Researchers at MIT have developed a method to increase isobutanol production in yeast by up to 260%, boosting it entirely within mitochondria. This approach may also be applicable to other biochemicals, opening opportunities for metabolic engineering and renewable energy production.
Researchers from University of Southern Denmark used RICS technique to investigate liposome movement on skin. They found that liposomes are destroyed before entering the skin and spilling their cargo of active ingredients. The study advises against trusting claims about liposomes carrying active ingredients into the skin.
Researchers have developed a new bio-mimicking therapeutic that can stabilize bFGF, allowing for its potential use in treating skin wounds and accelerating the healing process. The stable conjugate has been shown to function like normal bFGF to trigger the same signaling pathways involved in wound healing.
The use of robotically-assisted hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disorders increased substantially between 2007 and 2010, accounting for 9.5% of procedures in 2010. However, the procedure offered little short-term benefit and was accompanied by significantly greater costs compared to laparoscopic hysterectomy.
A Mayo Clinic study found that nicotine lozenges and tobacco-free snuff can significantly reduce smokeless tobacco use in users who have no intention of quitting. Approximately one-third of participants cut back by 75% and 12% quit completely after 26 weeks.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University identified a biological marker, telomere length, that predicts resistance to the common cold in young and midlife adults. Telomeres shorten as people age, but their length also becomes a predictor of disease susceptibility starting at around age 22.
Increased regulatory barriers and limited research funding hinder the development of effective treatments for childhood cancer. The authors call for renewed collaboration among industry, academia, governments, and patient advocacy to accelerate the discovery of new medicines for this devastating disease.
The James Webb Space Telescope will be displayed life-size at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, featuring exhibits and educational activities for all ages. The telescope model weighs 12,000 lbs. and is being assembled at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
A new study suggests that smartphone apps can offer consistent and personalized recommendations to customers, every time and everywhere they go. This is achieved through automated systems and applications that capture both explicit and implicit feedback from customers.
Researchers at Indiana University found that people playing rock-paper-scissors subtly influence each other, converging on similar ways of reasoning over time. This 'cyclic game dynamics' occurs when individuals try to anticipate others' decisions, leading to synchronized behavior in various real-world situations.
Researchers found that shorter telomere lengths in certain cells are associated with an increased risk of developing upper respiratory infections. The study, published in JAMA, suggests a link between telomere shortening and immune system dysfunction in younger, healthy populations.
Researchers have found genetic variants linked to alcoholism in the Spanish population, including women. The study identified polymorphisms in genes related to metabolism and the dopaminergic system, which are associated with increased risk of hazardous drinking and dependence.
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a compound called TIR-199 that targets the proteasome complex in kidney cancer cells, showing promising results in laboratory tests. The compound is nearly as potent as existing bortezomib but selectively inhibits growth of only renal cancer cell lines.
Researchers will compare 36 Cub Scout packs with full-time executives to those without executives, as well as non-Scout peers. The study aims to assess the program's impact on youths' character, health, and academic achievement.
Lakewood High School won the competition for the first time, defeating Cheyenne Mountain High School in the final round. The team will represent Colorado at nationals on April 25. Over 15,000 students competed, with 10 schools participating for the first time.
A large study found that as coffee drinking increased, the risk of death decreased in older adults. The study's author discusses potential links between coffee consumption, caffeine intake, and various causes of disease.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers investigated how whales got their teeth by analyzing the fossil record and embryonic development process. They found that whales evolved simpler teeth around 30 million years ago, which are shaped by proteins BMP4 and FGF8 during development.
Researchers from Cardiff University have discovered hundreds of fungal particles in the lungs of asthma sufferers and healthy individuals alike. The study reveals that asthma patients have a distinct array of fungal species not present in healthy lungs, potentially leading to new treatment avenues.
Researchers dispute evolutionary psychology's 'adaptive' explanation for males' superior spatial navigation, suggesting it may be a result of testosterone levels. The study analyzed 35 species and found no consistent support for the hypothesis that male superiority is an adaptation.
Research by Priyanka Joshi and Nathanael Fast found that powerful individuals are more willing to take larger rewards in the future due to feeling a stronger connection with their future selves. This reduction in temporal discounting allows them to make better, long-term decisions.
