A lipid, ceramide, helps cells find their way by keeping their antennae up, enabling direction and signal response. This function is crucial for maintaining proper cell locations, such as brain cells staying in the correct region.
Einstein researchers will investigate NPC1's role in infection within different species, including bats and rodents. The study aims to pinpoint possible targets for antiviral drugs designed to combat Ebola.
Researchers discovered rare variations in the DCTN4 gene among cystic fibrosis patients with early, chronic airway infections. The study suggests that exome sequencing can identify genetic factors behind complex traits like obesity and heart disease.
A new study reveals how sunburn occurs when UV radiation damages RNA in skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response that can lead to healing and potentially even cancer. The discovery may lead to the development of treatments that block this process without exposing patients to harmful UV light.
Medical Developments International (MDI) has signed a technology deal with CSIRO to develop a new production process for the pain-relieving drug Penthrox, known as the green whistle. The partnership aims to reduce production costs and enable large-scale production for global sales in the UK and Europe.
Astronomers have confirmed the first known 'middleweight' black hole, HLX-1, using observations with CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array. The black hole is estimated to be around 20,000 to 90,000 times the mass of the Sun and lies in a galaxy called ESO 243-49.
Children's recovery from pediatric brain injury extends beyond medical care to involve the entire circle of family, friends, and healthcare providers. Recent research highlights the importance of 'family-centered' approaches and innovative interventions to promote self-worth, education as rehabilitation, and community reintegration.
A study analyzing 235 types of rice found its glycemic index (GI) varies greatly among types, with most scoring a low to medium GI. This allows consumers, including those with diabetes or at risk, to select rice varieties for a healthy diet.
Researchers developed two somatostatin vaccinations that reduce body weight and increase energy expenditure in diet-induced obese male mice. The vaccines induce antibodies to somatostatin, effectively removing inhibition on growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a cell-signaling molecule, interleukin-9, that inhibits melanoma growth in immune cells. High expression of this molecule in TH17 cells provides significant resistance to melanoma tumor growth.
Researchers discovered that E. coli uses yersiniabactin to steal copper from host cells, allowing the bacteria to grow and reproduce. This finding could lead to new treatments for serious urinary tract infections. By blocking this thievery with a drug, patients' chances of fighting off infections may significantly improve.
Researchers have identified Lyl-1 as a crucial transcription factor in producing early T-cell progenitors, which are the first cells on the path to becoming active T-cells. Without Lyl-1, these cells are severely impaired, and mice lacking the gene exhibit T-cell deficiency and leukemia-like symptoms.
A new study reports that girls' math performance is more likely to be affected by math anxiety than boys', despite both genders experiencing lower math scores. Higher levels of math anxiety in girls were found to be a significant indicator of their poor performance.
Researchers used electron holography to capture images of electric fields created by ferroelectric materials' atomic displacement. This technique could guide scaling up these materials and ushering in a new generation of advanced electronics.
The Suomi NPP satellite is now providing 'direct broadcast' data to users in real-time, enabling quick evaluation of regional events such as forest fires and flooding. This data is used by organizations like the USDA Forest Service to produce fire mapping products and inform decision makers.
A new microscope probe-sharpening technique has been developed to improve imaging resolution and durability for researchers studying tiny structures. The technique, described in Nature Communications, uses a matching voltage to deflect ions and sharpens the probe around the tip, preserving the point and increasing stability.
The University of California, Riverside has received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to train graduate students in water quantity and quality improvement. Students will conduct doctoral-level research on water issues and gain training in interdisciplinary research, project management, and policy-making.
Four Concordia PhD candidates have secured Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to conduct groundbreaking research in various fields. Brigitte Desharnais will investigate metabolizing enzymes in the liver to determine drug-related deaths, while Matthew Keough will study stress and alcohol use in young adults.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new vaccine candidate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that causes severe lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. The vaccine is based on a new mechanism of immunity mediated by T helper 17 (Th17) cells and has been shown to protect mice from lethal pneumonia.
Researchers identify microRNA-320a as a key regulator of glycolysis in tumors and unused muscles, potentially leading to new treatments for lung cancer and improving ventilator recovery. This discovery offers a significant therapeutic leap for numerous diseases and health conditions.
