Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a positive feedback loop between Notch and TGF beta proteins that maintains basal cell population in the prostate. Disrupting this loop may contribute to prostate cancer initiation.
A new study found that UK butterfly populations' sensitivity to extreme drought is affected by habitat type area and degree of fragmentation. Larger, more connected patches of woodland habitat reduced population sensitivity and facilitated faster recovery.
Baylor University has been awarded federal grants to support research on Gulf War illness, a complex medical condition affecting thousands of veterans. The grants will fund studies on biological processes causing symptoms and the development of a nationwide network for health research.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) as a promising therapeutic target for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease. Inactivation of MAGL reduced beta amyloid plaque production and improved brain function, learning, and memory.
A researcher is studying the long-term economic impacts of domestic violence in Latin America on women's labor participation, health, and children's education. The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the intangible costs of domestic violence in the region, with implications for public policy.
A new genetic sequencing tool, Next-Gen Lab-on-Bead, has been developed to speed up drug discovery and disease diagnostics. The technology uses next-generation sequencing to test millions of potential drug candidates simultaneously.
A breakthrough in drug development has led to the creation of a vaccine against methamphetamine, which could potentially treat meth addiction. The vaccine, called MH6, was tested on rats and found to be highly effective at blocking the typical effects of meth intoxication.
The GSA Annual Meeting technical session 'Geomorphology of the Anthropocene' brings together experts to address human impacts on Earth's systems. Research studies investigate influences such as indigenous culture and dams, with a focus on defining the Anthropocene's temporal and spatial scales.
USDA researchers have developed a method to capture and recycle ammonia from livestock waste, reducing harmful emissions and concentrating nitrogen for fertilizer. The system uses gas-permeable membranes, achieving an average removal rate of 45-153 mg/liter per day.
Iowa State researchers identify three types of cell-to-cell bonds, each reacting differently to a pulling force. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, have implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular problems.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time view of New York City, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania, revealing the extent of the power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy's landfall on October 29. The images show areas where power has not been restored, with comparisons to earlier images highlighting the affected regions.
A phase 2 study reports that the combination of lapatinib and capecitabine reduces brain tumour size by at least 50% in two-thirds of women with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. This treatment delays radiotherapy, which can impair cognitive function, offering a potential advance for patients.
Researchers at UCSB have made a significant discovery in the study of split-brain research, uncovering dynamic changes in brain coordination patterns between left and right hemispheres. The findings show that healthy test subjects respond less accurately when information is shown only to the right brain.
Harvard scientists have solved the long-standing mystery of how some insects form germ cells, discovering that a cricket's oskar gene is far older than previously thought. The team found that the gene emerged in their last common ancestor and likely originated in the nervous system before being co-opted for germ cell formation.
A new study considers how to manage epidemics in information blackouts, particularly in the US where privacy laws restrict data accessibility. The researchers used land cover maps to approximate farm locations and developed a mathematical model that can provide accurate predictions about disease spread.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation identifies a rare mutation in the DGAT1 gene as the cause of congenital diarrheal disorder. Additionally, research on natriuretic peptides reveals their role in enhancing human skeletal muscle metabolism and increasing fat oxidation.
A new study published in Hepatology found that African American women co-infected with HIV and HCV have lower liver-related mortality rates compared to Caucasian and Hispanic women. This finding suggests that racial disparities in liver disease may be influenced by other factors beyond just the presence of the virus.
The Carnegie Institution has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to engineer broad-spectrum resistance against rice bacterial blight through genetic engineering. The project aims to create durable and environmentally friendly solutions to combat this disease in developing countries.
A gene called spastin plays a critical role in axon regeneration, which was found to be shut down by a mutation in the gene. The researchers used fruit flies as a model organism and observed that severed axons regrew normally when the gene was present.
Researchers found that living donor liver transplant recipients had better quality of life than the general Japanese population, except those with medical problems after donation. The study also discovered a significant correlation between decreased long-term HRQOL and age, persistence of symptoms, or additional diseases.
A recent study published in Developmental Psychology found that variation in words, rather than similarity, may help early readers learn the rules of phonics more effectively. The study showed that students exposed to varied practice outperformed those with similar word lists, particularly among struggling learners.
Asteroid belts may play a key role in the evolution of complex life. According to a NASA study, only a tiny fraction of planetary systems seem to have giant planets in the right location to produce an asteroid belt of the appropriate size. This suggests that our solar system may be special.
Researchers identified trust as a crucial factor in the success or failure of agbiotech public-private partnerships. The study found that integrity, open communication, and accountability were essential components of trust in these partnerships, while a lack of transparency and poor performance can erode trust.
The Harvard Review of Psychiatry has partnered with Wolters Kluwer Health to expand its global reach and impact. The partnership aims to enhance digital publishing solutions and strategies, including the development of a new iPad edition and an updated website.
Researchers have identified several critical feedback loops that contribute to the rapid increase in sea levels, including Arctic sea ice, Greenland's ice cap, and soil moisture. These positive feedbacks accelerate climate change, making it challenging to predict future sea-level rise.
Researchers investigated the use of stem cells in treating equine tendon injuries. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells showed promise in strengthening tendons after injury, while umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells may offer even greater potential for tendon regeneration.
Hurricane Sandy's heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding along the US eastern seaboard, with rainfall totals over 260mm in open Atlantic waters and 180mm in coastal areas. The storm resulted in over 120 reported deaths, mainly due to flooding and high winds.
Researchers find two super-luminous supernovae at high redshifts, consistent with pair-instability supernova mechanism. The explosions are thought to have occurred in massive stars that formed in the early universe.
Researchers from UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton are partnering to conduct pilot research projects on cancer health disparities in Orange County. The alliance will focus on erasing disparities in cervical, stomach, and liver cancers, as well as increasing awareness of the risks among different ethnic groups.
Researchers found moderate to insufficient evidence supporting various autism interventions, highlighting the need for well-designed studies. The expert panel recommends focusing on assessment and monitoring treatment outcomes, addressing needs of preverbal and nonverbal children, and identifying effective strategies for core deficits.
Physicists at the University of Bristol have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the nature of light by demonstrating its wave-particle duality. The experiment, published in Science, shows that photons can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior simultaneously, resolving a long-standing debate in quantum mechanics.
Researchers have identified a gene that regulates chloroplast development through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, potentially unlocking control over fruit ripening in crops. The discovery may enable manipulation of chloroplast functions to improve crop yields and reduce food waste.
Researchers sequenced 1092 human genomes from 14 populations to discover more numerous and rarer genetic variations than previously known. This expanded genetic information enables the discovery of rare genetic variants important for understanding population history and disease association studies.
Researchers found that Koshik can mimic five Korean words: 'annyong' (hello), 'anja' (sit down), 'aniya' (no), 'nuo' (lie down), and 'choah' (good). The elephant's language skills may provide insights into the biology of complex vocal learning, crucial for human speech and music.
A WSU researcher is studying the ecological factors behind antibiotic resistance in 30 Tanzanian villages, looking at genes, landscapes, and pathways. The project aims to understand how ecological components contribute to the problem and inform policies in the US.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have reported the first effective therapy for plexiform neurofibromas, tumors caused by neurofibromatosis type 1. The drug imatinib mesylate provided relief to a significant number of patients with NF1, improving symptoms and reducing tumor size.