Research reveals that infants with high respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are more vulnerable to poor caregiving and exhibit increased problem behaviors later in childhood. Conversely, those with low RSA fare better in nurturing environments.
Researchers found that identical mutations led to the evolution of specialized physiologies in three different populations of E. coli. The study suggests that negative frequency dependence plays a key role in driving diversification, and highlights the potential for predictability in evolutionary processes.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have found a way to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis in cats using meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory medication. The study showed that daily oral administration of meloxicam provided pain relief for four weeks, with higher doses continuing to provide relief for five weeks after treatment stopped.
A study of over 180,000 people in Scotland found that those with multiple chronic health conditions and mental illness had significantly higher rates of unplanned hospital admissions. The risk was further increased among those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, highlighting the need for better coordinated care and prioritization of ...
A new study published in Molecular Plant found that phosphorus deficiency contributes to the expression of citrus disease Huanglongbing symptoms. The researchers discovered microRNAs that can potentially be used as early diagnosis markers and applied phosphorus solutions to alleviated symptoms and improved fruit yield.
A study found that male rat pups have more of a specific brain protein associated with language development than females. The researchers also discovered sex differences in the brain protein in children, with girls having higher levels of the Foxp2 protein in the cortex.
Scientists from NREL and partners successfully demonstrated self-assembling quantum dots in a nanowire system for quantum photonics. The breakthrough could improve solar cell efficiency, quantum computing, and lighting devices due to the precise positioning of quantum dots within the nanowire.
A Georgia Tech student analyzed 60 years of Academy Awards acceptance speeches to identify patterns and trends, including the anatomy of a typical speech and the frequency of certain phrases. She found that nearly every speech closes with 'thank you,' but only half of winners use the iconic phrase.
Patients with spinal stenosis who receive steroid injections show less improvement in pain and physical functioning, regardless of whether they undergo surgery. The study suggests that ESI may cause worsening of spinal narrowing or nerve impingement, leading to more complicated surgeries.
A new data paper provides comprehensive, georeferenced information on Antarctic macrobenthic communities, including species such as echinoderms, sponges, and crustaceans. The database will facilitate future biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the Southern Ocean.
The EU directive on GMOs must be amended to allow the production of plant-made pharmaceuticals, which could lead to cheaper vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and organic plastics. The new regulations should provide tight oversight to encourage investment while maintaining trust.
A consortium of top researchers has made significant progress in understanding and treating Rasmussen encephalitis, a rare neurological disease. The RE Children's Project has raised funds to study the disease tissue and search for genetic links.
A Japanese study found that lactated Ringer's solution, commonly used as a pre-hospital treatment for cardiac arrest, is associated with a decreased chance of survival with minimal neurological or physical impairment. The study analyzed data from over half a million patients and suggested that alternative fluids may be more beneficial.
Researchers discover that tranylcypromine can reverse the effects of sickle cell disease in mice and human red blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for the life-threatening condition, which causes misshapen red blood cells to cause vascular damage and premature death.
A University of Illinois study found a possible link between high-fat diets and childhood brain-based conditions like ADHD and memory-dependent learning disabilities. High-fat diets triggered anxious behaviors and learning deficiencies in juvenile mice, which were reversed by methylphenidate treatment.
A six-month study published in General Dentistry found that using a germ-killing mouthrinse twice daily significantly reduced plaque and gingivitis compared to brushing alone. The study involved 139 adults with mild to moderate plaque and gingivitis, showing a 26.3% reduction in plaque and a 20.4% reduction in gingivitis.
A study reveals how daclatasvir, a hepatitis C drug, targets the NS5A protein and causes rapid viral decline. The research also provides an accurate estimate of the HCV half-life, revealing that the daily viral production is four times larger than previously thought.
Moffitt researchers found that silencing the retinoblastoma gene can regulate the differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells into a more aggressive form. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting these cells in cancer treatment.
A new study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) was more effective than Counseling as Usual (CAU) in reducing days of substance abuse among highly motivated African-American participants. However, lower-motivated participants showed better outcomes with CAU programs.
A recent study by NYU's Michele Shedlin documents food and housing insecurity, lack of adequate healthcare, and the impact of prior violence and current stigma & discrimination on mental and physical health. The research highlights the urgent need for identifying specific health risks experienced by mobile and displaced populations.
