A study by Weizmann Institute scientists reveals that leukemia recurrence is often caused by 'cancer stem cells' that divide slowly, evading chemotherapy drugs. These cells can give rise to new rapidly-dividing cancer cells, making them a key target for new treatment approaches.
A new study found that World No Tobacco Day significantly increases interest in quitting smoking, with cessation news coverage and Internet search queries peaking on the anniversary day. The research also suggests that low- and middle-income countries can benefit from increased awareness and inspiration to quit tobacco.
The DFG is establishing 20 new Collaborative Research Centres to tackle ambitious, long-term projects. The centres aim to improve our understanding of stress responses, develop new therapies for multiple sclerosis, and increase efficiency in gas turbines.
The Singapore-developed H5N1 diagnostic kit can detect all known strains of the virus in a single test within hours. This allows for rapid diagnosis and effective infection control intervention.
A new study by a University of Illinois expert reveals that operational routines tend to move towards higher entropy due to complacency and lack of checks and balances. The research also found that mergers can cause decay in adherence to routines, while acquisitions by healthier firms can serve as a renewal.
The Navy awarded nearly $4.5 million to six research projects led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers, including Eric Terrill, to acquire instruments from California and Massachusetts manufacturers. The funding will support studies in coastal oceanography, deep-ocean acoustics, and other areas.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells release exosomes containing pro-metastatic proteins that fuse with distant organs, establishing a nurturing environment for tumor growth. This discovery offers fresh diagnostic and treatment potential, including the use of exosomal protein profiles to predict tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers at Salk Institute create cell-free expression system to synthesize and analyze integral membrane proteins, solving their three-dimensional structures in just 18 months. This breakthrough enables precise biochemical mechanisms understanding and targets the proteins with new drugs.
A new study found that emissions from cookstoves are highly dependent on how they are used, and laboratory tests do not accurately reflect real-world operations. The research team developed a real-time analysis technique called Patterns of Real-Time Emissions Data (PaRTED) to measure emissions under different operating conditions.
A new series in PLoS Medicine aims to address the gap between public health approaches and clinical methods for addressing mental disorders. The series seeks case studies that demonstrate global mental health practices in real-world contexts.
A case study from Afghanistan reports a substantial increase in mental health consultations, from 659 to 20,000, after integrating psychosocial problems into basic health services. The authors argue that concurrent community-based approaches and capacity building are crucial for fostering structural changes within the healthcare system.
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow will host the first Fraunhofer Centre to be established in the UK, a hub for industry-driven laser research and technology. The Centre is part of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd., which will oversee future UK-based research centres.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researcher Professor Terry Speed was awarded the 2012 Thomson Reuters Citation Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research has been cited more than other Australian researchers, with applications to infection, immunity, inherited diseases, and cancer.
A study of over 247,000 Copenhageners found higher mortality rates for both too little and too much vitamin D in the blood. The results challenge long-held assumptions about the essential nutrient's benefits.
The Lancet Commission on Healthy Cities highlights the need for active planning to address urban health issues, with examples from Mumbai, London, and Bogota. The report recommends five key recommendations to improve urban health, including building political alliances and experimenting with diverse urban health projects.
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has released the world's largest comprehensive human cancer genome data, exceeding volume of all other sources combined. This valuable information is available for free access by researchers, accelerating disease research and potentially leading to new treatment options for childhood cancers.
A study published in Public Health found that Scotland's higher mortality rates may be linked to the political direction of past decades, rather than single factors like smoking or poor diet. The researchers identified a range of potential explanations, including climate change and economic inequality.
A Colorado School of Public Health researcher found that a new federal disclosure law has little effect on the prescribing of certain medications, including statins and SSRIs. The study suggests that transparency is important but may not be enough to deter physicians from accepting payments from pharmaceutical companies.
Researchers at Joint Quantum Institute store and replay two separate images, a feat of cinematography, using a room-temperature vapor of atoms. The new storage process has great promise for quantum information and may lead to the development of a random access memory for continuous variable quantum information.
Scientists develop a synthetic peptide that disables cancer cells' survival defenses by targeting protein targets, suppressing cancer growth in mice. The compound's synergistic anti-cancer activity with other drugs holds promise for treating relapsed and refractory blood cancers.
