A new cryptic spider species, Copa kei, has been described in southeastern South Africa, highlighting the region's biodiversity and ecological flexibility. The species exhibits extreme habitat adaptability, contrasting with its close relative C. flavoplumosa, which occupies a wider range of habitats.
Research shows that individuals with spinal cord injuries perceive their wheelchairs as a functional substitute for their affected body part. This perception is not limited by time since injury or experience with using the wheelchair, indicating a deeper integration of prosthetics into bodily awareness.
Yale researchers have identified a key genetic switch that facilitates brain maturation and plasticity. By blocking this gene, they were able to reset the old brain to adolescent levels of plasticity, allowing adult mice to recover from injuries and master new motor tasks more quickly.
A new study suggests schizophrenia is associated with accelerated aging, particularly in cerebral white matter. Individuals with schizophrenia have shorter average lifespans and are at increased risk of cardiovascular illnesses.
A study found that adding folate and vitamin B12 to antipsychotic medication improved negative symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly in individuals carrying specific genetic variants. The results suggest a potential new avenue for treatment, as well as the need for personalized medical approaches.
Researchers identified specific steps in the sequence of neural events underlying stress-related drug relapse and showed that blocking kappa opioid receptors can prevent relapse. The study suggests a new approach to treating addiction recovery by targeting stress-induced brain mechanisms.
Iowa State University engineers are working on a $500 million test launch of an asteroid intercept system, which could use nuclear devices to break apart incoming asteroids. The system, developed by Bong Wie's Asteroid Deflection Research Center, has the potential to save Earth from devastating asteroid impacts.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Exeter discovered that bird flocks are determined by social relationships between individuals within species, not just species differences. The study found that birds prefer to fly close to members of their own species and that dominant rooks take the lead in mixed-species flocks.
Researchers have measured the distance to our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, using rare eclipsing binaries. The new measurement refines an astronomical calculation that helps measure the expansion of the universe, decreasing uncertainty in the Hubble constant.
A study by Sam Houston State University found that most Texas public school districts have adopted dating violence policies, but few offer safety provisions for victims. The report suggests that districts develop clearer consequences and programs to raise awareness about teen dating violence.
A new trial has shown that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can help patients with chronic, severe Anorexia Nervosa achieve improvements in body weight, mood, and anxiety. Four of six patients experienced significant weight gain and simultaneous changes in mood and symptoms related to anorexia.
Research reveals that certain brain cells are better equipped to fight off viral infections due to their unique immune defense mechanisms. The study found that granule cell neurons, which rarely become infected, have different gene profiles compared to cortical neurons, making them more resistant to infection.
Researchers at MIT and the Santa Fe Institute found that some widely used formulas, such as Moore's Law and Wright's Law, offer superior approximations of technological progress. The study analyzed data from 62 industries and found that these two laws best match actual technological advancements over past decades.
A study by the Broad Institute's Klarman Cell Observatory reveals a link between Th17 cells, autoimmunity, and salt consumption, highlighting the interplay of genetics and environmental factors in disease susceptibility. The research provides new avenues for regulating these cells to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases.
A pilot study found DBS to be effective in improving mood and BMI in severely anorexic patients. After surgery, patients began stabilizing or gaining weight, with three maintaining higher weights than before. Improvements in mood and obsessive-compulsive behavior were also observed.
A computer recognition system can quickly distinguish between oranges and lemons and spot different strains of pear, melon, apple, and plum with high accuracy. The system can be used for sorting and packing fruits and vegetables, as well as speeding up supermarket customer checkout.
A new study reveals the presence of chytrid fungus in amphibians sampled in Singapore, with the American bullfrog identified as a potential carrier. The study also finds widespread disease among frogs in Vietnam's commercial farms, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases through trade.
Researchers discovered that crippled mitochondria in Schwann cells lead to a toxic substance build-up, causing nerve damage and symptoms like numbness and pain. This finding may lead to new therapeutic strategies to treat peripheral neuropathies, including drugs that block toxin buildup.
Researchers at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore have developed a novel technique called LoFreq, which allows them to detect microbe and cancer cell mutations in real-time. This breakthrough enables scientists to catch the development of resistance early on and investigate the effectiveness of new drugs.
