Two University of Iowa researchers have answered a long-standing question about the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. They found that electrons can gain energy inside the belts through local acceleration in the heart of the radiation belts. The discovery was made using measurements from NASA's twin Van Allen Probes mission satellites.
Astronomers have observed the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253) producing an outflow of molecular gas, curtailing its ability to form new stars. The galaxy's starburst region is shedding massive amounts of gas, with a total mass estimated to be nine times that of our Sun each year.
Researchers found that rapamycin increased longevity in mice by reducing cancer rates and improving memory and spatial learning. However, the drug had limited effects on age-related symptoms such as cardiovascular function, muscle mass, and balance. The study suggests that rapamycin may be useful for treating some age-related conditions.
The Sackler Institute aims to advance understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and develop innovative treatments through collaboration across King's and other research networks. The new institute will foster interdisciplinary training and translation of findings into patient care.
Researchers have discovered that adenosine therapy can reduce seizures and slow the progression of epilepsy by targeting epigenetic changes in the brain. By delivering adenosine directly to the brain, scientists were able to reverse DNA hypermethylation, which is a key factor in the development of epilepsy.
A team of physicists has successfully demonstrated magnetism within a single molecule. By applying voltage, researchers were able to switch the magnetic state on and off, reproducing elementary physics in a single molecule. This discovery provides new insights into magnetism as an elementary phenomenon of physics.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that lunar cycles affect human sleep quality. The research revealed a significant drop in brain activity related to deep sleep around full moon, with participants also reporting poorer sleep quality and lower melatonin levels.
The Collaborative Assessment and Recommendation Engine (CARE) system uses electronic medical records to offer rapid advances in personalized health care, disease management, and wellness. CARE generates personalized disease risk profiles based on collaborative filtering method and Big Data science.
Scientists have identified an internal electron accelerator operating within the Van Allen radiation belts, causing sudden and unpredictable changes. The research paves the way for predicting hazardous space weather and preparing satellite operators for intense space storms.
Women with acute ischemic strokes are less likely to arrive at the hospital in time for best treatment, with women arriving an average of 27 minutes later than men. Despite this, researchers found no gender gap once patients arrived within four hours of symptoms onset.
Scientists at RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics implanted false memories into mice, revealing the mechanisms underlying human false memory formation. The study found that false memories can be reconstructed and activated like genuine ones, with similar brain responses.
Researchers discovered a function of PTEN that helps explain why certain therapies fail in many cancer patients. The finding increases understanding of molecular mechanisms and provides clues for individualizing therapy for patients with PTEN-deficient tumors.
Research suggests that humans still respond to lunar cycles, influencing sleep patterns even when unaware of the moon phase. Studies show decreased deep sleep, slower sleep onset, and lower melatonin levels around full moon.
A recent study found that over 90% of dementia cases in China are undiagnosed, with a high level of undiagnosed dementia in rural areas. The study highlights the need for improved mental health education targeting high-risk populations to increase diagnosis rates.
Researchers in Canada found that funding from the pharmaceutical industry significantly decreased EGFR mutation testing after it was discontinued. The Canadian healthcare system lacked resources for implementing a national policy, leading to a substantial drop in test requests.
Research published in BMJ Open suggests that ACE inhibitors slow cognitive decline typical of dementia, even boosting brain power in patients. Compared to those not taking these drugs, patients on ACE inhibitors experienced marginally slower rates of cognitive decline.
Scientists have discovered a massive particle accelerator in the heart of the Van Allen radiation belts, accelerating particles to over 99% the speed of light. Local energy sources within the belts cause the acceleration, like a perfectly timed push on a moving swing.
Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, respond to neurological trauma by changing shape and forming scars that can either repair or hinder brain function. The study identified proteins controlling this process, revealing a complex mechanism involved.
A study has identified two networked groupings from 26 genes associated with autism that are overexpressed in the cerebellar cortex. The findings suggest specific brain regions implicated in pathology and complement genomic and neuroimaging analyses to obtain a broader picture of the autistic brain.
Scientists have advanced knowledge of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts by determining that electrons can gain energy inside the belts. The researchers used NASA's twin Van Allen Probes mission satellites to examine two possibilities and found that local acceleration occurs in the heart of the radiation belts.
Scientists discovered a massive particle accelerator in the heart of the Van Allen radiation belts using NASA's Van Allen Probes mission. The acceleration energy is found within the belts themselves, helping to improve predictions of space weather and satellite safety.
