The Air Force Office of Scientific Research granted $67.5 million in awards to 32 academic institutions for multidisciplinary research efforts. The MURI program supports teams of investigators from multiple disciplines to accelerate progress in various fields.
Researchers identified two gene variants that can predict which women are most likely to benefit from breast cancer prevention treatment and which should avoid it. The study found that women with the beneficial version of the two SNPs were 5.71 times less likely to develop breast cancer while taking preventive drugs.
Scientists have discovered miraculously preserved musculature in 380 million-year-old fossil fishes from north-west Australia. This finding helps understand the evolution of neck and abdominal muscles in ancient vertebrates.
Researchers use satellite data to identify 'hotspots' of water scarcity in the US, warning of potential food supply risks due to groundwater depletion. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive national water policy to address these emerging issues.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool identified a distinctive molecular signature in myoglobin that allows diving mammals to store oxygen. This adaptation enables elite divers like sperm whales to hold their breath for over an hour, while land mammals can only hold theirs for a few minutes.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that gene HEXIM1 enhances heart health by increasing blood vessel growth, making hearts healthier and more efficient. HEXIM1 also suppresses breast cancer metastasis.
Researchers have identified a unique odor signature associated with melanoma cells, which can be used to detect the deadliest form of skin cancer. A nanotechnology-based sensor also demonstrated reliable differentiation between melanoma cells and normal skin cells.
A study of over 146,000 Dutch women found planned home births were associated with lower rates of severe maternal complications among parous women. However, first-time mothers showed no significant difference in risk.
A study at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a mesenchymal subtype of glioblastoma as the most aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer. The mesenchymal subtype is characterized by high levels of the enzyme ALDH1A3, which drives tumor growth and resistance to radiation.
A new study by the University of Maryland finds that socioeconomic diversity can enhance student interactions and learning from each other, but racial diversity remains essential. The research challenges the idea that socio-economic status can serve as a substitute for considering an applicant's race in college admissions.
A Pitt simulation found that universal access to paid sick days reduces flu cases in the workplace by nearly 6%, more effective for small workplaces. Giving employees one or two flu days resulted in a 25-40% decrease in influenza infections due to workplace transmission.
A study found that farmworkers don't get a break from the heat when they're off the clock, leading to compromised sleep quality and potential safety issues. The research highlights the need for improved housing conditions and respite from the heat in migrant farmworker communities.
A new report from the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security charted a path for farmers to adapt to climate shifts despite uncertainties. The study highlights 'regret-free' approaches that build on current capacities in agriculture and environmental management.
A Northwestern University study found that male offspring of rat mothers who were given alcohol during pregnancy exhibit social impairment and altered levels of autism-related genes. Low doses of thyroid hormone thyroxin reversed social impairments and expression of these genes, suggesting a potential treatment target for both disorders.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed nano-volcanoes that can store precise amounts of materials and control the release of drugs. The structures are created by shining light through a nanoscale 'crystal ball', allowing for precise control over their shape and size.
A new rodent study reveals that chronic drinking intensifies lung damage caused by particulate matter, leading to decreased lung function. Chronic drinking impairs alveolar macrophage function, which plays a critical role in protecting the lungs from particulates and airway repair.
Researchers discovered a novel fluorescent protein in the freshwater eel that can bind to bilirubin, enabling high sensitivity and accuracy for clinical tests. This breakthrough may contribute to liver function assessment and eel conservation efforts.
A new survey tool is being developed to help pet owners monitor their dogs' quality of life during chemotherapy for cancer. The tool, based on a pilot study with 29 dog owners and veterinarians, found that certain behavioral changes can indicate the animal's quality of life, providing a common ground for treatment decisions.
Researchers at Aalto University and Utrecht University have successfully created single atom contacts between gold and graphene nanoribbons. This breakthrough demonstrates how to make electrical contacts with single chemical bonds to graphene nanoribbons, enabling the use of graphene nanostructures in future electronic devices.
Fei Li, an assistant professor at NYU, has been selected as a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. He will continue his research on centromeres and chromosome structure to understand how changes lead to cancer.
A study at EULAR 2013 found that depression indicators are stronger predictors of work disability in early arthritis than disease activity or response to therapy. Patients with moderate to severe depression were more likely to consider or enter early retirement.
