A new equine vaccine, Equivac HeV, has been developed to prevent clinical disease caused by Hendra virus in horses. The vaccine, derived from the original work of Christopher C. Broder and Katharine Bossart, is now available for use in Australia.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed an ultrasensitive method for detecting sugar molecules, known as Glyco-qPCR. This technique enables a more detailed understanding of cellular functions than genetic or proteomic information can provide, and has the potential to revolutionize the study of glycans.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology uses a computer model to accurately mimic how the brain processes musical timbre, allowing for better instrument recognition. The researchers found that wind and percussive instruments tend to be most different from each other, with strings and winds being closer together.
A recent study in Neurosurgical Focus highlights the importance of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative processes in reducing neurosurgery-related adverse events. The authors propose a national registry for outcome data and monitoring, as well as standardization of specialized equipment and evidence-based guidelines.
Researchers found that TFIIB halts general transcription when DNA damage occurs, enabling cells to prioritize repair and support p53's tumor-suppressing functions. This process allows p53 to bypass the need for TFIIB phosphorylation, activating its target genes vital for DNA damage response.
A computer model reveals that marine bacteria benefit from swimming in turbulent seawater, accessing nutrient-rich zones before they are dispersed. The study finds an optimal swimming speed of about 60 micrometers per second, which confers a feeding advantage but also incurs energy costs.
The Nowgen Schools Genomics Programme provides free, multi-media resources to update the study of modern genetics in schools and colleges. The resources aim to bring cutting-edge research into the classroom, helping teachers and students explore the impact and potential of modern genetics.
Tropical Storm Rosa experienced strong convection pushed southeast of its center due to wind shear. The AIRS instrument captured infrared images showing the strongest thunderstorms in that area had cloud tops as cold as -63F (-52C), leading to heavy rain, weakening Rosa's organization.
Researchers developed a new optical imaging technique that uses tissue-penetrating laser light to analyze ultra-thin collagen fibers in breast tumor tissue samples. The study found that women with denser fiber patterns were more likely to need lymph node biopsy and removal, reducing the risk of unnecessary surgeries.
Researchers have created the world's first family tree linking every known bird species and found that they are accelerating their rate of evolution. The study reveals that birds' speciation rate is increasing, not declining, with no drop-off in tropical regions.
Recent studies claiming to use brain scans for autism diagnosis are flawed and unreliable. Researchers need to conduct large-scale multicenter studies to understand the biological basis of autism.
Scientists from UNH's Space Science Center will develop a cutting-edge radiation detector to measure and calculate absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from exposure to indirect and direct ionizing radiation. The project aims to aid in understanding the hazards posed by space radiation and protect astronauts on extended missions.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has successfully restored fertility in male primates who became sterile due to cancer drug side effects. The study involved transplanting spermatogonial stem cells into testes, resulting in functional sperm that fertilized eggs and produced early embryos.
A recent study by George Bizer and colleagues found that negatively framed political attitudes are stronger than positively framed attitudes, particularly when people process the messages deeply. This effect is strengthened when people think more deeply about the issues involved.
A new study by MIT and Northwestern economists reveals that kinship networks are crucial for accessing credit, smoothing consumption, and financing large investments. The research suggests that indirect access to banks is as effective as a direct connection, highlighting the importance of social safety nets in reducing financial vulner...
The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development at SDSU is expanding its program with a $2.8M NIH grant, providing opportunities for 30 students in biomedical and behavioral sciences. The program offers top-notch guidance, research, and advancement opportunities to diverse students.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that repeated surgeries to remove glioblastomas, the most aggressive brain tumors, can increase median survival time from 14 months to 26.6 months. This may be due to increased efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy with each successive surgery.
A new study uses blood testing to predict cathepsin activity, enzymes accelerating diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer. The technique achieved high predictability, ranging from 90 to 95 percent, and may help develop personalized treatments for tissue-destructive diseases.
Researchers are using computational models and digital tools to build a clearer picture of disease mechanisms, aid in diagnosis, and test therapies. These advancements have the potential to predict patient risk and develop more effective treatments.
