Researchers from Ragon Institute develop a computational method to analyze viral protein sequences, identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited for vaccine development. The approach uses spin glass models and fitness landscapes to predict the prevalence of mutant proteins, providing a new way to design effective HIV vaccines.
A Kansas State University research team found that global nitrogen availability has remained steady for the past 500 years, despite increased industrial production. The study suggests a link between nitrogen and carbon levels, with implications for future ecosystem changes.
Researchers at UCLA and Caltech have successfully monitored the change in genetically modified immune cells, showing a promising treatment for melanoma. A new group of non-engineered T cells arose with a similar tumor-killing effect that lasted even longer than the engineered cells.
A recent study found little support for legal controls on cross-border fertility treatment in the UK. However, health professionals emphasize the importance of checking overseas clinics to ensure they meet UK standards. The research team also notes that many patients have reported receiving better quality care abroad.
A new study has created a 'toxicity map' of the brain to help protect cognitive function in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The map relates treatment dose to brain function, shedding light on the impact of radiation on cognitive performance.
Dolly Varden trout in Alaska's Chignik Lake watershed use their intestines to gorge on salmon eggs, doubling in size, then shrink back down after the food pulse ends. This adaptation helps them survive months of scarcity and thrive despite nutrient-poor environments.
A recent study found that current and past smokers have a higher risk of hip replacement failure compared to non-smokers. The study, which reviewed records of total hip replacement patients between 2007 and 2009, found a significant correlation between smoking and increased revision rates.
Polar bears in western Hudson Bay are forced to adapt to earlier summer sea ice break-up and later fall departure due to climate change. The timing of their migration can be predicted by sea ice melt and freeze patterns, affecting their health and cub production.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed ultra-thin films of nickel and iron oxides that demonstrate high catalytic activity for forming oxygen from water. The nickel-iron oxide catalyst was found to be most effective when just 0.4 nanometers thick, making it a promising material for solar-hydrogen production.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have developed a new drug called ELQ-300 that shows great promise in treating and preventing malaria. The drug targets the parasite earlier than existing treatments, making it potentially more effective and requiring fewer doses.
The Northern Hemisphere monsoon has intensified, with a 9.5% increase in rainfall, due to natural climate swings rather than global warming alone. Natural long-term climate swings, such as the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, contribute significantly more to this intensification.
Research by David Alexander and Cees van Leeuwen reveals that brain activity is not limited to specific areas, but rather follows a wave-like pattern across the entire cortex. This challenges traditional views of brain function and highlights the complex, dynamic nature of brain activity.
Mark Andermann, PhD, received a three-year $300,000 award to investigate the effects of hunger on cognition. His research aims to understand the neural pathways controlling hunger and attention, with potential applications for treating obesity and eating disorders.
A study found that toddlers exposed to methamphetamine in the womb may have an abnormal stress response, which can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, children with a stable home environment showed a normal stress response.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in musculoskeletal health, including bio-enhanced ACL repair and the diagnosis of posterolateral knee injuries. The new approaches aim to stimulate healing and regeneration, reduce future injury-related osteoarthritis, and improve patient outcomes.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that adult males' testosterone levels decrease when they interact with the spouse of a close friend. This suggests an innate biological mechanism that discourages men from pursuing romantic relationships with friends' wives, promoting cooperation and alliance formation.
A study found that extra virgin olive oil's oleocanthal can boost production of proteins and enzymes involved in removing beta-amyloid from the brain, potentially reducing Alzheimer's risk.
Two new species of woodlizards were found in the Peruvian jungle, increasing the country's biodiversity. The newly described lizards, Enyalioides azulae and Enyalioides binzayedi, share a similar territory with slight differences in altitude ranges.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that women who experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as children are more likely to have a child with autism. The study, which examined data from over 50,000 women, suggests that childhood trauma may increase the risk of autism in future generations.
A new study found that nearly half of Florida manatees seek power plant outfalls for warmth, while about 17% choose warm springs. Hot springs offered the best protection against cold weather, suggesting protecting access to these refuges is crucial for long-term survival.
