A recent study by Harvard researchers found that deep sleep plays a crucial role in the onset of puberty. The study suggests that inadequate or disturbed sleep in children and young adolescents may interfere with normal pubertal maturation, particularly for those with sleep disorders.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a way to levitate individual droplets of solutions containing different pharmaceuticals using sound waves. This technique allows for the amorphization of drugs, which can improve their bioavailability and efficacy.
Researchers discovered a HIV mutation that makes certain strains more susceptible to treatment. This knowledge will help doctors improve drug regimens for HIV-infected individuals by targeting the 172K polymorphism.
A multi-institutional research project aims to develop water-use efficient biofuel crops by altering the photosynthesis process of plants. The goal is to produce biomass that can be readily converted to biofuels while minimizing competition with food crops.
Karl Deisseroth's CLARITY approach unites chemical engineering, molecular genetics, and optics to gather detailed information from intact brains, potentially elucidating psychiatric diseases like depression and schizophrenia. The $22.48M award enables his team to continue their research with the potential impact in biomedical science.
A three-year CDC grant will support a study examining risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) in Detroit metro-area youth. The research aims to inform IPV prevention and intervention protocols, as well as school policies, by exploring the complex interplay of individual, relational, and societal processes that l...
Researchers have developed a rapid method to measure carbon footprints using new software that can calculate thousands of product footprints in minutes. The methodology helps companies accurately label products and design ways to reduce environmental impacts.
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have shown that the immune system can compensate for a
Researchers from Brown University developed a computer program that recognizes sketches as they're drawn in real time, with around 56-percent accuracy. The program uses a large database of sketches to teach a computer how humans sketch objects, enabling better sketch-based interface and search applications.
Patients with obstructed heart arteries experience three times more complications when feeling out of control. However, persistent anxiety has little effect on complication rates. Researchers found that giving patients greater control over their heart illness can reduce complications after acute coronary syndrome.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have mapped the precise order and timing of hundreds of genetic switches required for heart development, offering new clues into the genetic basis for congenital heart disease. The study identifies groups of genes that work together in a coordinated fashion to control heart formation.
Concordia University researchers created a computer model to help car-sharing services grow while reducing congestion and carbon emissions. The model assesses areas with greatest growth potential and simulates various scenarios to predict the best strategy for growth.
Researchers have identified three genes responsible for hybrid sterility in rice, controlling fertility in indica-japonica hybrids by targeting female gametes and stabilizing cell membranes. The study may lead to the development of non-lethal hybrid combinations, improving crop genetics.
A University of Michigan faculty member argues that doctors can be conscientious providers of abortion care, motivated by deeply-held ethical beliefs. The author calls for recognition of 'conscientious provision' of care and a standard curriculum for handling conscience-based refusals.
Two new studies have identified novel genes and patterns of mutations involved in lung cancer, with significant differences found between smokers and non-smokers. These findings could lead to targeted therapies to improve survival rates and outcomes for lung cancer patients.
Daily disinfection of high-touch surfaces in isolation rooms significantly reduces pathogens on healthcare personnel's hands, finding a simple yet effective infection control strategy. The study highlights the importance of environmental cleaning in preventing transmission and patient exposure to harmful pathogens.
Fruit flies exhibit a daily temperature preference rhythm that mirrors human body temperature rhythms, controlled by a circadian clock. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying human development and disease using fruit flies as models.
Local African herders guided scientists to decide which animals to immunize and when, achieving higher than 80% herd immunity. The eradication of rinderpest is a triumph against a disease that has plagued animals and humankind for centuries.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of a critical protein from the Marburg virus, which blocks the human immune system. The breakthrough provides a major step forward in understanding how the deadly virus works and may be useful in developing potential treatments for those infected.
Researchers developed a neural prosthesis to restore decision-making processes in monkeys with disrupted cognitive function. The device, which stimulated specific brain cells, improved performance and even surpassed normal conditions.
A study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that children of immigrants perform better in school and transition to adulthood more smoothly. The advantages were comparable for both Asian and Hispanic children, suggesting a potential boost to the US labor force.
Research suggests that SAT scores are a useful indicator for college admissions decisions, as they positively correlate with academic performance. Contrary to previous research, taking socioeconomic status into account has little effect on the relationship between SAT scores and college performance.
A new study found that smokers with lung cancer have 10 times more genetic mutations than those who have never smoked. The researchers identified over 3,700 mutations across all patients and found at least one mutated gene in each non-smoking patient that can be targeted with existing drugs.
A new study by University of Chicago and University of Michigan researchers found that the 1996 welfare reform may have made life harder for the very poor, who face multiple barriers to work. The research shows a significant decline in cash assistance for deeply poor families with children, while near poor families receive increased aid.
