The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has identified key technologies needed to enhance first responder capabilities. These include augmented reality eyeglasses, telemedicine, and assistive technologies that can aid in crime-fighting and medical procedures.
Researchers led by CSIC and Kiel University reveal meprin β, an enzyme anchored in cell walls that cuts off proteins. The study found a dimeric structure with a cleft that acts as the scissor-like active site.
A new study reveals that insects feeding on plants drive genetic variation in their host species across large geographic areas. The researchers found that two aphid species exert pressure on plants to create diverse chemical defenses, leading to changes in the genetic makeup of plant populations.
Astronomers report the discovery of S0-102, a star with an extremely short orbit near the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's galactic center. The study aims to test Einstein's theory of general relativity and reveal the fabric of space and time around a black hole.
A French team identified key parameters to generate high-fidelity single photons, crucial for quantum computing and communication. They simulated detector properties and experimental results to improve reliability.
A study has found that nearly half a million people in three East London boroughs are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next decade. The 'East London Diabetes Belt' maps areas of high risk, highlighting need for targeted public health strategies.
A University of Missouri public health expert has identified factors that can help parents, medical professionals, and educators recognize teens at risk for self-injury and suicide. Factors such as parent connectedness and connections with other positive adult influences are associated with reduced likelihood of engaging in self-injury.
A new study found that providing free birth control reduced unplanned pregnancies and cut abortion rates by 62-78%. Most women chose long-acting methods like IUDs or implants, which have lower failure rates than commonly used birth control pills. The study enrolled 9,256 women and adolescents in the St. Louis area between 2007 and 2011.
The Sandia Wind Plant Reliability Benchmark helps the wind industry compare performance, identify vulnerabilities and enhance productivity. The benchmark is based on data from over 800 turbines, showing that the fleet is now producing electricity or available to produce electricity at 97% of the time.
The University of Strathclyde is launching a new training network, 'Stardust', to tackle space debris and asteroid deflection with 14 European partners. The programme will provide significant advances in protecting the planet from these hazards.
TGen's Dr. Daniel Von Hoff delivers his lecture on a molecular pursuit approach to take out pancreatic cancer, honoring the memory of patient Lori Groetken who fought the disease for two years. The award recognizes his significant contributions to genomic research and novel therapy development in pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have found that fox squirrels engage in a long-term savings strategy by diversifying their nut storage, with some nuts hidden up to 100 meters away. By studying this behavior, the team aims to understand how squirrels remember where they hide their nuts and develop insights into human decision-making.
Professor Sidney Fu is studying small RNA biomarkers to develop a blood test for detecting early-stage breast cancer. His research aims to identify patients who will not benefit from aggressive treatments, saving them from unnecessary trauma and stress.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have discovered a genetic risk allele for uterine fibroids in white women using an unbiased approach. Genetic variants were found to be significantly associated with uterine fibroid status, particularly in the FASN gene, which encodes fatty acid synthase protein.
Research from Karolinska Institutet found a significant association between difficulty chewing hard food and cognitive impairment, including dementia. The study of 557 people aged 77 or older suggests that maintaining good chewing ability may be crucial for brain health.
A new study reveals that a significant amount of carbon released into lakes and rivers is very old, approximately 1,000 to 3,000 years old. This finding challenges the current models of long-term carbon storage in lakes and rivers, suggesting a significant lag in the coupling between terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that BPA's metabolite MBP interacts more strongly with estrogen receptors than BPA itself, posing a greater health threat. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs targeting excessive estrogen activity linked to diseases.
The study uses functional MRI to measure brain activity and identifies a precise statistical relationship between brain structure and visual representation. This breakthrough can guide efforts to restore vision using neural prosthetics.
Researchers estimate that modern humans and Neandertals interbred around 37,000 to 86,000 years ago, with the most recent encounters occurring well after modern humans migrated outside of Africa. This suggests that Neandertals had children with the ancestors of present-day people outside of Africa.
