UT Southwestern researchers identified microRNA miR-15 as a regulator of the heart's ability to regenerate, with potential therapeutic applications. By understanding this molecular mechanism, scientists may be able to control the heart's regenerative process and develop new treatments for cardiovascular disease.
A recent study published in Genome Biology analyzed Clostridium difficile genomes from 486 patients to investigate transmission. The results indicate that transmission between patients occurs at relatively low frequency, with most cases attributed to specific strains.
Researchers have discovered a higher frequency of the fragile X genetic defect in newborns than previously believed, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 200 females and 1 in 400 males. The study's findings suggest that large-scale newborn screening for the defect is technically feasible using blood spots from infant heel pricks.
Children with better language skills as toddlers tend to express less anger in preschool. They use strategies like seeking support and distracting themselves to manage frustration. This study found that developing language skills predicts later anger regulation.
Teens who fight with siblings over equality and fairness issues are more depressed a year later, while those who fight about personal space issues have lower self-esteem. Younger brothers with older brothers and girls with brothers experience more anxiety, leading to lower self-esteem.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School has received significant funding to expand its family planning initiatives, aiming to increase resources and political commitment for quality programs. The Advance Family Planning initiative will focus on nine countries, improving access to and use of family planning services, information, and supplies.
Researchers have identified numerous new genes associated with autism spectrum disorder using high-throughput sequencing technology. This discovery confirms that the genetic origins of autism are complex and may involve hundreds of mutations.
Researchers have published the first genomic report on limpet, leech and worm species, shedding light on lophotrochozoans' evolutionary history and functional gene groups. The study's findings suggest that these ancient animals played crucial roles in marine ecosystems.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that cholesterol regulates key signaling proteins in cells, challenging existing views on its role in heart disease. The research found that cholesterol interacts with a scaffolding protein to activate its partner, shedding light on the importance of cholesterol in cellular processes.
Researchers created stunning images of branching patterns of individual sensory nerve cells, defining ten distinct groups that likely correspond to differences in what the nerves do. The branching patterns can help scientists make sense of known responses to stimulation of the skin and may hold clues for pain management.
Researchers discovered ancient wooden wells in eastern Germany, providing evidence of skilled carpentry among early European farmers. The tree rings preserved environmental data offering insights into climate and strategies used by these prehistoric settlers.
A new study suggests that climate change may have a lesser impact on bird populations than previously thought, with housing development potentially causing greater harm. The research found that some species projected to expand their ranges due to climate change may actually lose ground when faced with future development.
A new process produces super-nutritious puffed rice with three times more protein and eight times more dietary fiber than commercial products. The rice also contains essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc, making it ideal for school lunch programs and other applications.
A new study finds that humpback whales sing while foraging in their Antarctic feeding grounds, showing a previously unknown behavioral flexibility. The researchers tracked ten whales and found that all ten sang while foraging, with some even singing intense, continuous bouts of song.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that transplanted neural stem cells slow ALS disease onset and progression by producing protective molecules and reducing inflammation. The treatment improves motor function and prolongs survival in ALS mice, offering new hope for treating this devastating disease.
The Monitoring the Future survey reveals that 6.5% of high school seniors smoke marijuana daily, while perception of marijuana's harmfulness is down among teens, signaling future increases in use. Long-term NIH-funded study shows a significant drop in IQ between ages 13-38 for those who used cannabis heavily in their teens.
A new study found that ethnically and religiously diverse countries tend to underinvest in environmental protection, even when controlling for income and industrial activity. Social fragmentation can lower collective action and reduce public spending on environmental protection.
A Western University-led study found that intelligence quotient cannot be measured by a single test, with three distinct cognitive components: short-term memory, reasoning and verbal ability. The research also showed that brain function is influenced by factors such as age, gender and computer gaming habits.
Every week, the UK National Poisons Information Service receives around two phone queries about snakebites, with over half of these enquiries concerning the European adder, the only poisonous snake native to the UK. Snakebite injuries can be serious due to their effects on the heart and other organs, despite being rarely fatal.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a vaccine against human leishmaniasis that shows promising results, offering new hope for the fight against this devastating disease. The vaccine combines DNA and protein-based approaches, using insect larvae to produce the proteins at low cost.
