The collaboration aims to improve vapor phase upgrading during the biomass pyrolysis process, enabling the production of lignocellulose-based fuels at a competitive cost. The partnership seeks to develop catalytic materials that can convert biomass vapors into liquid fuels suitable for transportation.
Scientists tracked the origins of HIV and discovered potential genetic resistance in West African human populations. The study found overlaps between selection signatures and protective genes against HIV-1, which may have evolved to counteract the virus.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that targeting km23-1, a motor protein involved in cell migration, can slow the spread of cancer cells. By inhibiting km23-1, cancer therapies may be developed to prevent tumor cells from migrating to other parts of the body.
A study of 20 industrialized countries found that women tend to earn less when sharing the same occupation as men. However, the researchers discovered that when women work in different trades and professions, they receive higher pay on average. Countries with more women in diverse occupations showed a significant reduction in pay gap.
Victor Gibeault, a cooperative extension specialist at UC Riverside, has received the 2013 USGA Green Section Award for his dedicated work on turfgrass research and education. He holds U.S. patents for zoysiagrass and buffalograss cultivars.
Researchers have identified previously unseen anatomy preserved in fossils using synchrotron-based imaging techniques. The study reveals that a 50 million-year-old lizard skin contains teeth, changing the understanding of this fossil animal.
A new study found that cognitive reappraisal can decrease negative intergroup emotions and increase support for conciliatory policies in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Reappraisal training reduced anger towards Palestinians, increased support for peaceful solutions, and decreased support for aggressive policies.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have found intriguing parallels between modern-day Syria and Bronze-Age Syria, where urban decline, government collapse, and drought led to a regional government's downfall. The study, which used obsidian tools from the ancient city of Urkesh, suggests that climate change, militarism, and unsu...
A study on life-changing experiences found that 14 participants underwent profound, sudden, and lasting change, mirroring Scrooge's transformation. The researchers suggest that the presence of a trusted other person can facilitate faith in what's possible.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin synthesize stable anti-aromatic compound and intermediate state, enabling comparison between aromatic and anti-aromatic properties. The discovery has potential implications for industry, medicine, and information storage.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that changes in dietary cholesterol can alter the gut flora, leading to a shift in bacterial populations. The researchers discovered that this change triggered an increase in cholesterol excretion into the gut, which in turn affected the abundance of certain bacterial taxa.
Researchers have developed small, portable sensors that can track ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels in the air. These sensors, part of the CitiSense system, allow users to monitor their local air quality on their smartphones, providing valuable insights into pollution patterns.
A study by Penn State researchers has found high levels of ancient brines in Marcellus flowback water, which are consistent with brines formed during the Paleozoic era. The study highlights the importance of proper disposal and re-use of fracking fluids to prevent environmental contamination.
Scientists have discovered a new antibiotic principle that selectively blocks the thioredoxin system in bacterial cells, making certain bacteria vulnerable to inhibition. This mechanism could potentially treat conditions like stomach ulcers, TB, and MRSA, providing a new solution for combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A study published in Nature Communications found that 24-39% of harvested areas experienced stagnation or decline in maize, rice, wheat, and soybean yields between 1961 and 2008. The findings highlight the need to shift focus from meat and biofuel production to food security, particularly for staple crops like wheat and rice.
A new study finds that most of the pipestone used to create ancient artifacts in Ohio came from quarries in Illinois, contradicting a long-held assumption. Researchers analyzed mineralogical signatures and found that over 65% of the pipes were carved from flint clay in northern Illinois.
A lack of consideration for older people's needs in emergency situations is hindering their response, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) and HelpAge International. This group faces unique challenges such as difficulty traveling and accessing relief supplies, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates.
A clinical trial by UCSF researchers found that hospital MRIs are better at predicting long-term outcomes for people with mild traumatic brain injuries than CT scans. The study revealed detectable spots on MRI scans called focal lesions, which helped doctors predict persistent neurological problems in patients with 'normal' CT scans.
A new study found that budding yeast can be a good model system to study KP1019, an anti-cancer drug. KP1019 was shown to cause cell death and delay proliferation in yeast cells, likely due to DNA damage.
Researchers from IrsiCaixa have identified a molecule on the surface of dendritic cells that recognizes and binds HIV gangliosides, allowing the virus to be taken up by these cells and transmitted to CD4 T lymphocytes. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments against AIDS.
