A new Penn study found no evidence to support concerns that abnormal disease proteins are infectious and can be transmitted from one person to another. Researchers analyzed data from a cohort of patients who received human growth hormone therapy and found no cases of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have developed an experimental molecular therapy that crosses the blood-brain barrier to reverse neurological lysosomal storage disease in mice. The therapy uses a modified enzyme called IDUAe1, which penetrates the blood-brain barrier and delivers large-molecule therapeutic agents to treat brain diseases.
A systematic review assesses the reliability of global mapping of infectious diseases, finding that only a small percentage have been mapped reliably. The study suggests using novel solutions like crowdsourcing to gather data, such as analyzing Twitter messages about disease.
A study found that physical manifestations of shame in recovering alcoholics can predict relapse, with those displaying greater shame behaviors more likely to relapse and experience worsening health.
Researchers discovered a specific B lymphocyte marker that indicates the onset of cGVHD, a devastating syndrome where the patient's tissues are attacked by transplanted immune cells. This easily measured marker could help guide new therapies to mitigate or prevent cGVHD, which affects half of all bone marrow transplant procedures.
Polar bears face an imminent threat from rapid Arctic ecosystem changes, which could lead to population declines of up to 50%. Governments must develop conservation plans to mitigate the effects of climate change. The authors' study suggests that a single severe ice year could erase half of a polar bear population in a single year.
Regular sunlight exposure is linked to lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in older women due to increased production of vitamin D. However, younger women who cover up with sunscreen may not experience the same protective benefits, according to a large-scale study.
Research confirms that professional string players typically possess independent FDS function in their small fingers. This suggests that proper instruction or specialized training may be beneficial for young students to address potential technique issues, rather than simply advising them to practice more.
Experts at Newcastle University have discovered a way to convert CO2 into harmless calcium or magnesium carbonate using Nickel nanoparticles. This process has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from industries such as power stations and chemical processing plants.
Researchers analyzed lake sediment to reconstruct climate patterns in Nicaragua during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age. The study found that factors currently producing drier climates resulted in wetter conditions a few hundred years ago.
The conference focuses on rapidly growing fields of interest in gastrointestinal disciplines, including epithelial biology and gut microbial ecology. Scientists will explore translation of basic findings to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal cancer.
Researchers investigate how plants sense gravity and respond to it, with a focus on genetics and the cytoskeleton's role in directing cell growth. Recent genetic studies reveal potential mechanisms for regulating actin and auxin distribution.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reveals that men and women share a significant number of psychological traits, with most characteristics falling along a linear gradation for both genders. The authors conclude that traditional gender categories are not as rigid as stereotypes suggest.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to significant declines in suitable climates for many bird species, requiring enhanced protection and management of key sites. Conservation efforts will need to adapt to assist birds in moving to climatically suitable areas, with some species facing relocation in extreme cases.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute used sophisticated computer modeling and biotechnology to target ROS production in E. coli, rendering the bacteria more susceptible to existing antibiotics. The study provides a promising approach to boost the global antibiotic arsenal against deadly superbugs like tuberculosis.
A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health found that sedentary TV viewing can nearly halve sperm counts, while moderate to vigorous exercise may boost them. Men who watched more than 20 hours of TV weekly had a 44% lower sperm count, while those who exercised for 15 or more hours weekly had a 73% higher sperm count.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that DNA transcription produces mRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) pairs, which are transcribed coordinately as stem cells differentiate into other cell types. The finding could redefine our understanding of gene organization and regulation.
A phase 1 clinical trial found that high-dose Vorinostat, combined with standard chemotherapy, was effective in treating relapsed lymphomas, particularly Hodgkin and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The study resulted in a 70% response rate, including complete responses in some patients.
A study by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus researcher Christopher Sibona found that 40% of people would avoid someone who unfriended them in real life. The factors predicting avoidance include the person's emotional response, geographical distance, and the strength of the relationship before the unfriending.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that patients who use a web-based risk appraisal tool are more likely to have important family history documented, leading to better cancer screening and reduced mortality. The tool may help increase communication between physicians and patients about their risk factors.
