LSU has received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue its Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program, which provides research training and career development opportunities for underrepresented minority graduate and undergraduate students.
Researchers found that aerobic fitness and hormones, including BDNF, predict recognition memory in healthy young adults. High levels of BDNF at high fitness predicted improved memory accuracy.
Researchers found that ALS protein Fus promotes the translation of RNAs in cells with cytoplasmic granules similar to those in ALS patients. This suggests a new mechanism contributing to disease symptoms, where misdirection of RNA translation rather than silencing drives pathology.
Researchers found compelling evidence that gout clusters in families, with a significant increase in risk for those with first and second-degree relatives affected. The study also highlights the role of shared environmental factors, such as diet and lifestyle, in predisposing individuals to gout.
HS3 gathered data on the Saharan Air Layer, studying its effects on Tropical Storm Gabrielle. The mission also identified a unique hybrid core in a redeveloped storm and measured hurricane Ingrid's heavy rain and strong winds.
A study by the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health found that US mothers are less physically active than previous decades, spending more time watching TV than cooking, cleaning, and exercising. This decline in physical activity has led to a decrease in energy expenditure, potentially predisposing children to o...
The Bagrada bug, an invasive stink bug, can be managed through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. IPM strategies include understanding the bug's biology and host range to develop effective control methods. Farmers and growers can benefit from downloading this free, open-access article for guidance on managing this invasive pest.
Researchers found that the risk of developing diverticulitis from diverticulosis is significantly lower than previously thought, with only 1% over seven years. Younger patients diagnosed with diverticulosis are more likely to progress to diverticulitis.
Large pharmacogenomic studies have inconsistent results due to lack of standardization in experimental assays and data analysis methods. Standardization is necessary to identify reliable genomic predictors of drug response and effectively identify a drug's mechanism of action.
Researchers discovered a modified pacemaker-like enzyme, GSK-3 beta, that mimics CRT's biological effects on heart muscle cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for heart failure patients who don't qualify for traditional CRT therapy.
Researchers found that culling vampire bat colonies has minimal effect on containing the virus, and can actually increase its spread by driving infected bats into neighboring colonies. Coordinated efforts to control vampire bat-transmitted rabies virus in Latin America require understanding the mechanisms of persistence.
A new study demonstrates that ingested microplastic delivers pollutants and additives into animal tissue, compromising key functions sustaining health and biodiversity. The findings show toxic concentrations of pollutants and additives in the tissues of animals that have eaten microplastic.
Research suggests that decreasing winter winds are a primary driver of streamflow declines and reduced precipitation in the Pacific Northwest mountains. This decrease can lead to increased wildfire risk, earlier and lower streamflows, and decreased water availability for communities and industries.
The EASAC report highlights a 60% rise in extreme weather events in Europe over the last 30 years, including heatwaves, floods, and storms. The report emphasizes the need for immediate EU-driven action to adapt to future climate disruption and reduce uncertainties in regional climate models.
A special issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology addresses imaging-based screening and radiology's role in preventive medicine. The issue explores breast density legislation, digital breast tomosynthesis, lung cancer screening, and CT colonography reimbursement, highlighting both benefits and controversies.
Scientists have discovered the detailed molecular dance of a membrane transporter, revealing new insights into multi-drug resistant cancers. The study's findings provide a more complete picture of how transporters work, including their movements and interactions with surrounding molecules.
The CompGen initiative brings together top faculty in genomic and computational sciences to analyze trillions of nucleotides and better understand the human genome. The facility will enable more accurate and efficient analysis of DNA, incorporating visualization components to visualize genetic data in real time.
A new project at the University of Houston aims to incorporate art into STEM education to increase the quality of STEM graduates. Jay Young's research focuses on how creativity can be used to solve problems in math and science, with findings suggesting that artistic endeavors are essential for better problem-solving skills.
A novel, multipurpose pod-intravaginal ring (pod-IVR) delivers up to five different antiretroviral drugs and two hormonal contraceptives, showing promise in preventing HIV and unintended pregnancy. This innovative device could empower women in resource-poor areas to protect themselves from infections.
Researchers from Monash University and RMIT University found that Himalayan flowers evolved to attract bees as pollinators in response to bee colour vision. The study reveals the impact of climate change on plant-pollinator interactions in mountainous environments.
