Researchers at MIT have developed a novel RNA interference method that delivers short interfering RNA (siRNA) using microspheres, overcoming the challenge of efficient delivery in the body. The new system shows promise for targeting specific genes in tumors and other diseased cells.
Researchers have analyzed ancient manuscripts from 9th-10th century Iraq to reconstruct the climate of the past. The study reveals abnormal weather patterns, including droughts and floods, as well as rare cold events such as hailstorms and snowfall in Baghdad.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have successfully squeezed a property called the nematic tensor, describing rubidium atoms in Bose-Einstein condensates. This achievement improves measurement precision for atomic clocks and magnetometers, with potential applications to quantum information systems.
Most European Neandertals were on the verge of extinction around 50,000 years ago, according to a new study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution. A small group of Neandertals recolonized central and western Europe after dying off, surviving for another 10,000 years before modern humans entered the scene.
A large population-based study found strong association between reduced lung function and increased risk of heart failure. Lower FEV1 readings by spirometry were predictive of heart failure, independent of other CVD risk markers.
A new study by the University of California, Berkeley, and Wildlife Conservation Society uses a scientific methodology to establish marine protected areas in Madagascar. The approach identifies conservation priorities across the country's west coast, highlighting areas with high biodiversity value.
The earliest known horse, Sifrhippus sandae, evolved to become smaller over time as the planet warmed. Scientists have now found that rising temperatures directly drove this 'dwarfing' phenomenon, with a one-to-one shift in body size. This study has implications for how animals may respond to future climate change.
The Public University of Navarre and CENER have developed two electricity microgrids to enhance energy efficiency, reduce contaminant emissions, and increase safety in supply. The microgrids feature a combination of renewable energy sources and storage systems, enabling efficient operation in both grid-connected and isolated modes.
Researchers found that individuals who trust their feelings are consistently more accurate in predicting future events, including election outcomes and box-office success. The 'emotional oracle effect' suggests that feelings provide access to a privileged window of knowledge and information, allowing for better predictions.
The Helmholtz Association is funding a research project to develop a standardized screening platform for identifying active agents to treat protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The grant will be matched by the MDC, allowing researchers to test larger libraries of potential active agents.
Researchers discovered that heavier isotopes separate from lighter isotopes as magma cools down due to their greater mass and momentum. This separation, called fractionation, can provide insights into the formation of igneous rocks.
Researchers have developed an early warning algorithm to detect children's early cardiac deterioration before inpatient arrest. Additionally, studies suggest that patients with conotruncal defects should be screened for chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which can improve treatment outcomes.
A life cycle assessment study reveals that bioethanol from energy crops has considerable potential to render society more sustainable by substituting gasoline. The study's findings suggest that regional biomass utilization systems can significantly reduce fossil fuel resources and greenhouse gas emissions.
At CeBIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and FZI Research Center present interactive robots, safe cloud computing and virtual insights in the body. The humanoid kitchen robot ARMAR learns by watching and adapting to human gestures, while simulations open up new perspectives for complex problems.
A large-scale genomic study in Bangladesh has found genetic variants that increase the risk of skin lesions from arsenic exposure. The discovery could lead to new screening and intervention options.
A team of researchers has created glass-based inorganic LEDs that produce light in the ultraviolet range, paving the way for implantable biomedical devices. The new devices are scalable, chemically stable, and can be used in harsh environments, making them suitable for applications such as medical diagnostics and treatment.
Researchers from five states and Canada are studying cellular-level processes that control uterine muscles, air pollution's effect on pregnancy, and the causes of preeclampsia. The goal is to lower the nation's preterm birth rate to 9.6% by 2020.
Researchers found an enzyme called IDO helps clear cellular debris and promote tolerance to the body's own proteins and DNA. Blocking IDO can trigger autoimmune diseases like lupus in genetically programmed mice.
A new study proposes a valuation-based measure of equity market segmentation, identifying country-level factors such as political risk profile and stock market development as key drivers. The study found that while global growth opportunities have increased, significant levels of segmentation remain in emerging markets.
Researchers at the University of Calgary's Hotchkiss Brain Institute have discovered a new way to predict recurrent stroke risk using CT scans. The study found that patients with blockages or narrowed vessels on their CT scans are at high risk for another stroke, with similar accuracy as MRI scans.
