Researchers found that replacing coal with renewable energy sources like nuclear power and wind/solar energy would be the least expensive way to meet greenhouse gas emissions goals. The study suggests a moderate increase in consumer cost of electric power, at most 20 percent.
Underage female drinkers face a growing risk of fatal car crashes, with risks now comparable to their male peers. The study found that young women are taking greater risks on the road, and that efforts to curb distracted driving may be necessary.
The Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has awarded five research scientists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute with prestigious accolades. The institute's director, Professor Doug Hilton, received the Lemberg Medal for his seminal contributions to blood cell production research.
Researchers from NIST, University of Maryland and Royal Institute of Technology create method to detect defects in magnetic structures as small as a tenth of a micrometer. The technique uses spin waves to nondestructively measure the properties of magnetic materials and search for nanoscale defects.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that eliminating the 'good cholesterol' receptor SR-BI can decrease breast cancer cell growth and tumor formation in mice. This study suggests a potential new approach to fighting breast cancer, with further research needed to fully characterize its role.
A new brain imaging study finds that people with anorexia and obesity have wired brains differently in response to food. The study shows consistent activations of reward areas associated with addiction, but how those areas respond varies between individuals depending on their eating behaviors.
Tropical Storm Daphne strengthened overnight, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing its cloud extent using infrared imagery. The MODIS image showed a more rounded cloud shape, indicating lessened wind shear. Maximum sustained winds near 50 knots were reported, with the storm speeding southeast at 25 knots.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that people with rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing lower gastrointestinal issues, which can be life-threatening. Smoking, steroid use, and prior abdominal surgery increase the risk, emphasizing the need for new prevention and treatment strategies.
Research suggests that bioenergy crop expansion can harm farmland bird populations like the Skylark. However, integrating small natural areas into landscapes with diverse crop types and maintaining low field sizes may help conserve these species.
Studies show people experience similar emotional reactions to online and face-to-face exclusion, with participants feeling numb and distancing after being ignored. The findings challenge the assumption that online interactions are less meaningful than in-person ones.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have identified a new process that controls artery constriction, which could lead to a better understanding of cardiovascular disease causes and the development of new treatments. By blocking specific enzymes, researchers were able to reduce artery constriction and lower blood pressure risk.
A new drug developed by Northwestern Medicine scientists has prevented human prostate cancer cells from spreading to other tissues. The drug inhibits movement of the cells and prevents metastasis without causing harm to normal cells or tissues.
Depressed individuals with rumination tendencies show altered brain network activation compared to healthy individuals. The study found a dissociation pattern between anterior and posterior medial cortex regions, positively associating rumination with increased connectivity.
A University of Michigan study found that older adults who get infections are at a higher risk of hospitalization for deep vein or lung blood clots. Infections were the most common predictor of hospitalization for venous thromboembolism, which can be life-threatening.
A study found that bilingual children are faster at switching between tasks than their monolingual counterparts, showcasing improved executive functioning skills. However, bilinguals lag behind monolinguals in acquiring vocabulary due to language division.
Researchers have developed new seizure detection software that significantly reduces false alarms, offering promise for improved epilepsy treatment. The system uses algorithms to detect imminent seizures and has been tested on real-time brain activity recordings from four patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
A new biomarker has been identified to detect hepatitis B-infected patients at risk of developing liver cancer. Telomere length analysis revealed a significant association between longer telomeres and increased risk of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis B.
Researchers developed a brief survey to identify depressive thinking patterns that may lead to serious depression if not addressed early. A score of 7 on the Depression Cognition Scale (DCS) represents the point at which individuals should initiate strategies to change negative thoughts into positive ones.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveals that rapamycin triggers diabetic-like symptoms in some patients through activity of protein YY1. The researchers found that mice without the YY1 protein were protected against the effects, raising caution about the use of rapamycin.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded $17 million in grants to two University of Houston professors, Natalie Houston and Casey Dué Hackney. The grants will support innovative digital humanities projects, including a book history project and an undergraduate course on the ownership of the past.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have measured the half-life of samarium-146, revealing it decays in just 68 million years, significantly shorter than previously thought. This new value patches holes in current understanding and matches recent lunar rock dating, providing insight into solar system evolution.
