The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $11.8 million to 200 new Young Investigator grantees conducting basic and clinical research on mental illness causes and treatments. This marks the 27th year of the program, which has invested over $300 million since 1987.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women with low adiponectin levels prior to pregnancy are nearly seven times more likely to develop gestational diabetes. Low adiponectin levels were also linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Researchers identified two groups of individuals distinguished by the richness of their gut microbiota, with those having a poor gut microbiome being more likely to experience obesity and related metabolic issues. The study also found that certain bacterial species may play a protective role against weight gain.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have developed a method to create conditional mutant mice using CRISPR/Cas, accelerating the process from years to weeks. This allows scientists to model diseases and study gene function with more efficiency.
Researchers identified a mechanism that limits the body clock's ability to adjust to changes in light patterns, slowing down recovery from jet-lag. Blocking this gene in mice allowed them to recover faster.
The study found that incarcerated men lack basic financial knowledge, with a focus on investing, self-employment, budgeting, and saving. They often prefer one-on-one instruction and have shown interest in entrepreneurship, particularly in construction and real estate.
A University of Michigan Medical School physician and medical historian argues that the 30-year-old Bayh-Dole law needs revision to prioritize public benefit over profits. The law's haphazard history and modern risks, including patenting human genes, warrant a rational dialogue about revising it.
Astronomers observe a unique protostar, IRAS 20324+4057, shaped like a cosmic caterpillar due to intense ultraviolet radiation. The star is still collecting material from its surrounding gas envelope, which is being eroded by nearby stars.
A new study by Prof. Sarah Kang found a significant relationship between ozone depletion and extreme daily precipitation in the Austral summer. The research used two global climate models to analyze the impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on precipitation patterns.
A Texas A&M University biologist is working on a potential drug to combat the deadliest form of gut bacteria, C. difficile, which causes 14,000 deaths annually in America. The researcher aims to develop an inhibitor that prevents the spores from growing and causing disease.
A study by Aalto University shows that improved customer satisfaction with a company increases ownership and share value among institutional investors. In uncertain markets, customer satisfaction is key to attracting investors, who prioritize long-term marketing competence over short-term profits.
A new study by Bear Braumoeller at Ohio State University suggests that while conflict may be less common, the ability of countries to wage war has decreased over time. The analysis found no clear trend indicating a decrease in nations' willingness to go to war.
A new study found that consuming at least two servings of whole fruits, particularly blueberries, grapes, and apples, lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, drinking one or more servings of fruit juice daily increases diabetes risk.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal found that consuming twice the recommended daily allowance of protein helps prevent muscle loss and promotes fat loss. Tripling protein had no additional benefits.
A team led by Dr. Aleksandar Jeremic will investigate the molecular and biochemical events leading to amylin aggregation, a key factor in type 2 diabetes. Their research may lead to new treatments for the disease by preventing amylin toxicity.
The Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity project uses Landsat data to quantify large fires nationwide, providing long-term burn severity maps. Researchers investigate fire behavior changes over years using the valuable data, revealing increasing fire activity in the western US.
A team of astronomers used NASA's Chandra X-ray space telescope to solve a long-standing mystery about super massive black hole accretion rates. They found that most SMBHs swallow very little cosmic material and instead reject hot gases due to their high temperatures.
A Penn study finds that shutting off GABA neurons helps bullied mice overcome symptoms of depression and anxiety. The research suggests targeting GABA neurons as a new potential drug target to treat patients with depression and other mood disorders.
Researchers successfully introduced mass into Dirac electrons, a crucial step towards understanding topological crystalline insulators. The discovery provides new insights into the electronic behavior of these materials and paves the way for novel functionalities at the nanoscale.
Astronomers have discovered a Trojan asteroid sharing the orbit of Uranus, challenging previous estimates. The study predicts that three percent of scattered objects between Jupiter and Neptune should be co-orbitals with Uranus or Neptune.
Research suggests that poverty can impair cognitive functioning, leading to poor decision-making and perpetuating financial struggles. The study found that individuals with pressing financial concerns exhibit a significant drop in cognitive function, similar to a 13-point dip in IQ.
