A study of 292 Brazilian women aged 45-72 found that daily step count is a strong predictor of health outcomes, with active women less likely to be obese or develop metabolic syndrome. The study supports the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily life for midlife women's overall health.
A Spanish study found that Telecinco's Sin tetas no hay paraíso is the most violent of five studied TV series, with a significant impact on aggressive behavior in youngsters. The show's portrayal of violence and aggression contributes to its detrimental effects, including learning and imitating negative behaviors.
A new targeted drug, regorafenib, has demonstrated its ability to control metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in patients who have become resistant to all existing therapies. The treatment improved disease control and survival rates for nearly four months longer than placebo.
Researchers have identified telomerase as a cause of chronic inflammation in human cancers, a key underlying factor for many diseases. Developing drugs to target this enzyme may lead to novel treatments that alleviate common ailments such as cancer and diabetes.
The American Gut project aims to characterize the microbes living in and on human bodies, with a focus on diet and lifestyle's impact on health. The public is encouraged to participate, and the study will analyze data from tens of thousands of individuals.
A study published in Cancer Discovery reveals that microRNAs can modify gene expression, converting normal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts that promote tumor growth. The researchers identified three microRNAs involved in this process and found that inhibiting these signals could disrupt the cancer's support system.
The SustainValue project creates concrete tools for ensuring partners act sustainably. A networked approach helps develop comprehensive solutions rather than individual products. The project also establishes new indicators for assessing economic, social, and environmental impacts across entire networks of stakeholders.
Researchers developed reverse dynamization, which accelerates healing of large segmental bone defects by varying stiffness levels. This approach showed promising results in rat models, with improved bone mineral content and mechanical strength compared to traditional methods.
The European Commission awards the ESC nearly €500,000 to survey European CVD research funding landscape and identify gaps in funding. The CardioScape project will provide intelligence on where cardiovascular research funding is provided and make recommendations for future transnational research strategies.
A new strain of avian pox has been identified in British bird species, particularly affecting great tits. The disease causes severe growths that can prevent feeding and increase predation susceptibility, with survival rates significantly reduced.
A new study on bird-like dinosaurs reveals that feathers were initially developed for insulation before evolving into a more complex wing structure. The research, published in Current Biology, explores the early evolution of bird flight and how it relates to dinosaur forelimbs.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered that coronary arteries form from cells in the ventricles, which can potentially be used to regenerate healthy vessels. This breakthrough could lead to more effective cardiac care and treatments for heart disease.
Researchers have identified a key pathway called the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) that helps tumor cells escape programmed cell death during lymphoma development. Inhibiting this pathway could lead to new blood cancer treatments.
Research teams at Baylor College of Medicine used cryo-electron tomography to study the effects of genetic mutations on rod sensory cilium architecture. The findings suggest that aberrant trafficking of proteins is responsible for photoreceptor degeneration, highlighting a new model for understanding ciliopathies.
Infants exhibit remarkable rapid growth in new skills every day, with research showing that early abilities can predict later developments. For example, studies found that processing speed in infancy significantly predicted working memory and shifting ability at age 11, while memory in infancy predicted shifting ability.
A new study by UBC researchers reveals that whales and dolphins require specific high-energy diets to survive, contradicting conventional wisdom. The study compared the diets of 11 species in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, finding differences in prey consumed and muscle performance.
Research using ultrasound scans distinguishes between yawns and simple mouth openings in fetuses, with more than half of all mouth openings being yawns at 24 weeks gestation. The study suggests that fetal yawning trends may be used to monitor healthy development, possibly related to brain maturation.
Researchers defined the structure of Cdc13, a key telomere maintenance protein in yeast, revealing how its mutations can disrupt telomere function and potentially lead to cancer. The study's findings may pave the way for novel anticancer therapies by targeting the OB2 region of Cdc13.
Researchers found that bracken ferns release minimal amounts of volatile compounds when attacked by herbivores. However, treatment with plant hormone jasmonic acid induces a response similar to flowering plants, releasing terpenoids.
A study by University of California, San Diego researchers describes markers and a model that quantify how aging occurs at the level of genes and molecules. The findings provide a way to determine a person's actual biological age from just a blood sample.