A University of Georgia study found that only six states mandate sufficient physical education for elementary school students, while middle and high schools fall short. The lack of clear guidelines and mandates has led to reduced programs and elimination in many schools.
The YES Board reduces time required to translate data, enabling physicians to forecast patient needs and track progress. The system provides overall situational awareness, helping detect at-risk patients and forecasting patient needs.
NASA's TRMM satellite revealed heavy rain falling around the southern periphery of Tropical Storm Daniel's center, reaching rates of over 2 inches/50 mm per hour. The storm is moving westward into the open waters of the eastern Pacific, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 65 mph.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's Translational Medicine Center has received a $20 million renewal grant from the NIH. The center, established in 2006, supports research development and collaboration among institutions.
A study found that women using fertility drugs had a reduced risk of breast cancer if they did not conceive a 10-plus week pregnancy, but an increased risk if they did. The study suggests that exposure to the drugs may raise risk by modifying breast tissue remodeling during pregnancy.
A new protein called Lem4 has been discovered to direct a crucial step in cell division by preventing the addition of phosphate tags to BAF while promoting their removal. This process is essential for cellular growth and division, and its regulation may be key to understanding various cellular processes.
EP67, a powerful synthetic protein, is able to activate the innate immune system within two hours of administration, preventing flu symptoms. The study found that EP67 functions similarly across different flu strains, offering a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.
A Wayne State University researcher has found that ProAlgaZyme, an algae extract, increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in animal models. This increase is associated with improved lipid profiles and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
A team of scientists discovered that spaceflight suppressed the accumulation of toxic proteins in a microscopic worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. When the expression of genes involved in aging was lowered, the worms lived longer, suggesting that spaceflight may slow the aging process.
A new research in the FASEB Journal suggests that the AMPK protein helps protect sensory cells in the inner ear from permanent damage and maintains hearing after extreme noise exposure. The discovery provides a target for new preventive strategies and potentially even treatments for earbud deafness syndrome.
Researchers describe the biological mechanisms behind protein's appetite-suppressing effects, identifying specific receptors involved in intestinal gluconeogenesis. This understanding paves the way for new avenues in obesity treatment by controlling fullness sensation over long periods.
A new trigger for the North Atlantic plankton bloom has been discovered, revealing that swirling currents of seawater sustain phytoplankton in shallower waters. This phenomenon is crucial to the ocean's carbon cycle, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen.
A novel gene therapy strategy using hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) nanoparticles has been developed for cardiac repair. The strategy, known as HRE-VEGF, provides a safer alternative to current VEGF gene delivery systems and shows promise for treating myocardial infarction.
In vitro studies assess propolis' optimal concentration as a radioprotector, finding maximum protection against radiation-induced damage within 120-500 micrograms/mL. The substance does not reveal cytotoxicity or genotoxicity on non-irradiated human lymphocytes.
The AGA journals, Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, maintained strong standing with high impact factors in 2011. Both journals received a significant number of citations and had outstanding immediacy indices.
A new equation that combines creatinine and cystatin C levels provides a more accurate measurement of kidney function, reducing over-diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that this approach could be used as a confirmatory test for CKD in patients with estimated GFR near 60.
The Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference identified critical areas for greater investment and coordination in information technologies and social networks. The conference aimed to build global collaboration on biodiversity observation, uniting partners and initiatives to detect and respond to short-term changes and long-term trends.
Researchers created a mouse model to study the role of AEG-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma, demonstrating its acceleration of disease progression and angiogenesis. The study paves the way for novel therapies targeting AEG-1.
Researchers discovered a protein that promotes the adoption of bipolar glial shape in zebrafish, encouraging nerve regeneration and potentially offering a new therapeutic target. The findings suggest an alternative approach to scar tissue formation, which is a major barrier to spinal cord repair in mammals.
The new 2012 Joint European Societies' Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice focus on lifestyle changes, public health initiatives, and individual preventive measures to address the growing burden of CVD. Experts stress the need for a co-ordinated society-wide effort to reduce mortality.
Researchers found that people with osteoarthritis have a signature epigenetic change responsible for increasing the levels of the destructive MMP13 enzyme. This discovery provides hope for targeted drug development to prevent disease progression and improve quality of life for arthritis sufferers.