Scientists studied cloud formation over various regions and found no significant impact from organic coatings on particle formation rates. This discovery helps reduce uncertainty in climate models and provides a step towards more accurate predictions.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that reduced lung function in infancy is associated with wheezing beyond childhood. The study, which followed participants from birth to age 18, suggests that early airway function and later exposures such as smoking may contribute to the development of obstructive respiratory diseases.
The study demonstrates that EBI-005 binds to its target, IL-1R1, 85-fold more tightly than IL-Ra, providing a 100-fold increase in potency in vivo. Additionally, EBI-005 has been shown to be more thermally stable than IL-1Ra, indicating potential for a room temperature-stable product.
Acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in symptoms and medication use for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Increasing CT screening thresholds could decrease false positive results but may delay cancer diagnosis. The American College of Physicians has released a new tip sheet with these findings.
Research published in BMC Medicine found that caffeine from all sources reduces birth weight and increases pregnancy length by 5 hours per day. Caffeine intake from coffee was associated with an even longer gestational length, increasing risk of small for gestational age at birth by almost a third
A new study by Lund University researchers reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice is causing a significant disturbance to the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This change has far-reaching consequences for the global climate, as plants and oceans absorb half of the carbon dioxide released into the air through human activities.
Researchers have found that immature malaria parasites are significantly less sensitive to artemisinin-based drugs than mature ones. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for malaria and a better understanding of how the parasite develops resistance to drugs.
Researchers developed an artificial brain system that enables robots to learn and understand new sentences containing a new grammatical structure. This technology has the potential to contribute to understanding linguistic malfunctions in Parkinson's disease and improve robots' ability to acquire language knowledge.
A new study projects that global sea-level rise will not be uniform, with certain regions experiencing higher rates of rise. The team used sophisticated computer modeling to show how ice loss from glaciers and ice sheets will impact regional sea levels, particularly in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Researchers are developing stem cell-based transplant technology to recreate complex tissues and organs, with successful trials in trachea, oesophagus and lung transplantation. Experimental attempts also show promise for brain regeneration and treatment of acute refractory lung failure.
A recent study examined the effect of entrepreneurial rhetoric on microlending investment and found that successful entrepreneurs use language to shape investors' perceptions. By avoiding accomplishments-based rhetoric, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of securing funding by eliciting a 'warm-glow' response from lenders.
Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder, receives the 2013 Inamori Ethics Prize for prioritizing people and the planet in his business philosophy. He has promoted sustainable practices throughout his company, including using organic cotton, reducing water footprint, and supporting grassroots environmental organizations.
CSIRO researchers develop a 'solar sponge' that captures CO2 using natural sunlight, then releases it instantly when exposed to UV light. This breakthrough presents an energy-efficient method for recycling CO2 emissions, reducing the need for coal-based energy and conserving up to 30% of power plant production capacity.
Researchers found that raw meat diets met many nutrient requirements for cats, but there were gaps in linoleic acid and arachidonic acid levels. Pet owners may need to supplement with other nutrients, including fat and essential fatty acids. The study highlights the importance of proper nutrition for domestic and exotic felines.
A study found that some organic cheeses in Spain have higher concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) than recommended by the EU. The presence of these toxins has been linked to health risks such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Louisville have identified H1N1 strain variations that hijack the body's immune system. The study found that these variants differ in their ability to fight off infection, with some more severe than others.
A psychiatrist proposes a new subspecialty to address the link between depression and heart disease. Interleukin-6 levels were found to be higher in depressed patients than healthy controls.
A study by the University of Bristol has found that almost half of dog owners reported their pet showing fear signs when exposed to loud noises, but only a quarter considered their pet fearful. The research highlights the importance of early life experience and exposure to specific loud noises in developing fear responses.
Researchers analyzed Boston data and found correlations between alcohol availability, drug possession, and violent crimes. The study aims to help policy makers and police focus resources on areas with higher risk factors for violence.
A Saint Louis University study found that cardiologists often focus on the device's technology rather than its psychosocial impact and long-term risks. As a result, patients may be left unaware of potential anxiety, depression, and changes in body image after ICD implantation.