Cyclone Jasmine has developed a new eye with strongest thunderstorms near the center, causing heavy rainfall in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds reached 115 mph near New Caledonia, prompting warnings for the region.
University of Alabama researchers have identified the neuro-protective capability of the VPS41 gene in both animal models and human neurons, providing a potential step toward developing a new drug treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study found that specific changes in human DNA may impact how VPS41 functions.
The company will use the grant to develop a novel therapeutic for Parkinson's disease, targeting dopaminergic neurons with GDNF delivery. The goal is to improve patients' lives by treating or reversing the progression of the disease.
The new hybrid scanner combines MRI and PET technology to capture minute details and produce superior three-dimensional images. It will be used to diagnose cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, mental health, and cancer more accurately and efficiently.
A 10-year study at a regional trauma center found significant negative association between orthopaedic trauma volume and county unemployment rates of the previous year. The study, presented at the AAOS Annual Meeting, suggests economic trends impact orthopedic trauma volume.
A study mapping sheep ancestry over 11,000 years reveals vast genetic diversity and adaptability to diverse environments. The research provides insights into the evolution of selective breeding for traits such as coat color and body size.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo discovered how parkin gene mutations cause Parkinson's disease by studying live human neurons. The study identified potential new drug targets and a screening platform to discover treatments, providing hope for a cure.
The US Department of Energy is launching a new energy innovation hub focused on advanced battery research. The hub aims to accelerate the development of electrochemical energy storage technologies for transportation and the electric grid, with the goal of reducing the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
A large study found that mild cognitive impairment is consistently associated with higher disability and neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly anxiety, apathy, and irritability. The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment ranged from 0.8% to 4.3% in eight low- and middle-income countries.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that computer order entry systems significantly reduced preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) in community hospitals. The system showed a 34% reduction in preventable ADEs, but an increase in potential ADEs or near-misses following implementation.
Researchers found that comparing downward to others who are worse off can lead to immediate positive feelings, while upward comparisons may improve physical health measures and hope for improvement. However, the effects can be negative in both cases, highlighting the need for better understanding of social comparison dynamics.
Researchers found that parents tend to blame their children more when they are sexually abused by an adolescent, rather than an adult. This bias may be due to cultural and societal expectations surrounding adolescent sex offenders, leading parents to doubt their child's ability to prevent the abuse.
Youssef Kousa, a fifth-year osteopathic student, has been awarded the prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for his work on identifying causes of cleft palate. He will use this fellowship to study gene mutations and develop interventions to prevent birth defects.
Researchers at Stanford University have created tiny hollow spheres of photovoltaic nanocrystalline-silicon that harness physics to trap light, improving the performance of thin solar films. The nanoshells significantly increase light absorption over a broader spectrum of light.
Increasing age is associated with a higher risk of death from breast cancer in postmenopausal women, particularly those over 75 years old. The study found that disease-specific mortality increases with age, even after accounting for other factors, suggesting possible undertreatment as an underlying mechanism.
A clinical trial found that cefpodoxime was less effective than ciprofloxacin in treating uncomplicated cystitis, with a higher rate of E coli colonization. The study suggests that cefpodoxime may not be a suitable alternative to fluoroquinolones for this condition.
Cancer tumors' metabolic profiles vary based on genes and tissue origin, necessitating individualized treatment approaches. The metabolome, in addition to the genome, is crucial for predicting metabolic changes and guiding therapy.
Governor Kasich announces a 10-fold boost to Ohio's broadband network speeds, expected to advance cutting-edge research and job growth. The new 100 Gbps network will connect major metropolitan areas to national advanced networking consortiums, enabling rapid data transmission for medical research, innovation, and business.
Researchers found a gene, LTA4H, that influences inflammation to TB infection, predicting drug therapy effectiveness. This discovery suggests tailoring treatment based on patients' genetic sequences could improve patient outcomes.
Two studies suggest that cleansing umbilical cord with chlorhexidine solution during and after birth can reduce sepsis and mortality in babies in rural parts of Sindh province, Pakistan. The interventions showed a significant reduction in infections and mortality risk, with no effect seen from handwashing alone.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing novel technologies to treat depression and other mood disorders using smartphones, web-based platforms, and virtual human coaches. These innovative approaches aim to provide immediate support, increase accessibility, and reduce costs.