A Miriam Hospital researcher joins an international panel to issue first-of-its-kind recommendations for treating hepatitis C in people who inject drugs. The guidelines present evidence-based strategies for improving assessment and treatment, which could dramatically reduce the burden of liver disease worldwide.
Researchers from Mexico provide a mathematical model that accurately depicts Usain Bolt's record-breaking 100m sprint time, revealing a terminal velocity of 12.2 meters per second and average force of 815.8 newtons. The study highlights the challenges of overcoming air resistance and drag, showcasing Bolt's remarkable power output.
A new study explores how 'Energy Theater' helps learners understand complex physics ideas, including energy flow and conservation. The activity allows students to personify energy and visualize its changes in a dynamic system.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new method to measure the optical gain of MEH-PPV, a low-cost polymer that can amplify light. The new approach uses extremely short laser pulses, reducing thermal degradation and providing more accurate results.
A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that obese kidney failure patients who receive a kidney transplant can live longer than non-obese patients. The survival benefit is lower for severely obese individuals, but improved early post-transplant care may help mitigate this risk.
Scientists at Cancer Research UK have discovered a new molecule that prevents cancer cells from responding to low oxygen levels, targeting the master switch HIF-1. The researchers developed this approach using synthetic biology and testing over 3.2 million potential compounds.
Researchers from UNIGE have successfully entangled two optic fibers populated by 500 photons, surviving on a macroscopic level. The phenomenon demonstrates that larger elements can retain their quantum properties, despite interactions with the surrounding environment.
A multicenter clinical trial found daily omega fatty acid supplementation to be effective in improving ocular irritation symptoms and halting inflammation progression in moderate to severe dry eye patients. HydroEye clearly had a positive impact on these patients, providing safe and cost-effective relief.
Scientists have long puzzled over how plants set and maintain the angle of their lateral branches. The mechanism, driven by auxin hormone, counteracts gravity-sensitive growth to sustain a non-vertical angle of growth, known as the gravitropic set-point angle.
Researchers have found that supporting cells in the inner ear can actively help repair damaged sensory hair cells, potentially offering a pathway to prevent hearing loss. The study suggests that these cells produce heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which protects neighboring hair cells from death.
Researchers fitted homing pigeons with GPS loggers to study their navigation. The results showed that satiated pigeons flew directly to their home loft, while hungry pigeons flew to a nearby food loft, indicating they have a type of cognitive navigational map in their heads
A new study found that Cinderella teams in the NCAA Men's Final Four have a 35 percent larger TV audience than powerhouse schools. This translates to an additional 3 million viewers for semifinal games and 4.5 million for championship games.
A new study projects a 56% drop in Oregon's peak snowpack by mid-century, with significant impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and hydropower. The study highlights the risks facing low-elevation, mountainous regions where snow often falls near freezing temperatures.
Researchers found that the presence of stationary power plants at synapses controls the stability of nerve signal strength, while rapid mitochondrial movement causes fluctuating signals. This discovery may advance our understanding of human neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
IDRI's VL vaccine candidate has shown safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers, and Zydus' expertise will be crucial in getting the vaccine to those who need it most. The partnership aims to make the vaccine affordable and accessible to all people in need, particularly in endemic countries.
A new analysis of 47 MERS cases in Saudi Arabia found that most patients had underlying medical conditions and succumbed to the disease. In contrast to SARS, MERS appeared more deadly, with a 60% mortality rate among those with co-existing chronic illnesses.
A new study reveals that pressure ulcers in children are more common than previously thought, with medical devices such as facemasks and pulse oximeters identified as major contributors. Cincinnati Children's researchers developed a quality improvement initiative that reduced pressure ulcers by 50 percent.
Researchers developed a computer algorithm that can infer the rules of complex systems by analyzing intermittent samples. By looking at relative changes in population updates, they uncovered an invariant geometry that relates to the hidden reactions driving the system.
Researchers found that adenosine-releasing silk implants can reduce DNA methylation levels in the brain and prevent the progression of epilepsy. The study suggests that the implants could be used to prevent seizures after head trauma or following conventional surgery.
Tiny parasites, known as Mikrocytos mackini, have been found to infect Pacific oysters, causing unsightly green lesions and death. The discovery sheds light on the parasites' reduced metabolism and unique relationship with their host.