Researchers at UNC discovered that the hepatitis C virus binds with microRNA miR-122 to protect itself, promoting viral replication. This interaction presents a promising target for new drugs to treat the infection.
The UK government has awarded £6 million to the XMaS facility at the European Synchrotron Radiation in Grenoble, allowing it to continue delivering world-class science. This funding will enable researchers to study the atomic and magnetic structures of materials and their properties under different conditions.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that reducing daily automobile travel and caloric intake both correlate with body weight reduction. The study predicts a 0.21 kg/m2 decrease in national average BMI after six years if all adults drove 1 mile less per day.
A study by Jana Beckelmann found that female horse embryos produce more insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) than male embryos, which may help explain the uneven sex ratio of equine births. This discovery sheds light on a previously unknown mechanism driving sexual dimorphism in horses.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified an enzyme specifically linked to aggressive prostate cancer, which promotes the metastatic spread of the disease. A compound that inhibits this enzyme's ability has been developed and shows promise for future clinical applications.
Patients with diabetes may receive high-dose cholesterol-lowering medications unnecessarily, increasing the risk of adverse side effects. The new study suggests adopting a more personalized treatment approach based on each patient's risk profile, combining blood pressure and prescription data in electronic records.
Researchers found that people with ADHD are impulsive risk-takers, while those with OCD are anxious about consequences, causing hesitancy in decision-making. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and well-being, as mistaking the two disorders can lead to wrong medication prescriptions.
Researchers found that cancer cells use unfolded protein response (UPR) to manipulate immune cells, making them ineffective against tumors. Tumor cells exploit UPR to promote their survival and growth, and this mechanism is being targeted for potential therapy and improved cancer vaccines.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that long-term survival rates for patients undergoing abdominal aneurysm repair with either open or less-invasive endovascular procedures are comparable. However, the research suggests that elderly patients may not benefit from the minimally invasive operation.
Pulsars suddenly increase speed in brief events called 'glitches,' but researchers question this phenomenon's explanation. A mathematical model shows that the available superfluid in a pulsar's crust is too small to cause such friction, contradicting current thinking.
The latest issue of Reproductive Health Matters exposes the significant impact of neglected sexual and reproductive morbidities on women, men, and families globally. It addresses various health issues, including fistula complications, maternal health, and cervical cancer, while also highlighting prevailing myths and misconceptions.
The five recipients of the 2013 AAAS-EurekAlert Fellowships are Sofia Moutinho, Victoria Renata Sanchez Hernandez, Marcos Chumpitaz Sanchez, Lucas Viano, and Alejandra Vargas Morera. They will attend the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston to cover the latest research and network with peers from around the world.
Researchers developed a DESICCANT-ENHANCED EVAPORATIVE (DEVAP) system that works in any climate and achieves comfortable cooling while saving 40% to 80% of the energy use of conventional air conditioning systems. The system uses micro-porous membranes to separate desiccant from air, enabling efficient dehydration and cooling.
Scientists at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute receive $16 million in funding to develop new methods for analyzing complex data sets and understand the adaptive immune response. The funding will support researchers in developing treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, malaria, and cancer.
A new study from Cornell University found that serving kids combined snacks of cheese and vegetables led to a 72% reduction in calories consumed. The results showed that children eating these snack combos were just as satisfied as those who ate only potato chips, making it an effective tool for reducing childhood obesity.
Scientists at Rochester Institute of Technology have published the whole genome sequence of three bacteria associated with Jamaican sugarcane and Riesling grapevines. The genomes reveal genetic instructions that make up individual organisms, providing data for the prevention or management of diseases afflicting crops.
Researchers found that adding noise to a micro-textured surface can lower the energy barrier for an object to roll, mimicking gecko feet's adhesive properties. This study could lead to applications in gecko-inspired adhesives, tire adhesion, and digital operations.
Researchers have decoded the entire pathway regulating blood vessel leakiness, a condition linked to disorders like heart disease and cancer. Several agents already being tested for other conditions may reverse vessel leakiness, offering new directions for clinical treatment.
The University of Houston has received a high-speed computer cluster donation from Total, expanding its computing capabilities for research and education. The cluster will be used for large-scale simulations, data analysis, and teaching students about systems administration.
A leading researcher's findings reveal that mental health is not improving at the same rate as global health and lifespan, with autism prevalence found in males, those without higher education, and social housing residents. Training Health Visitors to assess and support mothers after childbirth can prevent depression in adults.