Using data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, scientists measured the most accurate amount of starlight in the universe and determined the extragalactic background light (EBL), also known as cosmic fog. The EBL is a fossil radiation field created by ancient starlight that continues to travel through the universe.
Researchers found that adding fruits and vegetables can reduce metabolic acidosis and preserve kidney function in CKD patients. Poor dietary habits and poverty are also linked to an increased risk of kidney disease, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in care.
Researchers at Boston University developed a novel technique to produce human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood, offering an ethical alternative to embryonic stem cells. The method has been published in JoVE and provides a valuable resource for studying rare genetic disorders.
Researchers discovered that fruit fly larvae with simple eyes can assemble complex images using rapid head scanning, challenging traditional views on vision. The study suggests the brain plays a crucial role in processing visual input, enabling organisms to recognize details and patterns despite limited visual acuity.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to analyze the effects of smoke from traditional cooking methods on human health. The researchers will combine sensors with computer models to examine links between air pollutants and diseases such as meningitis in northern Ghana.
Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has received a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop rapid malaria vaccines using synthetic minigene libraries. This innovative approach aims to identify protective target antigens in a fraction of the time required by conventional technologies.
Researchers at George Mason University are conducting three trials to target breast cancer using a malarial drug called chloroquine. The trials aim to prevent the development of breast cancer in its early stages, reducing the risk of invasive cancer.
New research examines how social groups work, including in-group conformity and prejudice reduction strategies. Studies find that oxytocin stimulates in-group conformity and a small dose of negativity can reduce prejudice toward stigmatized groups.
FOXSI will study nanoflares on the sun using a state-of-the-art x-ray telescope that focuses incoming x-rays. The mission aims to understand energy transfer and coronal heating by observing how these small flares impact the sun's atmosphere.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a positive feedback loop between Notch and TGF beta proteins that maintains basal cell population in the prostate. Disrupting this loop may contribute to prostate cancer initiation.
A new study found that UK butterfly populations' sensitivity to extreme drought is affected by habitat type area and degree of fragmentation. Larger, more connected patches of woodland habitat reduced population sensitivity and facilitated faster recovery.
Baylor University has been awarded federal grants to support research on Gulf War illness, a complex medical condition affecting thousands of veterans. The grants will fund studies on biological processes causing symptoms and the development of a nationwide network for health research.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) as a promising therapeutic target for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease. Inactivation of MAGL reduced beta amyloid plaque production and improved brain function, learning, and memory.
A researcher is studying the long-term economic impacts of domestic violence in Latin America on women's labor participation, health, and children's education. The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the intangible costs of domestic violence in the region, with implications for public policy.
A new genetic sequencing tool, Next-Gen Lab-on-Bead, has been developed to speed up drug discovery and disease diagnostics. The technology uses next-generation sequencing to test millions of potential drug candidates simultaneously.
A breakthrough in drug development has led to the creation of a vaccine against methamphetamine, which could potentially treat meth addiction. The vaccine, called MH6, was tested on rats and found to be highly effective at blocking the typical effects of meth intoxication.
The GSA Annual Meeting technical session 'Geomorphology of the Anthropocene' brings together experts to address human impacts on Earth's systems. Research studies investigate influences such as indigenous culture and dams, with a focus on defining the Anthropocene's temporal and spatial scales.
USDA researchers have developed a method to capture and recycle ammonia from livestock waste, reducing harmful emissions and concentrating nitrogen for fertilizer. The system uses gas-permeable membranes, achieving an average removal rate of 45-153 mg/liter per day.
Iowa State researchers identify three types of cell-to-cell bonds, each reacting differently to a pulling force. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, have implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular problems.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time view of New York City, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania, revealing the extent of the power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy's landfall on October 29. The images show areas where power has not been restored, with comparisons to earlier images highlighting the affected regions.
A phase 2 study reports that the combination of lapatinib and capecitabine reduces brain tumour size by at least 50% in two-thirds of women with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. This treatment delays radiotherapy, which can impair cognitive function, offering a potential advance for patients.
Researchers at UCSB have made a significant discovery in the study of split-brain research, uncovering dynamic changes in brain coordination patterns between left and right hemispheres. The findings show that healthy test subjects respond less accurately when information is shown only to the right brain.