A new report from Michigan State University reveals nearly two-and-a-half times more actual cases of work-related amputations than the federal government's official estimate. The study emphasizes the importance of using multiple data sources to track workplace injuries and illnesses.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that selectively activating the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus can reduce anxiety without affecting learning. This suggests that targeting this brain region could be used to treat certain anxiety disorders with minimal cognitive side effects.
A new study from Princeton University provides evidence for how the brain performs this feat. Grid cells are neurons that become electrically active as animals travel in an environment, and their activity ramping up and down corresponds with a proposed mechanism of neural computation called an attractor network.
Researchers discovered that brain waves are shaped to selectively track sound patterns from a single speaker while excluding competing sounds. This finding could have important implications for individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and aging.
A team of researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory explains for the first time the operation of a mechanism in plants that controls developmental regulatory genes, including homeobox genes like BREVIPEDICELLUS and KNAT2. In plant stem cells, a polycomb gene-repressing protein complex called PRC2 is recruited to specific sites alo...
Astronomers suggest that a merger between a galactic black hole and an intermediate-sized black hole in a satellite galaxy could have produced the observed high-energy radiation in the Fermi bubbles. This scenario also explains the absence of old stars near the supermassive black hole.
A large European study found that eating processed meat was associated with an increased risk of premature death, particularly from cancer and cardiovascular disease. The researchers estimated that up to 3% of premature deaths could be prevented if people consumed less than 20g of processed meat per day.
Researchers have developed a new line of transgenic 'Enviropigs' that can digest high levels of phosphorus in plant matter, eliminating the need for supplements. This breakthrough could improve food production and reduce environmental pollution by producing less phosphorus waste.
A new protein, CALHM1, has been identified as a key regulator of the sense of taste. The discovery, made by Philippe Marambaud at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, sheds light on the mechanisms of communication between the brain and the senses.
A new study identifies a link between carbamylated albumin protein and increased risk of heart disease in kidney dialysis patients. Researchers found that measuring carbamylated albumin may help doctors monitor dialysis patients and identify those at risk of cardiac complications.
A Penn Medicine physician highlights the need for a unified approach to value in health care reform, as divergent priorities between patients and physicians create obstacles. Patients and physicians have different notions of value, with patients seeking enhanced experiences and physicians focusing on efficiency and evidence-based care.
Involving generalists and specialists in primary palliative care skills can alleviate patient suffering through high-quality pain and symptom management. This approach could increase access to specialty palliative care consultation while providing fundamental aspects of palliative care.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered the first dystonia gene linked to an African-American family, paving the way for improved diagnosis and treatment. The study identified a genetic abnormality that led to muscle spasms and abnormal posture in affected individuals.
Researchers develop a physical model for sap exudation, attributing mechanism to pressure and volume changes in tree's vascular tissue. The model incorporates dynamics of thawing sap, dissolving gas bubbles, and osmotic pressure gradient.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine found that dietary salt can induce and worsen pathogenic immune system responses in mice, leading to a more severe form of multiple sclerosis. They discovered the key molecular pathway involved in this response and proposed regulatory networks that govern autoimmune disease.
A study found that high salt intake can induce aggressive immune cells involved in triggering and sustaining autoimmune diseases. This is the result of increased sodium chloride leading to a dramatic induction of Th17 immune cells, which play a pivotal role in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
The European League Against Rheumatism recommends immediate use of synthetic DMARDs after diagnosis, but they are expensive. The survey found that 26 countries cannot afford biological DMARDs, excluding 320 million people from treatment.
A European-wide study with 450,000 participants found that eating over 40 grams of processed meat per day increases the risk of mortality compared to those who eat fewer than 20 grams a day. Moderate consumption of up to 40 grams daily does not increase mortality risk.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside Professor Alexander A. Balandin has solved the long-standing issue of low-frequency electronic 1/f noise in materials and devices. By studying multi-layered graphene samples, they found that the origin of this signal is at the surface of electrical conductors, contrary to previous research.
Researchers discovered that plant epigenomes are as varied as the environments in which they grow, enabling rapid adaptation. This knowledge may aid in crop production and the study of human diseases.
