The rapid development of synthetic biology presents new dialogue opportunities between conservation and synthetic biology communities to address ecological and ethical concerns. The authors highlight five emerging issues requiring discussion, including potential impacts on biodiversity and conservation strategies.
A National Research Council expert panel recommends creating a large building performance database to improve the knowledge base about high-performance buildings. The study suggests that measuring energy and water use can help identify cost-effective sustainable practices, but more scientific study is needed to justify environmental ou...
Researchers at Yale University found that even though one of three approved loop diuretics offers more benefits, it is rarely prescribed due to cost concerns. The study compared the effectiveness of toresemide, furosemide, and bumetanide in treating heart failure.
A research team led by Anna Michalak found that the 2011 record-breaking algal bloom in Lake Erie was triggered by long-term agricultural practices combined with extreme precipitation, weak lake circulation, and warm temperatures. The team predicts future mega-blooms unless scientifically guided management plans are implemented.
New research reveals that fish oil can enhance the function of white blood cells called B cells, contradicting previous assumptions of its only immunosuppressive properties. This discovery may lead to the use of fish oil among those with compromised immune systems.
Researchers found that obese employees who received group-based financial incentives lost more weight than those with individual incentives. In contrast, higher blood levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids protected against death, primarily due to reduced cardiovascular events.
Researchers at Penn Medicine developed a personalized brain mapping technique using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to preserve language, visual, and motor functions during brain tumor surgeries. This technique improved accuracy and extended survival in some cases, with a median survival time of 21.2 months.
A recent study by Northeastern University found that meditation increases compassionate behavior, boosting responses to help others in need. The study, funded by the Mind and Life Institute, showed that meditation can alter the calculus of the moral mind, leading to more virtuous behavior.
Rising temperatures are expected to lead to a massive 'greening' of the Arctic, with wooded areas increasing by up to 50% over the next few decades. This dramatic change will accelerate climate warming at a rate greater than previously predicted, having significant impacts on the global ecosystem.
A new study found that wearing OK contact lenses every night can restore age-related loss of near vision, allowing patients to read and perform up-close tasks without bifocals or reading glasses. The technique is safe and reversible, with the cornea returning to its previous shape after stopping lens wear.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a protein MKP-5 as a negative regulator of muscle stem cell function, enhancing muscle regeneration in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Additionally, studies suggest that lactate supports neuronal function and may protect the brain during hypoglycemia.
A retrospective study found that nearly 80% of patients with in-hospital EEG had abnormal findings, including diffuse slowing and seizures. The study highlights the value of EEG in identifying treatable causes of impaired consciousness in non-critical hospitalized patients.
Researchers have discovered that nanowires can naturally draw liquid upward in a thin film coating the wire's surface. This phenomenon has potential applications in inkjet printing, biomedical research, and microfluidic devices, enabling small-scale liquid transport and manipulation.
A new nuclear medicine technique can detect early changes to the lung caused by cigarette smoke exposure, providing a noninvasive method for studying lung dysfunction in preclinical models. This technique has the potential to be applied clinically to study and diagnose the early stages of COPD.
Mutated histone H3 causes aberrant gene silencing in childhood brain cancer DIPG, leading to tumor growth. Researchers identify potential tool for inhibiting enzymes, developing pharmaceuticals targeting specific SET-domain methyltransferases.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital have discovered a novel approach for treating malignant brain tumors using microvesicles generated from mesenchymal bone marrow cells. The treatment significantly reduced tumor volume in living lab rats, suggesting a potential new therapy for glioma, a common and aggressive type of brain cancer.
A pilot program called Single Fathers Due to Cancer has been launched at the University of North Carolina Health Care to provide emotional support to men facing unique challenges after losing their partner to cancer. The group aims to address feelings of profound aloneness and provide a safe space for men to share advice and feedback.
Research from the Million Women Study found that every 5 unit increase in BMI increases CHD incidence by 23%, equivalent to a 2.5 year age increase. One in six obese women and one in eleven lean middle-aged women will develop CHD between ages 55-74, highlighting the importance of small lifestyle changes.
A study found that less than half of emergency room medical providers believe most or all suicides are preventable and rarely ask about firearm availability. This can lead to missed opportunities to save lives, as many providers think it's the responsibility of psychiatrists or social workers to address firearms.
