A brain reward gene variant has been linked to childhood obesity and tasty food choices, especially in girls, according to a new study. The genetic predisposition combines with environmental stress and emotional well-being to drive consumption of foods that promote obesity.
The Broadcom Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Tel Aviv University to establish a two-year program promoting multidisciplinary research toward new authentication methods. The aim is to develop secure interaction between users and their digital environment, including smartphones, e-banking, and e-health devices.
The remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alessia have been spotted in the Northern Territory, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing infrared data revealing strong thunderstorms and potential heavy rains. The low-pressure system is expected to move slowly south before turning west towards the Timor Sea.
A Vanderbilt University study found nearly half of orthopaedic surgeons sustain injuries during their careers, with inadequate resources available to them. The study also revealed that 38% of respondents reported no institutional resources, leading to increased lost productivity.
The Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) instrument on GOES-R will monitor radiation hazards to astronauts and satellites. SEISS data will improve energetic particle forecasts and enhance warning systems for space weather events.
Researchers at UCLA's Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have identified a specific type of cell and related cell communication pathway crucial for healthy placenta growth. The findings may help clarify the causes of fetal growth restriction and other pregnancy complications.
Tropical cyclone Lehar is gaining intensity in the Bay of Bengal, heading toward India's east-central coast. Rainfall rates reaching up to 64 mm/hour were measured by NASA's TRMM satellite, indicating a powerful storm with strong thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Restoring the normal, helpful bacteria of the gut and intestines may treat patients suffering from recurrent C. difficile infections through fecal matter transplantation. The study found that transplanting fecal matter into patients with RCDI restores normal bacterial composition and resolves infection.
The study highlights that many people remain sexually active well into later life and positive sexual experiences are related to overall health and wellbeing. It also shows changes in sexual behaviour over the last century, including earlier onset of sex, increased older people's activity, and a closing gap between men and women.
The EORTC task force evaluated physiological reserves and biomarkers of aging in elderly patients with cancer. They identified potential biomarkers that may indicate functional biological age, such as inflammatory markers, telomere length, and genetic predisposition for longevity. The study provides a guideline for integrating these bi...
Researchers have identified how golden staph bacteria target and destroy key immune cells, disrupting the body's defense against infection. By visualizing this process using advanced microscopy techniques, the team gained insights into how golden staph evades the immune system and causes tissue damage.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients with nurse navigators reported feeling better supported emotionally and more involved in their care. Nurse navigators helped patients develop the confidence and skills to manage their illness and treatment more effectively.
Researchers developed new methods for synthesizing coumarin-based drugs, which showed promise as anti-inflammatory agents. The study revealed one of the pathways in which coumarins act, and understanding this pathway may help develop future treatments for chronic inflammation diseases.
Researchers discovered two garlic compounds that significantly reduce Cronobacter sakazakii contamination in dry infant formula powder. These compounds have the potential to eliminate the pathogen before it reaches consumers, easing concerns for new mothers who opt not to breastfeed.
Researchers found that loss of TSC1 in T cells disrupted the balance between regulatory and effector T cells, leading to severe inflammation. The study suggests that fine-tuning mTOR activity through regulators like TSC1 may be beneficial for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing at least 17 teragrams of methane into the atmosphere each year, doubling previous estimates. The rapid release of methane from the seafloor threatens to exacerbate global warming and create a positive feedback loop.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a microarray to identify cytokines, chemokines, and other proteins targeted by SLE patients' autoantibodies. They found that patients with high levels of autoantibodies against B cell activating factor (BAFF) experienced more severe symptoms.
Researchers found a stark contrast in sexual regret between men and women, with women more likely to regret casual sex due to potential reproductive costs. The study suggests that regret can play a functional role in guiding adaptive sexual decisions.
New research suggests that childhood exercise can improve leptin sensitivity and reduce fat deposits, potentially staving off some bad effects of maternal obesity. Exercise as early as adolescence has been shown to have a persistent effect on the satiety centers of the brain, even years later.
A NASA sounding rocket called VeSpR is scheduled to launch on Nov. 25 to probe Venus' atmosphere and investigate the planet's water history. The mission aims to determine whether rivers once flowed on Venus and if the planet had ice.