Researchers at Montana State University have discovered a universal relation among three intrinsic properties of neutron stars: moment of inertia, Love number, and quadrupole moment. This finding enables astrophysicists to infer the shape and degree of deformation without detailed internal structure knowledge, aiding gravitational wave...
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that HSP70 produced by supporting cells in the inner ear prevents antibiotic-induced hair cell death. Extracellular HSP70 has potential to be used therapeutically to prevent aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss, currently without treatments.
A new study found that flow restrictors can limit access to liquid medications in bottles without child-resistant caps. The study showed that older children were more successful at removing test liquid, but none of the youngest children could remove 5mL of test liquid within 10 minutes.
Researchers use holographic duality to translate physics of black holes to superfluid turbulence, discovering turbulent flows behave like 3-D fluids. This breakthrough helps explain complex behavior of superfluids and provides new insights into the dynamics of these materials.
The IRIS mission provides state-of-the-art observations of the interface region, revealing fine structures and energy transport mechanisms. The data will help scientists understand how the sun's lower atmosphere powers solar events and impacts Earth's climate.
The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center captured a true-color image of the region's hotspots and smoke plumes on July 23, 2013. The image revealed large fires in the Northern Territory, with temperatures higher than background detected by thermal sensors.
The article highlights NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's incredible view of Comet ISON against a vast backdrop of galaxies and stars. The comet appears to be swimming through the cosmos despite its immense distance from Earth, showcasing the telescope's unparalleled resolution.
Kuo-Fen Lee's discovery of the protein P45 provides insight into a possible molecular mechanism to promote rerouting for spinal cord healing and functional recovery. P45 has been shown to have a previously unknown neuroprotective effect, preventing cell death in injured mice.
NASA's AIRS instrument captured an infrared image of newborn Tropical Storm Dorian on July 25, revealing strong storms and heavy rains near the center and a band of thunderstorms south of it. The storm is moving west-northwest across the Atlantic, with forecasters expecting fluctuations in intensity over the next couple of days.
A new study by Columbia Business School and University of Pittsburgh professors predicts Twitter's user engagement will slow down, shifting from a social network to a content-delivery platform. Everyday users are expected to stop posting as much, while celebrities and commercial users will continue to post for financial gain.
A study found that more frequent and longer patient-doctor contact in dialysis care is linked to better health outcomes for patients. Facilities with higher frequency and duration of contact had significantly lower mortality rates and fewer hospitalizations compared to those with intermediate or infrequent contact.
A new technique enables scientists to target multiple genes in honey bees via RNA interference, allowing for the examination of insulin metabolism's role in food-related behavior. This breakthrough could provide insight into human dietary behavior and potentially lead to gene control over undesirable food choices.
Scientists from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used RIXS spectroscopy and ab initio theory to study the iron carbonyl complex. They discovered a strong orbital mixing between metal and ligands, weakening the chemical bond during excitation. This fundamental insight can help control catalytic properties and produce novel materials.
Researchers have developed a cost-competitive way to extract fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic microbes. The most active populations in the switchgrass-deconstructing consortium were identified as Gemmatimonadetes and Paenibacillus, which show potential for biofuel production.
A new weevil genus, Thunbergapion, has been discovered in a 1.8mm specimen collected by Carl Peter Thunberg in the Cape Colony of the Dutch East India Company. The species is thought to be relict, with its populations now limited to South Africa.
Researchers successfully created and stored false memories in mice using optogenetics, a technique that allows them to activate specific brain cells. The study suggests that many neurological traces of false memories are identical to those of authentic memories.
Tropical Storm Flossie strengthened quickly on July 25, with powerful thunderstorms detected around its center and south of the center. Infrared data revealed cloud top temperatures near -63F/-52C, indicating very high thunderstorms.
Researchers confirm that Oreopithecus had anatomical features incompatible with habitual bipedal walking. The study refutes a long-standing debate about the ape's locomotor behavior, providing new insight into its unique characteristics.
Researchers found that bipolar patients who binge eat are more likely to experience mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. In contrast, obese bipolar patients without binge eating were more prone to serious physical problems like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
A Princeton researcher explores how a rare peanut allergy became a contentious public health issue, influencing school policies and societal perceptions. Despite the high risk of anaphylactic shock, the prevalence of peanut allergies remains unclear due to limited data and self-reporting.
