The NASA MAVEN mission has launched successfully, embarking on a 10-month journey to the Red Planet. The spacecraft will arrive at Mars in September 2014 and begin collecting science data after completing a check-out period.
The University of Chicago researchers will investigate 102 hypothetical genes from plague and brucellosis bacteria using cross-disciplinary approaches. This research aims to assign functions to these genes, which could inform studies across species with similar genes.
Researchers found that zinc sprays at critical stages on apple trees increased zinc concentration, average fruit weight, and improved fruit firmness. Sugar alcohol zinc applications were more pronounced in improving fruit quality.
Two healthy young siblings experienced acute ischemic strokes soon after smoking synthetic marijuana, highlighting the risks of this illicit drug. The study urges physicians to be aware of the potentially toxic effects of recreational synthetic drugs and to ask about pot and spice use in patients.
A single dose of AAV1/SERCA2a gene therapy has long-lasting benefits for advanced heart failure patients, improving heart function status and reducing recurrent cardiovascular events. The study results support the potential use of this gene therapy as a new tool for treating advanced heart failure.
A new study found that scopolamine causes rapid activation of mTOR signaling and increased synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex, similar to ketamine. This suggests a common downstream action linked to rapid antidepressant responses.
Researchers at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have discovered a new genetic risk factor called NDST3 for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This genetic variant alters the expression of the gene, affecting neurodevelopmental processes, offering potential therapeutic targets for treatment.
A study by Indiana University and Regenstrief Institute found that cognitively impaired older adults released from the hospital are less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they go to a nursing home. In contrast, those returned to their own homes or family members are more likely to experience readmission.
Researchers found that patients with major HAIs after cardiac surgery were nearly twice as likely to be readmitted and incurred costs averaging $40,000 due to treating HAI infections.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered a law that can predict the growth of cities based on past population data and neighboring cities. This allows for better planning and management of urbanization. The study analyzed data from Spain over 111 years, uncovering patterns in urban migration.
Research suggests that northern China conduct annual vaccinations starting in October, while southernmost provinces vaccinate in February. The study aims to optimize the timing of future vaccination programs and provides a clear picture of influenza seasonally across China.
New insights into how Lyme disease and syphilis spirochetes move through and into organs reveal a key mechanism driving their invasiveness. The findings provide a novel biophysical model that could form the basis for targeting these bacteria's invasion capabilities.
Research finds severe economic loss during recession increases drunkenness and alcohol problems in men and middle-aged Americans. Men and those aged 30-49 show most adverse effects of economic loss on drinking patterns.
Research reveals that consumers value sales more when considering the original price, and retailers can leverage this by highlighting list prices. In three experiments, authors found that relying on competing product similarities increased consideration of both original and sale prices, while focusing on dissimilarities led to a focus ...
A new study has found that patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have abnormal brain connections, which could help diagnose and treat the condition. The study used diffusion tensor imaging to track water movement in the brain's white matter, revealing a decrease in long-range connectivity of up to 45%.
A Dartmouth-led team has developed a more accurate method to date boulders deposited by tropical glaciers, yielding older ages and changing previous research on climate's impact. The new production rate suggests glaciers expanded during cooler and drier times in the tropics.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory team has developed a novel approach to estimating epidemic dynamics, capturing the full infection history and social network interactions. The model allows for realistic simulation of epidemics with known parameters of human interactions.
Researchers evaluated the impact of different colored shade nets on plant growth, temperature and light conditions in a 12-month study. The results showed that all shade nets reduced photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) values compared to uncovered sites, with black nets reducing PAR most and red nets least.
Scientists have found that Mars can also stir up asteroid surfaces, refreshing them over time. The research suggests that the Red Planet plays a key role in altering the chemical nature of asteroids' surfaces, changing their reddish hue.
The UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement has awarded $400,000 to L.A. Care to develop Blue Button functionality, allowing patients to access their own prescription data online. This project is the first in California and among the first in the nation to implement the tool for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Researchers found that adding a corticosteroid to standard treatment significantly improves both short- and long-term visual acuity in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The study showed that patients treated with the combination therapy had better long-term vision compared to those only treated with...
