Researchers at NYU have discovered a new role for non-master pacemaker neurons in regulating circadian rhythms. By studying fruit flies, they found that these neurons suppress signaling of master pacemaker neurons during the evening, allowing them to fire and wake up the fly.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that variations in certain 'obesity genes' are associated with increased snacking, high-fat foods, and more calories per day. These findings suggest that modifying eating habits may help minimize genetic risk for obesity.
A Duke University study found that toddlers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have higher levels of flame retardant chemicals in their blood, potentially due to hand-to-mouth activity. This highlights the need for better public access to information on household products and potential exposure routes.
Research published in the journal Heart found that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attacks, while boosting dietary calcium intake has no significant heart health benefits. The study of nearly 24,000 participants suggests that high levels of calcium supplements may be harmful due to their impact on blood calcium levels.
A study of over 7,500 women found that IUDs and implants were significantly more effective than birth control pills, patches, or rings in preventing unintended pregnancies. The study also showed that educating women about the effectiveness of these methods and providing them for free could reduce unintended pregnancy rates.
A UC Davis study shows that mothers who experienced fevers during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to have a child with autism or developmental delay. The researchers recommend controlling fevers while pregnant to modify the risk of having a child with these conditions.
A new study shows that Breast MRI provides an indication of a breast tumor's response to pre-surgical chemotherapy significantly earlier than possible through clinical examination. MRI size measurements were superior to clinical examination at all time points, predicting both complete tumor response and residual cancer burden.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that maintaining healthy nerve connections as we age helps keep us sharp. The research suggests that intelligence is not located in a single part of the brain, but rather in its overall network of connections.
A new study finds that sleep disordered breathing and nocturnal hypoxemia independently predict both glycosylated hemoglobin levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were significant predictors of prevalent T2DM and HbA1c levels, even after adjustment for obesity.
Heavy rainfall and intensification signs were observed in Tropical Storm Bud by NASA's TRMM satellite. The storm is heading northwest at 9 mph with sustained winds near 65 mph, expected to slow down and turn north-northeast by Friday.
Researchers found that babies seek out situations with just the right amount of surprise or complexity to capture their attention. The findings suggest that babies are active information seekers who can predict what happens next based on previous observations.
The use of old herbicides is increasing due to emerging weed resistance, prompting companies to develop new crop varieties with resistance to these chemicals. This shift aims to maintain control over weeds while reducing the reliance on chemical herbicides.
A new study at Karlstad University in Sweden shows that phthalates from PVC flooring materials are taken up by the bodies of infants, primarily through ingestion with food, breathing, and skin contact. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering non-food sources of exposure to banned chemicals like DEHP and BBzP.
A new study found significant decreases in hospital mortality rates among severely ill HIV-positive patients nationwide, primarily due to a decrease in opportunistic infections. However, the study also revealed an increase in chronic diseases and bloodstream infections among this population.
A randomized controlled trial found that azithromycin improved lung function in patients with BOS following lung transplantation. The study showed a significant improvement in FEV1 measurements, with a mean gain of 37ml in the Azithromycin group and a mean fall of 181ml in the placebo group.
Researchers found that introduced white-eye birds outcompeted native Hawaiian species for food and resources, leading to stunted growth and feather replacement issues. This threatens the long-term survival of these endangered bird species, which are considered 'conservation reliant' in Hawaii.
A Wayne State University researcher has developed a web-based decision support system to help people with disabilities select wheelchairs that suit their needs. The system improves the selection process by enabling remote assessment of wheelchair alternatives, providing a reusable information repository and systematic evaluation.
A recent study published in the journal Urology found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is significantly more costly than traditional open surgery. The study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), analyzed data from 473 consecutive patients treated between 2009 and 2010. Research...
Scientists have developed a synthetic surface that allows adult-derived stem cells to thrive and transform into multiple cell types, including bone cells. Transplanting these bone cells into mice resulted in four times more new bone growth compared to without the extra bone cells.
The British Association for Psychopharmacology has released updated guidelines for treating substance abuse and addiction, focusing on pharmacological management. The new guidelines provide a comprehensive review of evidence-based practices for practitioners to optimize clinical decisions.
