Researchers at McMaster University discovered a novel molecular basis for depression, finding the FTO gene is associated with an eight per cent reduction in the risk of depression. The study found no link between obesity and depression, contradicting common perception that obese individuals are more likely to be depressed.
A new study aims to determine driving fitness in individuals with multiple sclerosis using a simple and accurate testing protocol. The test, developed by GHSU researcher Dr. Abiodun Akinwuntan, has shown promise in predicting pass or fail outcomes on a road test with 91 percent accuracy.
Researchers identified potent antiepileptic fatty acids in the ketogenic diet, which could lead to a new pill for controlling seizures. The discovery aims to replace the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with a safer treatment option.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have sequenced the genetic code of a dwarf birch tree, a species crucial to British conservation. The decoded genome will aid in understanding disease resistance and growth shape, helping protect against the bronze birch borer pest threatening UK birch populations.
A new study found that rapid tumor growth in pregnant women with meningiomas is linked to blood flow changes, not hormonal fluctuations. Most of the tumors showed an unusual 'hypervascular' pattern and high edema rates.
Scientists have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria that can deliberately die to protect their population, promoting the survival of survivors. The altruistic behavior emerges after sufficient time has passed and can be controlled by tuning the extent of programmed cell death.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara, have designed a detector that uses microfluidic nanotechnology to mimic the biological mechanism behind canine scent receptors. The device can detect trace amounts of certain vapor molecules and identify specific substances.
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital found that adenotonsillectomy is effective in most children with Prader-Willi syndrome who have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, but may not be curative for those with severe forms. The procedure helped normalize sleep patterns in 89% of patients.
Researchers found that rituximab can improve outcomes in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies who suffer from non-criteria APS manifestations. The study showed that rituximab may be effective in treating cognitive dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, skin ulcers, and kidney disease in aPL-positive patients.
A new diagnostic method for Parkinson's disease is noninvasive and effective in over 90% of cases. The method tracks speech patterns to detect the disorder's early signs.
Researchers have identified two species of wood-boring beetles as the makers of wormholes in European printed art since the Renaissance. The study, published in Biology Letters, uses printed art as a trace fossil to precisely date species and identify their locations.
Current risk models have modest-to-acceptable discriminatory performance but require better calibration and external validation to inform clinical guidelines. Few studies tested the models in diverse populations, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers found that e-visit patients were more likely to receive antibiotics and less likely to have relevant testing ordered by their physicians before receiving medication. Despite this, the study suggests that e-visits can improve access to care and convenience for patients without compromising quality.
Researchers observed a long-theorized exception to time reversal symmetry, finding certain particle types change into one another six times more often in one direction than the other. The BaBar experiment provided clear conditions for a direct measurement of time violation, confirming quantum field theory.
A study by University College London reveals that happy adolescents tend to earn higher levels of income later in life. The research found that happy individuals are more likely to get a degree, find work, and get promoted quicker than their gloomier counterparts.
A new study published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that male grey tree frogs increase their courtship calls when they can see a female approaching. The research, led by Dr. Michael Reichert, suggests that visual cues play a crucial role in attracting mates in nocturnal anurans.
Research by McElhaney found that companies with one or more women on their boards are significantly more likely to have improved sustainability practices. Additionally, the study found that companies with at least three female board members had better ESG performance.
A type of exploding star that fails to detonate, known as a failed explosion, is probably the cause of most peculiar supernovae. These dim stars are anywhere from 10-100 times fainter than normal ones and may account for approximately 15% of all type Ia supernovae.
A new Johns Hopkins research suggests that uninsured brain cancer patients are twice as likely to die in the hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor. Despite this, patients with government-subsidized insurance through Medicaid had survival rates closer to those with private insurance.
Hydrogen can cause metals to become brittle and fail. Researchers have developed a model that predicts when and where embrittlement will occur, enabling the design of new, resistant materials.
A study found that it takes an average of 20.7 years for a newly collected species to be described, with some species taking up to 12 years. This long 'shelf life' poses a significant challenge for conservation efforts, which may come too late if not addressed promptly.