Researchers have charted a significant signaling network in Synechococcus, a fast-growing microbe that can produce biofuels. The findings reveal redox reactions that allow the organism to adapt to changing environments and provide insights into its ability to create biofuels.
Researchers at IDIBELL have identified a key component of the complement system that plays a major role in rejecting xenotransplanted porcine chondrocytes. Inhibiting this component, C5, protects cartilage tissue from rejection and inflammation.
The FASEB MARC Program has awarded four travel grants totaling $7,400 to promote entry of students and scientists from underrepresented groups into the basic science community. The awards support participation at the 2013 ASCB annual meeting in New Orleans.
US researchers found that graphic warning labels similar to those in Canada would reduce smoking rates by 2.9-4.7 percentage points, resulting in 5.3-8.6 million fewer smokers in the US. The study challenges the FDA's regulatory impact analysis and calls for a revised proposal to require graphic warnings.
The John S. Dunn Foundation awards seed grants to researchers at Rice University's BioScience Research Collaborative to support new collaborations in cancer diagnosis and treatment, vascular health, and plant-inspired energy conversion. The grants aim to foster interdisciplinary and multi-institutional research.
University of Illinois researchers have developed a way to heal gaps in wires using carbon nanotubes, which are heated to trigger a local chemical reaction depositing metal to 'solder' the junctions. This process improves device performance by an order of magnitude.
A study found that increasing insured patients in Massachusetts did not lead to higher ICU utilization. The research suggests that better, earlier care may reduce ICU admissions and mortality rates. Policymakers should focus on improving resource efficiency rather than exacerbating critical care costs.
A University of Guelph study reveals that male minks raised in enriched environments have better love lives, with nearly twice as many matings. The research found that relaxed males are more successful due to their calmer behavior and physical improvements.
A new analysis of Hadean mineralogy suggests that no more than 420 different minerals were present at or near Earth's surface during the first 550 million years after life emerged. These minerals formed from magma and alteration, excluding rare elements such as borate and molybdate minerals.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced travel award recipients for the 2013 International Society of Computational Biology (ISCB) Rocky annual meeting. The awards promote underrepresented groups in basic science and encourage young scientists to participate.
Researchers investigate plate tephra formation, deep-seated slope failures, and wax lake delta geology. Volcanic processes are linked to magma composition and eruption styles.
Researchers have created a quicker and more accurate method for assembling genome sequences by measuring DNA segment interactions and using their three-dimensional shape as a guide. This technique has been used to place previously unaccounted for DNA fragments in the human genome, improving genome assembly accuracy.
A study published in PNAS found that US methane emissions are nearly five times higher than previously estimated, with fossil fuel extraction and refining activities accounting for a major contributor. Livestock operations may also be twice as high as previously thought.
Cyber resilience requires metrics reflecting relationships among system components in physical, information, cognitive and social domains. A new framework proposes combining network-centric operations and resilience response stages to quantify and manage cyber system resilience.
Researchers have developed nanoscale patches that can be used to sensitize targeted cell receptors, making them more responsive to signals. This technology holds promise for promoting healing and facilitating tissue engineering research.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati found that people with migraines who also have allergies or hay fever experience more severe headaches than those without these conditions. Those with mixed rhinitis, experiencing both allergic and non-allergic triggers, were 45% more likely to endure disabling headaches.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have identified Engrailed 1 as a protein overexpressed in basal-like carcinomas, which can lead to chemotherapy resistance. A synthetic peptide designed by Adriana Beltran and colleagues can disrupt Engrailed 1's function, causing rapid cell death.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a system to investigate microglia functions, revealing their role in shaping neuronal networks and contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. The study uses a genetic switch to target microglia cells, shedding new light on their mechanisms of action.
A new study suggests that graphic warning labels on cigarette packs could lead to a significant decrease in smoking rates in the US, with potential reductions of up to 8.6 million smokers. The study found that the FDA's model under-estimated the actual impact of graphic warnings, leading to a sharper decrease in smoking rates in Canada.
Researchers found that co-transplanting Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells, combined with daily treadmill training, promotes functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries. The study reveals a synergistic benefit of the combined therapy on axonal regeneration and motor function improvement.
