Research suggests that herbivores may have driven the evolution of unique inflorescence architecture in Babiana ringens, a South African plant. The plant's ground-level flowers are protected from herbivores, while apical flowers are eaten, leading to higher reproductive success.
A study of 450 pregnancies among 306 liver transplant recipients found lower miscarriage risk, higher live birth rates, and better delivery outcomes than the general population.
Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a new tool to analyze millions of text documents for emerging technological and scientific trends. The system will prioritize patterns indicative of new ideas, enabling human analysts to focus on promising areas.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered a vulnerability in the glycoprotein production of Acinetobacter baumannii, reducing its virulence and ability to form biofilms. This finding could lead to the development of targeted antibiotics to combat the superbug.
A bioinspired robot has shown that live zebrafish can be influenced by engineered robots, providing a stepping stone for autonomous robots in open environments to monitor and control fish behavior. The robot's design mimicked the characteristics of a zebrafish, including shape and color patterns, to increase attraction.
A recent study found that meditation can lower left ventricular mass in black teens with high blood pressure, reducing the risk of future cardiovascular disease. School records also showed significant behavioral improvements in the meditation group.
A study by University of Illinois researchers discovered that certain pig breeds can efficiently use energy in high-fiber diets, potentially reducing food costs. Meishan pigs were found to outperform Yorkshire pigs when fed diets rich in distillers dried grains with solubles.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate and measure quantum processes in solid-state systems using highly purified silicon. This breakthrough could enable the creation of practical quantum computers, which would revolutionize computing capabilities.
Researchers investigated children's performance on a drawing game and found that referencing social groups can lead to poor performance. Additionally, infants help others due to genuine concern for the person in need, not seeking credit. Childhood poverty is linked to elevated stress markers in adolescence.
Patients treated with anti-TNF medications have a higher risk of developing herpes zoster, or shingles, than those treated with traditional DMARDs. The study suggests that prophylactic treatment may be necessary for those at risk.
Researchers discovered a process that turns off key pathway required for immune system to attack foreign bodies, preventing maternal immune rejection of the developing fetus. Epigenetic modifications in decidua cells silence chemokine genes, inhibiting T cell recruitment and immune response.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a super-strength polypropylene that could replace steel in everyday products, reducing pollution and increasing energy efficiency. The new material is cheaper to produce and more durable than traditional plastics, making it a promising alternative for industries such as car manufacturing.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School have identified the first gene, dSarm/Sarm1, responsible for promoting axon destruction after injury. The discovery provides a new therapeutic target to delay or stop axon decay in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes successfully transformed skin cells into brain cells using Sox2 gene, potentially leading to better models for testing drugs for devastating neurodegenerative conditions. The breakthrough could accelerate drug development and reduce risks associated with human trials.
A synthetic compound's unique spin arrangement makes it a promising material for non-magnetic information storage. Researchers employed resonant x-ray scattering to study its structure at 227K, revealing a tetrahedral network with opposing spins that cancel each other out.
A new study maps the international agro-food trade network, showing its high complexity and potential for rapid spread of contaminants. The researchers predict significant delays in identifying outbreak sources, calling for an interdisciplinary approach to improve food safety regulation.
Dr. Rebecca Ruebner's study found that end-stage kidney disease is relatively uncommon in children after liver transplantation, occurring in 2% of patients. However, children who develop end-stage kidney disease have a high mortality rate, highlighting the importance of closely following them for early signs of kidney disease.
A study at EULAR 2012 found that tailoring biologic treatment to individual patients with rheumatoid arthritis can save €2,595,557 in costs over three years while increasing effectiveness by an average of 3.67 quality-adjusted life years
A University of Illinois study found that teachers often lack training on supporting young children's emotional regulation skills. The researchers suggest that teacher training programs should include strategies for modeling and managing challenging emotional moments in the classroom. By teaching children how to manage their emotions, ...
A team of researchers discovered that dolomite crystals form under specific conditions in biofilms created by marine bacteria. The study provides new insights into the reconstruction of fossil dolomite deposits and their connection to past environmental conditions.
Researchers found that mitochondrial DNA mutations are lower in colon cancer cells than normal cells, contradicting previous beliefs. This discovery suggests that increasing mitochondrial DNA damage may lead to cancer cell death with minimal side effects.
