Scientists have discovered a new species of armored fish in north central Pennsylvania, providing insights into evolutionary changes during the Devonian period. The discovery was made possible by a technique used to analyze fossil impressions, which allowed researchers to create a detailed description of the new species.
A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital reveals that the rise in minimally invasive kidney stone surgery has led to a higher incidence of blood infections and overall complications among female patients. The procedure's use has increased by 47% since 1999, with women making up a larger share of those undergoing the treatment.
A study published in Menopause found that higher levels of routine daily physical activity, particularly household and caregiving chores, were associated with better sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings for women with hot flashes. The positive effects were mainly observed in white, non-obese women.
Researchers found that the sticky nature of opaline, not its chemical composition, is responsible for reducing sensory responses in lobsters. The study suggests that sea hares can escape predation by using opaline to inactivate a lobster's sense of smell and ability to feed.
A meta-analysis of 62 studies across 48 species found that sticking around to care for offspring is the better choice for some males when faced with infidelity. Males tend to be more accepting of offspring fathered by other males in species where risk is low or caring doesn't harm reproductive success.
Researchers at IDIBELL and VHIR have developed a treatment using adult mesenchymal stem cells to regenerate damaged lung tissue and reduce inflammation. The licensed product has shown promising results in animal models of acute respiratory distress and allergic asthma.
Research found scale insects were 13 times more abundant on willow oaks in hot areas compared to cooler ones, with higher survival rates in hot greenhouses. The study suggests urban warming may lead to changes in pest abundance as natural forests also warm up.
Researchers found that a strain of probiotic bacteria can alter its coat to outcompete harmful bacteria. This ability may prevent the growth of Clostridium perfringens in poultry, reducing the risk of necrotic enteritis and food poisoning.
A study by MIT and Université Catholique de Louvain found that just four points of reference were enough to uniquely identify 95% of cellphone users in a data set of 1.5 million users. The researchers used statistical physics tools to uncover a simple mathematical relationship between data resolution and identification probability.
A team of astronomers at the University of Toronto propose a mechanism for forming very large stars, where baby stars are fed gas from surrounding older stars, allowing them to grow in mass. They observed evidence of this phenomenon in the Westerhout 3 cloud, located 6,500 light years from Earth.
Studies on zebrafish embryos reveal that the protein Nodal triggers a signaling cascade, allowing cardiac progenitor cells to migrate faster and form an asymmetric heart. The research also shows that another signaling molecule, Bmp, reduces cell migration on the left side of the heart.
Researchers found that different mutations in the same gene may require different treatments for child brain tumors. A new study identified a second-generation BRAF inhibitor that targets specific mutations, offering hope for personalized medicine.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a safe and simple Chagas disease vaccine candidate, TcVac3, which shows over 90 percent protection against chronic infection in mice. The potential vaccine could be approved in as few as five years for use in canines, who are reservoir hosts of the disease.
A team from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's Institute for Regenerative Medicine has developed engineered ovaries that can sustainably release sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. The bioartificial ovary could potentially replace hormone drugs, offering a more natural approach to hormone replacement therapy.
The Lancet Series reveals significant disparities in male life expectancy between eastern and western Europe, with a gap of over 40 years. Public health policies are also at risk due to EU law's influence from industry and pro-business stances.
A study by the Wellcome Trust found that four out of five mugging victims experienced excessive mistrust and paranoia lasting up to six months after the attack. Factors such as feeling defeated, worrying excessively, and difficulties sleeping increased paranoid fears in victims.
A meta-analysis of 62 studies across 48 different species found that males who stick around to care for offspring are more successful when females are promiscuous. This suggests that males make complex calculations about the benefits and risks of paternal care, and that natural selection favors tolerance in certain situations.
A new portable device can count all five subtypes of white blood cells within minutes, providing an accurate differential and enabling the detection of rare basophils. This technology could improve outpatient monitoring of patients with chronic conditions and bring medical care to remote areas.
Researchers have identified two molecules that can predict which stroke patients are at risk of severe long-term disability. The study found elevated levels of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) and big endothelin-1 (BigET-1) in SAH patients who suffered significant disability.
Researchers at UGA have created a microorganism that can absorb CO2 and generate useful industrial products, including fuel. This discovery could lead to the creation of carbon-neutral fuels from atmospheric CO2, a cleaner alternative to gasoline, coal, and oil.