A new UCLA study assesses the prevalence of various study partner types in Alzheimer's clinical trials, finding that non-spouse partners can impact trial results and interpretations. The study also highlights disparities in recruitment among minority groups.
A comprehensive study found that adult beetles of the European forest cockchafer species house the same microbial species as larvae, despite metamorphosing from one stage to another. The microbes include clostridia and other bacterial species that aid in digesting plant materials.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dinosaurs have a greater number of larger species compared to all other back-boned animals. The researchers analyzed the femur bone length and weight of 329 dinosaur species, suggesting that young dinosaurs occupied a different ecological niche than their parents.
Researchers used NASA's Operation IceBridge data to correct forecast models and improve seasonal predictions. The new quick look data product, released before the end of the Arctic campaign, supplements final sea ice data and enables more accurate forecasts.
Researchers from NYSCF and CUMC developed a technique to transfer human egg cells' nuclei, eliminating the inheritance of mitochondrial diseases. This method demonstrates permanent elimination of mitochondrial DNA, preventing future generations from developing these devastating diseases.
A study by the University of Exeter found that badgers sleeping in outlying dens were more likely to carry TB, highlighting the importance of behavior in disease transmission. The research could inform measures to manage bovine TB in parts of the UK.
A study found that eating meals together as a family increases children's daily fruit and vegetable intake to near the recommended 5 A Day. Parents who cut up portions of fruits and vegetables also boosted their children's intake, with even one or two family meals per week showing benefits.
Researchers discovered that leaping toads' muscles adapt to varying impact intensity during landing, protecting them from injury. This study's findings may lead to improved rehabilitation programs for individuals with neuromuscular deficiencies.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that children who ate family meals with their parents consumed more fruit and vegetables, reaching recommended daily targets. Those who always ate together had higher nutrient intake than those who sometimes or never did so.
Researchers developed a new nanomechanical dual-core optical fiber that can enhance data processing and serve as sensors by applying mechanical pressure. The fibers' internal core structure is designed to be dynamic, allowing for precise motion control and harnessing the fundamental properties of light.
Cyclone Evan weakened from Cyclone strength to Tropical Storm strength over a 36-hour period, according to NASA's infrared images. The storm showed changes in intense thunderstorms, with cloud top temperatures warming and evaporation decreasing due to wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.
A UC Riverside study reveals that many California graduate students in environmental sciences lack training in technology and computation, as well as data management practices. Only 29.3% of completed graduates had made their research data available online.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new process to convert soybean byproducts into succinic acid, a valuable chemical used in various industries. The process uses genetically modified E. coli bacteria to metabolize soluble carbohydrates from soybeans, achieving a high yield and a 1:1 ratio of feedstock to product.
The DOE JGI has sequenced the simplest cotton genome, Gossypium raimondii, to improve fiber composition and increase biofuels production. This data will help researchers accelerate gene function studies, particularly cellulose biosynthesis.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a protein that enables cancer cells to resist MEK inhibitors, a common treatment for melanoma. By targeting this protein, SMURF2, with a combination of MEK inhibitors and reduced doses, sensitivity to the drug can be significantly increased.
Scientists have found a model that describes the evolution of cauliflower-type fractal morphologies for nanoscopic systems, offering insights into natural structures like sea coasts and blood vessels. This breakthrough may help improve technologies used in thin film coatings and generate textures in computer simulations.
Researchers have achieved impressive results in a three-year project to develop wind turbines using superconducting wire, exceeding initial targets by 15 percentage points. The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded additional funding, increasing the total project value to $4 million.
Research reveals successful solo rock/pop stars are twice as likely to die early as those in equally famous bands. Adverse childhood experiences are also significantly more common among those who died from drug and alcohol misuse.
A new therapeutic ultrasound approach converts light to sound, focusing high-pressure waves to finer points than ever before. The device can blast and cut with pressure, rather than heat, potentially operating painlessly.
Researchers create large-scale production method for sclareol, a prized fragrance ingredient, using bacterial cultures and Clary sage plant DNA. The new technology provides a more sustainable alternative to natural ambergris, which is scarce and expensive.