The RH5-basigin interaction is crucial for the invasion of red blood cells by Plasmodium falciparum parasites. The team found that this interaction allows P. falciparum to infect humans but not chimpanzees or gorillas, mirroring its known infection profile.
Scientists have discovered that mice can pass on learned sensitivity to a specific odor to their offspring via epigenetic alterations in the sperm or eggs. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding psychiatric disorders and developing therapeutic strategies for intergenerational trauma effects.
Current Plant Biology publishes articles on interdisciplinary plant science research, combining physics, mathematics, and chemistry disciplines. The journal aims to facilitate the growth of quantitative, interdisciplinary plant biology by publishing work openly and sharing research datasets.
A team of researchers from the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute emphasize the importance of translating biomedical research into real-world healthcare solutions. By likening the Affordable Care Act to traditional clinical trials, they highlight its potential to advance health care and wellness in the United States.
A new report illustrates a surprisingly large global burden of anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin levels and impaired oxygen delivery to the body. Despite decreasing prevalence between 1990 and 2010, anemia remains a significant health issue, particularly among young children and women in low- and middle-income regions.
A single dose of oxytocin has been shown to temporarily normalize brain regions responsible for social deficits in children with autism. The hormone facilitates social attunement, allowing brain regions involved in social behavior and cognition to activate more for social stimuli.
A Mount Sinai study found that age-related cognitive decline is linked to energy in synapses in the prefrontal cortex. Estrogen treatment restored synaptic health and improved working memory in rhesus monkeys.
A Syracuse University biologist has developed a system to track ships and monitor underwater noise levels in a protected marine mammal habitat. The techniques focus on the bottlenose dolphin population in Scotland's Moray Firth, where increasing shipping activity may negatively impact resident marine mammals.
A new study refutes the theory that lions are a major predator of cheetah cubs and finds that big cats can coexist in protected areas. Cheetah cub survival rates were found to be higher in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park than previously thought.
A new low-cost 3D printer developed by Michigan Technological University's Joshua Pearce can lay down thin layers of steel to form complex geometric objects. The printer is less expensive than commercial metal printers and is affordable enough for home use, but requires more safety gear and fire protection equipment.
The Genetics Society of America has awarded 11 undergraduate students with travel grants to present their research at the 55th Annual Drosophila Research Conference in San Diego. The students will be presenting their work to over 1,500 researchers and gaining invaluable experience.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that patients with more premature atrial contractions have a substantially higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation. The researchers used a 24-hour Holter monitor to detect PACs and compared the results with an established prediction model from the Framingham Heart Study.
A study investigates how athletes' high-level motor expertise affects the brain's understanding of actions. The research reveals that expert subjects showed a modulating effect on motor activity in response to positive but impossible commands.
Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have successfully grown unlimited quantities of intestinal stem cells that can differentiate into mature cells. These cells hold promise for treating diseases such as ulcerative colitis and could be used for drug development and testing.
A novel rehabilitation device converts thoughts into electrical impulses to improve motor function in stroke patients, enabling them to perform activities of daily living. The device showed promising results in improving motor skills and quality of life for patients with moderate severity strokes.
Researchers found a protein, Sprouty-2, that causes loss of function in immune cells combatting HIV, but disabling it restored their ability to fight the virus. Disabling both Sprouty-2 and PD-1 in exhausted T cells reversed exhaustion completely.
Researchers suggest that focusing on a country's age and history can increase citizens' confidence in its enduring future, leading to increased environmental concern. A lab-based study found that participants who viewed the US as having a longer history donated more money to an environmental organization.
Researchers created CNT structures with optimal blend of characteristics required in thermal stress junctures. Longer, less entangled CNTs showed best combination of flexibility, heat conductivity and strength.
Researchers at the Cardiovascular Institute found that unfolded protein response contributes to sudden cardiac death in heart failure. Blocking this response may significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.
A new method to detect and identify molecules has been discovered by Richard Martel's team, enabling the use of optical scanners to pinpoint particles. The technique uses nanoprobes composed of dye molecules aligned inside carbon nanotubes, which amplify Raman signals up to a million times stronger than other molecules.