A national survey conducted by Concordia University found that Canadians have varying opinions on the country's social welfare programs and Aboriginal self-governance. While a majority (65%) supports universal access to assistance programs, there is significant variation in prioritization, with families with children living in poverty ...
Researchers found that a mixture of blue and red LEDs enhances lettuce growth rate, biomass accumulation, and antioxidant compound production. Red LED alone stimulates biomass but induces abnormal leaf shape and negative effects on antioxidants.
A new method combines selective lysis, centrifugation, and fluorescence spectroscopy to diagnose blood infections in 96.5% of positive samples. The technique eliminates the need for expensive equipment and manual processing, enabling faster treatment with targeted antibiotics.
Researchers found that when a brand's narrative has more to give, closure is harder to accept, while a more believable end is easier. The study also shows that brand death leads to the loss of sociality surrounding the brand.
A new study classifies urban residential desert landscapes into nine common types, providing recommendations for planning and integrating lower water-use plants. The research also reveals differences in front and backyard environments, with low-maintenance landscapes prevalent in front yards.
Researchers found that publicly observable initial acts of support lead to less subsequent engagement, while private acts stimulate a deeper connection with the cause. Nonprofits can increase token campaign effectiveness by making them relatively private or highlighting value similarity.
A recent study published in Psychological Science reveals that individuals with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to make decisions that are not swayed by unrelated emotions. This allows them to assess risks more accurately and make more informed investment choices.
A study found that synaesthesia occurs in 18.9% of people with autism, compared to 7.2% of typical individuals. The researchers suggest that both conditions involve neural over-connectivity, leading to atypical connections between brain areas.
A new Cochrane review shows that non-specialist health workers, such as doctors and nurses, can alleviate depression and anxiety in people with mental health problems. Non-specialists may also help treat maternal depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol abuse, although the benefits may be smaller.
A new study published at AHA Scientific Sessions 2013 found that a single dose of stem cell therapy during surgery may improve heart function in LVAD patients. Researchers discovered that 50% of patients who received the treatment could tolerate temporarily turning down their device, compared to 20% of placebo patients.
A new study reveals fewer differences in white shark gene products associated with metabolism compared to humans than zebrafish, sparking questions about the distinctiveness of this iconic species. The research also finds greater similarity between white sharks and humans in other aspects of their heart transcriptome.
A new bioabsorbable magnesium stent has shown promising results in reducing the risk of heart attacks for up to three years after implantation. Of 46 patients, only two required vessel-opening procedures and one suffered a heart attack within the first year, with no incidents reported in the second year.
Researchers have discovered a blood biomarker that accurately diagnoses concussions and predicts long-term cognitive disability. The protein SNTF levels were found to correlate with brain tissue damage, making it a potential tool for identifying patients at risk of persistent cognitive deficits.
Researchers at University of Kansas found that listeners process words grammatically faster when speakers match their sex, affecting higher-level processes like grammar. Native Spanish speakers showed reduced accuracy when mismatched sex was present.
Researchers from Japan have developed a new method to align the individual grains of lithium cobalt oxide in a cathode, resulting in improved Li-ion battery performance. The aligned structure allows for easier access for lithium ions, reducing stress and increasing efficiency, making it a major breakthrough in Li-ion battery technology.
The new F1 hybrid pepper CaroTex-312 offers high yields, particularly in early seasons, making it an attractive option for US growers. Its disease-resistant attributes also make it a valuable addition to the market.
Researchers at Henry Ford's Vattikuti Urology Institute found instances of ureteral injury in 6,442 patients who underwent robotic prostatectomy. Patient characteristics such as infection history, abdominal surgery, and enlarged prostate glands may forewarn such damage.
A new study published in Journal of Psychiatric Practice reveals that pregnant women with depression often experience conflict when deciding on treatment. They strongly prefer non-drug treatments like psychotherapy and alternative therapies, citing concerns about antidepressant medications' potential effects on the developing baby.
