Scientists have successfully regenerated sensory hair cells in an adult mammalian ear using a drug, resulting in partial recovery of hearing in mice. The breakthrough holds promise for future therapeutic applications to reverse deafness in humans.
A Type Ia supernova with a redshift of 1.71, dating back 10 billion years, has been detected using the Hubble Space Telescope's data by the Supernova Cosmology Project. This discovery provides valuable insights into the expansion history of the universe and the nature of dark energy.
A team led by Ames Laboratory will develop solutions to domestic shortages of rare earth metals and other critical materials for U.S. energy security. The Critical Materials Institute will bring together top researchers from academia, national labs, and the private sector to find innovative technology solutions.
Children aged 5 and over demonstrate rational decision-making skills when making choices to maximize profits, considering odds of winning and loss. Younger children struggle with similar tasks, exhibiting a 'better safe than sorry' approach that can lead to judgment errors.
Researchers at Caltech and JAMSTEC developed a new fault model that shows stable segments can behave differently during earthquakes, leading to larger events. This challenges current assumptions about seismic hazard in areas like the San Andreas Fault.
A one-year study found that teen-focused text messages addressing realistic lifestyles and behaviors increased motivation for healthier habits. Researchers tested 177 teens, discovering an active voice referencing teens and achievable behaviors were most effective.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has discovered the definitive answer to how insulin binds to cells. This breakthrough could lead to dramatic improvements in treating diabetes, including alternative oral medications and fewer injections per day.
Mount Sinai researchers have developed a playbook for treating fibrotic diseases, which are responsible for 45% of all deaths in the industrialized world. They've identified promising experimental drugs and biomarkers that will facilitate testing of new treatments.
A new study finds that certain blood-pumping video games can increase energy expenditures among inner-city children, meeting moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity guidelines. The study suggests e-gaming might be a useful alternative to traditional physical education for younger school children.
A new study attributes California's high plant species richness to low extinction rates, rather than high speciation rates. The researchers found that features of California's climate and topography have preserved species, allowing them to thrive in the region.
The study found that quartz particles can remove pieces of tooth enamel at extremely low forces, making them a significant contributor to dental microwear. In contrast, fossilized plant remains had a minor effect on tooth surfaces, leaving only cosmetic rubbing marks.
A study found that older brains struggle to filter out unnecessary information, leading to reduced learning and memory capabilities. The researchers discovered a link between the NMDA receptor and long-term depression, which is essential for sculpting memories and eliminating unnecessary information.
Researchers found that drug-resistant melanoma tumors can be controlled by using an on-again, off-again treatment schedule. This approach may prolong the effectiveness of the drug for people with late-stage disease.
A new adhesive, iCMBAs, adheres well in wet environments, has controlled degradability, improved biocompatibility, and lower manufacturing costs. The bioahesives are non-toxic, control inflammation, and can be tailored to degrade over specific periods.
A recent study found that a third of trials with no statistically significant benefit reported on secondary outcomes to influence results. Two-thirds of trials with serious side-effects under-reported them, particularly when the treatment showed a positive outcome. The authors call for improved reporting guidelines.
A new study found that fingolimod, a multiple sclerosis drug, could potentially eliminate or reduce the progression of colitis-associated cancer by decreasing inflammation and blocking key signaling molecules. The researchers used animal models to demonstrate the efficacy of the drug in reducing CAC development and progression.
A study on rhesus macaques found that their social network behavior is influenced by genetics and heritability. Pro-social monkeys with strong networks had greater reproductive success, while aggression had a weaker link to heritability.
Researchers found that adding ferulic acid to white flour dough can transform its taste and smell into a more appetizing version, similar to whole wheat bread. This discovery could help bakers create healthier, more palatable options for consumers.
A new study emphasizes the importance of including infection prevention and control in hospital preparedness plans for flooding. Key findings include the need for cleaning and disinfection, remediation of mold, and post-flood surveillance to prevent outbreaks of flood-related infectious diseases.
Researchers found that embryonic sharks can detect electric fields emitted by potential predators and respond by reducing respiratory movements. This innate avoidance response allows them to recognize dangers and try to escape, even in vulnerable egg cases.
Researchers identified a fusion between FGFR3 and TACC3 genes in human glioblastoma samples, which promoted tumor growth and progression in a mouse model. The fusion protein escaped regulation by miR-99a, indicating its potential as a prognostic marker and drug target for glioblastoma treatment.
