Researchers found that naturally-occurring bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico consumed and removed at least 200,000 tons of oil and natural gas from the Deepwater Horizon spill. The study measured how much oil and gas was eaten by bacteria and how its characteristics changed over time.
Researchers discovered that severely obese women have a higher incidence of eggs with multiple spindles and disorganized chromosomes, reducing fertilization chances. The study highlights an underlying egg problem in women with high body mass index, affecting IVF success rates.
Sanofi Pasteur's CYD-TDV vaccine candidate has shown promise in a phase IIb clinical trial, with effectiveness against DENV 1, 3 and 4 but not DENV 2. The results mark a significant step forward in dengue vaccine development.
A recent study suggests that funding agencies should focus on providing a stable blood supply in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors argue that current policies and practices are not suitable for the region's emergency blood transfusion needs. This could lead to long-term reliance on external funding, making services unaffordable.
Researchers have developed an invisible QR code that increases security on printed documents, making it difficult to replicate. The code can be read by a smartphone under near-infra-red light illumination, offering a new level of authentication for solid objects.
Researchers have discovered a small wasp that hunts and paralyses redback spiders, reducing their population. The Agenioideus nigricornis wasp, previously forgotten for over 200 years, is widespread across Australia and plays a crucial role in controlling the redback spider population.
A systematic review of serious games for surgical training suggests that these tools can improve both technical and non-technical skills in surgeons. However, game-based learning's effectiveness is limited by a lack of scientific research, according to the authors.
Researchers have discovered a small crustacean, Ankylocythere sinuosa, living on invasive red swamp crayfish in Europe. The finding suggests that the crustacean may have arrived with the crayfish 30 years ago and could potentially impact native species.
The 2012 Breast Cancer Symposium presents four major studies on the treatment of early breast cancer, confirming which patient populations benefit from screening interventions and surgical procedures. The research aims to improve treatment decisions and maximize benefits for patients.
The study analyzes stock photography agencies' search and visualization systems to determine essential characteristics. Researchers identify the importance of automated tasks, such as image description inheritance and miniature generation, in these systems.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that reminders of money cause consumers to focus on primary features and brand name. This can lead to overlooking certain product attributes when making purchasing decisions.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that racial disparities impact the likelihood of finding suitable stem cell donors for non-Caucasian patients. The study revealed greater difficulty in matching donors for African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans, with limited access to unrelated donor HCT.
A new study found that making a general commitment to be environmentally friendly or a specific commitment to reuse towels leads to more sustainable behavior. Symbolic gestures, such as receiving a 'Friend of the Earth' lapel pin, significantly increase eco-friendly actions.
The reconstructed 1918 influenza virus has provided key insights into how to prevent and control future pandemics. By studying the virus's structure and evolution, researchers have identified potential targets for universal influenza vaccines that can protect against multiple viruses.
Researchers develop refined gene therapy approach that safely restores the immune system of children with ADA-deficient SCID. Chemotherapy conditioning regimen prior to treatment significantly increases ADA enzyme levels and partial immune reconstitution in patients.
Scripps Research scientists have devised a powerful new technique to discover and expand the power of large numbers of antibodies, immune system proteins that detect and destroy invaders. The method rapidly identifies antibodies with useful biological activity, enabling the creation of unusual antibodies with desired effects.
Astronomers found a cloud of hydrogen and helium plunging toward the galactic center, which represents the remains of a planet-forming disk. The discovery suggests that planets can still form near black holes due to stars in a ring orbiting the galaxy's central black hole.
The Great Recession has brought severe challenges to city and county governments, with budget shortfalls cited as a top problem by nearly half of surveyed local governments. Local government managers have responded by freezing positions, trimming benefits, and reducing service delivery levels.
The new screening technique uncovers five novel immune-priming compounds in Arabidopsis plants that protect crops without impacting growth or yield. These compounds work by inhibiting enzymes that inactivate defense hormone salicylic acid, leading to enhanced disease resistance.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers pay more when given different options for short-term goals, but pay less when pursuing long-term goals. By strategically choosing between similar options, consumers can maintain motivation and achieve their objectives.