Harvard scientists have solved the long-standing mystery of how some insects form germ cells, discovering that a cricket's oskar gene is far older than previously thought. The team found that the gene emerged in their last common ancestor and likely originated in the nervous system before being co-opted for germ cell formation.
A new study considers how to manage epidemics in information blackouts, particularly in the US where privacy laws restrict data accessibility. The researchers used land cover maps to approximate farm locations and developed a mathematical model that can provide accurate predictions about disease spread.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation identifies a rare mutation in the DGAT1 gene as the cause of congenital diarrheal disorder. Additionally, research on natriuretic peptides reveals their role in enhancing human skeletal muscle metabolism and increasing fat oxidation.
A new study published in Hepatology found that African American women co-infected with HIV and HCV have lower liver-related mortality rates compared to Caucasian and Hispanic women. This finding suggests that racial disparities in liver disease may be influenced by other factors beyond just the presence of the virus.
The Carnegie Institution has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to engineer broad-spectrum resistance against rice bacterial blight through genetic engineering. The project aims to create durable and environmentally friendly solutions to combat this disease in developing countries.
A gene called spastin plays a critical role in axon regeneration, which was found to be shut down by a mutation in the gene. The researchers used fruit flies as a model organism and observed that severed axons regrew normally when the gene was present.
Researchers found that living donor liver transplant recipients had better quality of life than the general Japanese population, except those with medical problems after donation. The study also discovered a significant correlation between decreased long-term HRQOL and age, persistence of symptoms, or additional diseases.
A recent study published in Developmental Psychology found that variation in words, rather than similarity, may help early readers learn the rules of phonics more effectively. The study showed that students exposed to varied practice outperformed those with similar word lists, particularly among struggling learners.
Asteroid belts may play a key role in the evolution of complex life. According to a NASA study, only a tiny fraction of planetary systems seem to have giant planets in the right location to produce an asteroid belt of the appropriate size. This suggests that our solar system may be special.
Researchers identified trust as a crucial factor in the success or failure of agbiotech public-private partnerships. The study found that integrity, open communication, and accountability were essential components of trust in these partnerships, while a lack of transparency and poor performance can erode trust.
The Harvard Review of Psychiatry has partnered with Wolters Kluwer Health to expand its global reach and impact. The partnership aims to enhance digital publishing solutions and strategies, including the development of a new iPad edition and an updated website.
Researchers have identified several critical feedback loops that contribute to the rapid increase in sea levels, including Arctic sea ice, Greenland's ice cap, and soil moisture. These positive feedbacks accelerate climate change, making it challenging to predict future sea-level rise.
Researchers investigated the use of stem cells in treating equine tendon injuries. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells showed promise in strengthening tendons after injury, while umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells may offer even greater potential for tendon regeneration.
Hurricane Sandy's heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding along the US eastern seaboard, with rainfall totals over 260mm in open Atlantic waters and 180mm in coastal areas. The storm resulted in over 120 reported deaths, mainly due to flooding and high winds.
Researchers find two super-luminous supernovae at high redshifts, consistent with pair-instability supernova mechanism. The explosions are thought to have occurred in massive stars that formed in the early universe.
Researchers from UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton are partnering to conduct pilot research projects on cancer health disparities in Orange County. The alliance will focus on erasing disparities in cervical, stomach, and liver cancers, as well as increasing awareness of the risks among different ethnic groups.
Researchers found moderate to insufficient evidence supporting various autism interventions, highlighting the need for well-designed studies. The expert panel recommends focusing on assessment and monitoring treatment outcomes, addressing needs of preverbal and nonverbal children, and identifying effective strategies for core deficits.
Physicists at the University of Bristol have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the nature of light by demonstrating its wave-particle duality. The experiment, published in Science, shows that photons can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior simultaneously, resolving a long-standing debate in quantum mechanics.
Researchers have identified a gene that regulates chloroplast development through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, potentially unlocking control over fruit ripening in crops. The discovery may enable manipulation of chloroplast functions to improve crop yields and reduce food waste.