Researchers discovered a common mechanism regulating blood pressure in humans through a sweeping genetic analysis of a rare disease. The study identified two genes interacting to control salt and potassium balance in the kidney.
Researchers at IMIM have discovered a new mechanism of resistance to colon cancer treatment, where a mutation in the EGFR oncogene causes resistance to drug cetuximab. The finding has significant clinical implications and opens up possibilities for using alternative treatments like panitumumab.
Research suggests that estrogen can improve mood in women, particularly during the premenstrual phase. Studies have shown a significant increase in activity in brain areas related to emotional processing premenstrually, and estrogen has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women.
New research suggests that sunshade geoengineering may actually increase crop yields in most regions, alleviating temperature stress and improving productivity. However, the approach carries risks, including unintended consequences on precipitation and deployment-related conflicts.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have identified a key genetic mechanism linked to congenital heart disease, revealing the importance of epigenetics in fetal heart development. The study highlights the role of Ezh2 and Six1 genes in regulating healthy heart development, which can have profound health consequences later in life.
A rare kidney disease study reveals how sodium and potassium levels are moderated in the body, shedding light on hypertension and familial high blood pressure disease. Researchers identified novel mutations linked to increased sodium activity and decreased potassium activity, providing a better understanding of this inherited condition.
Researchers have observed a new class of electron interactions that play a major role in the orbital nature of electrons in nanostructures. By tuning a specific effect, they eliminated spin-spin interactions while preserving orbital-orbital interactions. This discovery opens doors to new quantum electronic schemes.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method for cooling semiconductor membranes using lasers. By heating the material, they were able to cool its fluctuations to minus 269 degrees C.
A recent study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that the Mexican cavefish has multiple evolutionary origins from ancestral stocks, despite interbreeding with surface-dwelling populations. The eyeless 'cave phenotype' has been maintained through strong selection pressure against eyes in the cave environment.
An international team of scientists found that human-induced CO2 emissions have increased ocean acidity far beyond natural variations, potentially reducing calcification rates of corals and other aragonite shell-forming organisms. The study projects severe reductions in coral reef diversity, structural complexity, and resilience by the...
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have discovered dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a molecule produced at abnormally high levels in the spinal cords of rats with neuropathic pain, which appears to cause pain when injected. Inhibiting DMS production may be a fruitful target for drug development.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center created nanoparticles that target lymph nodes to greatly enhance vaccine responses. The particles mimic natural mast cell granules and provide a timed release of inflammatory mediators, stimulating effective immune reactions in mice vaccinated with the influenza A virus.
A new method called MutMap enables plant scientists and breeders to develop new crop varieties in a year rather than five to ten years.
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from ear tissue of adult snow leopards, paving the way for cryopreservation and cloning techniques to save endangered species. This breakthrough raises hopes for the conservation of the snow leopard and other cat family members.
Research led by scientists at Virginia Tech found that small-group dynamics can alter IQ expression in susceptible people. Women were more likely to be affected, with fewer performing well and more struggling.
A recent Emory University neuro-imaging study found that personal values, especially those considered 'sacred', are processed differently in the brain. This distinct cognitive process is linked to activation of neural systems associated with rules-based thought processes.
Scientists uncover complex fish-coral relationships that have evolved over millions of years, revealing the importance of preserving specific reef types to save coral reefs. The study suggests that protecting the right sorts of reefs is crucial for their survival, and that past mass extinctions can inform conservation efforts.
Researchers at Kyoto University and the University of Oxford have successfully constructed a DNA motor capable of navigating a programmable network of tracks with multiple switches. The breakthrough uses DNA origami technology, allowing for autonomous nanoscale devices to produce predictable outputs based on different starting conditions.
Researchers have discovered that luteolin, a flavonoid found in fruit and vegetables, can inhibit the activity of cell signaling pathways important for colon cancer cell growth. This inhibition leads to reduced IGF-II secretion, decreased receptor expression, and ultimately, cell death.
A new study clarifies the crystal structure of quinol dependent nitric oxide reductase (qNOR), a key enzyme in anaerobic respiration. The findings reveal a proton transfer pathway in qNOR, suggesting an evolutionary link to the proton pump found in aerobic organisms.
Researchers found that prostaglandin E2 accelerates colorectal cancer development by silencing tumor-suppressing genes and increasing DNA methylation. Combining anti-inflammatory and demethylating agents reduced tumors by up to 93% in mice with colorectal cancer.