Richard A. Flavell and Ruslan Medzhitov have been awarded the 2013 Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science for their pioneering work on the fundamental roles of the innate immune system. Their research has led to important insights into immune responses, with implications for various fields of biomedical studies.
Fishing communities in Indonesian Coral Triangle's Karimunjawa National Park have improved their social well-being while reducing reliance on marine biodiversity. The co-management approach has stabilized reef fish biomass and empowered participant communities, ensuring sustainable development.
A randomized controlled trial involving 656 patients found that intra-arterial device-based approach plus standard drug therapy did not improve functional independence after 90 days. Intra-arterial therapy was more effective at removing clots and re-establishing blood flow, but it did not lead to improved disability.
A team of scientists, led by University of Florida researchers, has generated the most comprehensive tree of life on placental mammals, which includes humans. The study reveals that these mammals diversified after the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
A USC study finds that progestin-releasing long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) devices may pose a slight negative impact on metabolic markers, raising the risk for type 2 diabetes in healthy, obese reproductive-age women. The research concludes that LARC appears safe but merits further investigation.
Research in England and Wales reveals a significant reduction in paracetamol overdose deaths due to smaller pack sizes, with a 43% decrease over 11 years. However, the study's authors caution that this trend may not continue if further measures are not taken to limit the death toll.
A molecule called Dickkopf-1 accumulates with age and inhibits the formation of new neurons in the brain. Researchers found that blocking production of Dkk1 can restore youthful levels of neurogenesis and improve memory performance.
A recent study found that soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild TBI have measurable abnormalities in their brains, including 'potholes' in the white matter. These abnormalities are related to the severity of the injury and are correlated with cognitive deficits.
A study found that salmon use the geomagnetic field as a navigational aid, with changes in intensity correlating with their migration route. The results suggest that the fish imprint the magnetic field during their juvenile stage and use it as a proxy for geographic location when returning as adults.
A panel of surgical experts identified 10 symptoms that may indicate complications in colorectal surgical patients, including wound drainage issues, lack of bowel movement, and abdominal swelling. The study aims to provide a standardized warning system for hospital discharge instructions.
A study at the University of Liverpool found that disease risk in ladybirds cannot be predicted without understanding disease dynamics at a small geographical scale. The researchers discovered that differences in mating rates across habitats, driven by food supply, contributed to varying disease outbreak sites.
A team of researchers led by Case Western Reserve University is investigating a new material that can operate at extremely high temperatures without cooling. They aim to develop heat-tolerant electronics with the potential to withstand over 200 degrees Celsius, benefiting industries such as aerospace and automotive.
Researchers at Rutgers Center on Public Security are using a $500,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice to conduct risk terrain modeling research. The approach, called RTM, predicts crime hotspots by analyzing historical data and environmental factors.
Scientists have identified a natural trigger that enables stem cells to develop into different cell types in the body, including liver and brain cells. The discovery of protein Tcf15 could help improve techniques for turning stem cells into other cell types in the laboratory.
Researchers found that minimally invasive delivery of tPA directly into brain clots improved functional recovery in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, reducing hospital stays and costs. Patients who received the active tPA treatment recovered more quickly and independently after a year.
Researchers at UIC will study how young adults use e-cigarettes, snus, and other new tobacco products, seeking to understand their motivations and potential effects on tobacco dependence. The study aims to develop effective ways to convey factual information about alternative tobacco products to young adults.
Astronomers have uncovered a mysterious infant star with strobe-like flashes, revealing insights into the early stages of star formation. The flashes are thought to be caused by periodic interactions between two newly formed stars in a binary system.
A new study reveals that the decline in duck hunting, with annual sales of 'duck stamps' falling by 36%, is resulting in a significant financial loss for conservation efforts. The loss of revenue could have resulted in up to $126 million being invested in habitat conservation, with potentially 42,495 ha of wetlands being made available.
A recent study documents more than 100 species of amphibians and reptiles in Luzon's Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The region's unique biodiversity includes 32 endemic amphibian species and 76 native reptile species.
A new approach by Yale University scientists offers greater control over the three-dimensional structure of molecular compounds, enabling more effective drugs. This breakthrough can lead to the creation of novel piperidine derivatives with improved binding properties.