Researchers have identified a new function of the IKKalpha enzyme variant in colorectal cancer progression. This breakthrough could lead to the design of targeted drugs that inhibit this specific form of the enzyme, reducing harm to healthy cells.
A 5-year study found that removing insects from the environment can cause plants to quickly lose defensive traits, such as anti-moth chemicals and temporal blooms. This rapid evolution is driven by natural selection, with successful varieties emerging when moths are absent.
Researchers have successfully unraveled the life cycle of Hematodinium, a single-celled parasite affecting blue crabs. The study provides critical information on transmission and development time, enabling better management and handling practices for wild-caught blue crabs and shrimp farms.
A compassion-based meditation program can improve a person's ability to read facial expressions, finds a study published by Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. The Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) program significantly increased neural activity in areas of the brain important for empathy.
The MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program has selected 18 reporters to cover various aging concerns such as family caregiving and financial elder abuse. The program aims to provide in-depth coverage of these topics, shedding light on the challenges faced by older Americans.
Researchers identified a group of proteins that play a key role in methylation, a process that silences genes in embryonic development. This phenomenon can be accidentally reactivated in tumor cells, leading to the formation of cancer.
Researchers found Botox injections to be equally effective to oral medication in treating urinary urgency incontinence, with a higher proportion of complete resolution. The study also showed improved quality of life without significant differences.
A study from the University of Toronto Mississauga discovered that insect interaction can cause rapid evolutionary changes in plants, with populations diverging significantly in as few as three to four generations. This suggests that insects play a crucial role in plant evolution and diversity.
A five-year study funded by NASA Astrobiology Institute aims to detect and study deep subsurface microbial life on Earth and beyond. Researchers will test instrumentation in extreme environments like Death Valley and oceanic crust.
Maia Raymundo, a UOG master's candidate, has been awarded the National Geographic Society Young Explorers Grant to research the critically endangered Philippine naked-backed fruit bat. Her fieldwork in Negros Island yielded a sighting of an adolescent bat, a significant discovery in her quest to understand the species' status.
A warmer climate is expected to lead to varying reactions in lakes, with those without fish displaying clear water and avoiding algal blooms, while lakes with fish will see an increase in algae due to the consumption of zooplankton by fish
Home hemodialysis could enable patients to increase their dialysis frequency, potentially providing a survival benefit. Increased physician and patient education can eliminate barriers to its adoption.
Dr. Yu Zhang is developing a prototype glass-zirconia composite crown with a predominantly glass surface, which he believes will be less susceptible to fractures due to its design. The new crowns could potentially reduce the risk of porcelain-veneered zirconia restorations developing fractures within three years.
A team led by biologists at The Scripps Research Institute has solved the long-standing mystery of how mice know to nurse. The trigger turns out to be a signature mix of unique odors that the offspring learn.
Scientists found that clot-busting enzyme t-PA also removes necrotic cells from the body. The process involves a blood clot-like structure, allowing for efficient removal without damage to the body.
Researchers have identified a molecule that plays a crucial role in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) in MS animal models. Blocking this molecule reduces inflammation and reverses clinical signs of the disease.
Michigan State University is providing a $1.5 million grant to help India develop online tools for carbon monitoring and measurement. The project aims to enhance the country's forest management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a Parental Academic Support Scale (PASS) to assess parent-teacher communication. The scale focuses on five topic areas, with parents most frequently discussing academic performance and using email as the primary mode of communication.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs has received a five-year, $108 million grant from the US Agency for International Development. The project aims to build the capacity of local organizations in developing countries to design and implement effective health communication projects.
A new gene test has been developed to detect pre-cancerous cells in patients with benign-looking mouth lesions. The test shows a cancer detection rate of 91-94% and could potentially allow at-risk patients to receive earlier treatment, significantly improving their chance of survival.
Researchers found that newborn mice depend on the specific blend of scents emitted by their mothers, which is distinct from earlier studies in rabbits. This discovery suggests that innate behaviors like suckling may involve learning rather than hardwired instincts.
