A new study reveals that hyperparasitoids exploit plant odours triggered by parasitoid-infected caterpillars, compromising the mutualistic relationship between plants and parasitoids. This complex network of interactions highlights the importance of considering species at multiple trophic levels in ecological functions.
A recent study by George Washington University Professor Amy Zanne found that plants worldwide are operating at their safety threshold for drought, making forests vulnerable to environmental stress. The research reveals that while plants vary in drought resistance, they share similar hydraulic safety thresholds across all forest types.
A study of over 4,000 patients found that discontinuing warfarin therapy within 3 months after surgery increases the risk of stroke, thromboembolic complications, and cardiovascular death. Continuing warfarin treatment for an additional 3-6 months may reduce cardiovascular mortality.
Researchers have broadened the understanding of how cells regulate silencing of the X chromosome, finding indications of gene activity inside and outside the Xist cloud. The study's findings suggest a more subtle regulation mechanism than previously thought, with potential implications for cancer therapy and non-coding RNA function.
The new consensus statement from the Hinxton Group highlights the tension between intellectual property policies and scientific norms in East Asia. Japan and China are underrepresented in patents and licensing, but have strengths in national health care systems that could benefit stem cell-based therapies.
A recent study published in Autism Research found that six-month-old infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder produce cries with higher and more variable fundamental frequency than low-risk infants. The study suggests the potential of cry acoustics as an early screening method for autism.
A study identified a single gene, ABCA3, associated with significant cases of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in full-term babies. The researchers found that mutations in this gene account for about 10% of RDS cases and can be treated with neonatal intensive care.
The Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton University has received a $757,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide financial support for graduate students. Funded students receive tuition waivers and stipends, enabling them to focus on their studies without financial burden.
Researchers found artificial light from industrial areas influences the foraging behavior of common redshanks, allowing them to forage more efficiently at night. This contradicts previous studies that reported negative effects of light pollution on wildlife.
A study using PET/CT imaging found statistically significant decreases in regional brain metabolism associated with symptoms of chemo brain phenomenon. Researchers hope to establish a prospective study to improve treatment for patients experiencing this debilitating condition.
Sea levels are rising at a rate of 60% faster than the IPCC's latest best estimates, with satellite data recording a rate of 3.2 mm per year compared to projected 2 mm per year. This increase in sea-level rise is likely due to global warming and correlates well with the increase in global temperature.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a nanotube-based fabric that repels chemical and biological agents. The new material will be breathable yet protective, responding reversibly to environmental threats.
The study provides a comprehensive review of the Yuzhou Flora, recognizing 111 genera and 307 species from 40 fossil plant layers. The authors propose hypotheses on evolutionary trends in leaf structure and venation patterns, as well as a new morphotype classification scheme for Gigantopteridales.
A new species of hermit crab, Areopaguristes tudgei, has been discovered on the barrier reef off the coast of Belize by American University biologist Christopher Tudge. The species was named in his honor due to his unique contributions to knowledge of hermit crab reproductive biology.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have found that IGF-1 blockers are only partially effective because they stimulate the MEK channel, allowing cancer cells to survive. Researchers propose a combination therapy using MEK inhibitors and IGF-1 blockers to overcome this issue
Biomedical research faces a crisis due to flat government funding and reduced drug industry investment. Experts propose innovative private investment sources such as mutual funds, patent pools, and research bonds to support basic biology and translational research.
The Cassini mission has discovered a second feature shaped like the video game icon PAC-MAN on Saturn's moon Tethys. This finding confirms that high-energy electrons can dramatically alter icy satellite surfaces, and suggests that such anomalies may be widespread in the Saturn system.
An international team of biologists led by IU has identified the enzyme and molecular mechanism controlling chromatic acclimation in Synechococcus, a cyanobacteria that maximizes light harvesting for photosynthesis. This discovery has implications for healthcare and climate change research.
Researchers used machine learning techniques to predict functional associations between proteins in bacteria and extend biological pathways in humans. The study offers new insights into protein function and its relation to cellular aging and cancer.
The international consortium has published the watermelon genome sequence, revealing a loss of natural disease defenses during domestication. Breeders can now use this information to recover some of these natural defenses, potentially leading to more nutritious and resistant watermelons.