Researchers discovered predictable relationships in leaf vein systems that can predict past climates using the fossil record. The study found larger leaves have major veins spaced further apart, regardless of other variations.
A multicenter trial found that a tiny implanted coil called the Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC) significantly improves pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with severe heterogeneous emphysema. The treatment is considered safe and effective, particularly for those with severely hyperinflated lungs.
Tropical Storm Sanvu continues to intensify under NASA observation, with wind speeds reaching over 60 knots and heavy rainfall wrapping around its northeastern side. The storm's center is predicted to form an eye, energizing the core of the storm with powerful thunderstorms.
The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) detector is a trap set for dark-matter WIMPs, with a titanium bottle holding 350 kilograms of liquid xenon. The new LUX ZEPLIN project aims to increase sensitivity by orders of magnitude.
Research finds that caesarean section delivery may double the risk of subsequent childhood obesity, with higher levels of Firmicutes bacteria and lower Bacteroides bacteria in the guts of children born via c-section. This association is thought to influence energy extraction from diets, insulin resistance, inflammation, and fat deposits.
A new sensory organ discovered in the chin of rorqual whales enables efficient lunge feeding by coordinating jaw position and throat expansion. This finding sheds light on how hyper-expandable throat pleats and other morphological specializations facilitate successful feeding in these ocean giants.
Researchers at Princeton University report that a sharp drop in mantle melting 2.5 billion years ago coincided with the Great Oxygenation Event, allowing free oxygen molecules to proliferate. The study suggests that diminished mantle melting decreased the output of reactive gases into the atmosphere.
The study found that kidney stone prevalence nearly doubled from 8.8% in 2007-2010 to 17.6% in 1994, with obesity and diabetes being key risk factors. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body weight can reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed an efficient and tunable interface for quantum networks, enabling high-speed transfer of quantum information between matter and light. The interface, which uses entanglement to connect a single ion with a photon, achieves efficiency rates over 99 percent.
Developing a new, two-step process could stabilize prices for the raw material essential for making malaria treatment drugs. The improved manufacturing method generates less waste and requires less artemisinin, potentially easing supply problems.
Researchers have shown that microglia in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during normal development. The study highlights the newly found importance of the immune system in shaping brain wiring.
Stem cells, essential building blocks of life, gradually lose their ability to maintain tissues and organs as they age. Researchers at the Salk Institute found that the stem cell niche's biological events contribute to this decline, but also discovered a mechanism to reverse it by increasing expression of Imp.
Researchers have discovered a sensory organ at the tip of the whale's chin, lodged in the ligamentous tissue connecting its two jaws, which sends information to the brain to coordinate the complex mechanism of lunge-feeding. This discovery may help explain why rorqual whales are able to achieve such enormous sizes.
A new study explores the moral ideas behind tax aversion in America, finding that middle-class feelings of exploitation drive hostility towards taxation. Respondents associate income tax with a violation of the moral principle that hard work should be rewarded.
Researchers found that dual-occupation professionals change their moral judgments based on their expected role, often without realizing it. The study suggests that subtle cues and training can help employees make more informed ethical decisions.
Researchers suggest enhanced public funding, partnerships, and open-source consortia may improve biomarker discovery and development. The Supreme Court's move to free medical diagnosis from private ownership could enhance public health.
Researchers found that tobacco plants with defective jasmonate production are more susceptible to leafhopper infestation. Leafhoppers evaluate a plant's readiness for defense by probing its leaves and selecting those with functional jasmonate-based signaling.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund found that 51% of Americans with individual market health insurance plans have 'tin' plans with poor coverage, which would not meet minimum standards. However, once the state-based exchanges launch in 2014, many will be able to purchase better plans with premium subsidies.
Prior ICS treatment before CAP diagnosis is associated with lower incidence and severity of parapneumonic effusion. Patients treated with ICS had a significantly lower risk of developing this complication, regardless of their baseline chronic respiratory condition.
Mayo Clinic researchers present studies on adjuvant hormonal therapy for prostate cancer patients, finding no negative impact on overall survival. They also release results of a study on safe intervals for PSA screening in young men.