A rare rhino fossil, 9.2 million years old, has been discovered in Turkey, providing insight into the prehistoric Eastern Mediterranean region. The fossil, a skull with unusual features, is believed to have been 'cooked to death' in temperatures approaching 500°C.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool are leading a £1.5 million project to trial `immunoglobulin' in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The study aims to explore the potential benefits of this new treatment approach for people with severe chronic pain.
The new method reduces phosphorus levels by over 80% and saves energy and waste, producing significant cost savings for municipal wastewater treatment plants. Simultaneous precipitation eliminates the need for additional chemical treatments.
Research finds that male-dominated symposia have significantly fewer women presenters than those organized by women or mixed groups, despite primatology being a field with a significant history of female scientists. Women in the field tend to give more posters than talks, whereas men dominate talks.
A novel hybrid printer combines two low-cost fabrication techniques to create cartilage constructs with improved mechanical stability. The printer uses a combination of synthetic and natural materials, allowing for the growth of cells and development of structures typical of elastic cartilage.
Academics studied earliest theropod dinosaurs and found that feathers initially developed for insulation, evolving into display and camouflage features. This basic wing configuration has remained largely unchanged for 130 million years.
A consortium of researchers has developed a technology that uses common classes of flower to restore poisoned soils while producing nano-sized platinum and arsenic nanoparticles. The process can also be used to recover high-value materials such as fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and anti-oxidants.
Researchers tracked emperor penguin behavior near sea and found they spent 30% of their time at sea resting on ice, which may help avoid predators. The study's monitoring technique will aid in understanding the relationship between sea ice conditions and penguins' foraging habits
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy provides anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory benefits through its diverse antibody content, benefiting patients with autoimmune diseases and potentially expanding to Alzheimer's treatment options.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism by which normal stromal cells around ovarian cancer cells are converted into cancer-promoting cells. Altering microRNA expression in these cells enhances tumor growth and metastasis, providing new potential therapeutic targets.
Bioinformatician Professor Terry Speed has received a 2012 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation for using statistics to solve biomedical research questions. His work has led to new techniques in cancer, infectious diseases, immunology, and inherited diseases.
Research suggests that the fine crafting of handaxes by Homo erectus/ergaster in the Lower Palaeolithic period was driven by a desire to prove trustworthiness rather than physical fitness. The 'trustworthy handaxe theory' proposes that attention to detail is about demonstrating emotional reliability and capacity for strong relationships.
Researchers at MIT developed a new method to predict Arctic sea ice extent by combining models and observations, revealing an important interaction between sea ice and ocean currents. The study provides a valuable tool for climate scientists and industries, enabling better prediction of sea-ice growth and transport.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have developed a deficit-irrigation strategy for early-season peaches, which reduces post-harvest water levels by 25% without significantly affecting next year's yield. The study also found that subsurface drip irrigation systems had minimal effects on yield and fruit quality.
A UCSB anthropologist studied reciprocity among chimpanzees and bonobos, finding that favors are often exchanged over long periods of time. The study suggests that humans also engage in long-term reciprocal relationships, but with the capacity for more contingent reciprocity.
Studies show that hummingbirds using more energy to feed from vertically oriented flowers, challenging previous hypotheses on flower evolution. Researchers suggest other factors dictate flower orientation, including excluding less efficient pollinators and nectar dilution.
Physicists at TUM and University of Michigan demonstrate the construction of synthetic membrane channels made entirely of DNA. The resulting pores exhibit electrical conductivity comparable to natural ion channels, suggesting potential applications as molecular sensors, antimicrobial agents, and nanodevices.
On Nov. 20, 2012, a coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed by NASA spacecraft, with speeds of 450 miles per second, a slow to average speed for CMEs. The event had significant space weather implications and was closely monitored by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Researchers have identified hundreds of small regions of the genome uniquely regulated in human neurons, distinguishing us from other primates. These regulatory differences may hold the key to understanding human intellectual prowess and susceptibility to 'human-specific' diseases such as autism and Alzheimer's.
A phase 3 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests there are benefits to both blood and marrow stem cell transplants, but no significant survival differences were found. Researchers from John Theurer Cancer Center played a key role in this groundbreaking study.