Researchers at the University of Tübingen found that spironolactone reduces vascular calcification in klotho-hypomorphic mice, a model for chronic kidney disease. This treatment also increases the life span of these mice. The findings have implications for treating cardiovascular mortality in CKD patients.
A study analyzing national survey data found a biomarker for higher risk of heart and kidney disease in children and adolescents associated with BPA exposure. The study suggests that even low levels of BPA increase oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting protein leakage into the urine.
The Teotihuacan civilization used cosmetics as part of an after-death ritual to honour their city's most important people. The analysis of cosmetic remains found in urns reveals the social status of the deceased, with only high-ranking individuals buried with these products.
Researchers found that living in a caring community can help curb teenage alcohol use, while hanging out with antisocial peers can increase the risk. The study analyzed over 200,000 students and discovered that individual, family, and peer risk factors as well as community protective factors moderately predicted alcohol use.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a new mechanism that regulates neuronal activity in the hippocampus, allowing for efficient learning and memory processing. The study reveals that synapses between different groups of neurons act as 'volume control', maintaining optimal levels of neurotransmission.
A Chinese study of nearly 6,000 people found that passive smoking significantly increases the risk of severe dementia syndromes. The research also found associations between ETS exposure and cognitive impairment in never-smokers, former and current smokers.
A recent study by University of Arizona professor Sudha Ram analyzed the Twitter activity of 12 major news organizations over a six-month period. The research found that articles on Twitter dissipate fairly quickly, with retweeting typically ending between 10 and 72 hours after an article is originally shared. The BBC had the maximum r...
Researchers found that stem cell transplantation significantly extended the lifespan of mice with ALS by 20 days and improved their neuromuscular function by 15 percent. This breakthrough study suggests that stem cells may represent a promising avenue for effective cell-based treatment for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A high-fiber diet, rich in inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), can control prostate cancer progression by inhibiting tumor growth and slowing glucose metabolism. Researchers found that IP6 reduced tumor volumes and slowed glucose metabolism in prostate cancer models.
Researchers at UW and PNNL will collaborate on advanced computer system designs, accelerating data-driven scientific discovery and improving computational modeling and simulation. The institute aims to solve pressing problems like climate change, energy management, and disease determination.
Gemini Observatory's new GeMS system uses Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics to remove atmospheric distortions, increasing field-of-view and image uniformity. This technology enables astronomers to study the universe with unparalleled sharpness, making it a key innovation for future large telescopes.
Seeds from the Indian mahua and sal trees have shown promising thermal efficiency comparable to biodiesel, producing lower emissions of carbon monoxide and waste hydrocarbons. The use of tree seed oils could also provide additional benefits such as lower viscosity and greater volatility.
Scientists have successfully regenerated sound sensing cells in mice with noise-induced deafness, partially reversing their hearing loss. The technique involves inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway to promote hair cell differentiation from surrounding supporting cells.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people judge men's trustworthiness based on face shape and eye color, with brown-eyed faces appearing more trustworthy than blue eyes. The researchers tested various combinations of eye color and face shape to determine which features contributed most to the perception of trustworthiness.
Two ocean-going robots, equipped with acoustic monitoring instruments, detected nine endangered North Atlantic right whales in real-time. The gliders' data helped NOAA establish a dynamic management area, asking mariners to slow their vessel speed to avoid striking the animals.
Researchers created a biophysical model predicting that holes larger than 15-24 nanometers would cause bacterial cells to burst. Experiments validated this theory by measuring holes in lysed bacteria cells with diameters of 22-180 nanometers.
Scientists at the University of Granada have found that only a specific group of cord blood stem cells (CB-SC) maintained in culture are useful for therapeutic purposes. The researchers identified Wharton's jelly stem cells (HWJSC) as the most suitable subgroup, which can develop into several types of tissue and modulate immune responses.
The NTU study found that people with higher levels of education and freethinkers tend to have more positive attitudes, while those who have had higher interpersonal contact with gay men and lesbians are also more accepting. The study showed a small but significant trend toward greater tolerance of homosexuals.
A rapid response science team from the University of Texas at Austin will map the impact of Hurricane Sandy on Long Island's offshore barrier system. The study aims to restore sand and protect coastal residences, estuaries, and ecosystems affected by the storm.