Three Ludwig scientists - Webster K. Cavenee, Bert Vogelstein, and Robert A. Weinberg - were named Fellows in the inaugural class of the AACR Academy for their pioneering work in cancer research. The recognition honors their contributions to enhancing cancer understanding and accelerating new treatments.
A randomized trial found that chelation therapy with disodium EDTA modestly reduced the risk of a composite of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but did not support routine use for treatment of patients who have had a heart attack. The study included 1,708 patients and showed no effect on total mortality.
Fossil finds in Africa have shed light on the evolutionary past of penguins, revealing that four species coexisted on the continent five million years ago. Rising and falling sea levels are believed to be responsible for the decline of African penguin diversity.
A new program at the University of Missouri Health Care System is providing support and training for healthcare workers who experience emotional trauma after a patient's death or unexpected decline. The program has been recognized nationally and its effectiveness has been studied in several studies published in top medical journals.
A new center at Northwestern University will study over 200 patients to better understand how language is processed and recovers in healthy people and those with stroke or neurological diseases. The center aims to challenge existing clinical practices and promote treatment options for individuals with chronic aphasia.
Developed for DTRA, EMAPS creates annotated physical maps of areas without GPS coverage, capturing 360-degree photos and sensor readings using lasers and sensors. The system improves upon algorithms for robots and includes human movement allowance, detecting environmental threats and associating critical data with map locations.
Research models estimate post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) costs British pigs up to £84 per pig, with a two-day quarantine and vaccination strategy saving farmers up to £11,500 per year. The disease affects 30% of cases, causing emaciation and death.
A recent study published in Justice Quarterly found that most online activities of gang members are typical of their age group, with a rate of committing crimes or deviant acts online 70% greater than those not in gangs. Gang members use social networking sites and watch YouTube videos as status symbols.
Researchers recommend radiosurgery for treating unruptured AVMs due to its reasonable benefit-to-risk profile. The procedure resulted in AVM obliteration in 62% of patients, with a reduced annual hemorrhage rate compared to left untreated AVMs.
The MAVEN magnetometer will study the planet's magnetic field to infer how the atmosphere evolved, helping answer why Mars became a frozen desert. By measuring sections of the planet's magnetic field, scientists can create a bigger picture of the overall atmosphere and understand its interactions with solar wind.
A recent study published in Language journal reveals that Philadelphia's traditional Southern accent is being replaced by Northern influences. The research analyzed neighborhood speech patterns over a century, finding two major patterns of change and their possible causes related to geographic neighbors.
Researchers study terrestrial water storage data to predict fire activity in the Amazon region months in advance. They find that during high fire years, water storage is below average before the fire season, while in low fire years, it is above average before the dry season.
A research paper published in Academic Medicine highlights the successful development of an infectious disease curriculum, which increased student engagement and improved understanding of course content. The curriculum was piloted in five Boston Public Schools and showed significant improvements in science literacy and critical thinkin...
A recent study found that vitamin D levels in the blood are linked to improved lung function in adults. The study also discovered that people with a history of tuberculosis had lower vitamin D levels, which improved when levels rose.
A study found that azithromycin improved symptoms and lung function in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, but at the cost of increased antibiotic resistance. The treatment also raised gastrointestinal side effects.
A new model developed by researchers at UCLA uses hormone levels to estimate when the final menstrual period will occur in menopausal women. This could help identify accelerated bone loss and increased cardiovascular risk in the year leading up to the final menstrual period.
Researchers have developed a new method for assessing biodiversity using DNA-soup from crushed-up insects and next-generation sequencing technology. This bulk-collected insect goo reveals diverse and poorly characterized insect communities, even in small areas.
University of Montreal researchers found that metformin reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to pathological inflammation and cancer growth. The study suggests that metformin may slow down the aging process by preventing this chronic inflammation.
A Cedars-Sinai study suggests that certain microorganisms in the gut may contribute to weight gain by allowing individuals to reap more calories from their food. The study found that people with high concentrations of methane and hydrogen gases in their breath had higher body mass indexes and body fat percentages.
A UK study published in PLOS Medicine found that hospital deaths decreased by half between 2005 and 2010, while home and hospice deaths increased. The study attributed this shift to improved end-of-life care initiatives, particularly for single people, the elderly, and those with certain cancer types.
