Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new brain circuit controlling whisker movements in newborn mice. The circuit reveals how motor neurons integrate inputs from the LPGi region of the brainstem to enable voluntary whisking behaviors, shedding light on neural control of finger movements in humans.
Researchers at Syracuse University studied nanoparticle toxicity, finding that shape and charge modifications can alter chemical interactions with cell membranes. The study highlights the need for safe handling procedures in nanomanufacturing and nano-biotechnology.
Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg have discovered a new species of ancient fox, Vulpes Skinneri, from the Malapa site. The fossils, which date back two million years, show distinct differences from existing fox species and provide insight into the evolution of modern African mammals.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched two new schemes to support industrial biotechnology and bioenergy research in the UK. The funding will create networks and collaborative research between academia and industry, fostering sustainable economic growth and new 'green collar' jobs.
A team of scientists has discovered that magma can form at depths of up to 250 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, a finding that challenges existing theories and sheds new light on the planet's inner workings. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's geophysical and geochemical properties.
Researchers found that estrogen levels can affect infection susceptibility, bladder health and the inflammatory response to infection in mice with simulated menopause. Boosting estrogen levels may get a second look as an approach for reducing urinary tract infections in menopausal women.
A study by CNIO researchers discovered that caloric restriction increases telomere length in adult mice, leading to a lower incidence of cancer and age-related illnesses. The study also found that mice on reduced diets lived up to 20% longer than those with normal diets.
A study reveals that radiotherapy services are insufficiently equipped in 10 European countries to meet the growing demand for treatment, with Nordic countries and Belgium being well-equipped. The authors suggest further investigation into optimizing efficiency to address fragmentation of radiotherapy services.
Women with NTM infections show a weaker immune response linked to their body fat levels. The study also found that tall and thin individuals share characteristics with Marfan syndrome, suggesting a genetic link to increased susceptibility.
Tropical Storm Oswald brought extreme rainfall to northern Queensland, with NASA's TRMM satellite measuring over 600mm of rain in some areas. The storm caused severe flooding, cutting off communities and forcing travelers to cancel plans.
A study by Kevin D. Bradford and his team examined 28 thousand pages of court documents to understand how guns move from legal channels into the hands of criminals. They found that one percent of gun dealers are responsible for 45 to 60 percent of guns involved in crimes, highlighting the need for more vigilance over gun distribution.
A recent study found that free clinics significantly reduced non-emergency emergency department visits among uninsured patients. The research, conducted in Virginia, analyzed records of 52,010 individual uninsured patients who visited five hospitals' emergency departments over three years.
The Solar Coronal Imager (Hi-C) has provided a major piece of the solar corona puzzle by capturing images of magnetic reconnection. This complex process heats the corona to temperatures up to 7 million degrees F, powered by magnetic fields that constantly warp and collide in bursts of energy.
The CSIC has reconstructed the brain of an ampelosaur in 3D using its fossilized skull, showing a small brain and inner ear. The research suggests that sauropods may not have favored increased brain size during evolution.
The NIH panel suggests renaming PCOS due to its association with ovarian cysts, which is neither necessary nor sufficient to diagnose the condition. The new name will enhance recognition of the disorder and facilitate expansion of research support.
Researchers at Duke University developed a method to control the crumpling and unfolding of large-area graphene films, enabling the creation of artificial muscles with unprecedented properties. The controlled crumpling allows for tunable transparency and opacity, as well as contraction and relaxation on demand.
Scientists at ORNL developed a high-performance, nanostructured solid electrolyte for more energy-dense lithium ion batteries, overcoming safety concerns and size constraints. The ability to use pure lithium metal as an anode could yield batteries five to ten times more powerful than current versions.
Researchers have identified a link between SNPs associated with breast cancer risk and the binding affinity of pioneer factor FOXA1. The study found that most risk-associated SNPs modulate FOXA1 binding, which is crucial for chromatin opening and transcription factor recruitment.
An Arizona State University graduate student is building an infrared and visible light camera system for a nanosatellite. The camera will guide the satellite's trajectory during its flight in low-Earth orbit.
A new USC study found that the brain works hard to understand those with different bodies when watching them in action. Increased visual exposure improves understanding and can alleviate stigma. Individuals with higher empathy levels showed more activity in motor regions when observing actions made by residual limbs.
