A rare fungus has been identified as the cause of mass deaths among eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in southern Illinois and similar cases in the northeast US. The fungus, Chrysosporium, is not normally seen in free-ranging animals but has been linked to disease in captive reptiles.
Scientists developed a novel biochemical assay and algorithm to detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities in maternal blood, achieving high accuracy and efficiency compared to existing methods. The new approach has the potential to reduce unnecessary invasive testing and improve screening for Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome.
Researchers discover a small protein fragment that enhances synaptic plasticity, leading to improved learning and memory in rats. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and its manipulation for cognitive enhancement.
A randomized controlled trial found that vaccinating pregnant women against influenza increased mean birth weight and reduced small-for-gestational-age births. The study, conducted in Bangladesh, involved 340 healthy pregnant women who received either the influenza vaccine or a control vaccine.
The iHeal device detects physiological stressors associated with drug cravings, using sensors to measure physiological changes and body activity. The device delivers user-tailored behavioral interventions via smartphone software, aiming to prevent substance use and reduce health risk.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a self-assembly method to grow gold nanowires, which can be used to detect poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulfide in natural gas. The gold nanowires are highly conductive and can detect gas levels comparable to existing sensing techniques.
A smart cow collar closely monitors health and sends results back to farmers using mobile phone technology, allowing for alerts on cow distress and improving insemination processes. The technology could make huge savings for farmers and contribute to the financial future of farms.
A recent study has found that mothers with high levels of the environmental pollutant PFOA during pregnancy have daughters who are three times more likely to be overweight at 20 years old. Elevated insulin and leptin levels were also observed in girls, while a weaker association was seen in sons.
A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that text messaging can improve malaria control in Africa by transmitting information from the periphery to health managers, as well as supporting patient management. The authors highlight six areas where text messaging interventions can have a significant impact.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Vigo has confirmed that hórreos with slotted floors are more efficient in regulating temperature and ventilation. This traditional Galician dry-store structure was found to better preserve corn stored inside due to its ability to ventilate and regulate temperature.
Scientists have discovered a way to reduce cellulose crystallinity, a key stumbling block in biofuels development. The study found that certain mutations in genes encode cellulose synthase proteins can produce cellulose with lower crystallinity, making it easier to digest.
Dr. Richard Ransohoff receives the 2012 John Dystel Prize for his groundbreaking work on understanding and treating multiple sclerosis. His research has led to a deeper understanding of MS progression and the development of novel therapeutic targets.
A Mayo Clinic study found no link between prediabetes and diabetic polyneuropathy, suggesting alternative explanations for nerve damage. The five-year study tested nearly 550 people and concluded that impaired glucose does not cause polyneuropathy at high frequency.
A significant scientific discovery has been made in the fight against Huntington's disease, identifying specific enzymes called HDACs as positive agents for the mutation that underlies the disorder. Blocking these enzymes with experimental drugs greatly reduces the risk of further mutation.
A collaborative team of researchers found that obese dogs who successfully lost weight showed improved health-related quality of life, as measured by increased vitality scores and decreased emotional disturbance and pain. The improvements were more pronounced in dogs with greater body fat loss.
A pharmacist-led, information technology-based intervention reduced prescribing errors by 42% in primary care, with significant reductions in specific medication errors. The intervention was found to be cheap and easy to implement, costing $75 per error avoided, making it a cost-effective solution for reducing medication errors.
A recent study published in Cognitive Science shows that a few languages, like the Piraha, lack number words, making it difficult for speakers to perform common quantitative tasks. The study highlights the importance of language in acquiring knowledge, perception, and reasoning.
A study employing mouse models and genomic analysis of human tumors identified the Smad4 gene as a driver in bone metastasis, while 14 other genes were found to be associated with human prostate cancer prognosis. Telomerase activation confers new strengths on tumors, enabling them to progress and acquire deadly characteristics.
A team led by Rutgers University professor Debashish Bhattacharya has sequenced the genome of Cyanophora paradoxa, a one-celled alga that shed light on the evolution of photosynthesis. The study reveals that all plastids trace their origin to a single primary endosymbiosis, approximately 1.6 billion years ago.