Researchers are studying how plants overcome stress as a key to growth and survival. They hope to gain insights into human stress relief through this study.
Dr. Douglas J. Futuyma, a renowned evolutionary biologist, will receive the Joseph Leidy Award for his outstanding research and ability to communicate complex ideas to scientists and students alike. The symposium on biodiversity will explore current and future research on the diversity of life with a focus on evolutionary biology.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that beta cells in type 2 diabetes do not die but de-differentiate under stress, suggesting a potential new approach to treatment. By targeting signaling pathways such as Wnt or Notch, scientists may be able to promote re-differentiation of beta cells.
A recent study published by The Endocrine Society found that mildly elevated TSH levels in the elderly do not increase mortality risk. In fact, having subclinical hypothyroidism may be protective, and higher thyroid hormone levels are associated with a higher risk of death.
Oscar Loayza, a conservationist with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Madidi Program, has been recognized for his work on strengthening indigenous participation in protected area management. His initiatives led to improved governance and consolidated indigenous territorial rights in Bolivia's Madidi National Park.
Tropical Storm Nadine is battling wind shear and dry air, which are hindering its intensification. Despite reaching near-hurricane strength, the storm lacks symmetry in its cloud pattern, a crucial factor for hurricane formation.
The U.S. Navy awarded Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory a $853 million contract over the next 10 years to support critical defense research and development. The award enables ARL to carry out research in guidance, navigation, and materials science.
Sanba intensified from Tropical Storm to Super Typhoon on Sept. 12-13, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing infrared data showing massive thunderstorms and heavy rain over the western North Pacific. The storm featured a large eye surrounded by strong convection and strong thunderstorms, consistent with an annular typhoon
A new study reveals that migratory insects, such as the Silver Y moth, can survive and thrive in Northern Europe during the summer, thanks to abundant food supplies. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about insect migration and highlights the importance of monitoring these species for pest control and ecosystem balance.
A study by the American Heart Association found that transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and minor strokes can cause significant disability in up to 15% of patients. Thrombolysis treatment may be necessary for these patients, even if symptoms appear mild, to prevent further damage.
The ACA's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is providing a temporary coverage option for people with pre-existing health conditions until the new state exchanges are implemented in 2014. State-run high-risk pools, while helpful as a stop-gap measure, are expensive to run and often unaffordable for those who need them.
Researchers found that taking Truvada daily leads to a 99% reduction in HIV infection risk and that participants need to take the medication at least 4 days per week to achieve a 90% risk reduction. The study focused on men who have sex with men, as the findings may not be applicable to other populations.
A team of meteorologists has overturned the world's hottest temperature record from 90 years ago, revising it to 134 F (56.7 C) recorded in Death Valley, Calif., due to systematic errors in the original measurement. The investigation found that an inexperienced observer may have made the error with a obsolete thermometer.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have discovered a prime suspect for new cancer drug development: the CIB1 protein. Decreasing CIB1 in cancer cells causes cell death, but the exact mechanism was unknown until now.
The low-cost scanner can be manufactured for £30-40 and produces an output power that is 10-100 times lower than conventional hospital ultrasounds. It aims to provide basic antenatal imaging to women in developing countries where such tests are not available, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
A study led by Rice University found that the Pacific island of Guam has a staggering 40 times more spiders than neighboring islands due to the loss of forest birds caused by the invasive brown treesnake. The loss of birds, which consume spiders and compete with them for insects, has led to an increase in spider populations.
Chemists at UMass Amherst have developed a sensor array system using gold nanoparticles and proteins that can rapidly detect and identify different cancer types in living tissue. The technology uses a 'nose' strategy similar to how humans recognize odors, allowing for precise detection of metastatic cells with high accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that stress breaks the neural loops that store and retrieve short-term information, leading to distractions and decreased performance. This discovery sheds light on how stress impairs working memory and may inform new treatment approaches for prefrontal cortex dysfunction.
Researchers create dynamic optical projection stereolithography (DOPsL) to print microscale 3D structures in seconds, enabling better cell growth and studying, as well as regenerative medicine applications.
Warming temperatures have rendered the new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map obsolete, shifting cold-weather zones northward. Dr. Nir Krakauer's analysis found that over one-third of the country has shifted half-zones and over one-fifth has shifted full zones, allowing for more frequent updates to gardening plans.
Researchers discovered Arctic crustaceans migrate below sea ice during winter nights, using deep-ocean currents to reach colder areas. This adaptation increases survival and enables them to remain in the Arctic Ocean, a key finding that challenges previous perceptions of ice fauna's vulnerability.
