Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an implantable genetic circuit that monitors and regulates blood fat levels, reducing hunger and promoting weight loss in obese mice. The innovative device exploits the natural human satiety mechanism, providing a potential alternative to surgical interventions.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania has uncovered a mechanism that allows blood stem cells to divide in perpetuity, using the motor protein myosin II. The researchers found that asymmetric division is enabled by myosin IIB, which helps to partition key factors and keep one side as a stem cell.
A UC Berkeley study found that shoppers spend more money when engaged in a 'pay-it-forward' chain of goodwill than when they can name their own price. The results shed light on the psychological and social forces guiding consumer decisions beyond getting the best deal.
John Trumble, a renowned entomologist at UC Riverside, has been awarded the 2013 Oscar Lorenz Award for his outstanding contributions to research and extension education in the California vegetable industry. He has developed effective integrated pest management programs and strategies to reduce the use of toxic insecticides.
A high-fat diet starting at puberty accelerates breast cancer development and alters immune cells, leading to precancerous lesions. This type of diet may also produce a distinct gene signature consistent with basal-like breast cancers, which have a worse prognosis.
Researchers emphasize measuring orthopaedic care value through patient-reported outcomes and cost analysis, enabling real-time medical decision-making. The study outlines key principles for implementing value-based healthcare in musculoskeletal care.
A recent study estimates the global death toll from the 2009 H1N1 outbreak to be up to 203,000 respiratory deaths, significantly higher than the World Health Organization's initial count of 18,449 laboratory-confirmed cases. The pandemic disproportionately affected younger people and certain regions, such as the Americas.
Researchers used Google Earth satellite imagery to estimate 1,900 fishing weirs along the Persian Gulf coast in 2005, catching approximately 31,000 tonnes of fish. The official reported catch was significantly lower at 5,260 tonnes.
Research shows ocean warming reduces swimming ability of large reef fish, impacting hunting, mating, and reproduction. The study suggests that coral trout populations may adapt to warmer temperatures, but further research is needed.
Belgium's policy of limiting embryo transfers with six ART cycles reimbursement shows no negative impact on pregnancy and delivery rates, while reducing multiple births. This 'Belgian model' can be considered by governments worldwide to achieve a 50% reduction in MPR and public health costs.
The NREL Building Agent application allows facility managers to diagnose and adjust for problems based on direct occupant comfort feedback. This integration enables a more active role for occupants in comfort and energy trade-offs, leading to improved building performance and cost savings.
A large study identifies genetic variants that contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease in African Americans. APOL1 risk variants were found to be associated with higher rates of end-stage renal disease and progression of chronic kidney disease among black patients compared to white patients, regardless of diabetes status.
A national study funded by the National Eye Institute found that most corneal transplants from donors aged 34-71 have remarkable longevity, with success rates remaining steady at 75% after 10 years. Corneas from younger donors had higher success rates, while those from older donors showed slightly lower performance.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center are developing a next-generation condom that uses nanoparticle technology to increase comfort, strength, and sensation. The goal is to make condoms more appealing to use and reduce the stigma associated with them.
Seahorses use their specially shaped heads to capture prey, including copepods, which are notoriously difficult to catch due to their speed. In calm conditions, seahorses achieve a 90% success rate in catching their intended prey.
Researchers at Florida State University have secured over $1.4 million in funding to develop a system for producing large quantities of buckypaper, a lightweight and high-performance material made from carbon nanotubes. The goal is to make the material more efficient and cost-effective for industries such as aviation and aerospace.
Researchers identified five promising treatments, including constraint-induced movement therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation, to improve rehabilitation outcomes in stroke patients. These non-invasive methods have potential applications beyond stroke rehabilitation.
The 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in US renewable electricity capacity, with installed capacity over 163 GW and renewables accounting for 56% of new electrical capacity installations. Wind and solar PV were among the fastest-growing electric generation technologies.
A study analyzing resting-state functional MRI data from four populations reveals that Alzheimer's disease is associated with a decline in brain network efficiency. As cognitive deficits increase, the shortest path in the network increases while clustering coefficients decrease.
