Three new lizards from Peru have been identified as distinct species using a combination of molecular, ecological, and morphological analyses. The study demonstrates the feasibility of discovering new species with limited resources, highlighting the importance of stable scientific names for biodiversity conservation.
Research teams at Group Health Research Institute have been awarded funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to study opioid therapy and asthma. The studies aim to improve patient outcomes and provide informed decision-making for patients with chronic pain and asthma, particularly in minority groups.
Scientists from KIT have created a stable porous gel coating, SURGEL, with adjustable properties using a metal-organic framework. This innovative material has potential in medical implants and pharmaceutical applications.
The American Heart Association's annual statistical update reveals that heart disease and stroke remain major public health concerns in the US, claiming over 787,000 lives annually. Cardiovascular diseases account for more deaths than all forms of cancer combined, with nearly half of African-American adults affected.
People with IED have elevated levels of systemic inflammation markers in their blood, which correlates with aggression and impulsivity. Anti-inflammatories like Celebrex may help reduce aggression in those with the condition.
A novel method reduces the energy required to separate titanium from its tightly bound companion, oxygen, making it more affordable and accessible. The new approach halves the temperature requirements of conventional methods and consumes 60% less energy.
Researchers discovered that pikas in Oregon can thrive in hot weather by consuming high amounts of fiber-rich moss. The pikas' unique digestive system allows them to recycle low-quality food into nutritious protein and energy.
The Catalina Island Conservancy's contraception program has successfully managed the island's bison population, drastically reducing the calving rate from over two-thirds to 10.4%. The program uses porcine zona pellucida (PZP) and has no apparent effect on pregnant females or their offspring.
The study involved 23 people with deep brain stimulators and 21 without stimulators, who completed driving tests in a simulator. Those with stimulators performed better on driving tests, especially when the device was turned on.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that robotic colon surgery has similar outcomes to traditional laparoscopic surgery but comes at a higher cost. The study analyzed data from over 244,000 surgeries and revealed that robotic surgery costs nearly $3,000 more than laparoscopy.
Berkeley Lab researchers show that aerobic glycolysis is not the consequence of cancerous activity but a cancerous event. Increased sugar uptake in breast cells activates oncogenic signaling pathways, leading to cancerous growth. The study provides possible new targets for diagnosis and therapeutics.
A survey reveals that regulatory agencies lack preparedness to manage nanotechnology risks, with respondents perceiving novel risks as a major challenge. The study suggests that regulators need input from a wide range of experts along the nanomaterial life cycle.
Researchers developed a coating that reduces stress and bacterial adhesion, minimizing the risk of infection. The new coating combines hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate, improving cell proliferation and implant integration.
In a study, researchers found that dogs can perceive faces in images and differentiate between familiar and strange faces. Dogs preferred viewing conspecific faces over human faces, gazing more at the eye area of familiar faces.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found that growing adult stem cells on micro-grooved surfaces disrupts primary cilia length, controlling subsequent behavior and specialization. This discovery has potential applications in treating conditions like arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
A new study reveals that deep sandstone formations, crucial for hydrocarbon extraction and carbon sequestration, host a low-diversity microbial community dominated by Halomonas sulfidaeris-like bacteria. These microbes have evolved strategies to cope with extreme conditions and can recycle scarce nutrients to meet their metabolic needs.
The study found that high government subsidies reduce the net benefits of the industry, leading to job losses and revenue decline. Growers on large estates earn significantly more than independent farmers, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address socio-economic impacts.
A new study by MIT researchers uses network data to show communication patterns and divisions in many major nations, including Britain, Italy, and Belgium. The study found that only a small percentage of communications cross regional boundaries, highlighting invisible borders between communities.
USC scientists have discovered the role of Wnt7b in activating hair growth and reducing baldness. The study's findings could lead to new therapeutics for various human diseases, including skin regeneration for burn patients and skin cancer.
Patients undergoing cardiac surgery have a substantially higher risk of depression if they are physically inactive, with 58% of those at-risk progressing to clinical depression. Inactive patients also experience double the risk of depressive symptoms before surgery and postoperatively.
