Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered a new mechanism by which estrogen suppresses lipid synthesis in the liver, revealing potential new approaches for treating certain liver diseases. The study found that estrogen acts on cell membrane-based receptors to inhibit lipid synthesis, changing long-held views in the field.
Despite promising initial results, a breakthrough treatment for Alzheimer's disease did not show any reduction in plaque burden after extensive testing. Three independent research groups failed to confirm the efficacy of bexarotene in reversing beta amyloid plaques.
Physicists at ETH Zurich have developed a new device that uses laser beams and atoms to emulate magnetic materials, enabling the study of exotic forms of magnetism. The approach promises groundbreaking insights into the properties of magnetic materials.
A recent fish study has identified a key hormone that enables zebrafish to replace damaged motor neurons, which could aid research into neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. This discovery also sheds light on the development of motor neurons in human embryonic stem cells.
A cross-sectional study found that bicycle helmet laws significantly reduced the risk of death and injury for children under 16 involved in bicycle-motor vehicle collisions. The study showed a 20% lower fatality rate in states with helmet laws, with an average annual reduction of 900 fatalities.
A University of Alberta physicist collaborated with amateur astronomers to confirm the periodic bursts of light from a binary star, SS Cygni, 370 light years away. The team re-examined an established theory and confirmed its accuracy using data from ground-based radio telescopes and optical observations.
The Lancet Series on transfusion medicine examines the use of restrictive transfusion practices, innovative solutions to address the growing demand for blood products, and alternative ways to manage the blood supply. The series aims to reduce unnecessary blood transfusions, improve patient safety, and cut costs.
Researchers will develop procedures to help underinsured people efficiently get care for common health problems. The study aims to identify and address barriers to accessing care, prioritizing care access strategies based on patient experiences.
Dr. Peter Williamson's research reveals distinct neural networks affected by different psychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to uncover differences between patients and healthy individuals.
A large cross-sectional study found that adults, adolescents, and parents of school-age children consistently underestimate the calorie content of their meals, especially large ones. The researchers suggest that menu labelling requirements and social marketing campaigns could help correct this underestimation.
Researchers at Pitt Public Health have found that an anti-cancer drug, bexarotene, significantly improves cognitive deficits in mice with Alzheimer's gene mutations. The study suggests a possible new therapeutic treatment for Alzheimer's disease, although the exact mechanism of action remains unclear.
Scientists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München discovered a mechanism that allows chromosomal DNA to be locally displaced from nucleosomes for transcription. The FACT complex interacts with histone subunits and detaches stretches of packaged DNA from the nucleosome core, releasing it from its tight wrapping.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have developed a new method to breed GM tomatoes with enhanced flavor, health, and shelf life. By introducing a specific compound, they were able to prolong the lives of cancer-prone mice and extend the average shelf life from 21 days to 48 days.
Researchers found that an anti-cancer drug, bexarotene, did not reduce amyloid plaques in the brains of mice, despite initial claims of its effectiveness in reversing Alzheimer's-like symptoms. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the nuances of this potential treatment.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have discovered how rapamycin prevents cells from dividing, potentially slowing cancer progression and other diseases of abnormal growth. The study reveals that TOR sends a signal to shut down B cyclin production through an intermediary protein.
Defects in cellular trash removal processes lead to toxic protein build-up and neuronal damage in Gaucher disease, mirroring Parkinson's disease pathology. Researchers suggest targeting mitochondrial function to develop treatment strategies for both diseases.
Researchers found that white tigers owe their color to a variant of the SLC45A2 gene. This discovery may lead to reintroduction of white tigers into their wild habitat.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered the neural mechanism behind cockroach aversion to glucose in roach baits. This genetic trait helps roaches reject baits made with glucose, a common ingredient in roach-bait poison.
Scientists at NIH report discovering a small molecule, natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb), that streams ahead and selectively plugs into a specific nerve cell in the spinal cord, triggering the sensation of itch. In mice with Nppb-deficient neurons, itching was significantly reduced.
Wayne State University has received a second year of funding from the New Economy Initiative to expand its Technology Commercialization Office's efforts. The university will use the grant to enhance marketing tools and licensing staff, increasing the availability of WSU intellectual property assets to industry and venture capital.