A team of researchers found that an inner layer of tissue in the branching roots is sensitive to salt and activates Abscisic Acid, which stops root growth. This study provides new insights into how plants cope with stressful environments and could lead to the development of salt-resistant crops.
A study suggests that plain packaging of tobacco products could lead to a decline in smoking rates, with estimates indicating a reduction of one percentage point among adults and three percentage points among children. The researchers relied on the expertise of international tobacco control specialists to predict the impact of generic ...
A UK study found that attitudes towards speed among learner drivers are a significant predictor of unsafe driving behavior once they become licensed. The research suggests that focusing on technical skills alone may not be enough to ensure road safety, and instead, efforts should be made to develop safer driving attitudes from the begi...
A Kansas State University doctoral student has received a USDA grant to research the relationship between the tomato spotted wilt virus and its vector, the western flower thrip. The goal is to develop a genetic tool to silence the thrip's protective genes, potentially stopping the disease's transmission.
A recent study found that only 22% of participants who reported certain triggers developed a migraine attack after exposure. The research suggests that people may no longer need to avoid suspected triggers if they don't experience a headache episode within three months.
Researchers identified several inherited mutations in genes linked to severe syndromes that also cause autism, including AMT, PEX7, and SYNE1. These milder mutations seemed to cause brain-specific disease, offering new insights into the genetic causes of autism.
Research at the University of Missouri found that certain exercises benefit obese men but not women with Type 2 diabetes. Obese women may require longer or higher-intensity exercise programs to see similar improvements in cardiovascular function.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that taking smaller bites outweighs the tendency to eat more when distracted. Researchers discovered that participants who ate pre-specified small sips of soup consumed about 30% less soup than those who didn't have a set size limit.
Researchers developed a new method to predict individual patient's brain tumor growth, enabling physicians to rapidly identify effective therapies. The approach accounts for tumor features such as shape, density, and growth rate, allowing clinicians to distinguish between patients with different tumor characteristics.
Researchers found that lung and head and neck cancer patients who quit smoking before surgery had significantly lower relapse rates compared to those who smoked during the week prior to surgery. The study also identified factors such as high fears regarding cancer recurrence, depression, and low belief in quitting abilities as predicto...
A new study led by Robert G. Hawley may help predict which patients with multiple myeloma will respond better to certain treatments. The researchers discovered a test that can detect tumor-propagating cells, which are responsible for disease relapse.
New research from the NEEM project in Greenland reveals that the Eemian period was around 8 degrees C warmer than today, with global sea levels four to eight meters higher. The ice sheet was less than half the total sea-level rise during this period.
Scientists used a robotic device to gather samples of 1 billion microbes every four hours, creating a time-lapse montage of their daily labors over two days. The study reveals synchronized metabolic gene expression among nonphotosynthetic microbes in response to environmental changes.
A clinical trial to evaluate cyclodextrin as a potential treatment for Niemann-Pick disease type C1 has begun at the NIH Clinical Center. The disease, caused by cholesterol accumulation in cells, leads to progressive impairment of motor and intellectual function.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego discover that blocking digestive enzymes can reverse shock, reduce organ damage, and increase survival rates in animals. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, provides novel insights into the mechanism of multiorgan failure and death.
Researchers found that combining PI3K inhibitors with anti-HER2 therapy can prolong treatment effectiveness by targeting the PI3K pathway, which activates anti-death protein survivin. High levels of survivin correlate with resistance to therapy, suggesting its measurement could predict treatment outcomes.
The researchers developed elastic, self-healing wires with a liquid-metal core and polymer sheath that reconnect at the molecular level after being severed. This technology has potential for use in technologies exposed to high-stress environments, such as reconfigurable circuit wiring and 3D microfluidics.
Two new studies identify inherited genetic mutations linked to autism spectrum disorders, suggesting that 5% of autism risk is due to complete gene function disruption. Researchers also found partial loss of gene function and variability in autism severity despite similar genetic mutations.
Scientists have developed a new and more efficient way to make paliperidone, a widely used medication for severe mental illness, reducing solvent use and increasing yield.
A new study found that doctors' judgments alone are insufficient to accurately diagnose cases of pneumonia. The researchers analyzed 2,810 patients and concluded that a majority of radiographically confirmed cases were not identified through initial assessments.