Researchers at TUM have developed a new way to create highly efficient catalysts using metal clusters with unusual symmetry. These clusters, similar to Matryoshka dolls, can serve as catalysts in chemical reactions, such as hydrogen transfer and hydration reactions.
A study in Respirology found that high levels of soft drink consumption are associated with an increased risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers discovered a dose-response relationship between soft drink intake and the likelihood of developing these conditions.
A study published in PNAS found that the middle finger reacts slower than the thumb and little finger due to inhibitory influences from both sides. Targeted learning protocols can compensate for this delay by reducing inhibition and improving neural plasticity.
Researchers at Duke University found that correcting false knowledge requires providing students with feedback, which enables them to identify errors and learn correct information. Students who received feedback were more likely to correct their mistakes in the short-term, but also more likely to forget the correct answer if they didn'...
Researchers Lorette I. Winters and Paul C. Winters found that while black teens are twice as likely to be pregnant, rates for minor whites have increased and surpassed those of poor black minors. In better economies, the difference between black and white teen pregnancies nearly disappears.
A 26-year study found that nearly half of epilepsy surgery patients were free of disabling seizures, while 80% reported better quality of life. The study suggests increased use of surgical intervention could offer patients long-term seizure control and improved lives.
A study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that surgeons who have performed less than 60 ACL reconstructions are roughly four to five times more likely to undergo a subsequent ACL reconstruction. The learning curve for ACL surgery is complex, and training programs may not be adequate to prepare young surgeons.
Researchers at McGill University discovered how the brain processes visual information to detect motion and collisions. Using mathematical models and recording techniques, they found that specific neurons in the brain's visual cortex respond selectively to motion patterns.
The new approach allows for reliable sensing with compact devices, opening up potential applications in national security, food processing, breath analyzers, industrial monitoring, and more. Researchers have improved the performance of microsensors using tiny vibrating microcantilevers to detect chemical and biological agents.
A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that chlorhexidine umbilical cord cleaning can save lives, with a 20% reduction in mortality rates. The simple, safe, and inexpensive intervention has the potential to avert an estimated half a million neonatal deaths per year.
A study by researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues identified 27 genes involved in inflammation as related to ovarian cancer risk. The study found that variants in five of these genes, such as IL1A, were associated with lower ovarian cancer risk.
A study of nearly 15,000 patients found that up to three-quarters of new C. difficile infections were not easily explained by conventional assumptions of ward-based transmission from symptomatic patients. This suggests that current interventions may not be effective in controlling the spread of C. difficile in hospitals.
The study sheds light on how calorically dense foods influence brain regions that regulate body weight, leading to increased food intake and weight gain. By understanding this mechanism, scientists aim to develop interventions that work with the body's biology to reduce obesity rates.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that adding dessert to breakfast can help dieters lose more weight and keep it off in the long run. Participants who added desserts to their high-protein, high-carbohydrate breakfasts lost an average of 40 lbs., compared to those on low-carbohydrate diets.
Research found 26% of patients with distal radius fractures and 11% of control patients were vitamin D insufficient, while 18% and 2% respectively were deficient. Vitamin D supplementation may help prevent future fractures.
A new study on the administration of a multicomponent serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (4CMenB) with routine infant vaccines found it to be immunogenic and generally well-tolerated. The vaccine produced minimal interference with routine vaccines, allowing for potential inclusion in early infancy vaccination schedules.
A new study found that a microRNA named miR-279 acts through the JAK/STAT pathway to regulate locomotor activity rhythms, maintaining normal patterns of wakefulness and sleep. The researchers identified a protein called Upd as a target of miR-279, which displays daily oscillations in its secretion.
The guidelines describe best practice for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder that can cause liver failure and brain damage. Treatment options include chelating agents and zinc, with prolonged survival becoming the norm for patients.
Research by Leonid Gavrilov and Natalia Gavrilova reveals that mortality rates do not flatten out above age 80, contrary to previous assumptions. The study uses accurate data from the Social Security Administration Death Master File to correct misunderstandings about the mortality rate of oldest citizens.
