Researchers have identified commensal bacteria that produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. The discovery suggests that certain intestinal bacteria may play a role in preventing or treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease.
Researchers found high levels of bacterial contamination on hotel room surfaces, including TV remotes and bedside lamp switches, posing a risk to guest health, especially for immunocompromised individuals. Housekeeping carts were also found to be contaminated, highlighting the need for standardization in hotel cleaning practices.
Researchers argue that traditional return-to-country models for refugees are flawed, citing instances where up to 20% of returned Afghan refugees have become displaced again. New flexible approaches focusing on cross-border links and migration can help support refugee families and communities.
The Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI) assesses a country's wealth by including manufactured, human and natural capital, providing a more comprehensive picture of sustainability. The report reveals significant natural resource depletion in key economies, highlighting the need for a revised definition of wealth to secure future generations.
Scientists discovered that summer temperatures along the Antarctic coast were 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer during the middle Miocene epoch, supporting substantial vegetation including stunted trees. This warming coincided with increased carbon dioxide levels and associated climate change.
The Inclusive Wealth Report 2012 proposes a new approach to sustainability by measuring natural, manufactured, human, and social forms of capital. This comprehensive index provides a more accurate picture of a country's development and well-being than traditional indicators like GDP.
A new trial shows that a short-term antiarrhythmic drug treatment can prevent recurrences of atrial fibrillation as effectively as long-term treatment. The Flec-SL trial found that patients treated with flecainide for four weeks had fewer AF relapses than those receiving long-term treatment.
Researchers have identified a master regulator gene, Spi-B, essential for the development of M cells, which play a crucial role in initiating immune responses. This discovery could aid research on oral vaccines and inflammatory bowel diseases by providing valuable insights into M cell differentiation and function.
Researchers at Brown University discovered over 800 tiny genetic loops, called lariats, in human tissues, providing new insights into RNA splicing decisions. The location of branchpoints on these lariats reliably predicts where splicing will occur, enabling the creation of an algorithmic model with 95.6% accuracy.
New research suggests that Arctic forest growth could lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions, contrary to previous predictions. This is due to the stimulation of soil decomposition by trees, releasing previously stored carbon into the atmosphere.
A study estimated the total mass of the human population, defining its distribution by region and proportion due to overweight and obesity. The world's biomass would increase by 58 million tonnes if all countries had the same average BMI as the USA, equivalent to an additional 935 million people.
Researchers develop new technique to target specific neural circuits and find that indirect pathways play key role in skilled hand movements. The study uses a double viral vector transfection method to selectively suppress propriospinal neurons, revealing the function of this 'phylogenetically old circuit'.