A study found that experienced Tai Chi practitioners have better arterial compliance and knee muscle strength than their non-practitioner counterparts. This suggests that Tai Chi may be a suitable exercise for older people to improve both cardiovascular function and body strength, without compromising arterial health.
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial demonstrated the feasibility of selecting treatment based on individual molecular characteristics in advanced pancreatic cancer. The study found that biopsies could be safely conducted and multiple drug targets identified, suggesting potential benefits for some patients.
A study published in PLOS Medicine analyzed medical records of 325 patients attending a clinic in Darfur, finding consistent evidence of torture, including beatings, gunshot wounds, and sexual assault. The research enhances the credibility of patient claims, but lacks data to corroborate assailant identities or genocidal intent.
A team of researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center has discovered an agent that prevents the spread of osteosarcoma cancer to the lungs in mice with the disease. The agent, an ezrin inhibitor, targets a protein vital to the spread of osteosarcoma and may potentially treat adults and children with bone tumors.
A new intranasal flu vaccine with four weakened influenza strains shows promise in protecting children from the flu. The vaccine demonstrates a robust immune response and is well-tolerated, offering improved protection against the flu.
A systematic review of 17 studies found that low-energy-density diets improve weight loss and maintenance in adults. In children and adolescents, moderately strong evidence shows a relationship between higher energy density diets and increased weight. Lowering energy density is associated with enhanced satiety and reduced calorie intake.
A study found that combining annual mammography with screening ultrasound in women at high risk for breast cancer and dense breasts resulted in a higher detection rate of incident breast cancers. Supplemental MRI further increased cancer detection, adding 14.7 cases per 1,000 women.
Researchers propose that non-genetic resistance can occur before genetic mutations, changing the approach to designing combination therapies. This new perspective aims to improve outcomes by understanding how cancers evolve and adapt to extreme challenges.
A Mayo Clinic study found that the dietary supplement gamma-linoleic acid can inhibit the growth of a subset of pancreatic cancer cells and selectively promote cancer cell death in mice. Combining GLA with chemotherapy drug gemcitabine significantly inhibited tumor growth.
Elih Velázquez-Delgado uses X-ray crystallography to discover how nature inactivates caspase-6, a disease-related enzyme. He finds that deleting three specific amino acids reverses the effect and opens a door for developing a drug.
Changes in asthma treatment have reduced wait times and improved patient care at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute. Oral steroid administration by nurses has dropped admission rates by one third and reduced hospital stay duration.
Physicists have devised a new method to handle vibrations' effect on electron transport, improving qubit information transfer. The model simulates closer control over phonons and electrons, enabling stronger coupling regimes.
A study by University of California, Berkeley chemists links increased fertilizer use to nitrous oxide rise, a major greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change. The study uses nitrogen isotope data to identify the fingerprint of fertilizer use in archived air samples from Antarctica and Tasmania.
Researchers tracked changes in birdsong over time and found a strong link between the shift and increasing urban noise. Birds changed their tune to be heard above the cacophony of car horns and engine rumbles, with one dialect dominating the city's song repertoire.
Researchers have developed a computational model called 'cell graphs' that links the structure of human tissue to its corresponding biological function. This new tool uses graph theory and can be used to determine whether a tissue sample is cancerous or not, eliminating differences of opinion between doctors.
A Mayo Clinic-led study has found that a combination of the novel drug TH-302 with standard drug gemcitabine delays cancer worsening in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The 2-drug combo showed a 5.6-month progression-free survival, significantly extending the average survival of six to seven months.
The MMRF has partnered with TGen, Spectrum Health, and VARI to provide genomic services and analyze patient samples in a landmark 1000-patient study on multiple myeloma. The study aims to identify specific subgroups of patients and provide insights into the molecular changes that affect disease progression.
New research reveals that supermassive black holes can double in mass by ripping apart double-star systems and swallowing one of the stars. This process is thought to be the dominant method for growing these massive objects.
Researchers have found a partial foot skeleton that belongs to an early human ancestor, distinct from Lucy's species and Ardipithecus ramidus. The Burtele foot shows unique characteristics, including an opposable great toe, suggesting the presence of multiple hominin species during the late Pliocene era.