Researchers at UCLA have identified the genetic mutation responsible for IMAGe syndrome, a rare disorder that stunts infants' growth. The discovery could lead to new ways of blocking rapid cell division and offers a new tool for diagnosing children with IMAGe syndrome.
A comprehensive review by Charlene Krejci found female hormones fluctuate throughout women's lives, allowing bacteria to grow and exacerbate conditions like bone loss and pre-term births. Women need to be vigilant about maintaining healthy teeth and gums to prevent or lessen severity of these health issues.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's ONPRC have discovered a new method for creating vaccines that is thought to be safer and more effective than current approaches. The approach uses hydrogen peroxide to inactivate viruses for use as vaccines, showing protective vaccine-induced immunity against three diseases: West Nile...
A Cornell University study found that the perceived benefits of family meals on teen well-being may not be as strong or lasting when controlled for other aspects of the family environment. Family resources and relationships are key factors in facilitating regular family dinners.
The American College of Physicians Task Force recommends updating hormone therapy guidelines due to significant adverse events. Exercise and vitamin D supplementation are effective at reducing falls, but multifactorial risk assessment is not recommended for all elderly patients.
A study published in Neurology found that exposure to solvents can lead to cognitive impairment in less-educated individuals, while those with higher education levels remain unaffected. The study, which analyzed data from 4,134 workers, suggests that improving early education may protect against future cognitive decline.
A new study published in Obesity found a correlation between PCB exposure and increased distribution of body fat to the abdomen. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 70-year-olds and found that high levels of PCB189 were related to a high proportion of visceral fat.
Researchers at Yale University found that intensively controlling glucose levels did not definitively reduce the risk of impaired kidney function, dialysis, or death from kidney disease. The study suggests that patients may not be better off with this approach and questions the benefits of aggressive glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes
Research shows that lung transplant patients receiving organs from smokers tend to survive longer than those waiting on the list, with significant benefits for patients with septic lung disease and fibrosis. The UK's current selection policy of including both smoking and non-smoking donors improves survival rates and should be continued.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis has been shown to prevent HIV infection before exposure, with a 39% reduction in rates found in one recent trial. A four-week duration of therapy is recommended, based on evidence from macaque models of transmission.
Researchers warn of rapid groundwater depletion in California's Central Valley and the High Plains, posing risks to US food production. The study suggests that unsustainable irrigation practices may lead to economic challenges for farmers, particularly in the southern High Plains.
Researchers at University of Cambridge discovered that conical cells on plant petals provide crucial grip for bees, increasing pollinator preference. The study reveals that these cells help bees land on flowers even in windy conditions.
A VTT researcher has provided an explanation for sliding friction between solid objects, attributing it to surface energy of materials. The discovery enables quantitative calculation of the friction coefficient and potential manipulation of friction by selecting specific surface materials.
Researchers discovered that giant cells called titan cells protect the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans during infection, shielding it from the immune system. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments for infections caused by Cryptococcus, a deadly concern for immunocompromised individuals.
A new NIH-funded study examines the use of mobile technology to improve diet and physical activity behavior in adults. The study found that a combination of mobile technology and remote coaching holds promise in encouraging healthier eating habits and reducing sedentary leisure time.
A new study demonstrates that female choice and faithfulness played a crucial role in human evolution, leading to the emergence of the modern family. The transition from promiscuity to pair-bonding was characterized by a reduction in male-to-male competition in favor of providing for females and close parental involvement.
Researchers at McGill University discovered that heart muscle fibers are arranged in a special 'minimal surface' called the generalized helicoid. This finding offers significant new understanding of heart-wall muscle fiber geometry and could be used to guide tissue repair after heart attacks.
A study found that over 8% of VA patients with diabetes may be over-treated, while 6% are under-treated. An individualized approach could help identify the right treatment plan for each patient.
A new study by archaeologists from the Universities of Bristol, Cardiff and Oxford found that Neolithic farmers buried with distinctive stone adzes had access to better land than those without. The analysis revealed sex-biased mobility patterns and status differences among early European populations.
A groundbreaking study found that marine reserves can restock fish populations in areas open to fishing. The research tracked the dispersal of baby coral trout and stripey snappers from reserve sites, finding that up to 30km away, a significant proportion settled on reefs open to fishing.