Researchers found states with stricter tobacco restrictions on teens had lower adult smoking rates, particularly among women. Effective policies included vending machine restrictions and ID requirements, which reduced heavy smoking by 29%.
Patients with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) who received canakinumab successfully tapered off corticosteroids, achieving a CS-free status in 42 out of 128 patients. This reduction in corticosteroid use has significant long-term health benefits for children suffering from SJIA.
Researchers have developed hand-held instruments powered by scavenged energy to analyze water quality and bridge safety in the field. The devices use sophisticated photonics systems to generate spectral signatures for identification, with potential applications including wearable biomedical monitors and tracking devices.
A University of Iowa-led team recommends a three-step protocol to reduce post-surgical staph infections, which can cause significant pain and financial burden. The guideline involves nasal swabs and application of an anti-bacterial nose ointment before surgery to target MRSA bacteria.
A new study has identified genetic variants that can predispose children to dyslexia and language impairment, allowing for earlier diagnoses and more successful interventions. The research found specific parts of the DCDC2 gene, including READ1, to be associated with reading and verbal language difficulties.
A study of Peruvian physicians found that patient involvement in medical decision-making was rare, with an average score of 14.3 on a 100-point scale. This suggests that the patient-centered care model is overlooked in healthcare systems in Peru.
Researchers found that protein aggregation has beneficial functions allowing cells to organize themselves in time and space. Protein aggregation helps create spatial patterns in transcripts, influencing protein localization and function.
A new statistical analysis projects the world population could reach nearly 11 billion by 2100, driven by fertility in Africa. The current African population is expected to nearly quadruple to 4.2 billion by 2100, with Nigeria experiencing the largest increase.
Researchers from McMaster University suggest that menopause is an unintended outcome of natural selection caused by male preference for younger female mates. This study proposes a new explanation for why humans developed menopause, challenging the long-held grandmother theory.
Researchers found that black locust, a short-rotation woody crop, has the highest yield and fastest harvest time among the crops evaluated. The crop's rapid growth allows for more frequent harvesting, making it an attractive option for biomass production in the Midwest.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Emiliania huxleyi, a microscopic plankton species that forms the chalky skeletons of the White Cliffs of Dover. The study reveals unexpected features in the algae's genetic code, which may hold secrets to producing nutritional supplements and biofuels.
Research reveals that E. coli strains producing Shiga toxin persist longer in lake water than their non-toxin-producing counterparts, posing a health risk to swimmers.
Researchers have discovered a method to control and direct the self-assembly of two distinct colloids by utilizing DNA-coated particles. This breakthrough has potential applications in various technologies, such as smart drug-delivery patches and light-reacting paints.
Andermann's work aims to understand how hunger affects the brain and its potential consequences for obesity and eating disorders. He will use novel imaging technologies to assess neural responses to food cues.
Researchers found competing input from two types of taste-sensing cells in fruit flies controls perception of salty foods. The study suggests a tug-of-war principle between attractive and repellant signals, with implications for human salt regulation and potentially leading to better salt substitutes.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a way to trigger the reproduction of human insulin-producing beta cells in a laboratory setting, potentially removing a significant obstacle to transplanting these cells as a treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. This new technique uses a cell conditioning s...
A group of experts proposes restoring unpublished and misreported clinical trials to publish previously confidential trial documents, ensuring accurate treatment information. The effort aims to address the issue of unreported trials that have misled public health decisions and wasted public money.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that the tumor suppressor protein Par-4 plays a crucial role in preventing breast cancer recurrence. Low Par-4 expression is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and poor response to chemotherapy, highlighting potential new therapeutic strategies.
The Society of Interventional Radiology has selected 18 new Fellows who have demonstrated excellence in research and publishing or teaching and leadership within the field. These individuals will play key roles in advancing the science and technology of interventional radiology.
A new study has designed and tested a vestibular prosthesis to help restore balance in individuals with Meniere's disease. The prosthesis uses electrical stimulation to activate the vestibular nerve, aiming to alleviate symptoms such as vertigo and tinnitus. However, further research is needed to fine-tune the device for individual cal...