Developing a reliable measure of mental illness stigma in adolescents is crucial for encouraging teens to seek help. A study published in the Journal of Nursing Measurement found that the Revised Attribution Questionnaire (r-AQ) can be considered reliable and valid for assessing stigma among this age group.
Researchers found a massive under-ice phytoplankton bloom in the Arctic, with levels four times greater than neighboring ice-free waters. The bloom extended over 100 kilometers and was fueled by transient skylights and nutrient-rich deep waters.
The Marine Technology and Life Sciences Seawater Complex will study coastal structures, weather phenomena, and marine life impacting human health. The facility features a wind-wave-storm surge simulator capable of generating Category 5 hurricane force winds.
A new study has mapped children's food allergies by geographical location in the US, revealing that urban centers have a higher prevalence of peanut and shellfish allergies compared to rural areas. The study controlled for household income, race, ethnicity, gender, and age, tracking food allergy prevalence in different regions.
An international team of scientists has successfully created bright coherent x-ray radiation using a new method developed at the Vienna University of Technology. This breakthrough enables the production of high-energy x-rays with short wavelengths, making it suitable for various applications such as materials science and medicine.
Combining VSL#3 with traditional therapies increases remission rates by 10-17% and initiates remission 47-69% faster. This combination is also more effective than using anti-inflammatory drugs alone.
A research team at CU-Boulder has generated laser-like beams of X-rays from a tabletop device, enabling super-high-resolution imaging and providing insights into the nanoworld. The breakthrough device uses atoms in a gas to efficiently combine low-energy photons, generating high-energy X-ray photons.
A head-to-head study in rheumatoid arthritis patients found that abatacept achieved comparable efficacy to adalimumab, with similar rates of ACR20 and ACR50 responses. The study also showed fewer injection site reactions with abatacept.
The authors recommend establishing a system of independent regulation and peer review for countries involved in nuclear energy and weapons development. They also urge adoption of U.S.-style independent peer review and improved dialogue between the military and nuclear energy communities to reduce risks and promote international trust.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that pre-existing mutations in the HIV virus can cause it to develop resistance to drugs used to slow disease progression. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments and opens up possibilities for prevention of drug resistance.
A new study reveals that Caribbean seaweeds bloom four times faster than their counterparts in the Pacific Ocean, giving them an upper hand over corals. This could lead to reduced coral recovery after damage, posing a significant threat to Caribbean coral reefs.
Researchers at University College London have discovered a new property of flames that allows for the control of reactions at solid surfaces, opening up new fields of chemical innovation. This breakthrough has significant implications for future technologies, including air quality detection and greenhouse gas management.
After the buyout, Kentucky tobacco farmers shifted production to more productive farms, increasing productivity by 44% and acreage by over double. Diversification into specialty tobaccos also contributed to their success.
Research by Charles Woolfson reveals that berry pickers from Asia and Eastern Europe may be subjected to forced labor in Swedish forests. The ILO's definition of forced labor is met, with threats of punishment and non-consensual working conditions.
Researchers found that parasitic plant Rafflesia cantleyi has 'stolen' genes from its host Tetrastigma rafflesiae, including those related to respiration and metabolism. This horizontal gene transfer has replaced the parasite's own gene activity in three-quarters of the cases.
Research led by Ilan Dar-Nimrod found that modern coolness is characterized by friendly, competent, trendy, and attractive traits, deviating from the traditional rebellious and emotionally controlled image. The study suggests a transition from countercultural to generic coolness, with a focus on being liked and admired by others.
The new encoding method takes advantage of PCM's asymmetric physics, reducing energy consumption and 'memory wear'. Researchers from Rice University and UCLA unveiled a breakthrough at the IEEE/ACM Design Automation Conference.
A Phase III study found that certolizumab pegol significantly improved symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, with increased responses at both the ACR20 and PASI 75 benchmarks. The treatment also showed similar safety profiles to those observed in rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers have identified 29 differentially expressed proteins in maternal serum from pregnancies carrying Down syndrome fetuses. These proteins show promise as potential biomarkers for improving the performance of Down syndrome screening, but further clinical verification is needed.