Researchers in Denmark investigated oral fluoroquinolone use and found no association with an increased risk of retinal detachment. The study analyzed data from a nationwide register and compared fluoroquinolone use to nonuse, concluding that current use would account for only 11 additional cases per 1,000,000 treatment episodes.
A new study reveals that iron may play a role in preserving ancient tissues within dinosaur fossils, but also concealing them. Hemoglobin is identified as a key player in this process, which could lead to the recovery of more preserved tissues from well-preserved fossils.
Researchers at University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health study show that a combination asthma therapy does not harm British Columbians, contradicting FDA safety concerns. The study, covering 46,000 people over 15 years, found no statistically significant increase in hospitalization rates for users.
A Ben-Gurion University of the Negev study suggests that children are significantly more likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) if their mother is already afflicted with the condition. The research found that over 21% of children exhibited PTSD symptoms, often accompanied by psychosomatic complaints such as constipatio...
A study published in The BMJ found that patients taking sodium-containing medications had a 16% increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or vascular death compared to those taking non-sodium versions. The researchers call for clearer labelling of medicine sodium content and cautionary prescribing practices.
Supplementation with multivitamins plus selenium reduced HIV disease progression, immune decline, and illness risk in antiretroviral therapy-naive adults in Botswana. The supplement delayed time to HIV disease progression and improved markers of immune function.
Researchers discovered that fire ant rafts can store energy like an elastic material and dissipate energy as a viscous material. The structure of the raft is constantly changing through active rearrangements, allowing it to adapt to external forces.
Researchers discovered a unique leukemia-specific DNA enhancer element that enables cancerous blood cells to proliferate in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a devastating and incurable cancer. The study also reveals how a new class of promising drugs, including JQ1, halt the growth of cancer cells by targeting this enhancer element.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new technique for testing pharmaceutical drugs, allowing for faster and less expensive evaluation of ion channels. This method uses cell-free expression mixtures and artificial membranes, enabling quicker testing of multiple types of channels simultaneously.
Researchers created a software program to predict how users will set privacy levels for new content and connections, aiming to improve security without affecting user experience. The program shows promise in some scenarios, with accuracy rates up to 90%, but struggles with re-uploading content found from others.
A study using MR spectroscopy found that preterm infants' brains develop differently than full-term infants, with a disruption in the timing and synchronization of white and gray matter maturation. This false start in brain development may contribute to long-term problems such as autism and ADHD.
A colloquium paper reviews selected issues with quantum theory, clarifying the distinction between mathematical tools and physical phenomena. The author debunks myths surrounding Schrödinger's cat state, measurement problem, and other misconceptions.
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the Regenstrief Institute are collaborating on a project to harmonize and unify terms for radiology procedures. The goal is to produce a single unified source of names and codes for radiology procedures, promoting common understanding, simplifying clinical processes, and enhancing da...
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel procedure to prepare human amniotic membrane for use as a scaffold for specialized stem cells, which may treat corneal diseases such as blindness. The new method promises to streamline clinical applications of cell therapies and accelerate research in this area.
Researchers found that pollution decreases the size of cloud and ice particles, making them linger in the sky. This leads to taller, bigger anvil-shaped clouds that cool the earth during the day but trap heat at night.
The new camera uses an encoding technique to calculate distance, outperforming existing devices in conditions like rain or fog. It can be used in medical imaging, collision-avoidance detectors, and interactive gaming.
A new study from Columbia Business School reveals that waiting for a discounted product can significantly reduce consumer enjoyment. Retailers can add value by offering in-store promotions and instant gratification to their customers.
The NREL Electric Calcium Test (e-Ca) detects infinitesimally small amounts of moisture, making it 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than other commercial tests. The test can detect water vapor transmission rates as low as one ten-millionth of a gram per square meter per day.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that only 1.45% of new inmates in North Carolina prisons tested positive for HIV, with most having previously been diagnosed. The findings suggest that screening incoming prisoners may not be an effective strategy for detecting new undiagnosed cases.
Western corn rootworm has shown resistance to Bt corn proteins, but a new study recommends using an integrated pest management approach to delay further resistance. The authors suggest rotating crops, using different Bt proteins, and implementing long-term monitoring to prolong the effectiveness of management strategies.