An analysis of 42 US presidents suggests that fearless dominance, a trait associated with psychopathy, may be an important predictor of presidential performance. This study found correlations between boldness and higher ratings for leadership, persuasiveness, crisis management, and Congressional relations.
A study by University of Southampton researchers found that women are delaying motherhood due to longer periods of education and training. The average age of first-time mothers rose from 24 in 1974 to 27 in 2004.
A Concordia University study has found that adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are impaired in several aspects of executive functioning, particularly inhibitory control. The researchers hope their work will lead to the development of more reliable tools for detecting Alzheimer's disease at an earlier stage.
Researchers studied 980 children undergoing cardiac surgery and found no benefits from tight glycemic control using insulin. The study suggests that routine control of blood sugar levels in pediatric cardiac intensive care units should not be standard practice.
Balint's syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that badly impairs a patient's ability to make sense of what they see. Patients experience difficulties with eye movements, arm pointing, and visual field constriction.
A new study published today reveals the extent of type 2 diabetes problems in black and minority ethnic populations in the UK. By age 80, approximately half of all South Asians, Africans, and African Caribbean individuals will develop diabetes, with twice as many British South Asian, African, and African Caribbean men and women diagnos...
A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a control algorithm that optimizes energy collection from waves by predicting wave height and force. The system doubles the energy previously collected by Wave Energy Converters (WECs), making marine energy more competitive.
A study found a fourfold increase in dissolved zinc in the upper Snake River over the last 30 years, driven by warmer air temperatures. Rising temperatures also accelerated mineral weathering rates, leading to increased metal concentrations in other months.
A study of nearly 1 million patients who underwent surgery found that preoperative hyponatremia was associated with a 44% increased risk of 30-day perioperative mortality. The condition also led to higher risks of major coronary events, surgical site infections, and prolonged hospital stays.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new software tool to identify and respond to potential anomalies in cloud computing systems. The program uses system-level data to define normal behavior for each virtual machine, predicting anomalies that could affect system performance.
Two recent cases highlight the risks of foreign body mishaps in the gut, including a woman who developed a liver abscess and sepsis after swallowing a toothpick. Surgical swabs left behind during procedures can also cause problems, as seen in another case where removal resolved symptoms.
A study published in American Journal of Pathology found that two genetic mutations, beta-catenin and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), cooperate to induce adrenal cancer. The research provides new insights into the rare and deadly disease, which affects about 600 Americans annually, and may lead to targeted therapies.
A Vanderbilt study found that pregnant women who have had prior preterm births may benefit from additional hormone, progestogens, to prevent early childbirth. However, the review also found that progestogens do not seem to help prevent preterm labor in women carrying twins or triplets.
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) has been awarded a $810,000 grant to develop a cyberinfrastructure for rapidly sharing and streaming scientific visualizations. The project aims to provide an essential component in computational research and the current high-performance computing infrastructure.
Professor Artur Jaworski receives Royal Society Industry Fellowship to apply thermoacoustic technology to improve efficiency of energy sources. He aims to integrate devices into European Thermodynamics Ltd products to widen range and enhance performance.
Researchers have developed a novel human liver-chimeric mouse model that enables the study of human malaria's lethal forms. The FRGTM KO mouse model will be used to study new drug interventions, parasite attenuation, and innate immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum liver stage infection.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal raises questions about the safety of prescription drugs manufactured overseas, particularly from countries like India and China. Regulatory agencies are criticized for lacking transparency in inspection processes, leaving Canadians uncertain about the quality of their medications.
Experts surveyed by Near Zero identify reliability as the primary barrier to airborne wind energy, citing need for long-term stability in shifting winds. Government funding is seen as key to accelerating industry growth, with $10 million annual investment potentially cutting years off significant scale deployment.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found a small molecule, P5091, that triggers programmed cell death in drug-resistant myeloma cells. Combining P5091 with other therapies enhances its anti-myeloma effects.
A new study examines the role of psychological distance and violation severity in humor, suggesting that a balance between the two is necessary for comedy. The findings support the 'Benign Violation Theory,' which proposes that humor emerges when we perceive something wrong while seeing it as okay.
