Researchers at VIB and Oxyrane have created a new technology that produces enzymes for metabolic disorders like Pompe disease more efficiently than current treatments. The novel method uses yeast cells instead of mammalian cells, resulting in 17 times more efficient absorption by patient cells.
A cross-sectional study of over 5,370 adolescents found a significant association between parental chronic pain and chronic pain in offspring. The study suggests that family pain models and shared environmental factors play an important role in the origin of chronic pain.
The study identified BMP2 and BBS9 genes associated with sagittal craniosynostosis, which affects about one in 5,000 newborns. Surgical treatment is necessary to prevent increased pressure within the skull, visual problems, and learning disabilities.
A recent study from Michigan Medicine found that 16% of emergency room patients aged 14-20 may have undiagnosed binge eating, bulimia, or other eating problems. Those with signs of eating disorders were also more likely to show signs of depression and substance abuse.
A team of US and Indian scientists identify three emerging trends contributing to the public health problem: traumatic brain injury, age-related dementia, and stroke. The researchers outline measures to stem its growth, including enforcement of traffic safety measures and training of more professionals in neurorehabilitative care.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a method to predict environmental collapse by identifying 'flickering' signs in ecosystems, which may also warn of crises in agriculture and social systems.
Researchers identify new therapeutic approaches for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), find immune cells defective in Huntington's disease, and discover signaling pathways contributing to muscle weakness in myotonic dystrophy. Targeting C/EBPG and C/EBPA, or normalizing GSK3β activity may help treat these conditions.
Scientists at Stanford Medicine have found a way to let the body direct differentiation of transplanted stem cells without forced manipulation. This breakthrough could speed FDA approval and enable new therapies using pluripotent stem cells.
A UT-Austin study reveals that punitive school policies pose significant barriers to educational attainment for students with criminal records. Compared to non-arrested peers, arrested teens dropped out of high school at a rate 22 percentage points higher and were less likely to enroll in four-year colleges.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a transcriptional regulator called C/EBPG was highly expressed in AML samples with an epigenetically silenced C/EBPA gene. By blocking this epigenetic modification, researchers were able to reduce C/EBPG and restore normal myeloid blood cells.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that uninsured patients with brain tumors had higher in-hospital mortality rates than privately insured patients. The disparity was pronounced in teaching hospitals, highlighting the need for further research into insurance-related disparities in medical outcomes.
Researchers found that female bloggers enjoyed blogging due to feelings of empowerment and community connection. Site metrics like traffic visitors and comments predicted continued interest in blogging. Bloggers who felt a strong sense of agency were more influential.
Researchers have identified a key biochemical marker for cognitive impairment in MS brains and developed an experimental compound to manipulate it, improving learning and memory in mice. The finding has the potential to speed development of new drugs for treating cognitive impairment in MS patients and those with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a solution to predict breast cancer cells' response to cancer drugs by analyzing their genomic profiles. The team's solution outperformed 47 other teams in a prediction challenge, taking an encouraging step forward for personalized medicine.
Rhode Island Hospital researcher Kristy L. Dalrymple explores the variances between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and normal shyness, discussing differing opinions on diagnosis and treatment. SAD affects up to 30% of those seeking mental health treatment, with significant economic costs and impact on daily life.
Researchers found that mosquitoes struggle to fly in heavy fog, despite their ability to withstand raindrops. The study reveals that the tiny fog particles overwhelm the mosquito's gyroscopic sensors, leading to flight failure.
The Shamatha Project, led by Clifford Saron, investigates the long-term impact of intensive meditation training on cognitive, emotional, and physical processes. The new grant will aid analysis of original data and explore how changes in meditation practice relate to personal growth years later.
Astronomers have directly imaged a massive exoplanet, Kappa And b, orbiting the 2.5-solar-mass star Kappa Andromedae. The 'super-Jupiter' has a mass at least 13 times that of Jupiter and is bound to the star.
NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory captured two prominence eruptions on Nov 16, 2012, releasing plasma into space. The eruptions occurred between 1-5 a.m EST and did not appear to be Earth-directed.