A severe weather outbreak on June 1, 2012, generated 9 weak tornadoes across Maryland. NASA's Aqua satellite and NOAA's GOES-13 satellite provided critical information about the storm's movement and intensity, including cloud temperatures and heights.
A new study by Jason Purnell finds that nearly 70% of 2-1-1 callers needed at least one cancer control service, with greater need in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington. Callers were receptive to referrals for preventive services like mammography and HPV vaccination.
Scientists have identified a new protein function that protects heart cells from damage during extreme hypertension and cardiac pressure overload. The discovery could lead to the development of treatments for conditions like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's.
Penn and Cornell researchers have created evidence-based guidelines for veterinary CPR, aiming to standardize treatment of cardiac arrest in pets. The guidelines recommend 100-120 chest compressions per minute, intubated ventilation at a rate of 10 breaths per minute, and administration of vasopressors every 3 minutes.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic identified altered gene expression levels in over 2,000 genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases. These genetic variants contribute to disease development and progression, providing potential targets for new therapies.
A phase III trial showed that haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) significantly increases long-term survival compared to conventional treatment for patients with poor prognosis early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. The study found more deaths in the conventional group, with half of them being treatment-related.
A retrospective analysis found that cumulative anti-TNF therapy for 1-3 years reduced cardiovascular event risk by 24-56% in RA patients. Longer treatment duration further decreased risk, particularly among older patients and those without prior methotrexate use.
The Cleveland Clinic will participate in a six-institution MDS Clinical Research Consortium, supported by the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation. The five-year initiative aims to improve outcomes for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome through clinical trials and research.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a new aspect of chemical reactions on metal oxide surfaces that could lead to more efficient energy systems. The new perspective proposes coupling electrons and protons, which could help reduce energy barriers in technologies such as solar cells and hydrogen fuel cells.
A study by researchers in Hawaii and the UK reveals that Varroa mites facilitate the spread of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) among honey bees. The mite's presence increases DWV frequency from 10% to 100%, leading to massive colony losses and a single 'virulent' strain emerging.
Researchers combined data from 11 integrated health systems to form the SUPREME-DM DataLink, a unique resource for population-based diabetes research and clinical trials. The database contains over 1.1 million people with diabetes, mirroring the general population, allowing for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Indiana University's Kelley School of Business is hosting 100 college students from across the Middle East and North Africa for a four-week program. The students will develop business plans, social entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and other topics before competing in a team business plan competition upon their return home.
The Office of Naval Research is developing advanced weather prediction models to enhance the Navy's forecasting capability, accuracy, and safety at sea. The new models, such as TC-COAMPS, enable real-time forecasting of storms' track and strength, improving warfighting advantage and reducing fuel consumption.
Preterm birth rates have decreased in Croatia, Ecuador, and Estonia over the past 20 years, with only six countries showing a decrease. The preterm birth rate increased in most countries, with European nations experiencing significant rises, particularly Cyprus and Slovenia.
A study found that nursing home staff cohesion improves care quality, leading to reduced incidence of incontinence and pressure ulcers. The research used data from over 45,000 residents in 162 facilities across New York State, revealing a significant association between staff cohesion and better health outcomes.
A recent study found that pre-existing mutations in HIV patients can cause the virus to develop resistance to drugs used to slow its progression. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that understanding how resistance evolves may lead to the development of more effective treatments.
A new driver's side mirror with a wider field of view has been patented, eliminating the blind spot for drivers. The curved mirror, invented by Drexel University math professor Dr. R. Andrew Hicks, gives drivers a wider view without significant visual distortion.
A new American study shows that nearly two-thirds of osteoporotic hip fractures occur in people aged 80 years or older, highlighting a growing concern as this population segment is expected to comprise 25% of the US population by 2050. The study recommends more aggressive measures to prevent, diagnose and treat osteoporosis, including ...
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed approaches to control long-range genomic interactions during gene expression. By identifying a looping factor, they showed that chromatin looping is a cause, not an effect, of gene transcription.
A new study recommends 10 characteristics for effective implementation of global road safety, including adequate funding and coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. The Road Safety in 10 Countries project aims to reduce road traffic injuries in 10 low- and middle-income countries by evaluating and implementing road safety solutions.