A Mayo Clinic psychiatrist proposes four steps to curb military suicide: gun locks, improved depression care, better sleep monitoring, and more. The expert emphasizes the need for ongoing resources to prevent, diagnose, and treat psychiatric illnesses among service members.
A new study found that the RV144 vaccine was effective in preventing certain HIV viruses, particularly those carrying specific genetic footprints. The vaccine's immune response targeted the Env-V2 region, leading to increased efficacy of up to 80 percent.
A new study found a potential link between recreational marijuana use and an increased risk of developing subtypes of testicular cancer. The research suggests that marijuana may trigger carcinogenesis in the testis through the endocannabinoid system.
A study of 29 randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment or sham acupuncture for managing some types of chronic pain. Patients who received acupuncture had lower pain scores compared to those in control groups.
A computer model developed by researchers can help healthcare clinics manage no-shows and last-minute cancellations by incorporating overbooking into the system. This approach has been shown to increase efficiency, bringing it back up to around 73% in some cases.
A Penn team led by Joshua Hawk identified nuclear receptors as key molecules in converting short-term memories into long-term ones. The study found that blocking the activity of these receptors impaired contextual memory, while leaving amygdala-associated memories intact.
A broadly protective, fully human monoclonal antibody targeting a conserved region on the influenza hemagglutinin protein provides 100% protection against all H1N1 and H3N2 strains in mouse models. This antibody approach may be a turning point for seasonal and pandemic influenza prevention and treatment.
Researchers identified a novel mechanism that explains the power of placebos and nocebos, demonstrating the unconscious mind plays a key role in pain experiences. Studies showed that patients can show clinical improvement even when receiving treatments devoid of active ingredients or known therapeutic efficacy.
Researchers are developing a new computing approach to discover new materials by harnessing the key characteristics of data: volume, velocity, variety and veracity. The approach helps identify promising solutions by applying statistical learning techniques to large datasets.
A novel CT scanner with grating-based x-ray phase contrast technology demonstrates improved soft tissue visibility in preclinical research. The technology, developed by a German-Swedish-Belgian team, has the potential to revolutionize biomedical imaging and could lead to medical CT scanning applications in the future.
The US has seen a dramatic increase in West Nile Virus cases, exceeding 2012 levels. Experts urge health care professionals and the public to take mosquito-prevention measures to avoid life-threatening diseases.
Researchers have defined perfect forward secrecy for email, which prevents decryption even if a sender's private key is compromised. The new protocol uses a technique that creates a unique session hash for each message, ensuring that emails remain confidential and secure.
A new study links forest greenness in the western United States to fluctuating year-to-year snowpack extent, with mid-elevation mountain ecosystems found to be most sensitive to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt. The research provides important insights into the tipping point between water-limited forests an...
Researchers have successfully used papaya as a banker plant to control silverleaf whiteflies, reducing pesticide use and promoting environmentally friendly pest management. The system involves using non-stinging wasps to feed on the whiteflies and is being tested in commercial greenhouses.
A massive online metabolite database, METLIN, has been developed to provide comprehensive biochemical information about cellular metabolism. The database includes over 60,000 compounds with detailed tandem mass spectrometry information on more than 10,000 metabolites.
A collaborative maternity care program in Vancouver reduced cesarean deliveries by 25% and shortened hospital stays by 22 hours for mothers and babies. The program also increased breastfeeding rates, with midwives delivering 42% of births compared to obstetricians.
New guidelines from Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend penicillin or amoxicillin for confirmed strep throat infections. The guidelines also advise against tonsillectomy for children with recurrent strep throat unless in specific cases.
A new diagnostic test has been identified as the most effective method for measuring treatment response in young patients with acute myeloid leukemia, which could lead to a higher cure rate. The test uses flow cytometry to identify minimal residual disease in patient bone marrow, allowing for more intensive therapy to be guided.
Francois Baccelli, renowned French mathematician and engineer, joins The University of Texas at Austin as the first Simons Chair in Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering. He brings a $1.5 million grant to establish a new Center in Information and Network Science.
Researchers found that nearly 5 percent of pregnant women are prescribed high blood pressure drugs, including some considered unsafe for mothers and babies, according to new research. The study highlights the need for more research on safe and effective antihypertensives during pregnancy.