Researchers warn that molecularly targeted therapies may stunt growth, delay puberty, or increase the risk of diabetes in children. The lack of long-term data on these treatments raises concerns about their use in pediatric patients. Experts recommend using these drugs only in clinical trials to monitor side effects.
A new study found that up to 34% of stroke patients who had their life support withdrawn might have achieved an acceptable level of functioning if support had been continued. The study compared the outcomes of 78 patients whose life support was withdrawn with those of similar patients who remained on life support.
Scientists have determined the most precise dates yet for the dinosaur extinction and a comet or asteroid impact, which occurred around the same time. The revised dates clear up lingering confusion over whether the impact occurred before or after the extinction.
A recent study found that nearly 8% of stroke survivors in the US contemplate suicide, with risk factors including depression, age, and socioeconomic status. Regular screening for suicidal ideation is recommended to address this often-overlooked concern.
Researchers discovered zinc's role in preventing excessive inflammation by interacting with the NF-κB pathway. Zinc deficiency can lead to poor outcomes in sepsis and common colds, but supplementation may help. The study sheds light on how zinc balances the immune response.
The Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received a grant to study gastric cancers and explore the role of interleukin-33 (IL-33) in inflammation and its potential link to gastrointestinal cancers. The research aims to identify more effective treatments for these deadly diseases, which are currently incurable.
A new study reconstructs the common ancestor of placental mammals using 'phylophenomics,' revealing they did not diversify into present-day lineages until after the K-Pg extinction event. The study combines genomic and phenomic data, visualizing a small, insect-eating animal as their common ancestor.
A UT Arlington software engineer has developed a computer testing tool that significantly reduces the time and cost of determining whether a new program works. The Advanced Combinatorial Testing System (ACTS) uses combinatorial testing to test complex systems, such as healthcare information technology.
Researchers have shown that performing an action on one particle can immediately affect another, even if they are separated by vast distances. This has implications for secure communication methods, as entangled photons could enable fast and private data transfer.
A recent study published in Science investigates the stress state on the fault that controls a very large slip during an earthquake. The research found that the present shear stress on the fault is nearly zero, indicating a nearly complete stress change during the earthquake.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving 116,000 participants found no evidence of an association between job strain and overall cancer risk. Stress can cause chronic inflammation, leading to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Chagas disease infects an estimated 10 million people worldwide, causing significant economic burden, including USD $6.7 billion in future healthcare costs in the United States.
A proof-of-concept device that combines a single nitrogen-vacancy centre with an optical resonator and waveguide has been created. The device, described as the 'building block of future quantum networks,' could enable faster computers for certain problems.
Researchers find that broken molecular motors cause stress and anxiety in mice, potentially leading to new anti-anxiety drug candidates. The discovery highlights the critical role of these motors in transporting serotonin receptors, which regulate mood and behavior.
Researchers found that salmon imprint on the magnetic signature of their home river and seek it out during spawning migration. This discovery represents a major new phenomenon in behavioral biology, providing insights into how salmon navigate epic distances.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics discovered a recurring pattern of over 13,000 epigenetic alterations in young mouse tumours, which is partly conserved in human colon carcinoma. This finding may facilitate the identification of novel clinical colon cancer biomarkers for early detection.
Researchers developed a method to identify the cause of infectious disease outbreaks based on online reports and data from ProMED-mail. The findings showed that three-quarters of disease outbreaks formed distinct clusters, and previously unknown outbreaks could be correctly identified 88% of the time.
Researchers tracked 73 subjects with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) to find that about 60% of newborns had visible seizures at the time of stroke, while 43% of older children did. Within two years, 13% of study subjects developed epilepsy, and patients with elevated brain pressure were more likely to experience later seizures.
A recent study published in Neurosurgery found that pregnancy and delivery do not increase the risk of brain aneurysm rupture. In fact, women with unruptured aneurysms have a high rate of cesarean deliveries, which may be unnecessary. The study also suggests that prompt treatment after rupture can help decrease poor outcomes.
Researchers have identified enigmatic protein aggregates in the brains of dementia patients with frontotemporal dementia and ALS. These aggregates are likely damaging and may be a target for therapy, as they are thought to contribute to disease progression.
