Researchers found a human gene associated with the presence of Prevotella bacteria in the gut, which could have implications for treating diseases like Crohn's. The study suggests that genetic variations may influence the makeup of the gut microbiota.
Farhad Zadeh has discovered a new tool for detecting dusty clouds and stars using radio waves, allowing astronomers to image exotic features in the galaxy's center. The technique reveals dark features that indicate interactions between cold gas clouds and hot radiation fields.
A study found that individuals with age-related macular degeneration exhibit decreased focus on internal facial features, leading to difficulty in recognizing faces. The researchers used optical coherence tomography/scanning laser ophthalmoscopy to examine the interior of the eye in nine patients with AMD.
A new 33-item protocol checklist has been released to enhance trial protocols' content and quality, providing crucial information for critical appraisal and interpretation.
A new study found that only 39% of four-year colleges and universities require physical education, compared to 97% in the 1920s. Research shows that exercise improves cognitive performance and reduces obesity, but institutions are not embracing their own research.
Researchers using NASA's Kepler spacecraft have found that about 17% of stars have an Earth-sized planet in an orbit closer than Mercury. This means there are at least 17 billion possible Earth-like planets in the Milky Way, with 50% of stars having a planet of Earth-size or larger in a close orbit.
The Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award funds cancer research by exceptionally creative thinkers with 'high-risk/high-reward' ideas, selected through a rigorous process. Seven awardees aim to develop new approaches to fighting cancer, including virus-based treatments and single-cell sequencing tools.
A research team has described the architecture of human transcription factor TFIID, revealing its inner workings for the first time. The study used a novel approach inspired by viral replication to produce highly abundant and correctly assembled complexes of the core scaffold.
Astronomers have found gamma-ray flares originating 70 light-years away from a galaxy's central black hole, contradicting the long-held theory that such events occur only close to the black hole. The 2011 flares from galaxy 4C +71.07 provide the clearest evidence of this phenomenon.
Experts urge a broad public health strategy to reduce US gun violence, drawing on evidence-based strategies from other public health threats. The authors suggest over a dozen recommendations, including taxes, smart guns, and education, to address the root causes of gun violence.
A study by Michigan State University found captive hyenas excel at solving novel problems, suggesting limitations in applying captive animal results to the wild. The researchers, led by Sarah Benson-Amram, discovered that captive hyenas were more willing to tackle challenges and explored solutions.
A new method for cutting DNA using a bacterial enzyme and RNA binding has been demonstrated to work in human cells, overcoming a major bottleneck in genome engineering. The technique, known as CRISPR-Cas9, is precise, inexpensive, and easy to program, holding promise for treating genetic diseases and curing AIDS.
New research suggests racial stereotypes and creativity share a common mechanism: categorical thinking. Racial essentialism leads to closed-mindedness, reducing domain-general creativity, according to a study published in Psychological Science.
A large-scale Swedish study has found that oesophageal cancer patients who undergo surgery by high-volume surgeons have a significantly lower long-term mortality rate. The study's main finding is that centralization to fewer surgeons results in better survival after esophageal cancer surgery.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have identified a key link between stem cell factors that fuel ovarian cancer's growth and patient prognosis. The study reveals a connection between Lin28 and BMP4, which has implications for developing novel targeted therapies.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that higher spending on breast cancer screenings does not result in improved outcomes for older women. The research team analyzed Medicare expenditures and screened female beneficiaries over two years, discovering substantial geographic variation in costs.
A new fossil discovery reveals a bird with specialized teeth for eating hard prey, greatly expanding the known diversity of tooth shape in early birds. The find suggests that dietary differences may have contributed to the decline of enantiornithine birds during the Cretaceous period.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that timely reminders from state or local health departments are more effective at increasing immunization rates among preschool children than those from primary care practices. The study suggests that partnerships between public health departments and primary care provid...
Jonathan Wisco, associate professor at Brigham Young University and UCLA, receives the Basmajian Award for his outstanding contributions to teaching and research in anatomy. He has increased teaching responsibilities and established a laboratory to support translational anatomy research.