Researchers at NYU developed a method to replicate the mechanical properties of tissues using an oil-in-water solution, mimicking cell-to-cell adhesion. This breakthrough has potential industrial applications in biocompatible products and pharmaceuticals.
A new study combines archaeology and geoscience to reveal that climate change was a key factor in the collapse of the ancient Indus civilization around 4000 years ago. The research suggests that weakened monsoon rains led to reduced river dynamics, contributing to the decline of cities and the shift towards small farming communities.
A Northwestern University study found that simply changing one bad habit, such as spending less time on the couch, can have a domino effect on other unhealthy behaviors. The most effective way to rehab a delinquent lifestyle requires two key behavior changes: cutting time spent in front of screens and eating more fruits and vegetables.
A randomized controlled trial found that using mobile technology, remote coaching, and financial incentives improved patients' diet and activity levels. The study's interventions leveraged handheld technology to make self-monitoring more convenient and extend decision support into life contexts.
A new stem cell technique allows for efficient generation of abundant cardiomyocytes, critical heart muscle cells. This method is more efficient and robust than existing methods, promising a uniform alternative for research and pharmaceutical applications.
Researchers have developed engineered microvessels that can grow small human blood vessels in a 3-D structure, allowing for the study of disease progression and development of efficient therapies. The system shows promise in studying various diseases, including cancer, malaria, and clotting disorders.
Researchers at Arizona State University and NASA have developed a new technique for detecting bone loss using isotope analysis. This method is more sensitive than current X-ray methods and poses less risk to patients, making it a promising tool for early detection of diseases such as osteoporosis.
Researchers found that reducing TB infections in geographic hotspots can significantly reduce citywide transmission rates by up to 29% over 50 years. Controlling these hotspots may have a similar impact on long-term, community-wide TB incidence as achieving the same targets in the remaining population.
The study found that local variation in neighborhood immunity significantly alters the risk of dengue infection, even in highly mobile and dense urban populations. Infection with dengue provides lifelong immunity to the infecting serotype, but susceptibility returns, increasing the risk for severe disease.
A meta-analysis of seven clinical trials found that intensive glucose control reduces microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes patients, but lacks evidence for reduced risk of significant clinical renal outcomes. The study suggests a reevaluation of the benefits of intensive glycemic control in preventing renal disease.
Research identifies CDKN1C gene mutation as cause of IMAGe syndrome, a rare developmental disorder affecting fetal growth and organ size. The study also reveals the gene's role in regulating cell growth and division, with implications for understanding tumour development.
The end-Permian crisis, the most dramatic biological crisis in Earth's history, lasted for around 10 million years to fully recover. Life recovered slowly due to intense environmental shocks and grim conditions on Earth.
Researchers found that terrestrial species are less responsive to warm temperatures than marine species, which allows them to expand their ranges towards the poles. Climate change is also causing rare heat waves to set boundaries on where species can live.
A new computer model has pinpointed promising materials for efficient carbon capture, potentially reducing parasitic energy costs by 30%. The model has been integrated into power plant design software, allowing researchers to quickly test and optimize material properties.
Researchers discovered that T cells employ a Lévy walk strategy, characterized by short and long movements, to track down parasites like animal predators. This insight into immune-cell movement patterns can inform novel approaches to combat diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS.
A new protein-based antiviral approach has been developed to combat deadly flu epidemics, neutralizing vulnerable sites on H1N1 and H5N1 viruses. This innovative method uses manufactured genes as therapeutics, designed using computer-aided design and optimized through DNA deep sequencing.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new type of carbon nanotube that can enhance catalytic activity without compromising electrical conductivity. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient fuel cells and metal-air batteries, reducing reliance on expensive platinum catalysts.
Researchers have developed a super-sensitive test that can detect signs of a disease in its earliest stages, enabling more reliable diagnosis. The new biosensor test uses nanoscopic-sized gold stars to detect specific molecules associated with diseases like prostate cancer.
Researchers found that modern birds are living dinosaurs with skulls similar to those of their juvenile ancestors. By analyzing fossil evidence and CT scans, they discovered that a change in developmental timing led to the evolution of birds, enabling them to retain physical characteristics of baby dinosaurs into adulthood.
Researchers discover mutation on same gene responsible for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, a disease characterized by rapid cell division and large size. The finding enables early diagnosis and treatment of IMAGe syndrome, a rare disorder stunting infants' growth.