Indiana University chemists have developed a new synthesis of artemisinin, allowing for the production of fully synthetic artemisinin on a gram scale. This breakthrough could help reduce the cost of the life-saving antimalarial drug and increase its availability worldwide.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet developed a new technique using under-twisted DNA origami to deliver cancer drugs, such as doxorubicin, directly to tumor cells while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissue. This approach allows for slower release of the drug, enabling more effective treatment at lower concentrations.
Professor Ming Su at UCF's NanoScience Technology Center has been awarded a $2 million NIH New Innovator Award to use nanoparticles to improve radiation therapy. The goal is to reduce damage to surrounding healthy cells while killing cancerous tumors.
Research reveals that tumor hypoxia drives aggressive behavior and poorer prognosis in various cancers. CD24 overexpression is linked to tumor growth and metastasis, making it a potential therapeutic target.
A recent study found that gestational exposure to urban air pollution is associated with lower vitamin D levels in offspring, potentially affecting their risk of developing diseases later in life. Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may have an influence on the development of asthma and allergic diseases in children.
A large European-wide study has confirmed that work stress is associated with a small but consistent increase in the risk of experiencing a first coronary heart disease event. The study found that individuals with highly demanding jobs and little freedom to make decisions are 23% more likely to experience a heart attack.
Adult men from divorced families are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than those from intact families, according to a new University of Toronto study. Researchers found that parental divorce was still associated with a tripled risk of stroke even after adjusting for other risk factors.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute identified four genetic markers that predict pluripotency in single cells, allowing for more efficient reprogramming. The team also discovered six new combinations of factors that activate Sox2, leading to full reprogramming and potentially healthier iPSCs.
The European Menopause and Andropause Society published a clinical guide on low-dose vaginal estrogens for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, finding them effective in managing symptoms. The guide recommends annual review due to the chronic nature of vaginal atrophy.
A study in Cell Communication and Signaling reveals an extensive interactome of over 500 novel interactions between SH2 domains and phosphotyrosine peptides. The researchers identified six general classes of SH2 domain specificity, which may control the selectivity of individual domains.
Scientists discovered that invariant natural killer T-cells (iNKT) in fat tissue regulate inflammation and protect against obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. iNKT cells can be restored through weight loss and activated by alpha-galactosylceramide, a lipid known to improve metabolism.
A University of Maryland School of Public Health kinesiology researcher suggests that moderate exercise can help people cope with anxiety and stress for an extended period after the workout. The study found that exercise not only reduces anxiety but also helps maintain that reduced anxiety when confronted with emotional events.
A study by the University of Exeter and York found that male killer whales over 30 are almost 14 times more likely to die within a year after their mother's death. This prolonged menopause allows females to invest in their sons' survival, giving them a significant advantage in passing on their genes.
Christina Smolke, a Stanford bioengineer, has won a $2.5 million grant to explore using microbes to produce complex chemicals for advanced natural-product drugs. Her approach aims to transform the manufacturing scale and efficiency of microbial systems.
Researchers are using open-source Arduino microcontrollers and 3D printers to create their own lab equipment, reducing costs by thousands of dollars. This DIY approach is making science more accessible to schools and universities, enabling more discoveries with limited budgets.
UT Southwestern has been selected as one of 25 sites for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's (NINDS) NeuroNEXT clinical trials network. The network aims to streamline clinical trials for brain diseases by creating a shared infrastructure and institutional review board.
Scientists at Uppsala University have successfully cloned a T-cell receptor that binds to an antigen associated with both prostate and breast cancers. This breakthrough enables genetically modified T cells to specifically kill these cancer cells, offering hope for new treatment possibilities.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered a novel predictor for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) progression risk by analyzing changes in the physical characteristics of effector memory regulatory T cells. This finding could improve prognostication and inform therapeutic decision-making.
A new laser-based system can propel tiny, precise streams of medicine into the skin with minimal force, potentially eliminating pain from injections. The device uses an erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser to create a vapor bubble that forces drug-laden jets into the targeted depth of the skin.
A new study published in Neurology says Gingko biloba does not improve cognitive performance in people with multiple sclerosis. The research followed up on earlier findings that suggested there may be some benefit, but found no cognitive benefits to using the supplement.
A new report by the University of Leeds and the University of Leicester found that death rates in children's intensive care units are decreasing overall. However, there is a persistent higher risk of mortality for children of south Asian origin, highlighting disparities in staffing levels and quality of care.
Researchers at Northwestern University have engineered a surface that prevents bubbling during boiling, creating a stable vapor cushion and eliminating bubbles. This discovery could lead to advancements in heat transfer equipment, anti-frost technologies, and reduce damage to surfaces.
A new study adds giant viruses to the universal family tree, revealing they are ancient living organisms. The research found that many of the most ancient protein folds were also present in giant viruses, suggesting they appeared early in evolution.