Researchers have developed a novel test that measures proteins from nerve damage deposited in blood and spinal fluid to predict the rate of progression in ALS. The test shows promise in identifying patients at most risk for rapid progression, who may be offered new therapies being developed or tested.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia found that individuals with shorter telomeres have an increased risk of death, and that longer telomeres are associated with a longer lifespan. The study, published in Molecular Ecology, measured telomere lengths in a wild population of Seychelles Warblers over 20 years.
Researchers discovered that yeast protein Hsp104 can break up both amyloid fibrils and disordered protein clumps, with different requirements for stability. This finding offers a new approach to eliminate toxic clumps linked with neurodegenerative diseases.
Only three percent of patients receive stress management counselling, highlighting the need for restructuring primary care delivery to include this crucial service as prevention. Stress management counseling is associated with longer office visits, underscoring the importance of providing this support earlier in the disease process.
Hermann Grunder, founding director of Jefferson Lab, received the Francis G. Slack Award for his pioneering work on superconducting technology and innovative faculty joint appointments, significantly strengthening nuclear physics in the Southeast.
Dr. Robert Green's project to explore genome sequencing of newborns won the $100,000 BRIght Futures Prize after six weeks of public voting. The project aims to determine if DNA sequencing of newborns would be perceived as useful to new parents and integrate genomic information into medical care.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed a biocompatible polymer structure that can fight infection, filter water, and perform various healing functions. The system can be fabricated and specialized to meet specific needs, offering versatility and convenience.
Researchers have found a family of molecules that can delay or halt the freezing process by interacting with crystal surfaces, potentially leading to new methods for improving food storage and industrial products. The study's findings may also provide insights into how nature's own anti-freeze molecules work.
Researchers found that great apes, including chimpanzees and orangutans, experience a midlife low in well-being, consistent with the U-shape in human happiness. The study suggests that evolutionary or biological explanations may contribute to this phenomenon.
Researchers at UCSF discover an 'immune exchange' between the brain and blood that allows disease-causing B cells to move in and out of the brain, providing a potential key to unlocking better treatments and diagnostics. The study suggests that targeting specific B cells could lead to precision therapies tailored to each patient's needs.
A study published in the journal Alcohol found that patients with higher blood alcohol levels were less likely to die from injuries, even among those with severe injuries. The protective effect was observed across various injury types and increased with higher blood alcohol concentrations.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found no elevated 10-year risk of heart disease for people who became ill during the Walkerton E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. The study involved 898 adults who consumed polluted drinking water and monitored their cardiovascular health over time.
Rice University scientists have developed a super-efficient solar-energy technology that converts sunlight into steam directly, with an overall energy efficiency of 24 percent. The 'solar steam' method uses nanoparticles to heat water instantly vaporizing it and creating steam from nearly frozen water.
Researchers unveil creative technologies to capture kinetic energy in Florida's oceans, convert waste thermal energy to electricity, and develop nanophosphor-based grow lights. These innovations could change our sources of energy and improve indoor agriculture.
Researchers studying Martian meteorites found that the planet formed from similar building blocks to those of Earth. However, the composition of water on Mars differs significantly from that of Earth, suggesting a distinct geologic history. The study provides new insights into the origin and evolution of water on the Red Planet.
Dr. Aristotle Voineskos has won the prestigious Polanyi Prize for his research combining brain imaging and genetics to improve diagnostic classification and treatment strategies for severe mental illness.
A team of NASA engineers has created a low-cost, easy-to-apply sprayable paint that adsorbs gaseous molecules and prevents them from adhering to instrument components. The new technology overcomes limitations of existing techniques, providing a more effective solution for protecting sensitive satellite instruments and spacecraft.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that 1.5% of discontinued medications are refilled by pharmacies, causing potential harm in 12% of cases. The researchers highlight the need for improved communication between providers and pharmacies to reconcile medication lists.
A future without climate policy would be catastrophic, with coral reefs collapsing and the Greenland ice sheet melting in thousands of years, says a World Bank report. The poorest nations would be hit hardest, with heat waves, sea-level rise, and yield failures becoming the new normal.
Researchers at Yale University have found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower reading scores in children. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 children and found that those exposed to high levels of nicotine scored 21% lower on reading accuracy and comprehension tasks.