A large-scale evaluation of computational protein function prediction reveals that algorithms combining disparate prediction clues provide more accurate predictions, turning genomic data into useful information. The study provides a comprehensive picture of how well current methods perform, with potential improvements identified.
King Holmes won the prestigious award for his global scientific contributions to sexually transmitted diseases and their effective treatment and prevention. His research has led to diagnostic tests and standard-of-care therapies for conditions like human papilloma virus, gonorrhea, and genital herpes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that vitamin D supplements improved gene expression related to cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease. The researchers observed significant alterations in the activity of 291 genes, with biologic functions associated with 160 biologic pathways linked to these diseases.
A new study reveals that men who have children at older ages are more likely to have grandchildren with autism. The research found that the risk of autism increases with the age of the grandfather, suggesting that genetic risk can accumulate over generations.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created a new anatomically-based classification for diagnosing cervical spinal stenosis, which helps identify patients requiring urgent surgical intervention. The study found that patients with higher grades of stenosis were more likely to receive spinal decompression recommendations.
Researchers create a new imaging technique using nanoparticles to track stem cells in real-time, allowing for better initial placement and optimization of therapeutic approaches. The technique enables precise guidance and monitoring of stem cells, potentially improving regenerative medicine treatments.
Wound Medicine, a new international journal, focuses on wound prevention, management, and reimbursement. The journal aims to advance science into clinical practice and improve patient outcomes through translational wound research.
Researchers will use photoacoustic microscopy to measure oxygen consumption rates of individual cells, mapping distributions of cellular metabolism. The technology has potential applications in gauging cellular health and metabolic state for stress response and toxicity studies.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found physical changes in brain fibers connecting pain and fatigue processing areas. Anomalies were detected in nerve fiber bundles, providing insight into Gulf War Illness symptoms.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that tissue damage is more likely to cause unexplained pain in metal-on-metal hip implant patients. The study found significant tissue damage in 90% of patients with unexplained pain compared to 10% in the control group.
A study found that emotional words in books decreased over the past century, except for fear which increased. American and British English diverged since the 1960s, with American English becoming more 'emotional' than British English.
Scripps Research is developing a new diagnostic test for Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, using a biomarker detectable in urine. The test aims to provide accurate and painless diagnosis, guiding treatment decisions and helping global health leaders eradicate the disease.
A new study found that 7-month-old infants who later develop autism show slower gaze shifting and attention reorientation compared to typically developing infants. The researchers suggest that atypical brain circuits, specifically the splenium of the corpus callosum, may contribute to this behavioral difference.
A new study found that 3-year-olds endorse equal sharing norms, but fail to follow them until they reach 7-8 years old. Researchers gave stickers valued by children of all ages and asked about sharing, finding consistent endorsement across ages. However, actual behavior showed a gap between endorsed and followed norms.
Researchers found that estrogen alone significantly reduced joint pain in women who had undergone a hysterectomy, with 74% of those taking estrogen experiencing no pain after three years compared to 80% of those taking a placebo. The Women's Health Initiative trial showed modest but significant differences between the two groups.
Researchers have found that sea snakes can rapidly evolve smaller heads to explore narrow burrows and avoid interbreeding with larger-headed ancestors. This process can lead to speciation and shape the population's size and appearance.
The Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society (SPPS) has renewed its partnership with Wiley over sixty years ago. The journal Physiologia Plantarum, an international thought leader in plant physiology, benefits from the collaboration. With a global focus and members from various countries, SPPS promotes experimental plant biology research.
Researchers found that peptides derived from soybean meal inhibit cancer cell growth by up to 73%, making it a potential nutraceutical for reducing colon, liver and lung cancer cell growth. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new cancer treatments.
The efficacy of malaria vaccine candidate RTS,S wanes over four years, from 43.6% protection in the first year to zero by the fourth year. The study found that relative vaccine efficacy declines with increasing exposure to malaria, and a booster dose may be needed to sustain efficacy.
Chemical gardens, a school experiment, inspire origin-of-life research at hydrothermal vents. Scientist test electric currents flowing from flower-like structures in chemical gardens.
