Researchers have discovered a critical link between impaired protein digestion in neurons and familial Parkinson's disease. The study identifies LRRK2 mutations as a key contributor to alpha-synuclein accumulation, providing potential avenues for drug treatments or genetic therapies.
A study by Brigham Young University reveals that mothers prioritize their male offspring with high leadership potential, providing better nourishment and habitats. This investment has a lasting impact on the males' survival and health even after independence.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem critical for emotional memory processing during REM sleep. The activation of phasic pontine waves is linked to the development of long-term retention of fear extinction memory, making it a potential target for new treatments.
The AHRQ report identifies 10 strongly recommended patient safety strategies, including preoperative checklists and hand hygiene, to prevent harmful events in US healthcare institutions. The report builds on previous research and provides clinicians with a sound basis for integrating proven strategies into their care.
A recent study suggests that new national policies designed to reduce hospital readmissions will have uncertain success. The study identifies three critical challenges that stand in the way of policy success, including the need for collaborative relationships within the medical community and more evidence-based policy decisions.
Researchers in India have developed a filter system using the medicinal herb Tridax procumbens to remove fluoride from drinking water. The technology can reduce fluoride levels by up to 98% in just three hours, making it a promising approach for defluoridation.
A Tel Aviv University researcher finds that a simple home aerobic program is as effective as clinical therapy in treating lower back pain. The program involves walking two to three times a week for 20-40 minutes and has the added advantage of encouraging patients to follow a healthier lifestyle.
Research reveals that age-related dementia may begin with neurons' inability to dispose of unwanted proteins, leading to their accumulation. This decline in protein disposal mechanisms contributes to the development and progression of dementia, making it a promising area for novel therapies.
A study found that limited scar burden was linked to improved heart contraction and reversal of wall thinning in patients with coronary artery disease. Regional myocardial wall thinning may represent viable myocardium with potential for recovery, challenging current views on the condition.
A new report by Panthera suggests that fencing and conflict mitigation initiatives are necessary to conserve lion populations in Africa. The study found that unfenced habitats lead to higher costs and lower lion population densities, highlighting the severity of the lion conservation crisis.
New experiments show that complex molecules can form in icy grains in space, potentially bringing the building blocks of life to Earth. The discovery opens the door to comets or meteorites as a source for life's origins.
A recent study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found that hospital cesarean delivery rates varied widely across US hospitals, with lower-risk patients experiencing even greater variation. The study's findings suggest potential quality issues and highlight the need for improved data on maternity care quality.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that green tea extract can prevent the misfolding of specific proteins in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found that a molecule in green tea, EGCG, prevented aggregate formation and broke down existing structures in proteins containing metals.
Researchers found that DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in oily fish, activates ion channels to lower blood pressure. In contrast, the ethyl ester form of DHA, commonly used in fish oil pills, fails to activate these channels and may even counteract their effects.
A recent study found that people who intentionally exclude others experience negative emotions such as shame and guilt, while those who are excluded feel anger. These results highlight the psychological costs of excluding others, suggesting a fundamental human need for social connection and autonomy.
A new study published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery concludes that additional training in managing face and neck injuries and improvements in body armor could be beneficial. The majority of injured service members had mild to moderate injuries, with females being at higher risk of survival.
Researchers found that news consumers with 'reward-seeking' personalities are more likely to read news online, engage with websites, and use mobile devices. To maximize online revenue, news organizations should target these reward seekers with brain-friendly designs and emotional storytelling.
Researchers at CNIO have developed new computational methods to study the evolution of proteins and their interactions. These methods enable predictions of molecular relationships and structural changes, with potential applications in cancer treatment and drug development.
A new study finds that more than one-third of ER physicians are unsure if their department provides child passenger safety information to parents. Fewer than half said they would provide discharge instructions with advice on car seats for a 2-year-old child.
Two novel radiolabeled small molecules targeting PSMA have excellent potential for diagnosing and staging prostate cancer. The imaging agents showed a high sensitivity of lesion detection in bone, soft tissue, and the prostate gland.