The HI-C mission will observe the solar corona at a resolution of up to 100 miles, surpassing existing instruments. The telescope's finely crafted mirrors, some of the best ever made, will capture structures in the sun's atmosphere with unprecedented detail.
Researchers developed a new method called inverse Partial Fluorescence Yield (iPFY) that allows them to examine the structure of metal ions-complexes in solution without sample damage. The study found that iron ions interact strongly with water, contradicting previous thoughts.
Researchers found that blocking adenosine receptors can reduce scar size and improve skin quality, offering new hope for victims of burns, wounds, or illnesses. The discovery could lead to new agents diminishing scarring and disfigurement.
Researchers from the University of Illinois discovered that low rainfall and high temperatures increase the numbers of larvae in storm water catch basins. The study, published in Journal of Medical Entomology, highlights the importance of monitoring mosquito populations in these areas to track West Nile Virus disease cases.
Researchers at University of Nottingham are developing new injectable materials that stimulate stem cells to form new blood vessels, heart and bone tissue. The goal is to create radical new treatments for diseases with no cure, reducing the need for invasive surgery.
The study reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice contributes to ground-level warming, while global warming intensifies atmospheric circulation and temperature increases in the Arctic atmosphere. The combination of these factors amplifies the greenhouse effect, leading to faster Arctic warming.
Researchers use zebrafish to study the biological mechanisms underlying human disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, doxorubicin-induced heart failure, spinal muscular atrophy, and acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. The models provide valuable insights into causes and potential treatments for these diseases.
Coral growth and tissue proliferation are linked to disease, wounding, and stress-related color changes in reef-building corals. The study found that increased growth is the underlying physiological process associated with these changes.
Researchers found two key epigenetic regulating genes that govern cell-fate determination of human bone marrow stem cells. The discovery may allow stem cells to differentiate specifically into bone cells while inhibiting fat cell differentiation, paving the way for therapies in regenerative medicine and osteoporosis treatment.
A team of Harvard and Nanjing University scientists has developed a new method for estimating China's CO2 emissions, combining field studies, satellite data, and provincial-level energy statistics. The resulting estimates offer an unbiased basis for measuring China's progress toward its climate change goals.
Physicists at UMass Amherst were instrumental in the preliminary observation of a new particle, potentially the Higgs boson. The UMass team's contributions to the ATLAS project have been significant, particularly in muon identification and reconstruction.
A MU biochemistry professor has been awarded a $5.5 million NIH MERIT Award to continue his research on bacterial behavior and molecular memory. His work could shed light on human sensory, memory, and response systems.
A new UC Davis study found that being overweight or obese alone is not linked to an increased risk of death in the short-term. However, severely obese individuals with diabetes or hypertension do face a higher risk of mortality, emphasizing the importance of weight loss and managing co-occurring health conditions.
Michigan State University researchers discovered how bacteria flip a DNA switch to transform from harmless microbes to deadly insecticides. The bacteria, bioluminescent insect pathogens, reside in the intestines of worms and aid their survival, but can rapidly grow and produce toxins when the worms infest insects.
A study by Kansas State University researchers found that prescription drug warning labels often fail to attract attention, impairing the communication of critical safety information. The research highlights the need for an effective labeling standard to improve patient safety and reduce medication errors, particularly among older adults.
A study published in Cell reveals that follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) originate from perivascular precursor cells, which decorate blood vessel walls. This discovery sheds light on the development of lymphoid follicles and has implications for understanding chronic inflammatory conditions and prion infections.
Researchers create high-throughput flow-through optical microscope to classify rare breast cancer cells in blood samples, boasting a throughput of 100,000 cells per second. The technology demonstrates real-time identification of rare cancer cells with a record low false-positive rate.
A recent M-class flare from Sunspot 1515 caused a moderate radio blackout, affecting high- and low-frequency radio communication and GPS signals. The flare was classified as an M6.1, approximately half the size of weakest X-class flares.
A diabetes drug called metformin has been found to promote the growth of new brain cells and enhance spatial memory formation. The study's lead author suggests that the widely used medication may also offer cognitive benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease, independent of its effects on blood sugar control.