A new RAND Corporation analysis suggests that healthcare must be reengineered to focus on the benefits of health information technology to realize its potential. Key findings include the need for interconnected systems and patient access to their electronic health records, with the goal of improving patient care and reducing spending.
A new study found that adults with diabetes in Ontario are getting significantly fewer government-funded eye exams than they were a decade ago. The decrease is an unintended consequence of the provincial government's decision in 2004 to delist routine eye exams from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan for healthy adults under age 65.
Current technology cannot provide the carbon-neutral power needed to address climate change; a minimum of 31 new wedges of renewable energy are required. The Department of Global Ecology at Carnegie Institution aims to develop sustainable solutions for environmental issues, including climate change.
Scientists studied fruit fly 'love song' to understand auditory system, discovering a protein-based sodium/potassium pump similar to battery compartments. This finding sheds light on the human ear's ion balance and potential mechanisms for hearing disorders.
Research at Michigan State University found that even brief interruptions can significantly impact accuracy on complex tasks. The study, which involved 300 participants and a sequence-based procedure, discovered that interruptions lasting just three seconds doubled the error rate. This finding has significant implications for professio...
The Southern Medical Journal's special issue explores physician preparedness, healthcare system readiness, and patient care in disasters. Experts share lessons learned from real-life experiences and provide guidance on improving preparedness.
A meta-analysis of 67 studies confirmed IL28B polymorphisms impact natural HCV clearance and PEG-IFN/RBV treatment response. Favourable genotypes equated to more than double the probability of achieving sustained virologic response, supporting personalized medicine approaches.
A study published in BMC Biology has generated interactive 3D models of the zebra finch's syrinx, a complex vocal organ. The models reveal the delicate balance between strength and lightness required to control sound production at superfast speeds.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 80% of teachers reported being victimized at school at least once in the past year, with 44% experiencing physical attacks. The authors recommend a national registry to track incidents and standardized licensure requirements for educators.
Researchers engineered blue-green algae to grow chemical precursors for fuels and plastics, a step towards replacing fossil fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy aims to obtain a quarter of industrial chemicals from biological processes by 2025.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have developed a camera that takes powerful three-dimensional colour X-ray images, enabling rapid detection of contraband, corrosion, and cancer. The technology uses hyperspectral imaging to identify chemicals and compounds within large objects, reducing scanning time by minutes.
A national survey found that over a third of US physicians fulfill patient requests for brand-name drugs, which are up to 80% more expensive than generics. Industry marketing relationships and personal connections with pharmaceutical companies also contribute to this practice.
A Wayne State University researcher is leading a federally funded project to better understand the connection between roadway safety and available sight distance at intersections controlled by stop signs. The study aims to determine if there's a relationship between crash occurrence and amount of available sight distance.
Researchers found no link between untreated Parkinson's and impulse control disorders. However, studies suggest that exposure to dopamine-related drugs may increase impulsive behaviors in patients with the disease.
A team of researchers used cutting-edge 3D imaging techniques to study the syrinx, a unique vocal organ found in songbirds. The detailed structure reveals how birds can produce superfast trills and stabilize their sounds while moving.
Research reveals that thoughts of death increase conviction in world views for all groups, with agnostics finding acceptance of multiple beliefs. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found common goals among believers seeking a coherent world view to manage fear of death.
Scientists found that impure domains in polymer-based organic photovoltaic cells can lead to improved performances if made sufficiently small. By studying the trifecta of ALS beamlines, they discovered a happy medium between purity and domain size that should be easier to achieve than ultra-high purity.
A new study by University of Colorado researchers found significant differences in eligibility criteria for Part C early intervention services among US states. The study highlights the need for more uniform criteria to ensure that all eligible children receive necessary services.
The US Department of Agriculture is working on a biocontrol method for the brown marmorated stink bug, which has caused significant damage in homes and gardens. Researchers have identified an aggregation pheromone that attracts males, females, and nymphs to feeding sites.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black and Hispanic patients are less likely to complete substance abuse treatment programs compared to white patients. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment and housing instability, contribute to these disparities.
Autism Speaks funds 14 new research projects, including technology-based initiatives, environmental epidemiology studies, and basic clinical research to better understand autism causes, prevention, treatment, and cure. These grants aim to enhance early screening, diagnosis, and access to interventions.
Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have created a new way to direct the assembly of liquid crystals, generating small features that spontaneously arrange in arrays based on much larger templates. By altering the geometry of molecules on a physical template, researchers can produce subtle changes in defect patterns.
A new study has developed a risk scoring system to identify hospitalized patients at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeds, allowing for targeted use of acid-suppressive medication. The study found that older adults, males, and those with liver disease or clotting disorders are most at risk, enabling clinicians to individualize treatment.
Researchers Ang Cui and Salvatore Stolfo found critical security breaches in Cisco VoIP phone technology, allowing hackers to eavesdrop on private conversations globally. They developed a new defense technology called Software Symbiotes to protect embedded systems from malicious code injection attacks.
A recent University of Pennsylvania study published in Geology has challenged the long-held assumption that mountains play a significant role in regulating the Earth's climate. The research found that mountains contribute only a small amount of sediment to the world's oceans, and instead, gently sloping land areas are major contributors.
Astronomers discovered a massive outburst in NGC 660, a spiral galaxy 44 million light-years away. The outburst was ten times brighter than the largest supernova and is likely caused by material pulled into a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy.
Researchers in China have discovered that corn can be used as a trap crop to control the devastating parasitic weed sunflower broomrape. The weed causes significant damage to vegetable and row crops, but using corn as a trap crop can induce suicidal germination in the weed, reducing its impact.
A 520-day space simulation revealed alterations in sleep patterns and neurobehavioral consequences for astronauts. The study highlights the need for artificial light exposure, food intake, and exercise to maintain human behavior during prolonged space missions.
Researchers have discovered a new compound that restores health to mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The compound targets an enzyme essential for bacterial survival and has been shown to be highly active against MRSA in mice.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected a tropical depression with reduced cloud cover due to dry air, indicating a rapidly deteriorating low-level circulation center. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next couple of days in the South China Sea due to wind shear and dry air
A study on heat-resistant corals reveals how they withstand extreme temperatures, potentially holding key to species survival for organisms worldwide. The research identified a genetic process allowing some corals to resist climate change, with 'frontloaded' genes already turned on before stress begins.
Researchers have demonstrated that obesity aggravates disorders associated with tau protein in mice, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests environmental factors contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, rather than just metabolic conditions.
A new clinical trial shows that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) can safely induce desensitization in people with peanut allergy, with significant increases in the amount of peanut powder they can consume. The treatment involves daily doses of liquid containing peanut powder, and was more effective than placebo.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that physicians spend an average of 11% of their career waiting for malpractice claim resolution. Neurosurgeons face the longest delays, with open claims lasting nearly 27% of their careers.
A new study funded by NIH suggests that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) can reduce the allergic response to peanut in adolescents and adults, increasing their tolerance to peanut. The treatment approach involves placing a small amount of allergen under the tongue under medical supervision.
Scientists have discovered six likely comets around distant stars, which could be a sign that comets are as common in other stellar systems as planets. The discovery was made using the high-resolution spectrograph of the McDonald Observatory telescope and suggests that comets may play a crucial role in planetary formation.
A recent study found that individuals with a strong family history of seizure disorders are more likely to experience migraines with aura. The research, published in Epilepsia, analyzed data from over 730 participants with epilepsy and demonstrated a significant genetic link between the two conditions.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute developed a method called sortagging, which uses the bacterial enzyme sortase A to modify antibodies to carry various payloads. This approach allows for highly targeted and potent responses from immune cells, potentially aiding in vaccine development.
A recent study found that wide binary stars in planetary systems can lead to dramatic events over time. In one hypothetical system, at least one of four giant planets was ejected in almost half of the simulations. The researchers also discovered substantial evidence that this process occurs regularly in known extrasolar planetary systems.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine shows that EHRs can improve patient care, but only when combined with sustained high-intensity technical assistance. Small physician practices in underserved areas of New York City need more technical support to effectively use EHR technology.
Italian immigrants from Switzerland have a significantly lower mortality risk compared to native-born Swiss, largely due to the 'healthy migrant effect'. However, subsequent generations born in Switzerland show a higher risk of mortality, likely due to lifestyle differences.