A team of researchers used radio telescopes to precisely locate SS Cygni at 370 light-years from Earth, resolving a major problem in understanding the star's regular outbursts. The new distance measurement brings the system into line with standard explanations for similar systems.
Researchers discovered neurons employ distinct Caspase mechanisms for axon pruning and apoptosis, providing insights into neurological disorders. The study's findings shed light on the processes underlying neurodevelopmental disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
A study has shown that H7N9 can be transmitted efficiently when animals are in close contact, such as touching, coughing, and exchanging bodily fluids. The transmission of the virus was found to be reduced if cages were well spaced, indicating that airborne transmission is not a high risk for H7N9.
A 2.5-year-old boy with severe brain damage was treated with autologous cord blood and showed significant improvement in symptoms, including learning to speak simple sentences and move. The treatment's effectiveness has sparked hope for alternative therapies for infantile cerebral palsy.
Researchers at Lund University have prevented early symptoms of Huntington's disease, depression, and anxiety in mice by deactivating the mutated huntingtin protein. This discovery is a major breakthrough and may lead to more accurate treatments for this debilitating disease.
Researchers recommend against testing bexarotene on patients due to inconsistent results in various animal test models. The study highlights the importance of rigorous scientific evaluation and reproducibility.
A new microsphere-based detection system uses multiple antibodies at once for early HIV detection and vaccine efficacy assessment. The novel multiplex immunoassay approach significantly improves sensitivity over standard ELISA techniques.
Researchers developed a new laboratory method to detect and measure the mechanics of single-molecule interactions, revealing a well-defined 'quantum of force' required to activate cell adhesion. The findings have broad applications for research into stem cells, cancer, infectious disease, and immunology.
Researchers found that Africans develop type-2 diabetes through increased insulin resistance, while East Asians develop it through lower insulin-secretion ability. This understanding could lead to more targeted therapies for the disease.
A Wayne State University researcher found that affective commitment, or feeling loyal and proud of an organization, is the most desirable type. The study also showed that continuing commitment, driven by salary and benefits, can lead to employees staying too long due to high costs.
Researchers have captured conclusive images of green alga consuming bacteria, providing evidence for a critical step in the evolution of photosynthetic algae and land plants. The discovery sheds light on an early evolutionary event that fundamentally changed the trajectory of plant and animal evolution.
Researchers from UW-Milwaukee and University of York investigate ultra-thin films of new materials, aiming to create a materials platform for quantum computers. The team found that the unique properties of topological insulators can be modified by intrinsic defects, opening up new possibilities for spintronics.
A study reveals a unique form of childhood asthma connected to impaired sphingolipid synthesis, bypassing typical allergen and inflammation pathways. This discovery may lead to precision medicine approaches for treatment.
Researchers have identified a new compound class that promotes neuroblastoma cell differentiation, which can stop tumor cells from dividing and growing. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel treatments for high-risk childhood cancer.
Researchers discovered that discarded immune cells stimulate the release of hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. This process is regulated by the daily elimination of neutrophils and follows a circadian cycle, which could have implications for cardiovascular health.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that reforestation efforts in the Panama Canal watershed may not always increase water supply, but can enhance carbon sequestration and timber production. The research highlights the importance of understanding the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and their trade-offs.
A study by University of Toronto Mississauga researchers found that offering economic incentives such as gift cards increased blood donations without compromising safety. The study used field-based studies with larger samples and found that incentives like paid vacation days led to a significant rise in annual blood donations.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Irvine, has discovered a rare mega-galaxy dubbed HXMM01, which is 10 times larger than the Milky Way. The galaxy was formed after a 11-billion-year collision between two young galaxies and is rapidly fading away due to its own cataclysmic birth.
A novel vaccine concept using HA-ferritin nanoparticles elicited a potent immune response and broad protection against H1N1 virus strains. The experimental vaccine was also active against a wider range of strains than the licensed seasonal influenza vaccine.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) detected a M7-class solar flare on May 22, 2013, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME was not Earth-directed but may cause disruptions to satellites and electronic systems.