A recent survey of over 5000 people in five countries found that Britons were the least likely to adopt protective behaviors against the flu. In contrast, Mexicans made significant efforts to cover their mouths with tissues when coughing and sneezing during the pandemic.
A Yale University study found that most Northern conifer species emerged within the past 5 million years, with mountainous environments driving the formation of new species. The researchers also discovered significant differences in conifer evolutionary dynamics between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
Researchers show that newborn mice learn to suckle their mother's milk through a learned response built on learning her unique combination of smells. The study, published in Current Biology, finds that a pheromone is not involved in initiating suckling in mice.
Researchers found that plants in different regions produce distinct chemical defenses against aphids, which are influenced by local pest populations. This variation is driven by the need for optimal defense against specific aphid species, highlighting the importance of genetic diversity in plant evolution.
Researchers aim to understand the natural history and progression of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a liver disease that can cause damage in children and adults. The multi-center study will provide information on treatment options for companies developing pharmaceuticals.
Researchers found that breast cancer survivors with higher self-efficacy scores were 10% more likely to be physically active six months after the intervention. Behavioral skills such as self-confidence and motivation can be taught, enabling women to overcome exercise-related barriers.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed the heaviest rainfall in Tropical Storm Gaemi surrounding its center, with rates reaching 2 inches per hour. The storm is expected to make landfall south of Hue, Vietnam on October 6, bringing deteriorating coastal conditions.
Researchers have made precise measurements without disturbing the system, providing direct experimental evidence that a new measurement-disturbance relationship is more accurate. This finding has significant implications for fields like quantum cryptography.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that BPA exposure is associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women and newborn boys. The study suggests a potential link between BPA exposure and altered fetal development and cognitive function.
A new study comparing oral medication and Botox injections for treating urge urinary incontinence in women found that both treatments were effective in reducing symptoms, but with varying side effects. The study, which involved nearly 250 women, showed that Botox was more likely to completely eliminate urinary leakage, while oral medic...
A study reviews the efficacy and safety of inhaled drugs commonly used in ICU settings, including antibiotics and diuretics. The article discusses the challenges of aerosol drug delivery and advances in devices contributing to its increasing use and success.
A new study reveals that duck-billed dinosaurs had six types of dental tissues, four more than reptiles, allowing for advanced grinding capacity. Their teeth functioned perfectly if put back into a living dinosaur, opening doors for studying fossilized teeth.
Researchers identified 14 novel biomarkers for type 2 diabetes that can serve as the basis for developing new treatment and prevention methods. These biomarkers provide insight into the complex mechanisms of this disease, which are still not fully understood.
A new study led by researchers from UCLA School of Nursing found that nursing interventions and art messaging programs can significantly decrease substance abuse among homeless youths. The study revealed significant reductions in alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and hallucinogen use.
Researchers found that men whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy scored lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 and had a greater decline over time. The study also did not find an association between premature birth or the father's occupation.
Researchers at Penn developed a new mouse model of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a debilitating lung disease, that replicates the pathologic features of human disease. The study suggests that two readily available drugs, an antibiotic and a statin, may help treat and reverse symptoms.
The 15th Atlantic tropical depression, TD15, has formed in the central Atlantic Ocean, moving northwest at 15mph. It is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Oscar and move north and northeast before weakening due to hostile atmospheric conditions.
A study by Rice University researchers found that states without Certificate of Need regulations for open-heart surgery experienced a 4% decrease in average patient care costs. The deregulation led to increased competition among hospitals, driving up the quality of care and resulting in cost savings.
Researchers found that a memory training program improved memory performance, while a computer-based program called Insight improved both memory and information processing speed. The study suggests these programs may help alleviate symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors.
Researchers found that women with multiple sclerosis who undergo assisted reproduction technology are at risk for increased disease activity. Sex hormones and reproductive hormones contribute to the regulation of immune responses in autoimmune diseases like MS.