The American Society of Nephrology has identified five recommendations for reducing unnecessary medical interventions, including avoiding routine cancer screening and administering erythropoiesis stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease patients. By implementing these guidelines, healthcare costs can be lowered and patient care imp...
Researchers at URMC found that defective cholesterol exportation appears to be a key component in various cancers. They demonstrated that re-establishing the cholesterol export function in human colon cancer cells inhibited tumor growth.
A new UCLA psychology study found that pre-wedding uncertainty, especially among women, predicts higher divorce rates and less marital satisfaction years later. Women with doubts were two-and-a-half times more likely to divorce than those without doubts.
The Saving Brains initiative aims to improve conditions for children's development, with funding focused on malnutrition, maternal depression, premature birth, and malaria. Innovations include Kangaroo Mother Care, Vitamin A supplementation, and early treatment of malaria to prevent brain injury.
A study has identified five genes responsible for human facial morphology, with three previously implicated in vertebrate craniofacial development and disease. The remaining two genes are new players in the molecular networks governing facial development.
A joint study by Rotman School researcher finds that signing forms first activates people's moral sense, making it harder to cheat. The study reveals a significant difference in insurance premium payments between those who sign at the beginning and end of forms.
A meta-analysis of 17 studies found that quitting alcohol significantly lowers the risk of esophageal cancer, with about half of this reduction occurring within 4-5 years. The study also suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may have beneficial health effects on cardiovascular disease and other conditions.
University of Arizona environmental engineering professor Shane Snyder will present on emerging contaminants in drinking water and treatment levels required around the world. He also shares his global water quality experiences from countries such as India, China, and Vietnam.
Researchers found that high fructose intake is associated with more severe depletion of liver ATP, a compound involved in energy transfer between cells. Elevated uric acid levels may serve as a marker for increased fructose consumption and hepatic ATP depletion.
Duc Dong, Ph.D., receives NIH New Innovator Award to explore genetic reprogramming as a means to grow replacement organs. The technology aims to induce new tissue development in zebrafish, allowing for rapid screening of genes and chemicals important for efficient genetic reprogramming.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center used an electronic prosthetic system to tap into existing brain circuitry and record neural pulses. The device restored and improved decision-making ability in monkeys, even when exposed to a drug that disrupts cognitive activity.
Researchers identified a link between a genetic variant in the MET receptor tyrosine kinase gene and changes in brain connectivity, particularly in social behavior. The 'C' variant was found to disrupt functional and structural connectivity of brain networks involved in social behavior in both healthy children and those with ASD, but h...
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new biomarker for melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. The findings reveal that certain biochemical elements in DNA are absent in melanoma cells, serving as a key indicator for malignant melanoma.
A new study found that 70% of reported cases receive a physician's diagnosis for their child's food allergy, but only 1 in 5 receives an oral food challenge test. Lower-income and minority households are more likely to have undiagnosed food allergies, with 32% not receiving diagnostic testing.
Neural stem cells successfully regenerates axons across the site of complete spinal transaction, leading to functional recovery in rats. The study also showed that adult cells can regenerate into neural stem cells, establishing a new relay circuit that can be measured electrically.
The USDA's Agricultural Research Service has developed several new blueberry varieties, including 'Pink Lemonade', which offers a flavorful surprise with its taste similar to a raspberry. Another notable variety is 'Sweetheart', which produces firm, delectable berries in mid-to-late June and allows for an extended harvest period.
A recent study found that 61 of 181 North Carolina migrant farmworker camps failed to meet state water quality standards, with high levels of total coliform bacteria and E. coli detected in the water.
Scientists found that glaciers on Baffin Island expanded quickly during a short-lived cold snap about 8,200 years ago, providing insight into ice sheets' response to past climate change. This discovery suggests that ice sheets may react rapidly to temperature shifts, raising concerns for future climate change.
A study from Boston Children's Hospital shows that early social isolation prevents cells called oligodendrocytes from maturing, leading to impaired cognitive and social functioning in adulthood. The study identifies a molecular pathway involved in these abnormalities and suggests it could be targeted with drugs.
Researchers have developed a light-sensitive derivative of propofol that can reverse its anesthetic effects. In experiments with tadpoles, the compound was found to be more potent than propofol alone and allowed neurons to regain responsiveness upon exposure to light.
A study found that reading food labels is associated with lower body mass index in women, with a reduction of 3.91 kg for an average woman. Urban, high school-educated, and university-educated women tend to pay more attention to nutritional information.
The Met Office's new 'high-top' system better warns of severe winter conditions by accounting for sudden stratospheric warmings. This improved model predicted a cold start to the 2010/11 winter, which turned out to be the second-coldest in 350 years of records.