Scientists have developed a new procedure to rapidly induce nerve regeneration, restoring partial function within days and full function within two to four weeks. The approach mimics the cellular mechanism used by invertebrates to repair damaged nerve axons.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has selected two Ph.D. candidates, Lida Beninson and Andrew Reinmann, for the 2012 Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. They will receive training on communicating with policymakers and participate in events with their Congressional delegations.
In a large head-to-head study, warfarin and aspirin showed similar efficacy in reducing mortality and stroke risk in patients with heart failure and normal heart rhythms. Warfarin was found to be more effective in preventing strokes after four years of treatment.
A combined public health campaign in Kenya successfully tackled HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diarrhea by distributing bed nets, water filters, condoms, and educational materials. This approach saved over $16,000 per 1,000 people reached, resulting in 16 lives saved and hundreds of years of healthy life.
A study by Penn State researchers found that media coverage of college football quarterbacks perpetuates stereotypes about African American leadership, associating losses with failed leadership and victories with natural ability. This bias may contribute to barriers for black leaders in organizations.
The University of California, Riverside has awarded nine first-year graduate students $30,000 annual stipends for two years to support their pursuit of Ph.D.s in STEM fields. The fellowships aim to increase the number of ethnically underrepresented students completing doctoral degrees.
Researchers identified 27 genetic variants in 19 genes associated with brain aneurysms, including collagen 5-A2 linked to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Whole exome sequencing allowed for targeted screening of affected families, offering potential for personalized risk assessment and prevention strategies.
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that soy isoflavone supplements did not decrease breast cancer cell proliferation. The results are consistent with previous studies on the effectiveness of dietary supplements in preventing cancer.
A longitudinal qualitative study found that older adults work hard to maintain their health and independence, but struggle when they become dependent on others. Support and care must be responsive to the individual's needs and perspectives to enhance dignity.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that certain proteins, called extremely long-lived proteins (ELLPs), last a lifetime without being replaced. Damage to these proteins weakens the ability of transport channels to safeguard the cell's nucleus from toxins, leading to cellular aging.
University of Miami graduate student Sean Bignami has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation to study the effects of ocean acidification on large marine fish. He plans to share his research with decision-makers and engage in outreach programs to promote public awareness of marine science.
A recent study found that African American women starting a new group weight loss program are more successful if they meet in a church setting, especially those with less experience managing their weight. The study also shows that social support plays a crucial role in weight loss success.
A new study found that children living in areas with lower levels of sunlight are at greater risk of developing food allergies and eczema. The research team analyzed data from Australian children and found a link between latitude and allergies to peanut and egg, as well as a higher prevalence of eczema in the south compared to the north.
A recent study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin suggests that Earth's largest mass extinction, known as 'The Great Dying,' occurred over hundreds of thousands of years, not suddenly. The research, led by Thomas Algeo from the University of Cincinnati, found evidence of a prolonged die-off of marine life due to ma...
Researchers found that Toca 511 eliminates tumors in most animals after dosing with 5-FC, providing a dramatic survival benefit. The treatment was well-tolerated and did not cause toxicity over the six-month protocol.
The University of Miami will use a $700,000 challenge grant from the Batchelor Foundation to purchase a helicopter equipped with scientific equipment for environmental observations. The helicopter will enable researchers to collect critical data near the Earth's surface and atmosphere, improving knowledge of climate processes.
Researchers found that listening to sentences with textural metaphors activates the parietal operculum, a region associated with sensing texture through touch. This suggests that our brains use sensory experiences to understand metaphorical language.
Researchers found that enhancers, which are meant to be active only in certain muscle types, were occupied by transcription factors from other tissues. This discovery reveals a new model for how enhancers function and provides insights into the developmental history of cells.
Researchers have developed a new approach to detect cancer cells in the bloodstream, allowing for real-time assessment and control of disease spread. The method could help predict response and resistance to therapies, enabling more effective treatment decisions.
Researchers analyzed Martian soil samples and found no microscopic clay particles, suggesting the soil has had a very arid history. The team estimated that liquid water on Mars was present for at most 5,000 years since its formation, making it unlikely for life to maintain a foothold on the surface.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for people's preferences for fatty foods, finding that those with certain forms of the CD36 gene may prefer higher-fat foods and be at greater risk for obesity. The study suggests that genes related to fat perception may play a role in diet adherence and food preference.
The Solitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy (SWIFT) trial showed that the new device opened blocked vessels without causing symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 61% of patients, compared to 24% with the MERCI retriever. The device also led to better survival three months after stroke, with a 17.2% mortality rate versus 38.2% wi...