Owls' unique wing structure and plumage have inspired researchers to create quieter conventional aircraft. By studying the owl's ability to fly silently, scientists hope to develop aircraft with reduced noise levels, benefiting both humans and wildlife.
The pear genome sequence offers a valuable resource for breeding improvement and studying evolutionary history, with similarities to apple and strawberry genomes. The sequence reveals diverse genetic information, including repetitive sequences and transposable elements, shedding light on the crop's unique characteristics.
After 121 years, researchers have correctly identified the 'grave robber' fossil as a unique branch in the evolutionary tree. The discovery pushes back the endpoint for the fossil's lineage by 45 million years and shows that this family of mammals survived the extinction event that marked the end of the Age of Dinosaurs.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry published a series of articles assessing the cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, which includes GABA A and glycine receptors. These proteins target neurotransmitters to regulate functions such as muscle contraction, anxiety, and pain.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a new real-time tracking technique that can better predict and track tumor motion during radiotherapy, sparing healthy tissue. The technique has shown to deliver higher levels of radiation to moving tumors while reducing dose to critical organs.
A study found that pregnant women with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood had a 61% lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis, compared to those with low levels. However, the mother's vitamin D level did not affect her child's risk of developing MS.
Researchers analyzed 80 Norse skeletons to find that they mainly consumed seals, which made up 50-80% of their diet. This challenges the prevailing view of Norse as farmers and suggests a more adapted and flexible way of life.
Researchers found that certain 'checkpoint mutants' ignore the normal signal to stop replicating DNA after losing nucleotides, instead continuing to unwind and create damaged DNA strands.
Stowers Institute researchers unveil role of MLL3 and MLL4 genes, frequently mutated in certain cancers. The study sheds light on the misregulated mechanism governing histone interactions, which may play a crucial role in cancer pathogenesis.
A Scripps Research Institute team has identified a key factor controlling damage to brain cells in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. The discovery, led by scientist Bruno Conti, points to the IL-13 receptor as a potential target for new treatment options.
The Canadian premiers' commitment to reduce generic drug prices is a significant change. The government should learn from past attempts and aim for universal public coverage for medications.
A new factor of genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease has been identified through a large-scale international study. Mutations in the TREM2 gene on chromosome 6 are associated with a five times greater risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers.
Scientists have developed a new tool that can deliver precise points of light to a 3-D section of living brain tissue, allowing for unprecedented control over individual neurons. This technology, called optogenetics, has the potential to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
The university will utilize new state-of-the-art equipment to develop applications such as smart sensors and biomedical devices. Researchers aim to transform the manufacturing industry through applied research, education, and industrial outreach.
A large international study shows that children with psoriasis are twice as likely to be overweight or obese as healthy children, and US children with severe psoriasis have four times the odds. Lifestyle interventions, such as increasing exercise and decreasing caloric intake, are crucial to reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.
A recent study reveals that more than half of retired people aged 65 and over report sleeping at least 7.5 hours per night, contradicting common stereotypes about elderly sleep patterns. The study, led by Timothy H. Monk, Ph.D., found that most seniors do not have reliably earlier bedtimes than younger adults and often experience dayti...
Researchers found that half of Medicare patients waited at least 32 days after their first doctor visit to undergo breast cancer surgery. Wait times varied by demographics and procedure type, but overall outcomes do not appear to be affected.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden suggests that digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) used on standard hand radiographs can help identify patients at higher risk of hip fracture. DXR is a technique comparable to more costly methods and may be used preventively to identify people at risk for osteoporosis.
Researchers use Multi-Object Double Spectrograph to determine composition of Type Ia supernovae, finding them likely caused by interaction between two white dwarfs. This discovery sheds light on the expansion and acceleration of the universe, opening new ideas in understanding.
A genetically-engineered vaccine aims to prevent HIV infection by continually producing disease-fighting cells. The new approach could provide long-term protection and potentially be adapted for use against other infections.
Professor Catherine Seavitt Nordenson suggests using soft infrastructure to mitigate flood damage without harming outlying areas. Techniques include restoring wetlands, creating reefs and artificial islands, and seeding oyster beds to absorb water and dissipate wave energy.