UK scientists are investigating the threat of marine invasive non-native species in the Galapagos Islands, which is being exacerbated by increasing tourism. The team aims to identify new species, assess their potential impact on native ecosystems, and develop control measures to protect marine biodiversity.
A recent study found that stroke patients treated at certified stroke centers are three times more likely to receive clot-busting medication. The research examined hospital discharge data on over 323,000 ischemic stroke patients and found significant improvements in tPA administration at certified primary stroke centers.
A clinical isolate of E. coli resistant to carbapenems has been studied, revealing four genetic mutations that enable the bacteria to survive and multiply despite the presence of antibiotics. These mutations involve changes to membrane proteins, regulatory proteins, and a multidrug efflux pump.
Researchers found large variations in animal responses to alcohol, with some showing robust sensitization and others no change. These findings may lead to better understanding of addiction and development of more effective treatment drugs.
New simulations uncover flaw in using hollow cones to guide energetic electrons to fuel pellets for laser-driven fusion. Researchers at Ohio State University found that thicker cones hinder the process due to neutralizing effect of free electrons in dense plasma.
Research found a significant association between low levels of 5-OH vitamin D and increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and small for gestational age births. Vitamin D insufficiency is common during pregnancy, especially among high-risk women.
Researchers have developed a new sequencing method that reduces bias in measuring biodiversity by avoiding PCR amplification, allowing for accurate estimation of biomass and identification of species. This method was successfully tested on bulk arthropod samples and identified bacteria and insect species with high accuracy.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplements can help control blood-sugar levels in obese youths, potentially staving off Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed a significant decrease in insulin levels despite no changes in body weight or activity.
A study by Southern Methodist University found that fruit flies raised on organic diets performed better on several health tests, including fertility and longevity. The researchers believe the benefits may be dependent on specific foods, which could explain inconsistent results in previous studies.
The NIH has awarded a $1.67 million grant to UT Dallas researchers, led by Dr. Santosh D'Mello, to investigate the connection between histone deacetylase-3 (HDAC3) and Huntington's disease. The study seeks to understand why specific brain cells degenerate in this devastating disorder.
Researchers analyzed 66 Amazon protected areas and found no strong association between deforestation avoidance and RAPPAM scores. However, they discovered a correlation between the absence of land tenure conflicts and successful deforestation prevention.
Youth with type 1 diabetes face increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and kidney failure after transitioning to adult care without adequate support. The study found that nearly 80% of individuals had left pediatric care by age 21, highlighting the importance of effective transition planning.
Researchers have identified the long-unknown mating-type genes of Tetrahymena thermophila, a single-celled organism with seven sexes. The study reveals a random process of DNA rearrangements that determines sex in this organism, which may have potential human health implications.
The Solar Access to Public Capital (SAPC) working group aims to standardize power purchase agreements and develop robust datasets to assess performance and credit-default risk. This effort is expected to attract additional investors to the solar asset class, potentially lowering the cost of solar energy.
Researchers found that untreated depression hinders anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and light-to-moderate alcohol consumption. Participants with depression showed no benefit in lowering C-reactive protein levels, despite normal physical activity levels.
Ganetespib shows greater antitumor activity against ALK-positive NSCLC and overcomes crizotinib resistance in mice xenografted with human cancer cells. The drug is effective for treating patients who have become resistant to FDA-approved targeted therapy.
A team of biologists has identified the mating-type genes responsible for determining the sex of cells in the single-celled organism Tetrahymena thermophila. This discovery sheds light on a unique process of DNA rearrangements that leads to randomly determined progeny sex.
New technique allows for direct reprogramming of human cells into nerve cells, opening possibilities for treating Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Researchers at Lund University have made a breakthrough in the field of cell therapy by successfully reprogramming skin cells and support cells into nerve cells.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers explains how certain plant traits can be passed down through generations without following traditional genetic rules. They discovered an enzyme in corn that targets 'junk DNA' and triggers unexpected changes in gene activity, an example of epigenetics.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a novel mechanism that regulates the replication of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The findings, published in Diabetes, provide new insights into how to regenerate beta cells and potentially lead to new therapies for Type 1 and 2 diabetes.