A Yale University study found that combining medication with parent training improved everyday adaptive functioning in children with autism and behavioral problems. Parents who received the structured training showed greater improvement on measures of adaptive behavior.
Researchers found that higher concentrations of 1,8-cineole in the blood correlate with improved cognitive performance, including speed and accuracy tests. Positive mood also showed a significant relationship with 1,8-cineole levels, proposing that contentedness may improve performance.
A recent study published in EcoHealth found that squirrels and raccoons will abandon food to avoid ticks, indicating they may be aware of the parasite's threat. This new understanding of the ecology of fear extends to parasites and has implications for human health as ticks are vectors of emerging diseases.
Jeremy Kahn and Vladimir Markovic receive the 2012 Clay Research Award for their groundbreaking contributions to the study of hyperbolic Riemann surfaces. The award is a testament to their innovative work on essential immersed hyperbolic Riemann surfaces and the Ehrenpreis conjecture.
A new Harvard study found that nearly every case of hypothesized genetic pathways failed to replicate, indicating intelligence may be tied to many genes and their interactions. The researchers used large data sets to examine a dozen genes and found only one gene associated with intelligence, which had a small effect.
A new study published in GSA BULLETIN suggests that linear dunes may have formed through erosion rather than deposition. The research found evidence of erosional origin similar to yardangs in China's Qaidam Basin, which could provide insights into the formation of linear dunes on other planets, such as Saturn's moon Titan.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has selected 11 projects for funding, aiming to professionalise the use and management of research infrastructure. These core facilities will receive a total of €450,000 over three years to strengthen links between instrumentation centres and the scientific community.
A new method to produce nanomaterials has been discovered, utilizing the twisting of graphene nanoribbons to create carbon nanotubes. This technique enables experimental control and can be used to make various novel carbon nanotubes.
Researchers identify genetic differences between two closely related species of Nasonia wasps that yield distinct wing sizes. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of shape and size diversity in nature and has implications for understanding cell growth and diseases like cancer and diabetes.
An international team of researchers recommends regulating the most potent fluorinated greenhouse gases to avoid negating the positive effects of the Montreal Protocol. Long-lived HFCs, such as R-134a, pose a significant threat to the climate due to their high global warming potential.
Researchers found that states with smaller disparities often had white populations living shorter lives than average, while African Americans lived longer. The study highlights the need to improve health outcomes for African Americans across all states, not just those with large disparities.
The Chugach Metamorphic Complex in southern Alaska reveals short-lived metamorphism, while a study of Shiveluch Volcano provides insights into lava dome growth. Meanwhile, a team from Tulane University proposes a new calibration model for the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale, and researchers in Tibet explore pulsed Miocene range growth.
Scientists at UCSF found simultaneous targeting of two molecules can effectively shrink tumors, block invasion, and stop metastasis in mice. The approach may improve combination treatments, including drugs like Avastin, for various cancer types.
Dual inhibition of VEGF and c-MET signaling inhibits tumor invasion and metastasis in a laboratory model of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. Inhibition of VEGF alone increases c-MET expression, leading to increased invasiveness and metastasis.
Researchers developed a new radiotherapy technique that targets cancerous tissue while reducing irradiation of healthy tissue. This approach resulted in lower toxicity and higher completion rates among patients compared to traditional techniques.
Researchers determined the crystal structure of a critical control element within chaperonin, which promotes correct protein folding. The discovery sheds light on how proteins fold correctly and may lead to engineering modified protein-folding activities to combat diseases.
A Scripps Florida team has been awarded nearly $1.5 million to identify and develop novel potent inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The research targets the capsid protein, a critical component of HIV, with the goal of creating new treatments for HIV-infected patients.
A study found that fathers with depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of emotional or behavioral problems in children. The research identified factors such as poverty, unemployment, living with a child with special health care needs, and maternal depression as predictors of paternal depressive symptoms.
Recent studies suggest that prehistoric pastoralist societies in Eurasia developed distinct economies and triggered the formation of extensive networks of interaction. These 'nonuniform institutional complexity' models describe how small-scale institutions impact wider-scale political economies and shape the growth of great empires.
Patients with heart disease who took cholesterol-lowering statins were significantly less likely to develop depression than those who did not. Statin users experienced a 38% lower risk of developing depression compared to non-statin users.