Researchers successfully measure and block a previously unstudied enzyme to stop the virus from replicating, potentially leading to a cure for patients. The breakthrough, which was aided by advances in HIV research, may lead to new hepatitis B drugs that can suppress the virus far enough to cure patients.
Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered a new way to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in children. By boosting the accumulation of T cells and selectively attracting regulatory T cells, they aim to reduce inflammation and fight infection.
Edmund Clarke, a pioneer in Model Checking, to receive the 2013 Einstein Professorship for strengthening exchanges between Western and Chinese scientists. The program enhances training of future generations of Chinese scientists through lectures, workshops, and interactions.
Two wasp species have been recorded as parasitoids of ant-eating spiders. The parasitic behavior involves the wasps attacking and using the spider's juvenile as food for their own development. This study highlights the unique relationship between these wasp species and the ant-eating spider, Zodarion styliferum.
Researchers at ASU are collaborating with clinicians at Phoenix Children's Hospital to develop biomarkers for nervous system disorders and a personalized vaccine for malignant brain tumors. They aim to translate pre-clinical results into safe and efficient clinical studies.
A Penn study found that patients' end-of-life care preferences are heavily influenced by default options, with most preferring comfort-oriented care. The research suggests that clinicians should be aware of this phenomenon when recommending advance directives to their patients.
A study by New York University sociologist David Greenberg found no significant link between CompStat and reduced crime rates in NYC. Despite a decline in felony crimes, the analysis showed no association between misdemeanor arrests and violent or property crime rates.
A comprehensive analysis found children with autism are 5 times more likely to have feeding problems, including tantrums and severe food selectivity. The study also showed lower intake of calcium and protein, and a higher number of nutritional deficits among these children.
Red tide alerts have been added to Beach Hazards Statements by NOAA, providing public warnings for moderate or high respiratory impacts and environmental threats in southwest Florida. The new service aims to broaden awareness about harmful algal blooms and their potential impacts on human health.
Researchers found that mixing different cover crops can increase dry matter biomass by up to 25% while reducing weed suppression needs. This long-term study supports the use of legume-rye mixes for optimal results in commercial organic production systems.
The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment made a significant impact on health policy by providing critical evidence for policymakers considering Medicaid expansions. The study found that enrollment in Medicaid substantially increased health care use, reduced financial strain, and improved self-reported health and well-being.
Researchers at King's College London have developed an injection-free vaccine technique that uses dried live vaccines delivered to the skin without needles, offering a potential solution to global vaccine challenges. The technique has been shown to be effective in inducing immune responses comparable to traditional needle-based methods.
A study found that a biomarker based on brain activity in the visual cortex can predict response to scopolamine, an experimental rapid-acting antidepressant. Patients with depression showed lower visual cortex activity, which correlated with treatment response.
A new study in PNAS challenges the long-held theory that Neanderthals persisted in southern Iberia alongside modern humans. Researchers used a novel radiocarbon dating technique to date bone samples from two sites, finding that Neanderthal occupation occurred approximately 45,000 years ago, rather than later than previously thought.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that insect grooming, particularly antennal cleaning, helps maintain sharp olfactory senses. Grooming removes both environmental pollutants and chemicals produced by insects themselves, enabling them to detect food, danger, and potential mates effectively.
Researchers found that passenger mutations can slow or halt tumor growth when they accumulate. These deleterious mutations can tip the balance in favor of their effects, leading to reduced cell fitness. The study suggests a new approach to treating cancer by enhancing the impact of these mutations.
Researchers identified seven gene variants associated with human longevity, including deletions and duplications that impact alternative splicing. These variations may provide protection against diseases, allowing individuals to live longer.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found high rates of vision problems in both military and civilian patients with TBI, including difficulty reading and light sensitivity. Comprehensive eye examinations are recommended following even mild traumatic brain injury.
The BARREL mission uses balloons to collect data on radiation belt particles, complementing NASA's Van Allen Probes. The team tracks particle movement and behavior, aiming to understand where radiation escapes the belts.