A study analyzing published research found technology/equipment problems account for almost 25% of operating room errors. Preoperative surgical checklists have been shown to reduce the error rate by half, suggesting their implementation as routine practice.
Researchers created a 'dish' of patient-specific neurons from skin cells, discovering abnormal sodium current activity that could set off seizures in Dravet syndrome patients. The study holds promise for modeling seizure disorders and screening medications.
Researchers have identified Ephrin B2 as a promising target for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. The study found that EPHB2 is significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue compared to normal peritoneum, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers investigate the solid Earth's influence on sea level changes, divergent geologic histories in North America, and 'ghost glaciers' in Greenland. The study also examines the Picuris Orogeny in New Mexico and the Cryogenian Perry Canyon Formation in Utah.
Researchers at Princeton University created enhanced proteins that respond quickly to changes in neuron activity, allowing for a more precise view of neuron signals. The new sensors can be customized to react to different rates of neuron activity, giving scientists a comprehensive understanding of brain-cell communication.
Scientists have discovered a massive particle accelerator in the Van Allen radiation belts, revealing that particles are sped up by a local energy source. This discovery answers a longstanding question and will help make predictions of space weather conditions.
Marine scientists have decoded the mechanism for long-term climate fluctuations in the Atlantic, revealing that ocean currents significantly affect long-term climate variability. The study found that heat exchange between ocean and atmosphere influences decadal climate fluctuations, which are superimposed on the general warming trend.
Researchers at UCSB have discovered a mechanism that allows squid and octopuses to change color by using specialized cells in their skin called iridocytes. The cells create layers or lamellae that operate as tunable Bragg reflectors, allowing the animals to control their transparency and match their surroundings.
Researchers found that obese patients initially had superior outcomes in terms of overall survival compared to normal-weight and overweight patients. However, their risk of death from any cause significantly increased once they were on the study longer than 16 months, indicating a limited time benefit of obesity in lung cancer patients.
A new report examines conditions that foster cooperative use of common resources, including strong group identity, smaller community size, and high trust in leaders. The study highlights factors leading to incongruous use of resources, such as intergroup conflicts, ideology/values, and cognitive disconnection.
Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.
Historian Dr Ian Burney's research shows that French Edmond Locard and Austrian Hans Gross were influenced by British writers Arthur Conan Doyle and R Austen Freeman, who advocated for a professionalised CSI. This led to the systematisation of methods in crime scene investigation.
Researchers at Duke University have created a novel method for genome tinkering using an RNA guide, allowing precise control over specific genes. The tool has potential applications in gene therapy and regenerative medicine, including reprogramming stem cells into neurons.
A special edition of Environmental Development journal captures decades of trans-boundary water management lessons, highlighting the need for science-based governance and innovative approaches to address pressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation. The volume includes articles on Nile River Basin mana...
Rapamycin treatment improved memory, reduced thyroid follicle size, and decreased cancer rates in older mice. However, its effects were age-independent, with similar benefits seen in young mice, suggesting a potential use for relieving some age-related conditions.
Harvard scientists have identified a pair of genes that allow certain gut bacteria to break down a widely prescribed cardiac drug into an inactive compound. The researchers found that these genes are expressed when the bacteria are exposed to the drug, and that they play a key role in converting the drug into its inactive form.
A study by Boston Children's researchers found that the small intestine plays a crucial role in glucose regulation and resolves type 2 diabetes in rats after gastric bypass surgery. The intestine utilizes GLUT-1 to take glucose from circulation, swiftly stabilizing blood glucose levels.
Researchers identified non-disease causing fungal relatives of WNS-causing fungus, which live in bat hibernation sites and on bats. This discovery may aid in understanding the molecular toolbox used by the deadly fungus to kill bats.
Researchers investigated rapamycin's effects on aging in mice, finding that it extends lifespan but has only limited impacts on the aging process. The study assessed over 150 traits and found positive effects on memory impairments and red blood cell counts, but no significant impact on wear and tear or disease risk.
Researchers at Oregon State University have obtained multi-year records of mixing in the Pacific equatorial cold tongue, showing that it cools the sea surface temperature and is influenced by equatorial currents. This discovery could improve climate models and help understand seasonal weather patterns and global warming.
Dr. Jingwei Xie has been awarded a $293,000 NIH grant to lead a project developing a new biological device that better mimics an uninjured tendon-to-bone attachment, potentially improving healing rates for rotator cuff injuries.