A study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that cooperation is key to success in violent computer games. Successful gamers exhibit strategic and technical knowledge, as well as good timing, to outperform their opponents. The findings question the long-standing debate on the link between gaming and aggression.
Researchers discovered that ovastacin, an astacin family member, cleaves the ZP2 protein in the zona pellucida matrix surrounding eggs. This proteolysis blocks additional sperm binding, preventing polyspermy and ensuring embryonic development. Ovastacin's function is crucial for single fertilization.
A new study by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that using a c-Src inhibitor like PP2 in combination with estrogen may cancel out the benefits of estrogen therapy. Instead, a c-Src inhibitor alone may offer an alternative treatment option for breast cancer patients whose tumors no longer respond to tamoxifen or aro...
A University of Washington study found that sex-offender registries inflate counts by as much as 60%, with only 43% of listed offenders actually living in designated communities. The discrepancy is largely attributed to differences in data collection and reporting procedures among states.
Researchers at MIT's DRL have developed algorithms that could enable smart sand to assemble itself into large-scale replicas of models, using a subtractive method and minimizing computational resources. The system uses electropermanent magnets and microprocessors to communicate and share power among grains.
A new study found that a protein called SIX1 plays a critical role in early stage metastasis, especially lymphatic metastasis, in breast cancer. The study identified the SIX1-VEGF-C pathway as an important signaling pathway involved in breast cancer metastasis.
Researchers at CU Boulder have discovered a protein complex involving toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation protein receptor 2 that triggers unwanted neuroinflammation in response to morphine. This finding has implications for developing new drugs to increase morphine effectiveness while preventing abuse.
Researchers discovered a novel signaling pathway involving SIX1 and VEGF-C that plays a crucial role in breast cancer metastasis. The study showed that this pathway can be targeted to develop new anti-cancer therapies.
Researchers found that infection with gammaherpesvirus 68 significantly reduces lupus symptoms in mice, including decreased antibodies, reduced tissue damage, and inhibited activation of lymphocytes and dendritic cells. The study suggests a possible mechanism for how the virus protects against autoimmunity.
Radioactive iodine found in New Hampshire's Mink Brook watershed is a result of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility's explosion. The study shows minimal deposition in soil but doubling in stream sediments, with significant dilution expected.
Researchers created transgenic mice with light-emitting lymphatic vessels to study tumor cell dissemination. The technique detects lymph node invasion by tumor cells, providing a unique tool for studying inflammation and metastasis.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a new signaling molecule, Gbb38, that plays a crucial role in tissue formation in flies. The study suggests possible links to human developmental disorders, such as cleft lip and palate, and may lead to improved therapeutics for bone repair and reconstruction.
A task force report strongly recommends implementing conservative catch limits for 'forage fish' like sardines and anchovies. These small species are crucial prey for larger species, including salmon, cod, tuna, dolphins, whales, penguins, and seabirds.
A survey of mothers tested for hereditary breast cancer risk genes and their partners found unmet needs in making well-informed decisions about family communication. Genetic counseling should provide assistance to parents in disclosing risk information to children, the article proposes.
Scientists analyzed two years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to detect gamma-ray signals from hypothetical particles. No signals were detected, ruling out WIMP candidates within a specific range of masses and interaction rates as dark matter.
Dr. Eric N. Olson, chairman of molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been awarded the 2012 Steven C. Beering Award for his work on major genetic pathways controlling heart and muscle formation. Several drugs based on his research are currently under study.
Cell Press has introduced a new career network to facilitate the discovery of best jobs for life scientists. The site offers improved navigation, advanced resources, and an expanded resume option.
A long-term study found that early life emotional trauma can stunt intellectual development, with the most significant impact during the first two years of life. The study tracked 206 children and found that those exposed to maltreatment or violence against their mother had lower cognitive scores at all age points.
An international research team found elevated levels of radioactive substances in the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the complex nature of the marine environment. While levels of radioactivity in marine life were below concern for humans and organisms, long-term impacts on the ecosystem remain unclear.
New research suggests that some corals and their symbiotic algae have an in-built mechanism to cope with ocean acidification. However, coralline algae and a large class of plankton appear vulnerable to rising acidity, posing concerns for marine life and the oceans' ability to absorb CO2.