Low-income adults with poor mental health are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as binge drinking and smoking. The study found that symptoms of depression and anxiety, rather than unhealthy behaviors, predict later levels of these health-compromising actions.
A new map created by Japanese researchers helps identify high-rise buildings in the Osaka Basin vulnerable to long-period strong ground motions that last minutes. The map provides useful information for engineers to design earthquake-resistant buildings.
Researchers at UCLA's Pediatric Medical Home will study ways to reduce preventable hospital admissions and emergency room use among children with medically complex illness, aiming to decrease healthcare expenditures. The study will analyze root causes of preventable hospitalizations and design cost-saving strategies.
Researchers at Columbia University and Georgia Institute of Technology found that certain volatile organic gases can enhance aerosol activity, promoting cloud droplet formation. This discovery will improve climate modeling by incorporating gas-phase surfactants into cloud formation models.
Cyclone Felleng formed over the Mozambique Channel and transitioned into a cold core low pressure area, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing its rainfall rates. The storm dissipated in the next couple of days as it moved south-southeast in the open waters of the Southern Indian Ocean.
A new study from McGill University reveals that the DCC receptor is essential for normal synaptic function and plasticity, leading to progressive degeneration of synapses and defects in memory formation. The absence of DCC leads to memory loss similar to Dr. Brenda Milner's famous subject HM.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered an antibody that can inhibit the growth of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells resistant to other treatments. The antibody targets KIT receptor mutations, stimulating immune cells to kill rogue cells.
A new TB vaccine, MVA85A, did not offer extra protection against TB in South African infants who had already received the BCG vaccine. The vaccine induced modest immune responses, but these were insufficient to protect against the disease. Further research is needed to understand why this was the case.
Climate change affects human health, prompting physicians to take action; doctors can lobby governments, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and clinical waste. Immediate wise action is necessary to mitigate disastrous consequences.
Researchers have identified multiple brain regions responsible for generating fear and panic, including the amygdala, brainstem, diencephalon, and insular cortex. The findings suggest that an intact amygdala normally inhibits panic, and its absence can lead to anxiety-related conditions.
Researchers have identified plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as a key producer of type I interferons in lupus, which can be targeted to prevent autoimmunity. Blocking this pathway may offer a potent weapon against the disease.
Research suggests that meerkat predator-scanning behaviour is driven by a desire to protect the group rather than personal safety. When young pups are present, adult meerkats exhibit increased vigilance and sentinel behaviour, indicating a strong sense of cooperation and altruism.
A large study of over 388,000 participants found that high supplemental calcium intake was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease death in men, while dietary calcium intake had no such effect. The study suggests that sex may play a role in the cardiovascular effects of calcium supplements.
Researchers discovered nitric oxide inhibits ERK1/2 signaling pathway, shutting down brain's ability to self-repair after stroke. The study found that excessive nitric oxide production contributes to the severity of stroke and other neurological disorders.
Researchers found that Arabidopsis thaliana plants exhibit genetic traits from older generations, contradicting Mendelian inheritance. New experiments support these findings, providing evidence for novel DNA-based genetic phenomena and implications for plant biology and agriculture.
Researchers found that providing tangible assistance to others significantly reduced mortality rates among the helpers, buffering the negative effects of stress. The study's findings contradict previous research, which failed to establish similar benefits for recipients of social support.
A new therapy called an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) has been developed by researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center, which partially corrects gene and protein expression and rescues hearing and balance in a mouse model of Usher syndrome. This breakthrough suggests the potential for treating deafness and balance disorders.
A study published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics found that 10-15% of people experiencing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) will suffer full strokes within three months. Rapid evaluation and treatment can reduce the risk of subsequent strokes by up to 80%.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that Mary Ingalls likely suffered from viral meningoencephalitis, which caused her blindness, rather than scarlet fever. The study analyzed historical records and Laura Ingalls' memoirs to reach this conclusion.
Decision aids are being reevaluated to determine when it's acceptable to provide a
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified progenitor cells in taste tissue that can differentiate into functional taste cells, potentially helping treat clinical taste dysfunction. The discovery opens up new areas for studying taste cell renewal and contributes to stem cell biology.