Studies conducted by Berkeley Lab researchers suggest that methane emissions from oil and gas production may account for a significant portion of underestimated emissions in California and nationwide. The research found that methane emissions are 1.3 to 1.8 times higher than current official inventory estimates in California.
Researchers found that co-transplanted endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) improved the engraftment of pancreatic islet cells in mouse models, leading to a significantly improved cure rate and glycemic control. This study suggests that EPCs modulate the expression of connexin 36 and affect glucose-stimulated insulin release.
Research from North Carolina State University shows that screening social media accounts can lead to a negative perception of the company among job candidates. In two studies, participants reported feeling their privacy was invaded and becoming less attracted to the employer as a result.
Researchers found that disabling a circadian clock gene blocks the brain's antioxidant surge, allowing free radicals to cause more damage. This can lead to neurodegeneration and age-related brain cell injury, similar to Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases suggests that even those with low viral loads are at risk of treatment failure. Patients with persistent viral loads between 50-999 copies/mL have a significantly higher risk of virologic failure, which can lead to disease progression.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory will track global precipitation by combining measurements from multiple satellites. The satellite has undergone rigorous environmental tests and integration to ensure its survival in space.
Scientists at Rochester Institute of Technology will simulate extreme black holes with support from a $525,000 grant. Their contributions will help advance the international effort to confirm the existence of gravitational waves and black holes, anticipating new field discoveries.
UC Irvine and Northwestern researchers develop inhibitor compounds that inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase, enhancing the ability of antibiotics to treat bacterial diseases. The compounds demonstrate potential in combating diseases such as MRSA and anthrax by suppressing pathogenic bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers found that sulfur emissions from massive volcanic eruptions could have created widespread acid rain in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to plant and organism extinctions. The acidity levels reached as low as pH 2 — comparable to undiluted lemon juice — potentially disfiguring plants and stunting their growth.
The grant will support a Center for Excellence headed by Prof. Tal Svoray to study the erosion of fertile lands and develop decision-making mechanisms. The center aims to reduce land loss through physically based models and geographical information systems.
Higher body mass index (BMI) and larger waist circumference are associated with higher risk of hearing loss in women. Maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity can potentially delay or prevent hearing loss.
An international team of researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a new mechanism that regulates the way blood vessels grow and connect to each other. The discovery provides essential insights into vascular development and could lead to new opportunities for cancer therapy.
A recent UEF study established reference values for heart rate variability in children, based on a sample of 465 kids aged 6-8. The findings indicate that short ECG recordings can be sufficient for reliable data collection, and show no significant differences between boys and girls.
Two new beautiful wasp species, A. prima and A. capixaba, are discovered in Brazil as part of the rare genus Abernessia. The study reveals a positive correlation between the size of spider prey and the size of wasp offspring, suggesting an adaptation strategy.
A review of medical literature reveals financial concerns, parental attitudes, and social influences as key barriers to HPV vaccination among adolescents. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted guidance for healthcare professionals to improve vaccine uptake.
Researchers used genotype data from 13,835 individuals to perform the first large-scale phenome-wide association study (PheWAS), discovering 63 previously unknown SNP-disease associations. The study validated known associations across hundreds of previous studies and found genes associated with multiple diseases or traits.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found no evidence that screening for oral cancer by primary care physicians reduces morbidity or mortality. Oral cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages, highlighting the importance of earlier diagnosis.
Tropical Cyclone Lehar formed off the Malay Peninsula on November 23, strengthening into a tropical cyclone as it moved towards the Andaman Islands. NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of the storm on November 25, showing maximum sustained winds near 65 knots/74.8 mph.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that e-cigarette use is associated with heavier cigarette smoking and lower quit rates among Korean youth. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may be creating a new route to nicotine addiction for kids.
Two Cleveland Clinic researchers, Dr. Richard A. Padgett and Dr. Edward F. Plow, have been named AAAS Fellows for their distinguished contributions to the field of RNA processing and vascular biology. Their research aims to understand how errors in RNA splicing lead to disease, such as cancer, and develop new treatments.