Researchers have created a new stem-like state of adult epithelial cells, which exhibit attributes favoring regenerative medicine. These cells do not express genes found in embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, making them stable and less prone to forming tumors.
A study of children with psoriasis found a strong association between the condition and excess adiposity, including waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Children with psoriasis are more likely to be overweight or obese, increasing their risk for metabolic complications.
A Canadian case-control study found that women in jobs with high exposures to carcinogens and endocrine disrupters had an elevated breast cancer risk. The study highlights the importance of occupational studies in identifying environmental risk factors.
A $243,000 NSF grant will help understand and quantify interactions between human conflict and natural systems in the Lake Victoria region. The project aims to improve regional fisheries management and sustain aquatic resources critical for local inhabitants.
A commonly prescribed inpatient sleeping drug has been associated with a significant increase in falls among hospital patients. The study found that zolpidem use was linked to a fourfold higher fall rate compared to non-users.
Researchers at Université Laval conducted a study examining the relationship between moon phases and psychological problems. They found no connection between the two, contradicting widespread beliefs. Anxiety disorders were slightly less frequent during the last lunar quarter, but this could be due to other factors.
The American College of Physicians releases new clinical practice guidelines for stable ischemic heart disease, emphasizing patient education and risk factor modification. The guidelines address initial cardiac testing, management, and follow-up care for patients with stable IHD.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers links plant-based estrogenic compounds to altered hormone levels and possible changes in behavior among male red colobus monkeys. The study suggests that phytoestrogens may have played a significant role in the evolution of primate biology, including human biology.
Researchers found that immune cells, including microglia, are defective in their ability to migrate in Huntington's disease. The study suggests that changes in immune cell function may underlie some of the symptoms of HD.
A team of middle school students, led by a University of Arizona graduate student, conducted the first systematic study on leaf shrinkage when drying out. They found that leaves shrink about 20% on average, but variables such as species and structural investment determine the amount of shrinkage.
Researchers will track brain development in infants with TSC using advanced imaging techniques to identify those at high risk for autism. The study aims to open new avenues of research and treatment for autism, not only in TSC but also in other causes.
Researchers at VIB and Oxyrane have created a new technology that produces enzymes for metabolic disorders like Pompe disease more efficiently than current treatments. The novel method uses yeast cells instead of mammalian cells, resulting in 17 times more efficient absorption by patient cells.
A cross-sectional study of over 5,370 adolescents found a significant association between parental chronic pain and chronic pain in offspring. The study suggests that family pain models and shared environmental factors play an important role in the origin of chronic pain.
The study identified BMP2 and BBS9 genes associated with sagittal craniosynostosis, which affects about one in 5,000 newborns. Surgical treatment is necessary to prevent increased pressure within the skull, visual problems, and learning disabilities.
A recent study from Michigan Medicine found that 16% of emergency room patients aged 14-20 may have undiagnosed binge eating, bulimia, or other eating problems. Those with signs of eating disorders were also more likely to show signs of depression and substance abuse.
A team of US and Indian scientists identify three emerging trends contributing to the public health problem: traumatic brain injury, age-related dementia, and stroke. The researchers outline measures to stem its growth, including enforcement of traffic safety measures and training of more professionals in neurorehabilitative care.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a method to predict environmental collapse by identifying 'flickering' signs in ecosystems, which may also warn of crises in agriculture and social systems.
Researchers identify new therapeutic approaches for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), find immune cells defective in Huntington's disease, and discover signaling pathways contributing to muscle weakness in myotonic dystrophy. Targeting C/EBPG and C/EBPA, or normalizing GSK3β activity may help treat these conditions.
Scientists at Stanford Medicine have found a way to let the body direct differentiation of transplanted stem cells without forced manipulation. This breakthrough could speed FDA approval and enable new therapies using pluripotent stem cells.