Researchers identified a protein that correlates with breast cancer aggressiveness and may predict prognosis; small molecule inhibitors could be developed as therapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.
Portugal's Serra da Estrela National Park was finally brought under control after 24 hours of fighting, but one firefighter killed and nine injured. The fires have destroyed over 31,000 hectares this year, according to Portugal's conservation institute.
A University of Michigan study found two critical components involved in the brain's cell clearing process: TRPML1 calcium channel protein and an alipid molecule. The researchers also identified a synthetic chemical compound that can activate TRPML1, potentially providing a drug target for combating neurological diseases.
A study by McGill University and Oxford University found that learning a second language after infancy stimulates new neural growth and connections. The research suggests that the difficulty of learning a second language later in life may be due to structural changes in the brain.
A massive canyon hidden under a mile of ice has been discovered in Greenland, stretching over 460 miles and reaching depths of 2,600 feet. The feature is thought to be ancient, pre-dating the current ice sheet, and plays a crucial role in transporting sub-glacial meltwater.
A blood test developed by MGH researchers can detect levels of mutant huntingtin protein, which causes Huntington's disease. The assay uses HTRF technology and may predict symptom onset or progression.
Researchers developed a collagen patch that speeds up generation of new cells and blood vessels in damaged heart tissue, reducing tissue damage and improving cardiac function. The patch replaces the epicardium, the outer layer of heart tissue, allowing for growth of new tissue and improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
Researchers at Lund University have found that Zebularine, an old cancer drug, can prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. The treatment also showed promise in curing type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune system's reaction to healthy tissue.
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have found that less than 1 percent of the gas within 26,000 light-years of the Milky Way Galaxy's giant black hole reaches its event horizon. Instead, most gas is ejected before it can brighten and emit X-rays.
A recent study using DNA barcodes identified two distinct species of diamondback moths in Australia, one of which is the well-known pest and the other a newly discovered species named Plutella australiana. The discovery highlights the complexity of this global pest and its ability to evolve resistance to control methods.
Frontiers' new journal in Energy Research will publish rigorously peer-reviewed articles on various topics related to energy systems, including nanotechnology solutions, policies, and storage. The journal aims to provide a free-to-access platform for researchers to share their findings with the scientific community.
A study of 2380 cases found that unintentional buprenorphine exposure in children under 6 led to lethargy, respiratory depression, and death. The majority of exposures involved tablets, highlighting the need for caregivers to store medications safely.
A recent study published in BMJ Open found that lesbian and gay young people in England are twice as likely to smoke and drink alcohol compared to their heterosexual peers. The research also revealed that gay and lesbian young people have more frequent and hazardous drinking patterns.
A Johns Hopkins-led research team aims to replace electric shocks with gentle light to heal ailing hearts and treat arrhythmia. The team has successfully tested this technique on a computer model of the heart, using biological data and an intricate computer model.
Researchers found a negative correlation between gravity and topography signals on Titan, attributed to large roots extending into the ocean beneath the ice shell. The study suggests that Titan's ice shell is rigid and at least 40 kilometers thick.
A Stanford study found that blocking an inflammation-producing molecular pathway reverses pulmonary hypertension in rats, suggesting a potential cure for the deadly disease. The research could also lead to better understanding of other inflammatory diseases.
A study led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center found that mindfulness training reduced teacher stress and burnout, while improving classroom organization and increasing self-compassion. The study used a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course adapted for elementary school teachers.
Researchers have created a model that explains the emergence of the modern genetic code, suggesting it resulted from a combination of selective forces and random chance. The study reveals how RNA signaling likely developed into the universal genetic code shared among all organisms.
A study published in Neurology found that people with lower incomes are more likely to develop migraines, but the remission rate is the same regardless of income. Migraine sufferers in low-income groups experience more severe pain and disability.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of early Holocene hunter-gatherer settlements in the Bolivian Amazon, dating back approximately 10,400 years. The discovery of 'shell middens' reveals human presence in the region, with samples showing a mix of animal bones, freshwater snail shells, and pottery.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that fish larvae can smell the presence of coral reefs from far offshore and use this odor to navigate home. The study found that water temperature and current directions do not influence the orientation of larvae, but rather a proximal cue allows them to settle and find their way back.