A new class of drugs has been shown to reduce the risk of graft-vs.-host disease, a serious complication of bone marrow transplants. In a study of 61 older adults undergoing reduced-intensity bone marrow transplants, vorinostat was found to be safe and effective in preventing GVHD.
A 115- to 125-million-year-old flowering plant fossil, named Potomacapnos apeleutheron, has been discovered in a Virginia canal bank where freed slaves were forced to dig a canal. The find raises questions about the evolution of flowering plants and pollen.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that bronchial thermoplasty reduces severe asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits, medication use, and missed workdays for at least 5 years. The treatment also shows stable rates of respiratory adverse events and respiratory-related hospitalizations.
The American College of Physicians recommends restricting red blood cell transfusions to severe anemia cases in patients with heart disease. ACP also advises against using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in mild to moderate anemia with heart conditions due to increased risks of thromboembolic events and stroke rates.
A new model from Uppsala University predicts how bacteria can rapidly adapt to environmental changes through smart regulation of gene expression. The study shows the ultimate limit for bacterial protein level adjustments in response to changing environments.
A study found that First Nations adults with diabetes are more than double the risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. The high rates of kidney disease among First Nations people are attributed to younger onset of diabetes, leading to increased survival time and likelihood of progression to end-stage renal disease.
Scientists at Aarhus University and Duke University have developed a DNA nanorobot that can encapsulate and release active biomolecules, including enzymes. The nanorobot uses temperature changes to open and close its structure, allowing for targeted drug delivery to diseased cells.
A new study explores the experiences of patients suffering from chronic pain, highlighting themes of body image issues, uncertainty about the future, and feeling lost in the healthcare system. Building a new relationship with the body and redefining normality can aid the process of living with musculoskeletal pain.
The Fleet Integrated Synthetic Training/Testing Facility (FIST2FAC) enables affordable, adaptive training for naval forces. Sailors can interact with artificially intelligent forces in various settings, developing strategies for complex missions and operations.
A strong sense of ethnic identity can help Latina girls feel positive about their body and appearance by acting as a buffer against the media's barrage of unrealistic images. The study found that cultural pride can be partially protective against body dissatisfaction, but it's not a panacea.
DNA polymerase epsilon's unique P-domain enables it to build long DNA strands without falling off, a crucial property for genome reproduction. The study identifies specific mutations linked to colorectal and cervical cancers, offering insights into their development.
A new MRI technique found significantly lower brain iron levels in ADHD patients who had never been on medication, compared to those who had been medicated. This discovery may help guide optimal treatment for ADHD and identify potential risks of addiction.
A study by USC scientists found that air pollution exposure amplifies the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder in children who carry a genetic variant associated with the disorder. The research, published in Epidemiology, suggests that gene-environment interactions play a significant role in autism risk.
Mary Ann Liebert, President and CEO of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., will receive the 2013 Education Award from the Genetics Policy Institute. She is being honored for her work educating patients, researchers, and the broader stem cell community about the promise and applications of stem cells in medicine.
Research reveals that congenital heart defects can have a lasting impact on brain development in children, with smaller brain volumes associated with learning difficulties. Brain changes may already exist before surgery, reducing the risk of neurological complications.
Researchers used 18F-FDOPA PET imaging to differentiate between radiation-induced lesions and new tumor growth in brain metastases patients, achieving an accuracy of 83% with visual scoring. The study found that 18F-FDOPA PET imaging was highly prognostic of progression-free survival and overall survival.
Innovative information technologies may remove the 'shroud of secrecy' around private health care costs by providing transparent price data. Reference pricing, a concept introduced in Germany, involves setting a fixed price range for medical procedures to control costs.
Comet ISON's size reduced significantly as it approached the sun, with observations revealing a potential debris field and unclear nucleus remnants. The comet's unprecedented observation history will provide valuable data for scientists to study in the years to come.
Synaptosomal-associated protein-25 expression is significantly lower after subarachnoid hemorrhage, which may relate to cognitive disorders that follow. The study found lower expression levels in the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and cerebellum at days 1 and 3.
A study by Hyun-Woo Lee and colleagues found that skiing and snowboarding experiences enhance happiness and satisfaction. Flow, or losing oneself in the activity, had the greatest direct impact on satisfaction, followed by involvement. The research supports positive psychology's benefits of physical activity in enhancing well-being.