Researchers found that 71% of university students engaged in at least one cyberdeviance activity as teens, with most common activities including password guessing and unauthorized network access. Despite initial concerns, the authors suggest these behaviors may be beneficial for teaching IT security skills.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that calculating comorbidity-adjusted life expectancy may help physicians determine whether to continue or stop cancer screening in elderly patients. The researchers found that patients with higher levels of comorbidity had shorter life expectancies than healthy patients of ...
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Health is scaling up an essential obstetric and newborn care (EONC) model, improving maternal and newborn health services across the country. The model, piloted in Cotopaxi province, has yielded significant improvements in practices to improve the health of mothers and newborns.
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are working on a $34 million project to develop biocatalyst technologies that can convert natural gas into liquid fuel for transportation. They aim to engineer pathways from microbes that metabolize methane to produce butanol, a promising biofuel option.
Researchers discovered mutations in immunity genes in every breast cancer analyzed, suggesting an important role of immune system mutations in breast cancer development. The study's findings could lead to targeted prevention and therapy using vaccines or antiviral drugs.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that pregnant women exposed to phthalates are at a higher risk of preterm birth. The study analyzed urine samples from 130 women with preterm birth and 352 control participants, revealing an association between increased phthalate metabolite concentrations and higher odds of preterm birth.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reports that the compound sarcosine enhances NMDA receptor function, causing antidepressant-like effects and improving mood scores in patients with depression. The findings suggest that normalizing NMDA receptor activity may restore mood to normal levels.
Researchers discovered that Methanosaeta, a prominent methane-producing microorganism, produces methane by making electrical connections with other microorganisms. This finding challenges previous understanding of methane production and has significant implications for optimizing bioenergy strategies.
Researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research have discovered a gene named Lhx2 that plays a crucial role in forming high-resolution neurocircuitry for touch in mice. The study reveals that this gene is essential for the formation of 'barrels' and 'cores' in the brain, which enable rapid whisking and environmental assessment.
Cardiac antibody-mediated rejection is a major limitation to survival of patients who have undergone heart transplantation. A new working formulation has been developed to guide the diagnosis, grading, and reporting of AMR, which includes histopathologic features and immunopathologic criteria.
Researchers have found that thawing permafrost in the Canadian Arctic increases methane emissions by 83% through small shallow ponds, which could accelerate global warming.
Researchers found that playing board games like Chutes & Ladders with the 'count-on' method yields learning gains in early number skills. This approach helps children develop their ability to encode the relationship between numbers and spaces.
The study found that varespladib, an enzyme inhibitor, did not significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients treated with varespladib had a higher risk of heart attack compared to those receiving placebo.
A study by Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School found that preoperative vocal cord dysfunction affects LRN electrophysiologic activity in thyroid surgeries. In some cases, malignant invasion of the RLN is associated with preserved electrophysiologic activity when vocal cord function is maintained.
Weill Cornell Medical College will receive a $500,000 grant from MasterCard to support research into female cancers. The grant aims to develop personalized care and address various types of women's cancers.
The study found that primate faces with more complex patterns are associated with larger group sizes and more closely related species in the same habitat. Facial complexity is linked to social communication among members of the same species, aiding identification and recognition.
Historical and current surveys in southern Sweden reveal significant butterfly population declines due to changes in farming practices and land use. The study recommends 12 management measures, including later grazing and careful grazier selection, to mitigate these effects and support butterfly recovery.
Exposure to a single pro-smoking media message increases smoking intentions by an average of 22% and remains elevated for 7 days. Researchers found that repeated exposures to pro-smoking messages can lead to a cumulative effect on attitudes and behaviors towards smoking.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that adolescents who drink alone are more likely to develop alcohol problems in early adulthood. These solitary drinkers are also heavier drinkers and use alcohol to cope with negative emotions.
Research suggests that elevated Vitamin B12 levels may signal a heightened cancer risk, particularly in the first year after measurement. Studies found an association between high Cbl levels and increased incidence of various cancers, including hematological and alcohol/smoking-related types.
A clinical study found that exercise with GM-CSF boosts mobility in patients with peripheral artery disease. Participants who responded strongly to GM-CSF treatment showed significant improvements in maximum walking time.