Research in Psychological Science shows that small price differences can increase perceived similarity between options, making choosing less difficult. This effect leads to reduced deferment of choices and increased purchases.
Scientists have developed a software model called TreeMix that compares genetic variants across populations to infer history of population splits and mixtures. This new approach reveals complex relationships among human populations, including interbreeding with wolves in dog breeds.
Researchers are studying filter-feeding whales using multisensor tags, providing insights into their diving and foraging behaviors. The findings show that different whale species have distinct feeding strategies, with some catching elusive prey and others filtering slowly through large patches of water.
Researchers found a small peptide that blocks antibody recognition of desmogleins, improving cell-cell adhesion and preventing skin blistering in pemphigus vulgaris. Additionally, spironolactone reduced vascular calcification in kidney disease mice, increasing their life span. A glioblastoma fusion gene promoted tumor growth and progre...
Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that smaller radiation fields can be safely used to treat glioblastoma patients without compromising treatment efficacy. This study suggests that focusing radiation on smaller areas of the brain may help preserve cognition and reduce symptoms associated with radiation toxicity.
Researchers created a genomic sequencing test, 'PapGene', using cervical fluid from routine Pap tests to detect ovarian and endometrial cancers with high accuracy. The test distinguished cancerous DNA from normal DNA, detecting both early and late-stage diseases.
Exposure to environmental toxins can cause chronic health problems like respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and neuropsychiatric disorders in children. Unique risk factors include their small size, developmental stage, and habit of putting things in their mouths.
Researchers have found a novel approach to treating hypoxic solid tumors by using sickle-shaped red blood cells to target and destroy tumor cells and surrounding blood vessels. The sickle cells' unique properties allow them to block tumor blood supply and release toxic residues that promote tumor cell death.
A UK-wide clinical trial has identified a treatment approach that significantly reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with membranous nephropathy. The study, published in The Lancet, recommends alternating monthly cycles of prednisolone and chlorambucil as the most effective treatment for this common type of kidney disease.
The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center has received a $36 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to fund its research programs and clinical trials. The center's excellence in laboratory, clinical, and population-based research was recognized by the NCI.
A Moffitt study found Hispanics are nearly twice as likely to avoid cancer screenings due to fears and mistrust of medical professionals. The researchers suggest improving communication and building trust with patients is crucial for increasing screening rates, particularly among Hispanic and lower-income minorities.
A study by George Washington University researchers found that habitually barefoot people in Kenya vary their foot strike patterns based on speed and running surface firmness, contradicting the long-held notion of a forefoot-first strike. The study's results have implications for our understanding of human ancestors' running gaits.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a way to deploy sickle-shaped red blood cells to fight cancer tumors by exploiting their ability to adhere to and block the blood vessels surrounding hypoxic tumors. The treatment causes tumor cell death through oxidative stress, resulting in delayed tumor growth.
Researchers discovered that firebugs and cotton stainers rely on symbiotic bacteria to thrive on Malvaceous plant seeds. The bacterial community helps provide essential nutrients and detoxify toxic chemicals, making it a key factor in the bugs' survival and success.
A new algorithm for message dissemination in decentralized networks is faster and deterministic, guaranteeing delivery to all nodes. The algorithm's efficiency relies on the collective action of nodes performing simple local tasks, emerging into a global behavior.
Research from the University of Missouri found online discussion boards provide safe environments for mothers to anonymously express child-rearing concerns. Common topics include feeding, sleep, development, discipline, and mother-child relationships.
Research by Rodger Thompson finds that a popular dark energy alternative does not fit newly obtained data on the proton to electron mass ratio. This impact our understanding of the universe's accelerating expansion and point to a new direction for further study, potentially leading to a return to Einstein's General Relativity.
A University of Illinois study highlights the importance of openness, positivity, assurances, shared tasks, and a shared social network in maintaining healthy relationships. Practicing these strategies can lead to increased satisfaction, commitment, and love throughout a relationship.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded grants to 40 scientists and engineers for basic research in science and engineering. The recipients will focus on various areas including aerospace, materials sciences, and life sciences.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is intensifying as it moves southwest paralleling the Western Australian coastline, according to NASA satellite imagery. The cyclone is expected to strengthen over the next two days, bringing gales with gusts of up to 100 kph and heavy rainfall along the Pilbara coastline.