Félix Goñi, a renowned researcher, has received the prestigious European Avanti award for his groundbreaking work on cell membrane lipids and their role in programmed cell death. The award recognizes his contributions to the understanding of biophysics of lipids, including metabolism, enzymology, structure, and membranes.
Scientists assembled the transcriptome and genome of the noxious weed Brachypodium sylvaticum, providing insights into its invasive capabilities and adaptation to new environments. The study offers a model for studying ecological and evolutionary aspects of invasion.
Midwall fibrosis detected via MRI is associated with higher mortality rates in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Patients with midwall fibrosis are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular mortality.
The Human Connectome Project has released a major dataset on brain connectivity, featuring high-resolution imaging and behavioral information from 68 healthy adult volunteers. The data will enable scientists to explore relationships between brain circuits and individual behavior.
Researchers have discovered how two proteins shelter each other to ensure smooth and safe cell division, a process crucial for growth and response to environmental changes. By understanding these molecular mechanisms, scientists may uncover new clues for understanding diseases like cancer.
Researchers have developed a new focal laser ablation treatment that uses precisely targeted heat to burn away cancerous cells in the prostate. The approach has shown promising safety results and can be performed without significant side effects.
A new study suggests that more independent consumers are better at delaying gratification and perceive future events as happening in the distant future. This is because they think of the future in abstract terms, whereas less independent consumers perceive it in concrete terms.
A team of scientists discovered that certain bitter taste receptors can relax airway smooth muscle cells, potentially halting asthma attacks. The study's findings suggest that these bitter compounds may be an improvement over current treatments due to their rapid relaxation effects.
Researchers found that college students who used religious coping mechanisms reported less frequent and heavy drinking. Parents' stress-coping habits also played a role in shaping their children's coping practices. The study surveyed 129 college students and their parents, with results published in the Journal of Religion and Health.
A study by Washington State University researchers found that fishers in Hawaii's nearshore fisheries travel longer distances to catch fish due to the placement of marine protected areas. Despite this, their social and economic status remain unchanged.
Theoretical models demonstrate that gas giant planets can survive periodic outbursts of mass transfer from the gas disk onto the young star. These models show that Jupiter and Saturn could have formed through this process, supporting the presence of 20% of sun-like stars with gas giants.
Researchers have found a virus that can adapt to hosts with modified nuclear genetic codes, contrary to the long-held assumption that such changes prevent new viral infections. The discovery provides evidence of co-evolution between viruses and hosts with altered genetic codes.
Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a naturally occurring lipid, POPG, that reduces inflammation and inhibits infection by the influenza virus and RSV. The lipid offers a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of these respiratory infections.
A large study found that people with insomnia symptoms, including trouble falling asleep and waking up feeling unrefreshed, have a higher risk of developing heart failure. The study followed 54,279 participants for over 11 years and found those with all three insomnia symptoms had a more than three-fold increased risk.
A study published in Science Signaling identified a critical protein role in the spread of melanoma to the lungs. Researchers found that inhibiting the adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) protein reduces melanoma metastasis.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a gene variant associated with higher production of kynurenic acid, which may explain psychotic features in bipolar disorder. The study suggests that inflammation and stress trigger the production of KYNA, leading to increased levels in patients' brains.
A Baylor study suggests children of divorced parents are more likely to disassociate from institutional religions, but private religious life remains unaffected. Context factors like parental differences in religiosity and logistical difficulties play a significant role in shaping religious outcomes.
Mitochondria have been found to contain 'assembly plants' that regulate the expression of their genes, producing long precursor RNA molecules specific to this organelle. These structures, known as mitochondrial RNA granules, play a crucial role in energy production and may be linked to various diseases.
A new study at Brown University found that the 'selfish' segregation distorter (SD) gene can manipulate meiosis to eliminate defective sperm, while a policing system tries to suppress it. The research deepens understanding of how life can violate fundamental genetic principles.
A new method for estimating blood loss, based on base deficit (BD), is more accurate than the current Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classification. BD was linked to increased severity of injury, length of stay, morbidity and mortality.
A new study suggests that pneumococcal disease may be shifting its burden from infants to adults in Latin America, with significant economic implications. The research highlights the need for increased monitoring and surveillance to understand the full extent of the disease in the region.