The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Philadelphia children has increased by 29 percent over the past two decades, with black children ages 0-4 years at highest risk. The rapidly rising risk requires immediate attention due to often-delayed diagnosis and high mortality rates.
Research published in the Journal of Dental Research shows that beta-catenin is crucial for odontoblast cell differentiation and root development. Tissue-specific inactivation of beta-catenin in developing odontoblasts resulted in molars lacking roots and thin incisors.
A new study from the University of Otago found that consuming seven to eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day can improve mood and overall wellbeing in young adults. The research suggests a strong relationship between positive emotions and higher fruit and vegetable consumption, with no significant impact on other foods.
Researchers found carbon dioxide to be an effective tool in repelling fish from an area, with all four species tested showing the same response. This non-physical barrier could complement electric fences and increase the likelihood of stopping invasive Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan.
A new biometric approach using kneecap scans could identify individuals with accuracy of up to 93%. This method avoids health risks and privacy issues associated with other biometrics.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania has found that owl monkeys who stay with one partner produce 25% more offspring per decade than those who switch partners. This finding suggests that long-term monogamy and pair-bonding can improve reproductive fitness in certain individuals.
Corals produce pigments that act as sunscreens for their symbiotic algae, removing harmful light and allowing the algae to photosynthesize. This mechanism helps corals survive in shallow water where sunlight can be detrimental to algae and hosts alike.
A new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that sex is rated as highly arousing and pleasurable regardless of condom and lubricant use. The research, led by Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, reveals few differences between men and women in their ratings of sexual quality with or without these products.
Scientists recommend measures to adapt Santiago to climate change, including a monitoring system, green areas, and cooling roofs for low-income households. The city is expected to experience an increase in extreme heat and floods by 2050 due to rising temperatures and decreased precipitation.
A study by UMass Chan Medical School scientists has discovered that the retrovirus HERV-H is extremely active in human embryonic stem cells, making up to 2% of total RNA. This finding may aid in the development of induced pluripotent stem cell technology and transform current stem cell therapies.
A new ethical framework is needed to balance patient protection with data collection for learning health care systems, say experts. The proposed framework outlines seven obligations to ensure patients' rights and dignity while fostering clinical learning.
Research highlights the adverse effects of plastics on human health, including endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA and DEHP. Biodegradable plastics are not without risk, while recycling poses environmental challenges.
The new book, Navigating Life with a Brain Tumor, offers comprehensive guidance on managing brain tumors, including treatment options, side effects, and coping strategies. Written by neuro-oncologists from Mayo Clinic and Tufts Medical Center, the book aims to empower patients to be active participants in their care.
Modified Nutrition Facts labels can improve accuracy in measuring calories and nutrient content, especially for products with two servings per container. Dual-column and single-large serving formats showed significant improvements in consumers' ability to assess nutrition information.
Female smokers have seen a significant rise in the risk of death from lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) in recent years, with a 25.7 times higher risk than never-smokers. This increase is largely attributed to changing smoking patterns, where women now smoke more like men, starting earlier and consuming more cigar...
Researchers at the University of Hawaii's International Pacific Research Center have made a breakthrough in predicting Asian summer monsoon rainfall and tropical storm activity. By analyzing fluctuations in the western Pacific Subtropical High, they achieved substantially improved skills in forecasting these weather phenomena.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College found that less than half of black patients with uncontrolled hypertension were prescribed a diuretic drug, despite its proven benefits and low cost. The study highlights the need for physicians to follow established guidelines and prescribe diuretics as recommended for this population.
A new study of Vietnam veterans with combat-related brain injuries reveals significant overlap between general and emotional intelligence. The study found that specific brain regions, including the frontal cortex and parietal cortex, contribute to both general and emotional intelligence.
Researchers at LSUHSC have identified a new therapeutic target to block the function of Her2, a gene that promotes breast cancer progression and spread. The study also found that a novel protein called Nischarin regulates breast cancer cell migration and movement.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have engineered key immune cells to resist HIV infection by inactivating a receptor gene and inserting additional anti-HIV genes. The new approach, known as 'stacking,' provides multiple layers of protection against the virus and could potentially replace drug treatment.