A study published in JAMA found that induced hypothermia does not improve outcomes for patients with severe bacterial meningitis. In fact, it may even be harmful. The trial stopped early due to concerns over excess mortality in the hypothermia group.
A new study found that thalidomide improves clinical remission in children and adolescents with refractory Crohn disease, with 63.3% achieving remission after 8 weeks of treatment. The drug also showed longer average duration of remission compared to placebo.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that red squirrel populations along the Sefton coastline are recovering from a serious outbreak of squirrelpox in 2008. Researchers have identified a few surviving squirrels with antibodies to the virus, suggesting some resistance to the disease.
VTT has developed a new method to accurately assess tropical forest cover using numerical satellite images. This method enables forest mapping with high accuracy and is being used in the EU's ReCover project in several tropical regions.
A University of Missouri researcher found that photovoice empowered women living with HIV to realize their strengths despite struggles. The project allowed them to reflect on their experiences and appreciate the present, giving them hope and motivation.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science reports a high rate of anisometropia in older adults, with 32% meeting the definition of differing prescription components. The prevalence of anisometropia increased significantly with age, particularly among those over 75 years old.
Researchers find Coriolis force crucial for creating hypnotic patterns on Dervish skirts, reproducing sharp peaks and gentle troughs. The study uses simple equations to govern cone-shaped structures' behavior when rotating.
Researchers at UC Davis and University of Rochester found that having health insurance increases use of preventive services like flu shots and health screenings, but does not affect risky health behaviors. The study contradicts a common concern that expanding healthcare coverage may encourage riskier behavior.
A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found a link between childhood ADHD and socioeconomic status in the UK. The research analyzed data from over 19,500 children born between 2000 and 2002, revealing that more children with ADHD came from families below the poverty line.
Researchers tested a drug that acts like growth-promoting protein BDNF and found it reduces degeneration and motor deficits in two mouse models of Huntington's disease. The findings suggest drugs that enhance BDNF action could be effective therapeutics for treating the disorder.
A systematic review found that non-physician clinicians regularly interact with pharmaceutical sales representatives, receiving gifts and samples. Most reported favorable views of these interactions, with some concerns about potential bias and conflict of interest.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a gene mutation that causes mice to exhibit excessive alcohol consumption. The study found that mice with the mutation preferred drinking alcohol over water and would work to obtain it, even becoming intoxicated.
A new study found that only 28% of the bonobo's range is suitable for the great ape, and most areas with high human activity are avoided. The research team identified distance from agricultural areas as the most important predictor of bonobo presence.
Wayne State University has licensed an intellectual property portfolio claiming composition of matter and methods of use of novel analogs and derivatives of the green tea flavonoid EGCG. The collaboration, involving Q. Ping Dou and Tak-Hang Chan, aims to develop novel approaches for cancer management and related conditions.
A three-year experiment found that elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus lead to double the prevalence of disease and tripled bleaching. However, corals recovered rapidly once pollution was stopped.
Research found that stroke patients with negative motor evoked potentials exhibit decreased fractional anisotropy values and cerebral peduncle area changes on the affected side, indicating poor limb motor function recovery. These changes occur within 1 month after disease onset and worsen over time, even at 6 months post-infarction.
Research shows that livestock guarding dogs can protect farm animals from predators, resulting in a 91% reduction in livestock losses. This leads to increased tolerance of predators among farmers, allowing for greater coexistence with threatened species like cheetahs.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for Huntington's disease, the HDAC4 enzyme. Halving levels of HDAC4 in cells can delay aggregation of mutant huntingtin protein and rescue nerve cell function.
A study analyzing 23,373 inmates entering a state prison system in North Carolina found that only 0.09% were HIV seropositive and not previously known to be infected. This suggests that incarceration may not be a high-risk environment for new cases of undiagnosed HIV infection.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre have identified a target molecule that can block Cryptosporidium parvum's ability to evade the immune system, providing a potential treatment for this deadly parasite. The discovery could lead to an effective treatment for cryptosporidiosis, which affects millions of people worldwide.
The DFG has approved 9 new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) focusing on topics such as ingestive behaviour, mathematical invariants and metal oxide-water interactions. The CRCs will receive a total of 64.4 million euros for an initial period of three years and nine months.