A team of interdisciplinary researchers from Johns Hopkins University has found that turbulence is the key to explaining magnetic field misbehavior in solar flares. The study used complex computer modeling to mimic what happens to magnetic fields when they encounter turbulence within a solar flare, revealing why the usual rule of physi...
A pan-European study found that certain signs of motor disorders can appear years before the actual disease manifests. The researchers detected these signs using a mathematical model and extensive tests, including standardized tests of muscular coordination and magnetic resonance imaging.
Harvard physicists develop a novel technique to detect molecular variants in chemical mixtures, relying on microwave fields to identify left- and right-handed compounds. The method can analyze complex mixtures and determine the ratio of variants, with potential applications in pharmaceutical development.
A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with visceral fat accumulation only in men, while in women, BMI was the only factor linked to this risk. This disparity may contribute to differences in OSA's impact on cardiovascular disease and mortality between genders.
Researchers at Michigan State University investigate the brain and behavior of zebra finches to understand the relationship between rhythm and stuttering. The study aims to identify which parts of the brain are responsible for processing rhythm, with potential implications for treating stuttering in children.
A recent study found that mild hypothyroidism can have a higher mortality risk among patients with heart failure, especially in African-American populations. The research suggests that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach may not be suitable for assessing risk and determining treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism.
The World Heart Federation hosted an international meeting to address the growing burden of rheumatic heart disease, a neglected non-communicable disease that kills over 200,000 people under 25 annually. Four key strategies were identified to integrate RHD prevention and control into national action plans.
A new study found that 42.4% of young people use calorie information when eating at fast food or chain restaurants, with girls and obese youth being more likely to do so. In contrast, those who eat there twice a week or more are half as likely to use calorie information.
A new study from Brigham Young University suggests that infant feeding practices are a significant factor in childhood obesity. Babies predominantly fed formula were 2.5 times more likely to become obese toddlers than breastfed infants.
Researchers successfully targeted doxorubicin to mitochondria, killing cancer cells even those with developed pumps. The study suggests this approach could work with other nucleus-targeting anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers at Griffith University have discovered how Neisseria meningitidis attaches to human airways, a key step in the development of invasive disease. This breakthrough understanding may lead to the identification of new risk factors and treatment procedures.
The Immortality Project at UC Riverside has awarded $2.3 million to 10 research teams studying near-death experiences, virtual reality immortality, and the genetics of a species of freshwater hydra that never ages. The projects aim to advance knowledge on human longevity, near-death experiences, and the nature of personhood.
Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered a molecular mechanism that enhances attention and reduces cognitive noise in the brain. By manipulating glutamate coupling to NMDA receptors, they improved perceptual abilities and increased the fidelity of neural responses.
A new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has been found to be as safe as the previously used 7-valent PCV7, according to a Kaiser Permanente study. The vaccine protects against a broader range of pneumococcal types and provides protection against serious infections such as meningitis.
Researchers found that mosquitoes may be responding to an immune challenge rather than manipulating their behavior to transmit malaria parasites. Mosquitoes will wait to feed until the parasites mature and migrate to the salivary glands, but this response is also seen in non-infected mosquitoes.
Researchers say that conserving major tributaries in the Mississippi River Basin may be a more effective approach to saving large-river fish. Studies found that rivers with flow rates above 166 cubic meters per second support 80% or more of large-river species, making them crucial habitats for these fish.
Researchers at Michigan State University create novel index systems to measure human dependence on nature's benefits and linkages to human well-being. The studies aim to promote sustainable understanding, monitoring, and management of coupled human and natural systems.
A mid-level solar flare (M7) was observed by NASA's SDO on May 22, 2013, causing brief radio blackouts at the poles and disrupting GPS signals. The sun is in its solar maximum phase, leading to an increase in flares and coronal mass ejections.
Researchers identified two genes responsible for flowering in a tropical tree species. The genes, SbFT and SbSVP, show dramatic changes before flowering after a four-week drought period. This discovery may help predict mass flowering events, aiding conservation efforts.
A new, bioresorbable tracheal splint created using 3D printing technology successfully treated a baby with severe tracheobronchomalacia, saving his life. The device was designed and fabricated at the University of Michigan, where it was used to treat Kaiba, a 20-month-old boy who stopped breathing regularly.