New DNA sequencing techniques enable plant scientists to analyze complex genomes, revealing new insights into plant diversity and evolutionary history. Targeted enrichment methods facilitate the study of specific genes and regions, accelerating discovery in crop production, ecosystem health, and understanding plant diversity.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that pridopidine binds to the sigma-1 receptor, a previously unknown mechanism of action. This finding could lead to new treatments for schizophrenia, Parkinsonian tremors, and neurodegenerative diseases.
The study reveals that water diffusion is unusually fast in nanochannels above 1nm, while below 1nm, fewer hydrogen bonds need to be broken, enabling macroscopic diffusion. This breakthrough may lead to innovative water desalination and filtration methods.
The GHSU Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior has received the 2012 Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education from the American College of Psychiatrists. The program's Project GREAT initiative focuses on recovery from mental illness, empowering patients to be part of their own care.
Researchers at Saarland University developed a wireless bicycle brake that works with high reliability, enabling cyclists to react quickly in emergency situations. The system uses mathematical calculations and algorithms to ensure correct function and interaction of components.
Researchers from Saarland University developed an internet service that enables seamless presentation sharing and display on multiple monitors. The technology allows for easy synchronization of visual content across devices, making it ideal for conferences, sports stadiums, and interactive displays.
A prospective study found that consuming flavanones in citrus fruits reduces the risk of ischemic stroke by 19% in women. Flavonoids, present in various foods and drinks, may provide protection through improved blood vessel function and anti-inflammatory effects.
Virtual colonoscopies are comparably effective to standard colonoscopy in detecting colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps. The Colon Cancer Alliance and ACR urge Medicare to cover seniors for screening CT colonography, which is endorsed by the American Cancer Society.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that tree cover in US cities is declining at a rate of 4 million trees per year, mainly due to impervious cover and natural disasters. The greatest losses were seen in New Orleans, Houston, and Albuquerque, highlighting the need for comprehensive tree planting programs.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to predict how and when proteins misfold, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. The algorithm helps scientists understand protein dynamics and may aid in developing treatments for currently incurable diseases.
A University of Miami study reveals alarming accumulation of BMAA in shark fins, which may pose a significant threat to shark fin consumers. The study found levels of BMAA ranging from 144 to 1836 ng/mg, similar to those measured in the brains of Alzheimer's and ALS victims.
A new study reveals that secondhand smoke results in graft rejection in transplant patients, with a specific enzyme's expression being key to the process. Researchers found that SHS suppressed an enzyme produced by innate immune cells, hindering long-term islet allograft survival.
A new study of over 1,000 twins confirms that preschool programs are beneficial for children from minority families and poor backgrounds. The study found that preschool attendance reduces the gap in test scores between rich and poor children, suggesting a potential way to break the cycle of disadvantage.
UB researchers develop one-step method to fabricate rainbow-colored polymer with extraordinary properties, reflecting many different wavelengths of light. The material could form basis of handheld multispectral imaging devices for applications in home improvement and biomedical imaging.
Researchers found that hibernating woodchucks have a higher resistance to cardiac arrhythmias due to their unique calcium handling properties. This insight may suggest new strategies for protecting non-hibernating animals from fatal cardiac arrhythmias induced by hypothermic stresses and myocardial ischemia.
Researchers at NIST discovered a new switching mechanism for layered switching devices, which retain information even when power is turned off. The discovery could enable computers that boot up in seconds and use far less energy.
Researchers found that certain plants like thistles, clover, and buttercups are crucial in maintaining fragile food webs on UK farms. Restoring these plants could theoretically increase biodiversity across the farm.
Research suggests that daily or nightly dialysis sessions at home or in the clinic may provide more benefits for some patients with kidney failure, improving their health and survival. However, additional research is needed to determine if extended or more frequent treatments are beneficial for all dialysis patients.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed models to optimize breast milk distribution in South Africa and malaria intervention distribution in Swaziland, increasing coverage by over 25%. They also forecasted disaster preparedness plans for Puerto Rico and Belize, providing recommendations for health care resources and hospital capacities.
Researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough are studying how environmental factors affect gene expression in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients. The study aims to identify epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to immune dysfunction and stress response in CFS, which could lead to new treatment options.