Scientists have identified a genetic cause of diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (NEPPK), a rare skin condition characterized by white and spongy hands and feet when exposed to water. The AQP5 gene mutation affects aquaporin 5 protein, leading to increased water permeability in the skin.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified the molecular signals that direct blood vessel formation, revealing a precise order and timing of signals that spur artery formation. The study uncovers the role of Vegf and Dll4 in this process, shedding light on a so-called 'black box' of embryonic development.
Regular exercise reduces brain's stress response and anxiety by strengthening mechanisms that prevent excited neurons from firing. The study finds that physical activity enhances local inhibitory mechanisms in the ventral hippocampus, leading to a boost of activity in inhibitory neurons.
Researcher Thomas Perls warns of Gerovital H3's resurgence in the US due to unregulated internet marketing. Despite FDA ban in 1982, some clinics are now advertising the drug for anti-aging benefits.
Researchers from Monash University have compiled and analyzed worldwide copper resources, finding existing supplies can meet growing demand for a long time. The extensive database provides detailed information on ore grades, allowing for more informed geological exploration and improved industry practices.
Researchers analyzed a unique 40-year data set to estimate short-term cross-protection between multiple dengue strains. The findings suggest that after an initial infection, a person is protected from other strains for 1 to 3 years.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new process for making thin-film solar cells using ethylene glycol and CZTS, a compound with excellent optical properties. The approach could lead to lower costs and wider adoption of solar energy.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab identified two promising candidates for antiviral drugs against human adenovirus. The compounds target the viral enzyme proteinase, essential for virus maturation and replication. These inhibitors may provide effective treatment against all strains of adenovirus.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified the ribosome as a key player in prion diseases, such as mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The discovery suggests that antiprion medicines targeting the ribosome's protein folding activity may be effective in treating these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that a formoterol, an asthma medication, strengthens nerve connections in the hippocampus and improves contextual learning in mice with Down syndrome. The study provides initial proof-of-concept for targeting beta-2 adrenergic receptors as a potential treatment strategy.
Joslin scientists found that salsalate effectively lowers blood glucose and improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. The study involved 286 participants with inadequately controlled diabetes, who showed significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c levels and fasting glucose concentration.
Researchers at UCLA have found a possible link between histamine cells and the loss of hypocretin neurons in people with narcolepsy. The study suggests that an excess of histamine cells may cause the destruction of hypocretin cells, which is thought to contribute to the sleep disorder.
Researchers found that patients with high educational levels show less impairment on a neuropsychological evaluation compared to those with low educational levels. Higher education was found to be protective against disease-associated cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis patients.
Comet ISON is approaching Earth, expected to be visible to the naked eye in November. The comet's icy nucleus and bright star-like coma create a tail of gas and dust streaming behind it.
A home-based walking exercise program improved walking performance and physical activity in patients with PAD. The study found significant improvements in 6-minute walk distance, maximal treadmill walking time, and pain-free walking time.
Researchers sequenced the genome of a 700,000-year-old horse fossil, revealing that all modern horses originated around 4.0-4.5 million years ago. The study also found evidence of demographic fluctuations in horse populations over the past two million years.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new catalyst that can produce hydrogen gas from water using electricity, avoiding rare and expensive metal platinum. The discovery uses commercially available molybdenum disulfide to facilitate the reaction.
A study published in CMAJ found that 13.5% of Canadian Forces personnel who served in support of the Afghanistan mission between 2001-08 had a mental health disorder related to their deployment. The most common disorders were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, with PTSD being found in 8% of personnel.
Research finds that socioeconomic status is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with chronic inflammation being a key mediator. The study analyzed data from the Whitehall II cohort study, which followed over 10,000 British civil servants since the mid-1980s.
A new automated diagnostic test can rapidly identify the most common causes of Gram-positive bacterial blood stream infections and detect three antibiotic resistance genes. The test takes about 2 hours to run and provides faster diagnosis, enabling early treatment of patients with sepsis.
The NASA Aura satellite detected high nitrogen dioxide levels from the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona, indicating a large amount of combustible material was burned. The fire has consumed over 8,000 acres and forced evacuations in nearby towns.