Scientists measure pollen's optical properties using laser technology, finding it can be a significant natural source of aerosol particles. The study reveals pollen's vertical distribution in the atmosphere, highlighting its impact on air quality and temperature.
Researchers will investigate racial and ethnic differences in IRDS-positive tumors prevalent in African-Americans to improve outcomes for patients with treatment-resistant prostate cancer. The study aims to identify new management and treatment options for this aggressive disease.
A study of 417 middle-aged women found that modest weight loss over two years reduced risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Women who sustained a 10% or more weight loss benefited the most from this reduction in risk factors.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to identify malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum parasites that are resistant to artemisinin, the key drug for treating this disease. The study found that parasites with a mutant version of the K13-propeller gene were more likely to survive exposure to artemisinin.
Children as young as 3 understand multi-digit numbers more than previously believed and may be ready for more direct math instruction when they enter school. Understanding place value is the gateway to higher math skills, with implications for U.S. students who continue losing ground internationally in mathematics performance.
The Parkin enzyme activates a signal pathway that protects neurons from damage, increasing the expression of protective factors. This process may provide novel therapeutic targets to halt or delay neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers from Italy, France, Germany, and Russia develop experiment to measure photoelectric effect on excited xenon atoms. They successfully separate isotopes with zero and non-zero nuclear magnetic moments.
York University researchers successfully sent the world's first text message using a novel molecular communication system based on chemical signals. The system uses vodka to encode and decode messages, promising efficient data transmission in underground tunnels or deep-sea environments.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant that influences vaccine response and autoimmune disease risk. Individuals with this variant express an additional immune system receptor on their B cells, which activates antibody production, potentially leading to autoimmune diseases.
A new research study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is investigating the predictors, mechanisms for development, and persistence of post-treatment fatigue in breast cancer patients. The study will examine biological, behavioral, and social risk factors to identify women at high risk for fatigue.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care journal found that artificially sweetened drinks produced a neutral response in healthy humans, unlike previous findings. The researchers aim to better understand the effects of long-term artificial sweetener intake on human health.
A new study by RAND Corporation estimates Washington state marijuana consumption to be about twice as large as previously thought, ranging from 135 to 225 metric tons in 2013. The analysis used federal data and a survey of marijuana users to improve upon previous estimates.
The American Thoracic Society Foundation and the American Lung Association are co-funding an $80,000 grant to study Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, a rare inherited disease affecting the lungs. The research aims to understand HPS pulmonary fibrosis and explore potential treatments for common lung diseases like cystic fibrosis.
The Neanderthal genome shows a long history of interbreeding among early humans in Europe and Asia, with an estimated 1.5-2.1% of modern non-African genomes tracing back to Neanderthals. The study also reveals Denisovan genes in modern human populations, particularly in Oceanic and Asian groups.
Researchers discovered that Neurexin2 dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a devastating genetic disease affecting infant and young adults. A restoration of Neurexin2 activity partially recovers neuron function in SMN deficient zebrafish, offering a new direction for therapy of neurodegeneration.
A new data compression method, inspired by physics and the arts, has been developed to reduce big-data bottlenecks. The technique, called anamorphic stretch transform (AST), reshapes data in a way that preserves sharp features while compressing coarse ones.
A new study has found that heart disease is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older postmenopausal women. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 6,500 U.S. women ages 65-79 and found that those with heart disease or vascular disease were 29% more likely to experience cognitive decline over time.
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Washington have identified a method to minimize radiation damage in protein crystals using submicrometer line focusing. This technique enables scientists to collect better data while reducing time and cost associated with repeated experiments.
Research suggests that tropical forests play a crucial role in regulating water flow, with forested land releasing more water than grasslands during the late dry season. The study's findings support the sponge effect phenomenon, which aims to minimize flood damage and maximize water availability in the tropics.
Researchers are exploring methods to monitor and understand intracranial pressure through the ear, eye, and head. These non-invasive techniques aim to provide accurate and safer ways to determine the correlation between intracranial pressure and vision impairment.
A new radiotherapy technique uses a computer-controlled table to deliver high doses of radiation to tumors quickly and precisely, while sparing vulnerable organs. Researchers found that this method can substantially reduce the amount of radiation delivered to healthy tissue in patients with various types of cancer.