Annual deaths from hepatitis B and C now exceed those from HIV, concentrated among middle-aged persons. Researchers found that birth-cohort testing and treatment for HCV is cost-effective, saving thousands of lives each year.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends monitoring the spinal cord during spinal surgery and certain chest surgeries to prevent paralysis. Intraoperative monitoring can alert surgeons to potential problems before damage occurs, reducing the risk of complications.
The Tongue Drive System, a wireless device that enables people with high-level spinal cord injuries to control computers and wheelchairs with their tongues, has been improved by embedding sensors in a dental retainer. This allows for increased mechanical stability and comfort, making it nearly unnoticeable.
Cuttlefish have been found to possess the most acute polarization vision yet discovered in any animal, with sensitivity to differences as small as one degree. This remarkable ability allows them to perceive and communicate through polarized light, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of underwater camouflage and communication.
Researchers from UC presented studies on water management in ancient Maya cities, changes to global glaciers, US manufacturing location decisions in China, airline hub locations and food deserts in Hamilton County, Ohio. The research aims to provide reliable data for decision-making and improve understanding of environmental changes.
Jack Williams' research uses paleoecological data to understand species responses to past climate change, revealing the importance of combining modern and historical data for accurate predictions. This approach aims to improve forecasting ability and inform conservation priorities.
Researchers at EMBL and IGBMC discovered a ring-like structure in the Elongator protein complex, which holds tRNA in place while introducing chemical modifications to DNA. This ensures accurate protein production. The findings also suggest that the complex employs tools and tricks to perform its tasks inside cells.
Researchers engineered a hybrid gene that recognizes and destroys Xylella fastidiosa bacteria, reducing leaf scorching and xylem clogging in grapevines. This breakthrough could lead to significant resistance against Pierce's disease, which has already destroyed thousands of acres of California vineyards.
Researchers discovered a promising alternative to common antibiotics for treating group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria infections. The new compounds significantly reduce the severity of GAS infections in mice, offering a potential therapeutic solution with reduced risk of antibiotic resistance.
A study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that glaciers provide a significant source of modern organic carbon to downstream ecosystems, indicating the widespread influence of human activities on pristine environments. The findings suggest that glacier ecosystems are highly sensitive to climate warming and industrial pollution.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have identified a new maize hybrid that produces ethanol from biomass, potentially offering a more sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The hybrid grows larger and accumulates more stalk sugars than conventional grain hybrids, increasing ethanol output.
New research by National Physical Laboratory produces technology for accurate measurements of Planck's constant, a fundamental constant that relates frequency to energy. The technique enables the kilogram to be redefined in terms of this constant, providing a universal standard and greater long-term certainty for scientists.
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China discovered that Mn-doped ZnS exhibits paramagnetic behavior due to isolated Mn ions in the lattice. This makes it unsuitable for use as a dilute magnetic semiconductor, contrary to previous hopes.
Researchers found that inhibiting telomerase triggers alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in cancer cells, leading to increased expression of PGC-1ß gene. Targeting PGC-1ß weakens mitochondria function and enhances anti-telomerase therapy.
A recent study suggests that mothers who experience migraines may be more likely to have infants with colic. The research, presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting, found that babies whose mothers had a history of migraine were two-and-a-half times more likely to have colic than those without.
The Illinois Basin – Decatur Project injects 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into sandstone 7,000 feet beneath Decatur, Ill., using innovative science and engaging outreach. The project aims to evaluate the potential of carbon capture and storage techniques and assure public safety.
A community-based asthma care model, Community Asthma Initiative (CAI), demonstrates reduced hospitalization and emergency department visits for asthma, improving patient outcomes. The program yielded significant cost savings of $1.46 per dollar spent through reduced hospital utilization.
A study found that referees' stress tolerance is not linked to their physical condition but rather to the state of their nervous system. Researchers observed significant stress levels in referees both before and after matches, including during sleep hours.
The study found that day laborers in Cincinnati are predominantly male and African American, with many struggling to find stable employment due to past convictions. The average wage per day for a day laborer is $48.53, after taxes and fees, highlighting the financial struggles of those working in these halls.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai are exploring new treatments for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the immune system and amyloid plaques in the brain. The goal is to identify drugs that can stimulate macrophages to clean up these plaques, allowing brain regeneration.
Ichiro Matsumoto, a molecular biologist at Monell Center, has received the 2012 Ajinomoto Award for his significant contributions to understanding taste bud organization and differentiation in various vertebrate species. His research has also examined taste receptors, neural pathways, and clinical taste dysfunction.