The LLLight'in'Europe project aims to measure employee strengths in solving complex problems, fostering innovation and attracting new talent. The four-year study will assess Complex Problem Solving Skills (CPS) capabilities in 4150 individuals across Europe.
A study found that patients with online access to their medical records and secure email communication with clinicians had significantly increased use of clinical services, including office visits and telephone encounters. This contradicts the assumption that online access would substitute for traditional health care services.
Researchers discovered a ribosomal protein, rpL40, that regulates viral protein synthesis and could represent a target for antiviral treatments. This finding reveals the ribosome's active role in regulating protein translation and offers new insights into combating fatal viral infections such as rabies.
A new breast imaging technology, tomosynthesis, significantly improves radiologists' diagnostic accuracy and reduces false positive recall rates when combined with standard digital mammography. The study found a 10.7% increase in diagnostic sensitivity and a 38.6% reduction in absolute recall rates.
Researchers discovered a molecule called sncRNA715 that suppresses myelin basic protein synthesis, crucial for myelin formation. This finding may help explain myelination failures in neurological illnesses like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers created a culturally relevant guidebook to improve Hispanic health and behaviors, focusing on physical activity and nutrition. The guidebook was well-received by community residents and addressed the Latino Paradox, highlighting the shift in healthy eating habits when immigrants arrive in the US.
Researchers found a low risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. Women who were screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia on the same day as IUD insertion had an equivalent risk of PID to those who were not screened.
A study led by Oxford University reveals that humans selectively favor beneficial gut microbes through the release of nutrient-rich secretions. This process allows for efficient control of the microbiome without requiring excessive host resources.
A rapid Xpert test for tuberculosis (TB) could reduce TB deaths and improve treatment outcomes in southern Africa. Implementing the test is expected to prevent an estimated 132,000 TB cases and 182,000 TB deaths over 10 years, but would increase health service costs by US$460 million.
The Ottawa Statement on the Ethical Design and Conduct of Cluster Randomized Trials provides detailed guidance on CRTs, addressing issues such as informed consent, risk-benefit assessments, and data management. Researchers can benefit from this new framework to improve the ethical quality of their cluster randomized trials.
Biologists at Bielefeld University have confirmed that certain algae species can draw energy from other plants by digesting cellulose, a previously thought exclusive trait of fungi and bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has significant implications for bioenergy production.
A diabetes drug initially used to treat insulin resistance has shown promise in improving cognitive performance in some people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that rosiglitazone enhanced learning and memory while normalizing insulin resistance by reducing the negative influence of Alzheimer's on brain-signaling molecules.
Researchers have developed new tiny probes called BRIGHTs that bind to biomarkers of disease and light up to reveal their location when swept by an infrared laser. These probes, made of gold nanoparticles with Raman reporters, create an electromagnetic hotspot that boosts the reporters' emission by a factor of nearly a trillion.
A £16M initiative will develop ways to improve the sustainability of vital food crops in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The projects aim to increase sustainable crop yields and improve global food security.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center conducted a pilot study on a non-invasive approach using musical tones to balance brain activity and reduce insomnia. The study found that participants who received HIRREM therapy experienced a 10.3 point drop in Insomnia Severity Index scores, indicating improved insomnia symptoms.
A UAlberta researcher has developed 'homing beacon drugs' that selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. These smart drugs use nano-technology to identify cancer cells based on a unique protein found only in them, allowing for targeted treatment and potential reduction in side effects.
A novel coronavirus most closely related to viruses found in bats has been identified, prompting concern over potential human transmission. The virus is believed to have originated from an animal source, with similarities to viruses isolated from Asian and European bat species.
Vermilion flycatchers change song lengths in response to urban noise, unlike some other bird species that alter their songs by frequency. This adaptation helps them cope with noisy conditions and improve acoustic communication during breeding season.
The Collaborative Home for Oral Heath, Medical Review and Health Promotion (CHOMP) project brings together dental and nursing students to deliver one-stop patient care. CHOMP will provide oral exams, health screenings, and treatment for acute health issues, as well as referrals to local health providers.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway driving Alzheimer's disease progression, revealing new targets for drug discovery. The study found that clusterin acts to switch on a signalling pathway associated with tau tangle formation and cognitive defects.