A large community sample of adolescents found that regular family suppers were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, and higher life satisfaction. The study suggests that family mealtimes provide opportunities for open interactions and teaching positive health behaviors.
Researchers used optogenetics to study the interaction between two brain regions involved in emotional behavior. They found that stimulating one pathway increased anxiety-like behavior, while stimulating another pathway promoted reward-associated behaviors.
A new roadmap for robotics aims to maximize progress in the next decade. Robots have the potential to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, improve logistics and reduce delivery costs, and make first responders safer.
Researchers have discovered a new type of molecular motor that moves DNA through cells without rotational motion. The discovery challenges previous understanding and paves the way for practical machines and devices in nanotechnology.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel modification of the lamin A protein that disrupts normal patterns of fat distribution in familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD). The discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying FPLD, a rare disease characterized by abnormal fat accumulation in certain areas...
A global plan for road building is proposed to reduce environmental damage by concentrating roads in suitable areas. Properly planned roads can improve farming, increase farm profits, and enhance food security, helping to feed the growing global population.
A recent survey by NORC at the University of Chicago found that getting ahead is seen as a personal responsibility, with employers investing in training but facing confidence issues. Lower-wage workers are less satisfied and perceive fewer advancement opportunities, with pessimism being acute among white and younger workers.
Researchers at UC Davis developed a nomogram to calculate individual patient risk of post-surgical venous thromboembolism, allowing clinicians to tailor prevention efforts. The study analyzed over 470,000 surgical patients and identified factors increasing blood clot risk, including age, BMI, and splenectomies.
Researchers found that urine mercury concentrations may overestimate exposure to dental amalgam fillings, especially in populations with low occupational exposure. The study used mercury isotopes to accurately assess human exposure and provides a novel method for determining health risks.
A UK survey found that 97% of doctors have prescribed placebo treatments to patients at least once, with impure placebos being used more frequently. Doctors cited treating psychological effects and reassuring patients as reasons for prescribing placebos, while also acknowledging the need for patient trust.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a system to help children with autism learn joint attention, a basic social skill. The humanoid robot NAO was found to be effective in improving attention and following instructions, suggesting robots could play a crucial role in responding to the growing number of autism diagnoses.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health confirms that news stories about mass shootings involving a shooter with mental illness contribute to negative perceptions of mental illness. Reading such articles raised readers' support for both gun restrictions for persons with serious mental illness and policies to ban ...
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has traveled beyond the influence of the Sun and exited the heliosphere, a region dominated by the Sun's wind. Anomalous cosmic rays dropped to less than 1% of previous amounts while galactic cosmic rays spiked to levels not seen since launch.
A Yale University study found that hyperoxia can activate stress pathways in developing lungs, leading to conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Blocking Cox2 with a pain drug reversed BPD in mice, suggesting it as a potential treatment target.
A Roman mausoleum in Turkey's Pinara has been found to have been damaged by an earthquake, with researchers concluding that a magnitude 6.3 quake could have caused the damage. The study used laser scans and 3D computer modeling to analyze the structure's stability.
A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and France has discovered the tiny protein SMIM1, which causes the rare 'Vel-negative' blood type. This breakthrough allows for fast DNA-based tests to identify Vel-negative individuals, enabling them to receive life-saving transusions.
A study analyzed mood words in 20th century books and found a decrease in emotional words overall, but an increase in fear since the 1970s. Books written in American English are significantly more 'emotional' than their British counterparts.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, and FEMA invested over $51 million in restoring the 2011 flood-damaged Birds Point-New Madrid floodway. Experts recommend revising the comprehensive plan to integrate levee engineering with ecological infrastructure to mitigate future flooding.
A new nanomaterial dubbed Multi-use Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) can generate hydrogen, produce clean water, and create energy. It also desalinate water, be used as flexible water filtration membranes, recover energy from waste brine, and double the lifespan of lithium ion batteries.
Many Ph.D. students are seeking jobs outside academia due to a tight job market and scarce tenure-track positions. The "Beyond Academia" conference aims to provide a platform for exploration and career development.