Researchers at Duke Medicine have developed an artificial protein that stimulates the body's natural immune system to fight cancer. In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the therapy was shown to cure brain tumors in six out of eight mice, with no harm to surrounding normal tissue.
Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that accurately predicts lower back pain in patients 76% of the time using brain scans. The study suggests structural changes in gray matter are associated with chronic lower back pain and may reflect pathology within the brain.
A new study maps environmental stresses and ecological services in the Great Lakes, highlighting areas of high cumulative stress and potential for protection. The analysis provides a comprehensive perspective on restoration, identifying locations where multiple problems intersect and opportunities for targeted remediation.
Scientists have created a way to convert naturally occurring fatty acids found in soap and ice cream into ready-to-use fuel and household chemicals. This breakthrough in synthetic biology has the potential to create renewable energy from sustainable sources.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine is launching a study on drug-resistant malaria in Myanmar, using new genetic markers to track the spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria. The researchers aim to develop tests to identify and monitor the disease, which has caused significant treatment failures in Southeast Asia.
A new study aims to develop fishing management guidelines for Atlantic menhaden, a crucial food source for larger fish and marine mammals. The research will help ensure the species' survival and maintain ecosystem balance.
Researchers found that feeling inferior in social status leads people of all races to crave expensive products. Whites who imagined themselves in low-status positions rated high-status goods more positively than those in higher positions.
Researchers develop method to reprogram T-cells involved in autoimmune diseases by attaching pancreatic protein to red blood cells, eliminating symptoms of type I diabetes in mice. The approach aims to minimize risks and side effects while targeting specific immune cells involved in the disease.
Researchers have discovered a new type of cell division called klerokinesis, which appears to be an evolutionary failsafe mechanism that could rescue cell functions during embryonic development. By analyzing human retinal pigment epithelial cells, the team found that klerokinesis can help maintain genomic integrity and potentially prev...
A new study investigated muscle weakness in a mouse model of Down syndrome and found that factors in the nervous system may play a more dominant role in explaining muscle weakness. The research team discovered altered pathways in DS muscle, including breakdown of proteins and neuromuscular transmission.
Researchers used brain imaging technology to identify young people at risk of bipolar disorder, showing clear differences in brain activity when compared to controls. Young people with a genetic risk of bipolar displayed reduced brain responses to emotive faces, particularly fearful faces.
A recent study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine found that patients with sepsis had abnormally low levels of the inflammatory protein LECT2. Injecting LECT2 into septic mice promoted bacterial clearance by immune cells and increased their production of survival-promoting factors.
Researchers developed an elegant and powerful new microscale actuator based on vanadium dioxide material, which expands and contracts in response to temperature variations. The actuators are smaller than human hair width and offer large force and displacement, suitable for biological and microfluidic applications.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that two cups of cow's milk per day is sufficient to maintain adequate vitamin D levels and iron stores in most children. Drinking more than two cups resulted in lower iron stores without additional benefits for vitamin D.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that mice with elevated urate levels showed significantly less neurodegeneration and improved movement abnormalities compared to those with low urate levels. The results support the possibility that increasing urate levels may slow progression of Parkinson's disease.
A study found that climate change is affecting boreal bird species populations, with some groups increasing in density while others are declining. The research suggests that habitat-specific responses to climate change may be driving these trends, with open mires and mountain heaths being more rapidly affected.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that BRCA1 targets cyclin B and Cdc25c proteins, regulating the G2/M checkpoint and halting cell division to allow DNA repair. This novel function explains BRCA1's role in maintaining genomic integrity and suppressing tumor growth.
A University of Pittsburgh study published in Child Development found that African American adolescents with a sense of racial pride tend to have more success in school and are less vulnerable to the effects of racial discrimination. The study suggests that racially conscious parenting strategies can be a key factor in student success.
A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reveals that hair care complications are a primary factor deterring African-American women from exercising. The research found that over 40% of respondents reported avoiding exercise due to hair-related issues, with many using heat straighteners or chemical products to style their hair.
A new study by Brown University finds that farm soils mediate the environmental consequences of modern farming, particularly with phosphorus, a key agricultural nutrient. The research compares soybean production in US, Brazil, and Argentina, revealing how soil type and management impact phosphorus usage and environmental pollution.