A new study found that weight loss significantly improved both sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and metabolic dysregulation in obese children. After a six-month weight loss program, mean BMI was reduced to 29.2 kg/m2, leading to improvements in ASAT, ALAT, HDL-cholesterol levels.
Scientists develop a technique to measure internal cell temperatures without altering cellular metabolism, opening doors for studying metastasis and differentiating healthy from cancerous cells. The 'fluorescence polarisation anisotropy' method uses green fluorescent proteins to provide non-invasive temperature readings.
The NSF grant will support ensemble climate simulations and data sharing to improve environmental and storm modeling. This project aims to enhance the performance of NOAA's SLOSH model for predicting storm surge generated by hurricanes and tropical storms.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that warmer, drier conditions associated with El Niño led to higher mortality rates for leatherback turtle eggs and hatchlings. Climate models project that these conditions will become more common, threatening the already endangered species.
Researchers have successfully protected laboratory animals from lethal hantavirus disease using a DNA vaccine and duck eggs. The study demonstrates the feasibility of this novel approach, which could supplement or replace existing treatments for HPS.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that breast cancer patients have significantly impaired cardio-pulmonary function that can persist for years after treatment. Higher cardio fitness levels were linked to longer median survival among women with advanced breast cancer, suggesting exercise may be a useful intervention.
A Queen's University professor and his research team received a prestigious NIH grant to investigate the impact of 'topping up' with intravenous nutrition on survival rates among critically ill patients. The study aims to create new guidelines for optimal energy and protein delivery to critically ill patients.
Researchers discovered that mutated desmin proteins can aggregate with intact proteins of the same kind, leading to muscle diseases. This finding suggests that a single defective gene is enough to trigger the disease, as both malformed and normal proteins are incorporated into the aggregates.
Researchers have shown that a new class of anti-inflammatory agents, called IDR peptides, could increase survival from severe clinical malaria when used in combination with antimalarial drugs. In mouse models infected with the Plasmodium berghei parasite, these treatments prevented inflammation and improved survival.
Climate conditions at nesting beaches affect early survival of turtle eggs and hatchlings, with warmer El Niño conditions linked to higher mortality rates. The study predicts a 50% drop in egg and hatchling survival by 2112 due to global climate change.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that pregnant women with low vitamin D levels are more likely to have children with increased body fat. The research, which analyzed data from over 977 pregnant women, suggests a potential long-term health consequence for children born to mothers with vitamin D i...
Concordia University's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance has received over $497,000 in funding to develop a math tool for primary school students. The initiative aims to increase basic math skills and reduce math-related anxiety among young people.
Researchers found that Americans' hostility to the income tax is rooted in moral beliefs about hard work and personal autonomy. Interview respondents associated taxes with a loss of control over their time and work, viewing a flat tax on consumption as an improvement.
Researchers developed a new 'designer fat' from hazelnut oil that closely mimics the key fatty acids found in human milk. This innovation addresses concerns about digestibility of algae-derived ingredients used in infant formulas.
Researchers developed a chlorinated form of silk that kills bacteria and spores in minutes, offering potential uses for protective coatings and water purification. The treatment, which involves soaking silk in a solution similar to household bleach, has broad applications in various fields.
Researchers used ultrafast spectroscopy to study the initial stage of photosynthesis, observing a single photon exciting different chromophores simultaneously. This discovery hints at more efficient natural light-harvesting processes, potentially influencing efforts to create artificial materials and devices.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a computer model to determine how a wind-driven 'tumbleweed' Mars rover would perform on rocky Martian terrain. The study found that larger diameter and lower weight rovers achieve better performance, with a minimum diameter of six meters needed for acceptable movement.
Researchers have successfully realized and analyzed repulsive polarons, a new type of quasiparticle with modified properties. By controlling particle interactions, they found that these quasiparticles can exist for an almost ten times longer lifetime than previously thought.
A study found that doctors who rarely meet with pharmaceutical sales representatives are slower to change prescriptions based on new information, taking up to four times longer than their peers. The study suggests that limiting access to reps can result in serious information gaps and affect prescription behavior.
Research on lemur extinctions over 2,000 years reveals that remaining species go into 'ecological retreat,' increasing extinction risk. Surviving lemurs rely on denser habitats due to vacant environmental niches, which may be a result of human disturbance.