Scientists successfully demonstrated a new X-ray camera, STORM, that observed charge exchange processes near Earth's magnetosphere. This technology provides insights into the physical process and can help determine space weather in our solar system.
Researchers synthesized a peptide called Tat-beclin 1, which induces autophagy, a recycling process crucial for cell health. Mice treated with the peptide were resistant to several infectious diseases, including West Nile virus and HIV infection.
A new compound developed by scientists at Scripps Research Institute protects heart cells from damage caused by heart attacks. The compound inhibits a specific enzyme, reducing tissue death by up to 34% and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers identified lamin A and lamin B receptor proteins as essential for maintaining gene position in the nucleus. Their absence causes genes to malfunction, leading to heart failure, vascular disease, and muscle wasting. This discovery may lead to new treatments for these diseases.
A new study by Michigan State University found that US citizens spend nearly twice as much time on social networking sites (52 minutes/day) compared to Chinese participants (28 minutes/day). In contrast, Chinese participants rarely use these sites, with only 4% of them using them regularly.
Researchers have developed new methods for controlling magnetic order in magnetoelectric materials using electrical signals, potentially leading to faster and more efficient memories. This breakthrough could also enable the creation of non-binary memories and improved magnetic field sensors.
Researchers from Polytechnic University of Catalonia develop a low-cost electroporation system for cell cultures, reducing stress on cells and costs by up to 90%. The new system enables safer and more efficient gene therapies and molecular biology experiments.
A new study finds that men whose wives earn more income are more likely to use erectile dysfunction medication, while wives who outearn their husbands suffer from insomnia. Humor can also be a double-edged sword in relationships, with some types of humor helping to diffuse tense conflicts and others eliciting negative responses.
A UT Arlington bioengineer has created a hybrid imaging system that uses light and sound to produce accurate images of deep tissue, overcoming the challenge of invasive biopsies. The technology could revolutionize the way doctors examine patients, allowing for non-invasive evaluation of intact tissue with improved depth portrayal.
A team of scientists from the German Cancer Research Center has discovered that silencing Dickkopf-1, a signaling molecule that promotes age-related cognitive decline, leads to increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. This results in improved spatial orientation and memory performance in mice, even in advanced adult age.
Researchers developed an algorithm that can identify last names using Y chromosome data, compromising individual privacy. The study highlights the risk of revealing personal information through genetic data, calling for better encryption techniques and legislation to protect participants' identities.
Scientists describe key details about the structure of transcription factor Oct4, crucial for cellular reprogramming. The study's findings may pave the way for medical applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
Scientists used X-ray beams to trace the uptake of zinc and cerium nanoparticles by soya bean plants. Zinc was found to dissolve and accumulate in the plants, while cerium did not biotransform and reached the plant pods.
A team of researchers has identified six new cryptic species that could serve as a potential biocontrol agent for the invasive Brazilian peppertree in Florida. The discovery highlights the importance of careful identification and assessment to address the complex issue of cryptic species complexes.
The Air Force's Office of Scientific Research has awarded Virginia Tech a $3.5 million award to develop computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes and a supporting hardware-software ecosystem for simulating micro air vehicles (MAVs). The goal is to achieve substantial speed-ups in simulation speed using accelerator-based supercomputers li...
Researchers have found a gene associated with an unusual type of cholesterol that increases the risk of developing aortic stenosis, the most common form of heart valve disease. High levels of Lipoprotein (a) cholesterol are predicted primarily by an individual's genetic make-up.
A new investigational antibiotic cream has demonstrated a high cure rate of 81% for cutaneous leishmaniasis, with only minor reactions reported. The treatment offers a safe and effective option for patients, potentially replacing toxic and painful treatments.
Bt corn has higher yields and uses nitrogen more efficiently due to its healthy root system, leading to increased production and potential changes in management practices. This study demonstrates the benefits of Bt corn beyond rootworm resistance.
A recent study found that minimum alcohol prices increased by 10% resulted in significant reductions in alcohol-related deaths. The decrease was particularly pronounced among heavier drinkers, who reduced their consumption when cheaper drinks became more expensive.
A team of astronomers observed a massive star's mass-loss event about a month before its supernova explosion, providing evidence for a causal link between the two events. The study suggests that predicting such explosions could allow scientists to catch them in action.