Research from Carnegie Mellon University finds that volunteering decreases the risk of hypertension by 40% in older adults, suggesting a positive lifestyle factor. The study suggests that social connections and interactions through volunteer work can promote healthy aging and reduce disease risk.
Researchers at UCSB have discovered the mechanisms behind salt-mediated behaviors in fruit flies, shedding light on sensory biology and its connection to human brain function. The study reveals that two distinct types of neurons compete to regulate behavioral outputs, with one type activated by low-salt and another by high-salt.
A new discovery by Penn State researchers may lead to the creation of cheaper clean-energy technologies. The team, led by Raymond Schaak, has found that a nickel phosphide nanoparticle can effectively trigger hydrogen production from water. This process is crucial for many energy-production technologies, including fuel cells and solar ...
Researchers at Mount Sinai have made a breakthrough in programming blood-forming stem cells, which could lead to the development of patient-specific blood products. The study uses mouse fibroblast cells and identifies a combination of four genetic factors that can generate blood vessel precursor cells with hematopoietic cells.
A new study suggests that oyster populations can recover faster with reduced fishing pressure and improved habitats. The research model indicates that halting or reducing fishing could lead to a healthier population restored within 50-500 years.
Researchers have found evidence of an exoplanet forming at a distance of about 80 astronomical units (AU) from its star, TW Hydrae. The discovery is surprising as planets typically form closer to the central star.
Menopause is now believed to be an unintended outcome of natural selection, with older women being less likely to reproduce due to preference for younger mates among men. This new theory suggests that natural selection protects fertility in women while they are most likely to reproduce.
A recent study found that postmenopausal women who experience depression or take antidepressant medication have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study, led by Dr. Yunsheng Ma, found associations between elevated depressive symptoms, increased insulin levels, and higher waist circumference.
A study analyzing US data reveals that up to one-third of rheumatoid arthritis patients discontinue therapy within the first year, with loss of efficacy being the leading reason. The findings highlight the need for early intervention and improved adherence to treatment to enable patients to lead active lives.
Researchers identified genetic variations associated with breast cancer risk among women on tamoxifen and raloxifene therapy. Women with favorable variations of the ZNF423 and CTSO genes are more likely to respond to prevention therapy, while those with unfavorable variations face a five-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer.
A new study by UC Irvine and others reveals that warm ocean waters are responsible for most of the continent's ice loss, accounting for 55% of shelf loss from 2003 to 2008. Ice shelves are melting at a rate twice as fast as the Antarctic ice sheet itself.
New research highlights the risks of austerity measures on Spain's healthcare system, particularly for elderly, disabled, and mentally vulnerable individuals. The study reveals increased rates of depression, alcohol-related disorders, and suicides since the financial crisis began.
A new rodent study found that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder share common molecular vulnerabilities. Low-dose thyroxin treatment appears to alleviate some effects of alcohol exposure on offspring. The study suggests a potential biochemical marker for identifying children at risk for ASD.
A recent study by Jay Storz and colleagues at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that the effects of individual mutations depend on the context in which they occur. The researchers used protein engineering to synthesize hemoglobin proteins with each naturally occurring mutation in all possible multi-site combinations, revealing t...
A new study by the University of Michigan Health System has identified a potential therapy to prevent muscle atrophy after ACL tears. By blocking the hormone myostatin, researchers aim to restore athletic and functional abilities in the short term and prevent osteoarthritis in the long term.
A new study by Henry Ford researchers reveals that a specific microRNA released by stem cells via exosomes contributes to better neurological recovery after a stroke. The study provides fundamental insight into how stem cells affect injured tissue and offers potential for developing novel treatments.
Researchers from La Jolla Institute, Dana-Farber and BloodCenter of Wisconsin are launching Phase II clinical trials to investigate a potential new therapy for reducing sickle cell anemia symptoms. The trial is testing Lexiscan, an existing drug with anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers found that short post-meal walks were as effective at reducing blood sugar over 24 hours as a 45-minute sustained walk. The most effective time for walking was after the evening meal, which helped curb high blood sugar levels that often last into the night and early morning.
Two studies assess joint replacement outcomes in patients with RA, overturning the common belief that RA patients have worse outcomes after a total knee replacement. RA patients who undergo hip replacement show similar improvements in function and pain as osteoarthritis patients.