Researchers used numerical modeling to explore chloride-induced corrosion in hollow submerged marine concrete structures. They found that 'macrocells' play a significant role in accelerating the corrosion process, which can lead to reduced structure lifespan.
Researchers have found that scattering by intense natural radio waves known as 'chorus' in the Earth's upper atmosphere is primarily responsible for the observed relativistic electron build-up. This discovery resolves decades of scientific controversy and has important practical applications for understanding planetary magnetospheres.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in packaging insulin into tiny sacs that can be absorbed through the gut, overcoming digestive enzyme hurdles. The new delivery system has shown promising results in rats, with blood glucose levels lowered almost as much as injected insulin.
A new study reveals that hypergravity significantly affects the dynamic changes of electric discharges, causing the plasma channel to move due to external forces. The research has potential applications in improved safety precautions for manned space flights and ion thruster design.
Engineers at PNNL have developed a continuous chemical process that transforms harvested algae into crude oil, water, and usable byproducts in under an hour. The process simplifies the transformation of algae to oil, eliminating the need for drying and reducing costs.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a unique immune avoidance mechanism used by a deadly mosquito-borne virus to suppress human immunity. The discovery could lead to the development of vaccines and treatments for eastern equine encephalitis virus, which has a 30-70% fatality rate.
A new study found that obese children have higher stress hormone levels than normal-weight peers, with elevated cortisol concentrations detected in hair samples from age 8. The observational case-control study analyzed hair samples from 20 obese and 20 normal weight children to measure long-term cortisol levels.
Tropical Cyclone Amara has an elongated eye visible on NASA satellite images, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 80 knots. The storm is in a region of low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, allowing it to intensify rapidly.
A study of over 70,000 patients found that warfarin significantly increases the risk of stroke among those with atrial fibrillation within the first 30 days of treatment. The risk is highest in the first week, peaking on the third day, and halves after 30 days. Patients with a history of previous stroke are at higher increased risk.
A genetic trait linked to stress sensitivity is responsible for a 38% increased risk of heart attacks and deaths in patients with heart disease. Researchers identified a specific gene variation that causes an overactive stress response, leading to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and death.
A team of researchers from University of California, Riverside claims that ancient zircons contain 'diamonds' which are actually fragments of polishing compound used in the laboratory analysis. The discovery was made using high-resolution electron microscopy and suggests no indigenous diamonds exist in these samples.
Researchers at UT Austin propose a battery-powered active cloak that draws energy from a battery, allowing objects to become undetectable to radio sensors over a greater range of frequencies. This technology has applications in improving cellular and radio communications, biomedical sensing, and near-field imaging.
A recent animal vaccine study has provided valuable insights that may lead to the development of more effective HIV vaccines. The study found that antibodies targeting SIV spikes can prevent infection and identified clear measures of immune responses that predict protection.
Scientists discover Atlantic amphipods reproducing in Arctic waters, marking a shift in the zooplankton community and potential impacts on marine birds, fish, and whales. The findings suggest that warmer ocean temperatures are allowing these species to thrive in previously inhospitable areas.
Eating a tomato-rich diet for 10 weeks increased adiponectin levels by 9 percent in postmenopausal women, reducing breast cancer risk. Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is believed to promote breast cancer prevention in at-risk populations.
A recent study published in PhytoKeys formally transfers Altingia and Semiliquidambar taxa to Liquidambar, a widely distributed tree family with various uses. The analysis includes 15 recognized species and highlights the taxonomic challenges faced by botanists.
Researchers have identified a key 'teenage gene' that plays a role in mental health vulnerability, particularly during adolescence. The DCC gene's dysfunction has been linked to behavioral consequences that persist into adulthood.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich have discovered a way to create natural substances using photoreactions and a special catalyst, reducing the formation of unwanted mirror-image variants. This method has potential for industrial applications in drug development and plant protection.
Researchers found prescribing an apple a day to adults over 50 would prevent or delay 8,500 vascular deaths. This approach matches the efficacy of statins while having fewer side effects.