Researchers at UTHealth found that up to 30 percent of minority youths reported engaging in sexting behaviors, with over 20 percent sending nude photos and more than 30 percent receiving them. The study suggests that this issue has been overlooked among ethnic minority youth.
Research found short bouts of exercise enhance higher brain functions, including memory, concentration, planning, and decision-making, in all three age groups. Short exercises improved self-control, especially in children and teens, crucial for academic achievement and daily life.
Researchers have made a surprising connection between autoimmunity and salt consumption, highlighting the interplay of genetics and environmental factors. The study's findings could lead to new ways to regulate T helper 17 cells and their function in autoimmune diseases.
A new study highlights the need for increased culls to control the UK's growing deer population. The research found that current management efforts are insufficient to stop populations from spreading out of control, threatening biodiversity and causing damage to crops and road traffic accidents.
A study of 439 overweight postmenopausal women found that weight loss and physical activity lower the risk of breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Adiponectin levels increased with weight loss, while leptin levels decreased, suggesting a protective effect against tumor cell growth.
Researchers have found that entanglement across a black hole's event horizon plays a crucial role in determining the existence of a 'firewall' paradox. The study confirms and generalizes previous claims about entanglement in black holes, supporting Einstein's theory of gravity.
A team of researchers found that a specific histone variant, macroH2A, prevents normal cells from being reprogrammed into cells resembling stem cells. This discovery has broad implications for how cells change during both normal and disease development.
A multi-site study led by a Miriam Hospital researcher reveals that treatment-experienced HIV patients can safely achieve viral suppression without incorporating the traditional class of HIV medications into their treatment regimen. This new approach could change treatment guidelines, lessen side effects, and increase adherence rates.
Researchers analyzed 82 million drug-related search queries from 6 million users and found that those who searched for both drugs were more likely to look up symptoms associated with high blood sugar. This suggests that online searches could be used as an early warning system for potential drug safety issues.
A mouse study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that removing visceral fat reduces the development of intestinal tumors. The study also showed gender differences in how adiposity affects cancer risk, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to reduce abdominal obesity and promote weight loss.
University of Central Florida chemist Kevin Belfield uses acid reflux to kill certain cancer cells by making them more acidic when exposed to specific wavelengths of light. This technique could provide a way to target cancer cells deep within human tissue with minimal side effects.
Researchers at UTHealth found phthalates in 72 commonly consumed food samples, with all products showing some level of phthalate contamination. The discovery raises concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals, particularly given the potential health risks associated with phthalates.
The Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS) app teaches Sailors and Marines to recognize their stress responses and manage them using biofeedback techniques. The app's field testing at the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control could help prevent PTSD in warfighters, saving billions of dollars in medical costs.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have unearthed a diverse group of fossilized green lacewing insects, revealing at least 10 new species. The findings provide valuable insights into ancient life and the formation of modern natural communities.
A new study found that prolonged exposure to an enriched environment activates brain receptors, preventing amyloid beta protein from weakening nerve cell communication. This provides a molecular mechanism for why a richer environment can help lessen the memory-eroding effects of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich created a numerical model to study complex fluids, such as ketchup, which exhibits unusual behavior when shaken. The model explains the effects of long-chained polymer molecules on flow resistance, providing new insights into the microscopic mechanisms driving these phenomena.
A study published in Neurology found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience memory and attention issues have significant damage to brain areas critical for cognitive functions. This discovery has important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of MS-related cognitive problems.
Researchers identified microRNA expression signatures that define the progression of Barrett's esophagus into esophageal adenocarcinoma. A small number of microRNAs, including miR-375 and the miR-17-92 family, may differentiate Barrett's esophagus from esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Researchers discovered that CALHM1 channel plays a key role in transmitting signals from Type II taste cells to the brain. Mice lacking this gene have difficulty detecting sweet and bitter tastes, highlighting its importance for our sense of taste.
A novel stem cell niche for the ovarian surface epithelium has been identified, where ovarian carcinoma preferentially originates. This discovery provides a new guide for scientists to look for stem cell niches and sources of cancer in other transitional zones.
University of Georgia researchers discovered essential genes in archaea that shed light on the history of microorganisms and the origins of life. The study found unique DNA synthesis systems, essential genes necessary for methane production, and insights into cell formation.