Researchers found that visual working memory follows a more general pattern of brain activity than previously thought, activating a wider area in the front of the brain for all types of visual stimuli. This study provides support for current models of memory as being located in distributed networks rather than specific brain modules.
A study found exemestane significantly worsens age-related decreases in bone mineral density by three times, even with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake.
A new study shows that the arrival of the Harlequin ladybird has led to a rapid decline in historically-widespread species of ladybird in Britain, Belgium, and Switzerland. The research found that five out of eight studied species declined substantially since the Harlequin's arrival.
A fossilized bushcricket from the Jurassic period has revealed a new species' musical call, shedding light on the acoustic environment and potential auditory capacity of other animals. The song was reconstructed using biomechanical principles and is believed to have been used for long-distance communication.
A new scientific report concludes that online dating offers some benefits but falls short of its potential. The authors suggest that existing matching algorithms neglect crucial factors in predicting long-term relationship well-being, leading to limited effectiveness.
A new analysis of research on online dating reveals its growing popularity and convenience, but warns of pitfalls such as unrealistic expectations and a 'shopping' mentality. The study found that online dating has become the second-most-common way for couples to meet, behind only meeting through friends.
A small tropical storm, Tropical Storm 11P, has formed in the South Pacific Ocean and is approaching the main island of Tonga. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 35 knots and is moving quickly to the east-southeast at 21 knots.
A study of nearly 9,000 Norwegian teenagers found that school drop-outs were three times more likely to receive benefits than their peers who completed their education. The findings suggest a strong link between poor health and higher rates of social exclusion in young adulthood.
A new web-based application, Pyromaker, has been developed to accurately identify complex genetic mutations. The tool uses simulated pyrograms to generate a virtual trace of the expected signal, allowing for clearer interpretation of ambiguous results from current testing methods.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania uncover unifying mechanism to explain dune patterns in White Sands National Monument, revealing how wind interacts with dunes and impacts vegetation growth. The findings may hold implications for understanding tipping points in dune landscapes under climate change.
A new analysis found that targeted cancer drugs increase the risk of fatal side effects, including bleeding and heart attacks. The study recommends caution when using these drugs in patients at high risk for complications.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a new gene mutation that provides hope for new screening methods to identify women at risk of developing endometriosis. The study found that 31% of women with endometriosis carried the mutation, compared to 5.8% of the general population.
Research by Sheila Collins and colleagues found that cardiac natriuretic peptides cause white fat cells to take on characteristics of brown fat cells, increasing energy usage. In another study, Anne Müller's team identified a cellular mechanism by which Helicobacter pylori protects against asthma by modulating immune cells.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that women and some men with non-contact ACL injuries share a common geometry on their knee joints, which may explain why women are at greater risk for ACL injuries. The study suggests that this geometry, characterized by a shorter and more rounded tibial plateau, ...
Researchers found that autoreactive T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes bound their targets more weakly than helpful T cells. These autoaggressive T cells may slip through safety screens by failing to notice their targets, suggesting a new mechanism for autoimmune disease progression.
A widely used behavioral prevention model in schools appears to reduce bullying and peer rejection. The School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) model promotes positive changes in staff and student behaviors, reducing the likelihood of engaging in bullying behavior.
Researchers used 3D computer simulations to study the diffusional behavior of nanoparticles on surfaces. They found that ordered nanorods can facilitate faster diffusion than disordered ones, with channels between rods enabling particles to speed through.
A new metabolic 'breathalyzer' technology can detect early signs of disease by analyzing changes in glucose metabolism, offering a potential breakthrough in disease diagnosis. The method uses isotopic signatures of carbon-containing metabolic byproducts to distinguish between healthy and diseased states.
A new study suggests that Neanderthal demise was caused by a combination of cultural changes, interactions with modern human ancestors, and climatic forces. Computer modeling shows how the two groups interacted and mated, leading to hybridization and the eventual extinction of one group.
A recent study finds that Easterners process visual information holistically, taking context and situation into account, whereas Westerners focus on key features. This difference affects face recognition, leading to varying levels of eye contact, and has implications for smooth cross-cultural interactions.