A new study from Rice University explores the effects of firm actions and industry spillovers on media coverage following wrongdoing. The research found that companies directly responsible for wrongdoing face more damaging media backlash than those not directly involved but affected by industry-wide scandals.
A study found that an active lifestyle can preserve gray matter in older adults' brains, reducing the burden of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that a combination of lifestyle choices, including aerobic physical activities, may alleviate brain aging.
A new system uses real-time data and techniques from weather forecasting to predict the timing and severity of seasonal influenza outbreaks. The forecast can inform decisions on vaccine stockpiling and school closures, ultimately improving public health preparedness.
Research has shown a three-fold increase in autism risk associated with air pollution exposure during pregnancy and early childhood. Novel neuroimaging approaches have also confirmed an association between autism and immune function changes, shedding light on mechanisms behind the disorder.
Researchers have discovered that putrescine water can increase the viability of egg cells in women over 30 by inhibiting chromosomal defects. The compound, naturally produced in mammals during ovulation, has been shown to reduce defective eggs by over 50% in older mice.
Paleontologists find varying evolutionary modes among morphological traits within fossil species, validating mosaic evolution. The study analyzes hundreds of sequences of fossil samples using model selection methods, revealing conflicting patterns of change.
Researchers used MRI to image patients with mild traumatic brain injury and found that some brains compensate for damage by changing water flow patterns. This compensation is associated with fewer post-concussion symptoms and higher functioning, suggesting a potential new approach to treating traumatic brain injury.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital finds that newly insured patients may face challenges in accessing primary care due to a shortage of safety-net physicians. Safety-net physicians are more likely to accept new Medicaid and uninsured patients, but their capacity is being stretched to the limit.
Metallic glass alloys are three times stronger than industrial steel but have variable breaking points due to preparation method. Researchers developed a novel computational technique that simulates and predicts the breaking points of metallic glasses, shedding light on their mechanical properties.
Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst used biomarkers from human feces to establish the first human presence, arrival of grazing animals, and population dynamics in a landscape. The method provides a strong human signal with excellent chronological control, offering valuable insights into past environmental changes.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery techniques produce similar outcomes, with weight loss itself being the primary factor responsible for improved metabolic responses. In another study, antifibrinolytic drugs were linked to seizures due to their inhibition of glycine receptors in the brain. A companion commentary reviews the conne...
Researchers at Washington State University discovered that a simple scent is more effective in increasing retail sales than complex scents. The simple scent of orange freed customers' minds from processing tasks, leading to increased purchases and faster problem-solving.
USC/CHLA researchers have found that air pollution is associated with a higher risk of developing autism in young children. Exposure to traffic-related and regional air pollution during pregnancy and early childhood may increase the risk by more than two-fold.
Researchers developed a low-cost, high-throughput platform for identifying compounds with novel antibiotic properties using a diagnostic panel of bacterial strains. The new strategy promises to streamline the discovery of new antibiotics from natural sources, providing a solution to the looming antibiotic crisis.
A study of 279 children with autism and 245 control subjects found exposure to traffic-related air pollution during pregnancy and the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of autism. Children living in homes with high levels of modeled traffic pollution were three times more likely to have autism.
Children with developmental coordination disorder can improve their fine motor skills through a unique virtual reality training program. The study, published in the Journal of Child Neurology, used a three-dimensional virtual reality device to help children with DCD overcome their motor skill impairments.
Researchers analyzed 2.5 million articles from 498 English-language outlets, finding that tabloid newspapers are more readable than broadsheets and use more sentimental language. The study also revealed a dominance of male voices in news content, with 'Sport' and 'Financial' articles being the most male-biased.
Researchers have developed omni-tomography, a technology that integrates multiple imaging modalities to improve early disease screening, cancer staging, and therapeutic assessment. This approach enables precise reconstruction of small areas in the body using prior knowledge and common properties.
The largest community-based study of long-term diabetes outcomes after bariatric surgery found that most people don't experience long-lasting remission of their diabetes. However, those with less severe and earlier stage type 2 diabetes at the time of surgery tend to have better outcomes.
A new study reveals a 15-fold increase in inflatable bouncer-related injuries among children, with over 30 cases per day treated in US emergency departments. The research highlights the need for national safety guidelines to prevent these serious risks.
