treating conditions like gastro-esophageal reflux disorder. The study's findings support the idea that separate nerve pathways regulate diverse organs along the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Research demonstrates that immune system's natural killer cells can kill off virus-infected tumor cells, rendering glioblastoma virotherapy less effective. The study suggests temporarily suppressing the immune system may counteract this response and enhance therapy.
The growing US population and increased life expectancy necessitate new approaches to prostate cancer treatment. Researchers are exploring targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and precision radiation targeting to improve treatment outcomes for older patients.
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a computer program that analyzes 12 features of speech to identify six emotions from sound recordings, achieving 81% accuracy. The system can be used to develop complex apps that adjust colors and music based on user emotions.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded a $2.1 million grant to the University of California at Berkeley's Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics to advance dark energy research through the BigBOSS project. BigBOSS aims to study dark energy with unprecedented precision using revolutionary technologies.
The University of Kentucky has developed a pioneering electronic health record (EHR) reporting system for cancer cases to the state's cancer registry. This innovation enables real-time data transmission, facilitating faster trend analysis and informed statewide cancer control efforts.
Researchers uncover fossils of a previously unknown species, Nyasasaurus parringtoni, that is believed to be the earliest dinosaur or closest relative yet. The discovery pushes back the origins of dinosaur lineage by 10-15 million years and reveals characteristics common to early dinosaurs.
Dr. Kurokawa led an independent commission investigating the Fukushima nuclear disaster, exposing regulatory capture and cultural factors that contributed to the accident. The Commission's report was presented to Parliament and has since led to a safety-first standard for the global nuclear sector.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has appointed seven senior fellows to examine the impact of Scottish independence on the UK. The fellowship program aims to provide independent research evidence to inform the debate and planning for both scenarios.
Researchers at the University of Iowa documented infants' ability to create knowledge by looking at their surroundings, starting nearly from birth. Infants need to dwell on objects to learn about them, and a mathematical model validates this importance.
23andMe has received NIH grants totaling $573,000 to support projects on allergies and asthma genetics, sequencing technology accuracy, and database development. These projects aim to accelerate human genetic research and improve diagnostics and treatments for allergic conditions.
Researchers found that blackbody radiation shifts caused by surrounding chamber temperature can impose limits on atomic clock precision. The study, led by Charles Clark and Marianna Safronova, explores how ytterbium atoms are affected by this faint form of influence, crucial for future clock recalibrations.
Researchers found that stimulating the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (rVLPFC) can alleviate the painful effects of social exclusion. Participants who received rVLPFC stimulation reported less unpleasantness and hurt feelings during a virtual ball-tossing game, regardless of whether they believed they were being socially excluded.
Researchers have identified 48 metabolites linked to cellular ageing and disease risk in mice. The study reveals a strong connection between metabolism and biological age, offering new insights into preventive molecular medicine.
A new analysis of Titan's topography and gravity data reveals the moon's icy outer crust is significantly thicker than previously estimated. This finding has significant implications for understanding Titan's ocean and internal structure.
A team of researchers developed a new method to significantly increase heat transfer rate across different materials by sandwiching an ultrathin layer of 'nanoglue' between copper and silica. The approach demonstrated a four-fold increase in thermal conductance, promising new innovations in cooling and energy applications.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a step-by-step procedure for managing driverless vehicles through intersections, considering factors like location, speed, and acceleration. The proposed system aims to reduce crashes and emissions by keeping vehicles moving and optimizing traffic flow.
The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has awarded Scripps Florida a $1 million grant to expand its education outreach programs in Palm Beach County.
A new study using 3D models shows that chemical dispersants injected into the Macondo wellhead had little effect on preventing oil from reaching the sea surface. The researchers found that the oil droplets were too small for the dispersants to have a significant impact.
A new diffraction spectrometer uses a webcam and diffraction grating to achieve sub-picometer accuracy in laser tuning. The instrument is simple enough for undergraduate physics labs, providing training in optics and the wave nature of light.
Joseph Morse, a UC Riverside professor of entomology, has received the California Citrus Quality Council's Albert G. Salter Memorial Award for his steadfast dedication to the field of entomology. His extensive research on controlling citrus pests has led to significant contributions to the California citrus industry.
A study of 62 attending physicians found that shorter inpatient rotations did not increase unplanned patient revisits but led to lower scores on evaluations by trainees and medical students. The shorter rotation also resulted in reduced reports of burnout severity and emotional exhaustion among attending physicians.