A new US patent application allows for methods of restoring visual responses using optogenetic compounds, covering channelrhodopsin and halorhodopsin variants. The approved patent will substantively expand RetroSense's IP estate, providing broad protection for their gene therapies.
Clinical guidelines suggest monitoring patients closely for harm using urine drug testing, pill counts, and prescription data. Careful management balances pain relief with the risk of addiction and overdose.
A pilot study assesses the Primary Practice Physician Program for Chronic Pain (4PCP) and its impact on patients with chronic pain. The program improves symptoms, including reduced pain, fatigue, and depression, as well as boosts physician confidence and efficiency.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers has developed a simple bedside test that can determine whether severe dizziness is caused by a stroke or something benign. The portable device uses eye movement tests to diagnose strokes with 100% accuracy, promising to prevent misdiagnosis and save lives.
A new spectroscopy method has been developed to analyze light emission from layered nanomaterials, enabling researchers to determine the orientation of emitters and potentially improve the efficiency of optical devices. The technique uses energy-momentum spectroscopy to study interference effects in thin films.
Researchers have discovered a highly efficient material for capturing CO2, which could make clean-coal technology more efficient and reduce energy costs. The breakthrough material, SIFSIX-1-Cu, is less expensive and reusable than existing materials, with the potential to improve air quality and combat climate change.
The March 2013 issue of Genetics journal highlights several key findings, including a study on oocyte-expressed genes that support early cloned embryo development and the role of cytoskeletal proteins in controlling clone quality. Additionally, research on self-incompatibility genes in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals the structural and fu...
The Association for Psychological Science has launched an initiative to encourage multi-center replication studies, with a new type of article that allows replication study designs to be peer-reviewed before data collection. The goal is to make replication a valued part of daily scientific practice.
Researchers found that prolonged exposure to the stress hormone corticosterone enabled tadpoles to increase the size of their tails, improving their ability to avoid lethal predator attacks. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity and its role in animal survival.
Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, removing protective berm and beach erosion. The facility is now working to conduct an out-of-cycle beach replenishment and repair the damaged berm.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a new, nonsurgical process to fine-tune and customize cochlear implant programming, providing improved sound quality and spectral resolution. This image-guided strategy uses pre- and postoperative CT scans to pinpoint electrode locations and optimize signal transmission.
A new imaging-genetics study from CAMH found that a specific version of the microRNA-137 gene is associated with younger age at onset and distinct brain features in patients with schizophrenia. The study suggests that developing tests to screen for this gene could help treat patients earlier and more effectively.
Researchers successfully directly observed microorganisms feeding on intestinal mucosa using NanoSIMS technology, identifying Akkermansia muciniphilia and Bacteroides acidifaciens as key players. The study provides new insights into the gut microbiota's role in inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers found significant improvement in quality of care measures, particularly in diabetes-related measures, with double-digit percentage gains observed. The public reporting led to prioritization and engagement in quality improvement efforts among participating physician groups.
A new study suggests that long-term functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling is associated with substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The therapy provides cardiovascular exercise, stimulates movement in paralyzed muscles, and enhances neurological and functional gains.
A new study led by the University of Washington found that certain South American mammals evolved long, strong teeth in response to the gritty dust and volcanic ash they encountered while feeding in an ancient tropical forest. The discovery contradicts the 140-year-old assumption about the evolution of specialized teeth.
Prisoners in Canada often experience worse health than the general population, with higher rates of communicable diseases and mental health issues. A well-organized and coordinated healthcare system is needed to address these complex needs.
The American College of Physicians publishes a special supplement on patient safety strategies, featuring articles on reducing cancer risk through colonoscopy screening and increasing colorectal cancer screening adherence via electronic health records. Researchers found that colonoscopy screening reduces late-stage cancer diagnosis by ...
New fossil discoveries shed light on the history of animal distributions between the Americas, revealing that caimans dispersed north from South America by the early Miocene. The presence of fossils in Panama supports a recent hypothesis that Central and South America were closer together than previously thought.