A study by Jayani Jayawardhana found that direct-to-consumer advertising of cholesterol-reducing prescription medications leads to improved consumer welfare. The research also suggests that targeted advertising efforts towards physicians can inform their selection of the drug, leading to better health outcomes.
Routine HIV testing can significantly reduce AIDS-related morbidity and death, as well as HIV transmission. Implementing this strategy would provide a roadmap for an AIDS-free generation.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 5,216 patients found that those who received automated reminders were 1.6 times more likely to fill prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering statins than those without reminders. The percentage of patients who picked up their prescriptions increased from 26% to 42% after the intervention.
A University of California at San Diego study has demonstrated that marine algae can produce biofuels as effectively as freshwater algae. The research opens up new possibilities for large-scale algae production using ocean water, which could provide up to 40 billion gallons of fuel annually.
The number of prescription drugs that interact with grapefruit is significantly increasing, putting patients at risk of serious adverse effects. Older adults are especially vulnerable due to decreased tolerance and age-related changes in drug metabolism.
A new neuroimaging study suggests that negative messages are not an effective way to deter drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among those who are substance-dependent. The study found that the brains of substance-dependent individuals show lower brain activity in response to negatively framed messages, leading to riskier decisions.
Researchers discovered a new bacterium, human Sodalis, in the infected wound of a man who impaled his hand on a tree branch. The bacterium is related to Sodalis, a genus that lives symbiotically inside insects' guts, and may be used to block disease transmission by insects and prevent crop damage.
A pioneering study reveals a diverse community of bacteria in Lake Vida, one of Earth's coldest and most isolated ecosystems. The brine, approximately six times saltier than seawater, harbors an abundance of life that survives at subzero temperatures without oxygen.
A new MRI technique has provided the first clinical evidence for the theory that Parkinson's neurodegeneration begins deep in the brain and advances upward. The study found significant loss of volume in the substantia nigra early on, followed by loss of basal forebrain volume later in the disease.
The North China Craton's thin lithosphere and signs of thermo-tectonic reactivation challenge the traditional view of a stable cratonic lithosphere. The concept of 'craton destruction' has been widely accepted, influencing understanding of intraplate magmatism and continental evolution.
Soil respiration in China varies significantly across regions, with the highest rates found in southeastern China and lowest in northwestern China. Precipitation and temperature also play a crucial role in controlling soil respiration, with increasing variability expected under warming scenarios.
Researchers found that both high and low levels of physical activity can lead to accelerated degeneration of knee cartilage in middle-aged adults. The study suggests that finding an optimal level of physical activity may help preserve cartilage health.
Scientists at the American Geophysical Union conference present findings that human population growth outweighs climate change as the culprit in region's dwindling water supplies. The research highlights the importance of water conservation and sustainability.
According to UCSB researchers, looking just below the eyes provides the best view of a person's face for identifying their identity, emotions and genders. The brain uses sophisticated computations to plan eye movements for accuracy in tasks like flight or love at first sight.
Researchers are using an insect growth regulator called pyriproxyfen to prevent the maturation of house fly larvae. This technology has shown promise in controlling the spread of bacteria through these insects.
A recent study by IkerRos found that students at co-operative schools display the greatest engagement, while those at public schools show the lowest. The study also reveals differences in engagement based on sex and age, highlighting the importance of organizational development and teacher-student interaction.
A CU-Boulder study suggests the iconic Columbia Glacier in Alaska will cease its retreat by 2020, reaching a new stable position 15 miles upstream. This prediction challenges current understanding of sea level rise and highlights the complexities of glacier dynamics.
Researchers have developed a 'solar energy funnel' that uses materials under elastic strain to produce unprecedented properties. This concept takes advantage of the varying strain across different wavelengths of light, allowing for more efficient energy production.
Researchers have designed new drugs that inhibit excess mucus production in airway cells, a major cause of death in respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. The drugs target the MAPK13 protein, which is involved in the mucus pathway and can reduce mucus production by 100 fold.
A study found that women with Alzheimer's disease exhibit greater gray matter loss in the brain compared to men, with differences observed in regional atrophy patterns. This discovery has important implications for the development of therapies for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.