A new study finds that frequent use of the gastroesophageal reflux disease label in infants leads to overuse of medication, causing needless expenses for families. The researchers concluded that parents' expectations of medication are driven by the doctor's words, which can make a normal process seem like a disease.
Rice University researchers are developing a comprehensive model that predicts how brine, oil, and gas react to extreme temperatures and pressures. The model aims to provide companies with strategies to maintain flow and reduce risk in deepwater production.
A new study links Lynch syndrome to a higher lifetime risk of prostate cancer and earlier age of onset, suggesting regular screening for men with the condition. The research estimates that men with Lynch syndrome have a 30% lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer, compared to 18% in the general population.
The new themed issues explore the geological consequences of lithospheric removal in the Sierra Nevada, California, and the ignimbrite province and flareup swarms of subduction-related supervolcanoes. These events are linked to colossal explosive volcanic eruptions that spread ash across western Utah, Nevada, and eastern California.
New research found that U.S. adolescents with poor health behaviors and unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors are at increased risk of developing heart disease in adulthood. The study analyzed data from over 4,700 adolescents aged 12-19 and found that nearly 80% had a poor diet, while less than 50% met the recommended levels for phys...
A new study found that heart disease risk scores may be more useful in predicting future decline in cognitive abilities, or memory and thinking, than a dementia risk score. The study involved 7,830 participants and showed stronger links between heart disease risk and cognitive decline.
Researchers found movement deficits and loss of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive fibers in the striatum, with no significant decrease in nigral dopaminergic neurons. The study suggests that gliosis in the substantia nigra plays a role in introducing dopaminergic deficits.
Research by Alison Boyer found that nearly 983 land bird species became extinct between the first human arrival and European colonization due to overhunting, forest clearance, and introduced species. The study also reveals that flightless species were more likely to go extinct than those with flying abilities.
For the first time, scientists have demystified a key step in human DNA replication by discovering how a sliding clamp loads onto DNA. The research reveals that a clamp loader quickly removes the clamp from DNA when polymerase is absent, allowing the polymerase to capture and complete the assembly of the holoenzyme.
A UCI study has found that Southern California sagebrush populations are more adaptable to climate change than those in the north. The researchers transplanted sagebrush from sites along the California coast to a test garden, measuring its responses to altered precipitation and long-term climate data.
A study by Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab found that organic labels significantly alter consumers' perceptions of taste, calories, and value. Participants who regularly read nutrition labels, buy organic food, or exhibit pro-environmental behaviors were less susceptible to the health halo effect.
New research using mice shows that disrupting our internal clocks can lead to a complete absence of 24-hour bodily rhythms, resulting in immediate weight gain. Proper sleep patterns are critical for healthy metabolic function, and even mild impairment in circadian rhythms can have serious health consequences.
A recent study suggests that the record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom was caused by a combination of intense spring rainstorms and agricultural practices. The researchers used climate models to predict an increase in extreme precipitation events, which will likely fuel future massive blooms.
Researchers documented a California sea lion's ability to synchronize her head movements with music, challenging current theories on brain mechanisms that enable vocal mimicry. The study found that the sea lion could keep the beat even when metronome-like ticks missed a beat.
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes aims to increase bean productivity and enhance nutritional quality in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and the US. MSU researchers will support collaborative research, graduate student training, and address gender equity and climate change.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that loss of MKP-5 enhances muscle regeneration and prevents degeneration in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The results suggest that inhibiting MKP-5 could be a useful therapeutic approach for treating degenerative muscle diseases.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that feeding growing pigs diets containing up to 30% corn germ does not affect their growth performance or carcass quality. The study tested different inclusion rates and found no significant differences in any of the measured outcomes.
Research by Adam Meirowitz and Joshua Tucker suggests that protesters may lose motivation to take to the streets if they experience repeated failure or corruption in a new government. The study proposes a dynamic model of protest, taking into account the uncertainty people face when dealing with unfamiliar democratic systems.
Engineered stem cells produce US2 protein to increase survival by 59%, potentially improving treatment for bowel disease, traumatic brain injury, and organ transplants. The modified cells can modulate inflammation and promote healing, offering new hope for patients in need of regenerative therapies.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute discovered that the enzyme PKCζ acts as a tumor suppressor in both mice and humans, controlling cell growth and metastasis. Restoring PKCζ levels may provide a novel therapeutic target for treating prostate cancer.
