Three new projects will study athletes' vision, movements, and cognitive skills to develop improved training methods for elite athletes across all sports. The research also aims to provide insights into how to train or retrain people who have lost daily skills due to ageing or disease.
Researchers found that individuals with Huntington's gene mutation exhibit increased learning efficiency, which is more pronounced in those with stronger mutations. This paradoxical effect suggests that neurodegenerative changes can lead to improved cognitive function.
Tropical Storm Nadine continues to battle wind shear and dry air that are keeping it under hurricane status, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. Satellite imagery shows Nadine has grown in size but appears more ragged and disorganized, with decreasing convection around the center of circulation.
China's unique deployment of modern conventional ballistic missiles has a decisive effect on its war plan, creating critical uncertainties. The country's military considers conventional missiles as a fundamental source of political and military strength, but this also generates risks of escalation.
Scientists from CNIO describe natural selection at the cellular level, where tissues and organs select the 'best' cells to fend off disease processes. The study reveals the role of haemocytes in eliminating cell residues, shedding light on mechanisms of homeostasis and potential cancer detection.
A new study finds that rural Americans are more likely to be obese than city dwellers, with cultural diet and physical isolation identified as key contributors. The research highlights the need for cultural change in rural areas to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits.
A new study by experts at CRAMC University reveals that newborns exposed to nicotine from active and passive smoking mothers show poor physiological, sensory, motor, and attention responses. The researchers analyzed the behavior of 282 healthy newborns using the Neonatal Behavioural Evaluation Scale.
Adult cystic fibrosis patients with lower socioeconomic status are less likely to be accepted for lung transplant after initial evaluation. The study found that Medicaid insurance, income zip codes, and education level were associated with increased odds of rejection.
Dr. Chiaravalloti discusses the potential of functional MRI and behavioral therapies to target cognitive deficits in MS patients. Research suggests that these approaches may be effective in improving learning, memory, and processing speed in individuals with MS.
Rodal's lab aims to understand the interplay between neuronal firing and growth factor transport in neurons, with potential applications for ALS and Alzheimer's treatments. She will use a fruit fly model system to study the relationship between electrical activity and receptor trafficking.
A University of Alberta study estimates that Canadian homes are a kill zone for up to 22 million birds annually. The research suggests that bird fatalities from window collisions can be prevented by adjusting feeder placement distance from windows. Factors influencing collision frequency include tree age and feeder feeding habits.
A whole-genome scan can help identify large-scale chromosomal damage, enabling doctors to choose the most effective treatment option for children with neuroblastoma. The study recommends that all children diagnosed with neuroblastoma worldwide have a whole-genome scan as part of their treatment.
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.