The SOLITAIRE Flow Restoration Device outperformed the standard mechanical treatment in removing blood clots from blocked brain arteries in stroke patients. The new device resulted in a 61% success rate compared to 24% for the older device, leading to better survival rates and reduced mortality.
Simon Fraser University faculty members are attending the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference to share their teaching experiences and learn about innovative methods for engaging students in science education. They aim to bring new approaches back to their programs to benefit students, with a focus on active l...
A study of Enol lake sediments reveals significant environmental changes throughout the last 13,500 years, including climatic differences amongst previously thought 'stable' periods. The research highlights human impact on the environment, particularly pasture and deforestation.
Researchers used whole-exome sequencing to diagnose a type of severe metabolic disease, identifying the genetic mutation responsible. The study showcases the potential for this technique to aid in diagnosing congenital disorders of glycosylation, offering new hope for families affected by these conditions.
Researchers have cataloged all transposable elements in a population of fruit flies using Pool-Seq technology. The findings reveal that most elements are purged before becoming established, but some sites show positive selection for insertion, suggesting beneficial effects on the host.
Researchers found that repeated injections of human umbilical cord blood cells improved motor neuron survival, delayed disease progression, and increased lifespan in mice modeling ALS. The study suggests that low-dose cell administration could be beneficial for patients with ALS even after symptom onset.
A new drug, AX200, manufactured form of G-CSF, failed to show efficacy in improving disability among stroke patients. Despite initial promising results in animal studies and a limited clinical trial, the study found no significant improvement in disability scores.
A study by Jason Kolbe and colleagues reveals that the 'founder effect' persists even as lizard populations adapt to new environments. The research found that differences caused by the founder effect are retained in lizards with varying limb lengths, suggesting a complex interaction between natural selection and genetic variation.
The ARVO Foundation for Eye Research has awarded $40,000 fellowships to Balamurali K. Ambati and Stephen H. Tsang to conduct age-related macular degeneration (AMD) research. The fellowships aim to develop therapeutics and personalized medicine approaches for AMD.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have created a high-precision map of the Milky Way's magnetic field using radio observations from over 30 researchers and 41,000 measurements. The map reveals both large-scale and small-scale features of the Galactic magnetic field, including turbulence in the gas.
A study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science suggests that silence about memories can lead to selective forgetting, where certain memories are more easily forgotten than others. For example, if someone discusses a happy memory but not an unhappy one, they may have trouble recalling the unmentioned sad memory.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that decreasing the time spent walking to fetch clean water can help reduce under-five mortality rates and prevent nutrition-depleting diarrhea. Cutting walking time by just 15 minutes can lead to an 11% reduction in child mortality and a 41% decrease in diarrhea prevalence.
A team of researchers at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences has developed a method to test the efficacy of genome sequencing technologies. The study, published in PLOS ONE, employed a feature-response curve procedure to evaluate the accuracy of various assembly algorithms and shotgun approaches. While some...
A new study by the American Heart Association found that combining clopidogrel with aspirin for stroke prevention in patients with subcortical strokes may increase the risk of bleeding and death. The trial involved over 3,000 patients and showed that there was no difference in stroke recurrence between treatment arms.
Researchers developed Meta!Blast, a 3D video game that teaches cell biology to students. The game simulates a plant crisis and requires players to shrink to microscopic size to rescue lost scientists and save the world.
A new editorial aims to clarify drug and alcohol addiction terminology by defining current treatments' modes of action and targets. The authors suggest that a better understanding of these elements would aid in the development of more effective treatments, particularly for opioid and tobacco addictions.
Researchers developed a minimally invasive treatment to dissolve brain blood clots, increasing patients' independence by 10-15% six months post-procedure. The technique reduces the need for craniotomy surgery and is as safe as supportive therapy.
A new study found that breastfeeding improves lung function at school age, particularly in children of asthmatic mothers. Breastfed children showed significant improvements in forced mid-expiratory flow and vital capacity, but not in peak expiratory flow rates.
Researchers found that rats given daily multivitamin and mineral supplements showed an 84% reduction in pre-cancerous lesions and did not develop tumors when exposed to carcinogens. The study suggests that regular supplement use could help protect against colon cancer, giving cancer patients valuable guidance.
A new stent procedure has shown remarkably positive results in how patients recover from strokes, with 56% of participants experiencing an excellent neurological outcome compared to 33% with traditional methods. The study also found a significant reduction in mortality rates among those who underwent the new procedure.
A new study found that when combining a placebo with a distracting memory task, participants experienced increased pain reduction without cognitive interference. This challenges the theory that the placebo effect relies on high-level cognitive functions like working memory and attention.