A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that many people, especially men, with fibromyalgia symptoms are going undiagnosed. Researchers estimate that 6.4% of adults in Olmsted County have fibromyalgia, yet only a small percentage receive an official diagnosis.
A new study published in the Journal of Urology found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) resulted in decreased estimated blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared to open radical cystectomy (ORC) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. RARC also showed a trend towards faster return of bowel func...
A NASA TRMM satellite found an unusually tall storm-cell in Cyclone Evan's eyewall, extending 17 km above the ocean surface. This rare feature was previously thought to occur only over land, but continuous observations have revealed its existence over the ocean.
Researchers at UT Austin create a novel process to grow ceramic thin films onto plastic substrates using microwaves, reducing growth temperature from over 450°C to under 150°C. The method enables controlled film growth in a single step, with potential applications in developing thin-film batteries and solar cells.
Scientists have identified a gene expression that initiates a protective electrical response after seizures, which could prevent recurrent seizures and the onset of devastating epilepsy. This discovery also has implications for relief from chronic pains, cardiovascular disease, and recovery from mood disorders.
Researchers at NC State are developing universal solar panel mounting systems and automated permitting technologies to reduce installation costs. The goal is to make home solar energy systems more accessible and affordable for homeowners.
Researchers found that transplanting neural stem cells into mice with familial ALS slowed disease onset and progression, improved motor function, and extended survival. The study suggests targeting detrimental roles played by non-neuronal cells to develop more effective therapeutics.
Researchers discovered that innate immune cells, particularly dendritic cells, trigger the activation of killer T-lymphocytes targeting pancreatic cells. The study sheds light on new ways to regulate the auto-immune reaction and offers potential therapeutic approaches for preventing Type 1 diabetes.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have developed a synthetic compound that reverses the effects of fatty liver disease by suppressing lipid production in the liver. The compound, SR9238, also significantly lowered total cholesterol levels and reduced markers for liver damage.
Researchers mapped out how 1,705 distinct object and action categories are represented across the brain's surface, finding a continuous semantic space that organizes similar categories together. The study's results demonstrate an efficient way for the brain to represent diverse categories in a compact spatial manner.
GEOMAR researchers have found evidence that climate change can trigger volcanic eruptions on a global scale. They discovered a pattern where periods of high volcanic activity followed rapid global temperature increases and associated ice melting. This discovery could provide new insights into the Earth's natural climate cycles.
Researchers at UT Arlington are working with IBM to minimize heat generated by stacked 3D integrated circuits and develop cooling solutions. The team aims to improve efficiency, speed, and reliability of 3D ICs, which could lead to significant financial savings and advancements in computing.
A new study calculates the impact of ocean iron fertilization on carbon sequestration, finding that it is unlikely to be an effective method for reducing greenhouse gas levels. The study estimates a net sequestration rate of just 10 tonnes of carbon per square kilometer, making it a costly and inefficient solution.
Researchers have found that blocking the NLRP3 inflammasome can prevent Alzheimer's disease. The study, which involved human and mouse subjects, suggests that suppressing inflammatory reactions may be a promising new approach to therapy.
Researchers at UT Arlington have developed a new imaging system that doubles methane gas production in the city of Denton landfill. The system will enable the landfill to power up to 3,000 homes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The genomes of leeches, limpets and marine worms have revealed a deep connection between these diverse organisms, with similarities to humans and other animals. The analysis has also highlighted notable differences in immune systems and developmental processes.
The use of paper industry waste to create bricks has been shown to have low thermal conductivity, making them effective insulators. Additionally, the bricks can provide energy due to their organic material content, which could help reduce fuel consumption and kiln time required for brick production.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that a specific protein helps nerve cells extend themselves along the spinal cord during mammalian development. The protein, dystroglycan, acts as a hub for instructional molecules that guide nerve axons as they grow.
Researchers from FIGHT-MG project discover that a viral molecule can trigger an inappropriate immune response, causing muscular function to deteriorate. The study provides proof of concept that a viral infection can cause auto-immune myasthenia, a rare disease characterized by muscular weakness and exhaustion.
Scientists have developed a pill that breaks down gluten peptides, making it possible for people with celiac disease to consume gluten-containing foods. The enzyme, called KumaMax, has been engineered to break down over 95% of the offending peptides in acidic conditions like those in the stomach.