A new study found that pharmaceuticals, including antihistamines, alter biofilm communities in streams, leading to reduced photosynthesis and microbial respiration. The most striking effect was observed with diphenhydramine, which caused a 99% decrease in photosynthesis and changed bacterial species present in the biofilms.
A new study finds that lifestyle choices in adulthood impact height loss over time, particularly cognitive health and socioeconomic factors. Urban dwellers and those who completed primary school have less height loss than rural residents and illiterate individuals.
Geckos keep firm grip in wet natural habitat by utilizing hydrophobic surfaces that stick similar to dry surfaces. Researchers developed a synthetic adhesive inspired by the ability of gecko pads to cling to wet and dry surfaces.
Research published in The FASEB Journal found that sildenafil promotes healthy expansion and browning of white adipose tissue. This is achieved through the inhibition of cyclic GMP breakdown, which reduces pro-inflammatory hormones and shifts fat storage to 'brown' type.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that over 90% of patients who stopped taking statins due to adverse reactions were able to tolerate them again. The researchers examined clinical data from over 107,835 patients and identified a pattern where most people who experienced symptoms or events related to the drug stopped taking ...
Researchers identify C9orf72 mutation as cause of ALS and FTD, finding it creates an RNA sponge that soaks up Pur alpha protein, leading to neurodegeneration. The study provides insight into the disease mechanism and suggests a potential therapeutic strategy targeting the toxic RNA or its interaction with Pur alpha.
A new study by UC San Diego researchers found that a guided self-help treatment program can be an effective solution to help children lose weight. The program, which combines structure and self-help elements, showed significant decreases in BMI immediately after completion and maintained losses six months later.
Researchers found that recurrent hypoglycemia enhances neuronal uptake of lactate, allowing the brain to retain normal neural activity. This suggests that lactate supports neuronal function and indicates potential benefits of supplementing alternative fuels during hypoglycemia.
For-profit hospitals have outperformed public and non-profit hospitals in treating stroke, heart attack, and pneumonia patients. Despite struggling initially, many public and non-profit hospitals are showing notable improvements in performance.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre identify Notch signalling pathway as key driver of resistance to hormone therapies in ER-positive breast cancer cells. A companion prognostic test is proposed to predict tumour response to new therapy.
Researchers found that SPOP mutations allow SRC-3 to proliferate and spread prostate cancer cells. The loss of SPOP's tumor-suppressing function enables SRC-3's cancer-promoting effects, making it an important target for prostate cancer treatment.
Rice University researchers have discovered a biochemical link between blood clotting and the immune system, which could lead to new treatments for patients with inflammatory diseases. The study found that a protein involved in blood clotting also triggers the body's immune response.
New research found that planting trees on non-forested lands significantly increases soil carbon levels. This effect is most pronounced after surface mining and industrial processes have been terminated, leading to doubling of soil carbon within two decades.
Researchers found that TRAP1 disrupts cancer cell metabolism, but inhibiting it could stimulate tumor progression. The protein regulates a metabolic 'switch' at the level of glucose digestion, which affects tumor stage and aggressiveness.
A new blood thinner, Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa), may increase the risk and severity of certain viral infections, including flu and myocarditis. Researchers found that blocking thrombin activity can disturb the innate immune response to viral infection.
Scientists have long debated the structure of alpha synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's. A new study models its structure, finding that it can rapidly switch between different conformations. The researchers suggest that stabilizing an ordered structure could prevent aggregation and offer a new drug-design strategy.
The new guidelines aim to personalize therapy for patients with multiple myeloma by separating them into three risk groups: high, intermediate, and low. This approach allows for more tailored treatment plans that balance benefits with short- and long-term toxicity, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
A study of 126 inactive older adults with cognitive complaints found significant improvement in cognitive function after 12 weeks of physical and mental activity. However, there was no difference between the intervention and control groups, suggesting that the amount of activity may be more important than its type.
Researchers deciphered previously unknown properties of transmitted HIV-1 viruses, revealing they are highly infectious and contain more envelope protein. The findings provide new insights into the biology of viral/host dynamics and may inform vaccine design.
A new study found that group-based financial incentives for weight loss are significantly more effective than individual incentives. Group-based rewards led to nearly three times more weight loss among participants. The study suggests that peer pressure and competition can be powerful motivators in promoting healthy behaviors at work.
Research in African malaria mosquitoes reveals a more complex range of forms due to frequent inter-mating, leading to implications for controlling the disease. The resulting hybrids may have effects on insecticide resistance and malaria parasite infectivity.