Researchers found that UVB exposure activates keratinocyte hyaluronan synthesis through Has3 enzyme, indicating a potential adaptation mechanism to radiation damage. This activation may also be targeted for regulation in tissue malignancy and pre-cancerous alterations.
Researchers found that winning sounds on slot machines make gambling more exciting and cause players to overestimate their number of wins. Sounds also contribute to the 'disguise' in losses disguised as wins, causing players to think they have won more often than they actually have.
A new study published in mBio confirms that the cholera epidemic in Haiti was caused by a single introduction of Vibrio cholerae bacteria from Nepal, rather than repeated introductions. The strains have not acquired new genetic material since their introduction and have limited ability to acquire genes through transformation.
Researchers propose a new motion test that examines various walking features in healthy and clinical populations, identifying critical changes in mobility. The study uses advanced mathematical computations to extract data from accelerometer signals, showing significant differences between healthy and clinical groups.
A new test could use sound waves to diagnose blood-related diseases by analyzing the shape and size of red blood cells. Researchers have developed a method that can identify irregularly shaped red blood cells with high confidence, which is a significant indicator of blood-related diseases.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have created the most detailed large-scale habitat suitability maps for bats in the UK, using echolocation calls from over 15,000 bats across 120 walks in the Lake District. The maps reveal subtle changes in bat habitats due to urbanization and provide insights into ecosystem health.
Women who give birth vaginally are at increased risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse during the year after delivery. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when connective tissue, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels are damaged, leading to complications such as urinary incontinence and bowel control.
A new invasive fly species, Chrysomya megacephala, has been discovered in Indiana, threatening forensic investigations and local ecosystems. The species, native to Asia and Africa, is breeding in the state's warmer climate, raising concerns about its impact on native fly species.
Research from the University of Missouri found that lower-income residents are more likely to care about their communities and take pride in their neighborhoods. Community workers and organizers should encourage these residents to volunteer and develop a sense of community pride.
A study by UC Irvine researchers found that basketballs and volleyballs can carry dangerous germs like Staphylococcus aureus, which causes staph infections. The germ was able to survive on sports balls for up to 72 hours, even in stored conditions.
The National Psoriasis Foundation has awarded twelve fellowships totaling nearly half a million dollars to researchers working to cure psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The fellowships will support studies on the impact of diet, exercise, and lifestyle on psoriasis severity and treatment outcomes.
Research shows that king penguin chicks' mitochondria adjust to minimize energy cost during fasting in the cold, conserving energy for vital functions. This adaptation enables them to produce heat without depleting their energy stores, increasing their survival chances.
A new gene therapy treatment has been developed to cure Sanfilippo Syndrome type A in animal models by introducing the sulfamidase enzyme into cells, eliminating glycosaminoglican accumulation and associated neuroinflammation. The treatment has shown promising results in mice and dogs, with improved behavior and life expectancy.
A new BYU study tracks health and marriage quality over 20 years, finding that happy marriages have a preventative component that keeps individuals in good health. The research suggests that marital conflict is a risk factor for poor health, emphasizing the importance of couples seeking professional help to reduce conflict.
Chinese agriculture's remarkable success in feeding the world's population comes with significant environmental costs. Massive losses of nutrients pollute streams, rivers, soil, and air, while CAFOs drive global resource consumption. Efforts to shift focus towards food security, efficient use of resources, and environmental protection ...
Research finds that voluntary wheel running reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression in the colon, while forced treadmill running increases it. Forced exercise also disrupts the gut's microbial environment.
Eight Wayne State University undergraduate nursing students are gaining unique insight into the research field through a $40,000 NIH grant. The program provides skills and experiences not offered at the undergraduate level, with the goal of attracting nursing students to doctoral education earlier.
A new study by Long and Greenwood suggests that thinking about death can increase humorous creativity as a defense mechanism against anxiety. In the experiment, students who were subconsciously primed with the word 'death' wrote funnier captions than those who consciously wrote about it.
Researchers develop equations to estimate parasite and host metabolic rates, providing a new way to understand the energetics of parasites. The model reveals that there is a limit to how many worms can be accommodated in a host, with energy being the key limiting factor.
A new study describes imaging findings in H7N9 influenza, including rapidly progressive changes in lungs and pulmonary connective tissues. The severity of these findings is associated with the clinical condition of patients.