A computer model used by researchers at Stanford University found that new triple-therapies for genotype-1 hepatitis C are cost-effective for patients with advanced disease. The treatment options have more severe side effects and boost costs, but help these patients avoid costly cancers and liver transplants.
A small qualitative study suggests extending the smoking ban outside bars could help curb 'social smoking' by removing cues that stimulate this behavior. Social smokers often have conflicted identities and manage their smoking through limiting where and when they smoke, rationalizing their behavior with drinking.
Scientists have discovered a specific brain region associated with social conformity, which influences individuals' tendency to align their opinions with those of others. The lateral orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in recognizing cues of social conflict, prompting subjects to update their opinions accordingly.
Researchers have created high-resolution permafrost maps using air temperature and elevation data. These maps estimate 22 million square kilometers of permafrost, covering about one-sixth of the world's exposed land surface. The maps also reveal an index indicating the probability of permafrost in different areas.
A team at Karolinska Institutet has generated a map of the effects of small molecules on PARP1 and other proteins, which may explain putative side effects and contribute to new cancer therapies. The study's results provide unique insights into specificity and cross-reactivity of PARP inhibitors.
A new Harvard study found that children who don't conform to traditional gender roles are more likely to experience physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Researchers also discovered that these individuals are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by early adulthood.
Research reveals that Rugby teams with taller backs, heavier forwards, and greater collective experience tend to perform better at the World Cup. The study analyzed data from 1987-2007 and found a significant correlation between team performance and these factors.
Overweight dogs that lose weight experience significant improvements in vitality and emotional disturbance, according to a recent study published in The Veterinary Journal. The research, conducted by the University of Liverpool, suggests that weight loss can play a crucial role in maintaining a dog's overall quality of life.
This study uses geolocalization and open code platforms to create interactive e-learning activities in languages, combining reality and virtual worlds. The pilot test successfully taught Spanish to foreigners in a mixed-reality environment.
Researchers found that over-reactive parents are more likely to have toddlers who act out and become upset easily. Adoptive parents' tendency to over-react had a significant effect on their children's negative emotionality and problem behavior.
A new model of aggressive ovarian cancer reveals that dendritic cells actively support tumor progression, but can be restored to suppress it. Researchers propose targeting dendritic cells to control metastatic ovarian cancer.
A new study by neurologists at UCSF reveals that mothers who suffer from migraine headaches are more than twice as likely to have babies with colic. The research suggests a possible link between colic and childhood periodic syndromes, which may be precursors to migraine headaches later in life.
Ivan Corwin, a recent Ph.D. from NYU, and Jack Thorne, a Harvard University PhD candidate, were selected for their research achievements in probability, algebraic number theory, and representation theory. They will receive funding for one to five years to support their mathematical research.
A study led by University of Nottingham found that pharmacist-led intervention schemes can significantly reduce prescribing errors in general practices. The scheme involves a pharmacist working with GPs to identify and correct medication errors, resulting in reductions of up to 50 percent in errors related to specific medications.
The UBC research reveals areas with the highest risk of overfishing, including the northeastern coast of Canada, Pacific coast of Mexico, and Peruvian coast. This index will help conservation managers make targeted decisions to protect seafood and marine ecosystems.
A 300-million-year-old tropical forest was discovered and characterized by a Penn researcher, providing insight into the ecology and climate of its time. The researchers found six groups of trees, including tree ferns, Sigillaria, and Cordaites, which were preserved in volcanic ash.
The Eco2 Index ranks countries based on their financial deficits, national debt, and resource consumption. Many high-income countries, including Japan and the US, perform poorly due to high ecological deficits, while South America and parts of Africa score well in terms of financial security.
Research suggests Viking societies fared best when managing long-term sustainability, adapting trade links, and acquiring diverse food sources. They offer valuable insights into how to respond to climate change, economic turmoil, and cultural upheaval.
Smart grids can help reduce electricity waste and fight theft by using advanced technology. The Intelligent Microgrid project aims to create a more efficient grid that can adapt to changing energy demands and reduce the risk of theft, resulting in cost savings for consumers.
A new study reveals a significant decline in the genetic diversity of alpine chipmunks in Yosemite National Park due to climate change. The species' geographic range has shifted to higher elevations over the past 90 years, resulting in fragmented and genetically impoverished populations.