New research from Durham University reveals that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet may be more susceptible to changes in air temperatures and sea-ice than previously believed. The study found rapid and synchronised periods of advance and retreat among 175 glaciers along the coastline, coinciding with cooling and warming patterns.
The LLCD experiment aims to validate and build confidence in laser communications, allowing for 3-D High Definition video transmissions in deep space. The technology has incredible application possibilities, enabling the transmission of hundreds of millions of bits of data per second from the moon to Earth.
Researchers have identified the cells targeted by anthrax toxins, which can cause illness and death. Lethal toxin targets heart cells and muscle cells surrounding blood vessels, while edema toxin targets liver cells.
Astronomers have discovered an ancient solar twin that is 8.2 billion years old, providing insights into the Sun's life-giving properties and lithium content. The star, HIP 102152, has low levels of lithium, supporting the theory that stars destroy their lithium as they age.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found a link between drinking alcohol before first pregnancy and an increased risk of breast cancer and benign breast disease. The study, which analyzed data from over 91,000 women, suggests that breast tissue is particularly susceptible to carcinogens during this pe...
Researchers found that woodland salamander populations closely track forest stand growth and development, making them a viable indicator of ecosystem recovery. The study's findings suggest that healthy forests support a wide range of species, including rare and native wildlife, and are crucial carbon sinks.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has announced the recipients of its 2013 awards, honoring exceptional contributions to menopause research, practice, and education. This year's awards recognize outstanding clinicians, researchers, educators, and media professionals who have expanded knowledge about midlife women's health.
Researchers have developed a nanobiocomposite material by combining the natural properties of Morpho butterfly wings with carbon nanotubes, showing promise for wearable electronic devices and sustainable energy applications. The new hybrid material exhibits high electrical conductivity and self-cleaning capabilities.
Research from Washington University School of Medicine links increased breast cancer risk to drinking between early adolescence and first full-term pregnancy. Drinking daily can increase risk by 13% if averaged during this period, according to the study.
Researchers at UC Davis have successfully generated oligodendrocytes with spiking properties, allowing them to produce myelin and mature into functional brain cells. The enhanced cells showed superior regenerative capacity and produced thicker, longer myelin sheaths than natural cells.
Physicists have successfully simulated the evolution of the early universe using ultracold cesium atoms. The experiment replicated patterns resembling the cosmic microwave background radiation, shedding light on the universe's origins. By studying these patterns, researchers can better understand the universe's structure and properties.
A Harvard University study projects that wildfires in the western United States will be three weeks longer, up to twice as smoky, and burn a wider area by 2050. Climate change is expected to exacerbate fire season due to warmer temperatures.
A study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center identifies RbAp48 as a significant contributor to age-related memory loss, which can be reversed. The researchers found that RbAp48 plays an active role in the process and propose it as a target for therapeutic intervention.
A study published in Botany reveals that the genetic diversity of the Branched Bartonia plant in Ontario is greater than initially thought. The research found that the Muskoka population is genetically distinct from a core population in New York State, highlighting the importance of considering genetic novelty in conservation policies.
Researchers have successfully produced hydrogen from water using high-grade charcoal and other forms of carbon, paving the way for an alternative, cost-effective method. This breakthrough could potentially replace traditional methods that rely on expensive catalysts or electric current.
Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry found that molecular motors generate only 3.5•10^-28 joule per rotation, a value ten million times lower than thermal motion energy. Despite low individual power, collective rotations can achieve higher energies, making it possible for these molecules to find practical applications.
A study found that migraine can cause long-lasting changes in brain structure, including increased risk of brain lesions, white matter abnormalities, and altered brain volume. Migraine with aura is associated with a higher risk of these changes compared to those without aura.
A biomedical research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute will use a new microthread technology to deliver adult stem cells into damaged hearts, aiming to promote muscle regeneration and improve heart function. The five-year project aims to advance cell therapies for people suffering from heart disease.