A study found that home blood pressure telemonitoring with pharmacist management improved BP control and maintained it for 6 months. The intervention group had a higher proportion of patients with controlled BP at both 6- and 12-month visits compared to the usual care group.
Researchers at GIS and MPIMG discovered a molecular network in human embryonic stem cells that activates the ERK pathway, causing cells to respond by activating genetic information. The network also silences genetic information through ELK1, maintaining the cell's undifferentiated state.
A new study reveals that teenagers' sensitivity to social evaluation is linked to specific brain areas and physiological responses that peak during adolescence. The research found that late-developing regions of the brain, such as the medial prefrontal cortex, play a unique role in monitoring social evaluative contexts.
Research finds that 30% of excess energy from human-caused greenhouse effect warms the deep ocean, while a new study predicts an increase in hurricanes hitting western Europe as sea surface temperatures rise. Scientists also identify changes in wind patterns and volcanic eruptions as factors driving this warming trend.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that NRF2 signaling plays a role in regulating cell metabolism, leading to increased energy production and tumor cell proliferation. The study demonstrates the importance of targeting Nrf2 with small molecule inhibitors to intervene in therapeutic resistance.
Researchers discovered the Arl13b gene plays a crucial role in guiding neuron formation and placement during early brain development. The study found mutations in this gene may contribute to brain malformations seen in Joubert syndrome and autism-like features.
Researchers identify unique properties of K11-linked polyubiquitin chains, suggesting new cellular processes involved in disease maintenance. These findings may lead to novel treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Databrary aims to accelerate scientific discovery by enabling widespread data sharing in the developmental and behavioral sciences. The platform will facilitate access to rich video data from studies around the world, allowing researchers to build on each other's efforts and pursue new lines of inquiry.
A study by researchers at the University of Zurich and UCL found that irreversible tissue loss occurs in spinal cord injury patients as early as 40 days after injury. The study used novel MRI protocols to track changes in the spinal cord and brain, revealing a rapid decline in spinal cord diameter and nerve cell volume.
A new UCLA study finds that brain aneurysms of any size can grow and increase the risk of rupture. Tobacco smoking and larger initial aneurysm size are also linked to growth and higher rupture risks.
A new study suggests that increased atmospheric CO2 levels are altering the types of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the ocean, with implications for ocean productivity and fisheries. The research found that certain strains of these bacteria thrive in high CO2 environments, while others may struggle to survive.
Researchers at EPFL's LSU employed a world-unique setup to observe electron movement with unprecedented time-resolution. The study revealed that solvent configuration significantly affects electron departure, extending residence time up to 450 fsec.
Researchers at Yale University found that a human metastatic tumor can arise when a leukocyte and a cancer cell fuse to form a genetic hybrid, potentially explaining how cancer cells travel to distant organs. The study's findings provide the first evidence of such a phenomenon in humans and could lead to new therapy targets.
A new study found that industrial livestock workers in North Carolina carry drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock, including Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics and were more prevalent among workers exposed to industrial operations, which use antibiotics in animal feed and water.
Tropical Storm Rumbia brought heavy rainfall to southern China with rainfall rates over 92mm/hour, impacting areas near the Gulf of Tonkin. NASA's TRMM satellite data showed intense thunderstorms streaming heavy rainfall into China from the South China Sea.
Researchers found that IVF treatments for severe male infertility are associated with a small increased risk of intellectual disability (18%) but not autism. ICSI procedures, particularly those involving surgically extracted sperm and fresh embryos, carry a higher risk of intellectual disability and autism.
A new study provides conclusive proof of a space wind first proposed 20 years ago, detected by the Cluster spacecraft in the Earth's magnetosphere. The wind releases almost 90 tonnes of plasma into space every day.
Researchers from the University of Leicester have developed a new technique to visualize and enhance latent fingerprints, increasing identification rates. The technique uses electrochromic polymers that change color when exposed to electricity or light, creating a negative image of the print.
A new class of antibiotic has been developed at the University of Adelaide, targeting a specific enzyme critical to bacterial metabolism. The compound, known as a protein inhibitor, binds to and inhibits biotin protein ligase, disrupting bacterial growth.