A UT-Austin study reveals that punitive school policies pose significant barriers to educational attainment for students with criminal records. Compared to non-arrested peers, arrested teens dropped out of high school at a rate 22 percentage points higher and were less likely to enroll in four-year colleges.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a transcriptional regulator called C/EBPG was highly expressed in AML samples with an epigenetically silenced C/EBPA gene. By blocking this epigenetic modification, researchers were able to reduce C/EBPG and restore normal myeloid blood cells.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that uninsured patients with brain tumors had higher in-hospital mortality rates than privately insured patients. The disparity was pronounced in teaching hospitals, highlighting the need for further research into insurance-related disparities in medical outcomes.
Researchers found that female bloggers enjoyed blogging due to feelings of empowerment and community connection. Site metrics like traffic visitors and comments predicted continued interest in blogging. Bloggers who felt a strong sense of agency were more influential.
Researchers have identified a key biochemical marker for cognitive impairment in MS brains and developed an experimental compound to manipulate it, improving learning and memory in mice. The finding has the potential to speed development of new drugs for treating cognitive impairment in MS patients and those with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a solution to predict breast cancer cells' response to cancer drugs by analyzing their genomic profiles. The team's solution outperformed 47 other teams in a prediction challenge, taking an encouraging step forward for personalized medicine.
Rhode Island Hospital researcher Kristy L. Dalrymple explores the variances between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and normal shyness, discussing differing opinions on diagnosis and treatment. SAD affects up to 30% of those seeking mental health treatment, with significant economic costs and impact on daily life.
Researchers found that mosquitoes struggle to fly in heavy fog, despite their ability to withstand raindrops. The study reveals that the tiny fog particles overwhelm the mosquito's gyroscopic sensors, leading to flight failure.
The Shamatha Project, led by Clifford Saron, investigates the long-term impact of intensive meditation training on cognitive, emotional, and physical processes. The new grant will aid analysis of original data and explore how changes in meditation practice relate to personal growth years later.
Astronomers have directly imaged a massive exoplanet, Kappa And b, orbiting the 2.5-solar-mass star Kappa Andromedae. The 'super-Jupiter' has a mass at least 13 times that of Jupiter and is bound to the star.
NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory captured two prominence eruptions on Nov 16, 2012, releasing plasma into space. The eruptions occurred between 1-5 a.m EST and did not appear to be Earth-directed.
Researchers have developed a novel test that measures proteins from nerve damage deposited in blood and spinal fluid to predict the rate of progression in ALS. The test shows promise in identifying patients at most risk for rapid progression, who may be offered new therapies being developed or tested.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia found that individuals with shorter telomeres have an increased risk of death, and that longer telomeres are associated with a longer lifespan. The study, published in Molecular Ecology, measured telomere lengths in a wild population of Seychelles Warblers over 20 years.
Researchers discovered that yeast protein Hsp104 can break up both amyloid fibrils and disordered protein clumps, with different requirements for stability. This finding offers a new approach to eliminate toxic clumps linked with neurodegenerative diseases.
Only three percent of patients receive stress management counselling, highlighting the need for restructuring primary care delivery to include this crucial service as prevention. Stress management counseling is associated with longer office visits, underscoring the importance of providing this support earlier in the disease process.
Hermann Grunder, founding director of Jefferson Lab, received the Francis G. Slack Award for his pioneering work on superconducting technology and innovative faculty joint appointments, significantly strengthening nuclear physics in the Southeast.
Dr. Robert Green's project to explore genome sequencing of newborns won the $100,000 BRIght Futures Prize after six weeks of public voting. The project aims to determine if DNA sequencing of newborns would be perceived as useful to new parents and integrate genomic information into medical care.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed a biocompatible polymer structure that can fight infection, filter water, and perform various healing functions. The system can be fabricated and specialized to meet specific needs, offering versatility and convenience.
Researchers have found a family of molecules that can delay or halt the freezing process by interacting with crystal surfaces, potentially leading to new methods for improving food storage and industrial products. The study's findings may also provide insights into how nature's own anti-freeze molecules work.
Researchers found that great apes, including chimpanzees and orangutans, experience a midlife low in well-being, consistent with the U-shape in human happiness. The study suggests that evolutionary or biological explanations may contribute to this phenomenon.