A new, giant species of extinct platypus, Obdurodon tharalkooschild, has been discovered in Australia. The estimated length of the species is nearly a meter, twice that of the modern platypus. The fossil record suggests that platypuses became smaller and reduced their teeth through time.
Whitehead Institute scientists report that the FLCN protein acts as a trigger to activate the mTORC1 pathway, which regulates cell growth in response to nutrient levels. This unexpected finding may provide insight into how cancer cells distort normal cellular functions to maintain their own harmful ways.
Women who underwent bariatric surgery experienced significant improvements in sexual functioning, including arousal and satisfaction, as well as better reproductive hormone levels and reduced depressive symptoms. They also reported improved body image after weight loss.
Researchers at LMU identified ZNF281 as a critical factor in colon cancer metastasis, driving the transition from epithelial to mesenchymal cells. The protein's inhibition prevents metastasis in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for colon cancer treatment.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is testing a new approach to improve access to digital texts by using crowd sourcing and online gaming. The project aims to enhance texts from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), which contains over 40 million pages of scanned texts.
Researchers found acupuncture activates ephrin-B/EphB signaling, potentially improving pain and repairing injured nerves. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effects on neuropathic injury and pain.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that calmness affects test performance and job outcomes. Candidates who experience high anxiety tend to underperform, while those with motivation score higher on both tests and in their roles.
A new study assesses the impact of offshore wind farm construction on marine mammals, providing a framework to mitigate potential harm. The research focuses on harbor seals and could inform climate change targets while protecting endangered species.
Researchers at NJIT developed a flexible battery using carbon nanotubes that can be used to power flexible displays and devices. The battery's flexibility allows it to be used in various applications, including powering electric cars.
Researchers at SISSA have identified a key mechanism by which riboswitches regulate gene expression in bacteria. By using computer simulations to model the dynamics of the process, they found that binding to a metabolite molecule stabilizes the active form of the riboswitch, triggering protein synthesis.
Severely obese patients who underwent gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgical procedures experienced substantial weight loss, with most of the change occurring in the first year. The study also found significant improvements in obesity-related complications, including diabetes, hypertension, and high choleste...
A telemedicine program called HEALTH-COP improved health outcomes for children with obesity in rural California. Clinicians learned how to better assess patients' weight, provide nutrition and physical activity counseling, and implement strategies to change lifestyle behavior.
A computer model developed by a University of California, Riverside sociologist and Indio police has predicted burglaries by census block group, leading to an 8% decline in thefts. The model uses crime data and truancy records to anticipate hot spots of crime, enabling targeted prevention activities.
A study found that clinicians are more likely to recommend invasive prenatal tests like amniocentesis for mothers who conceived naturally, compared to those who used assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The 'precious baby' phenomenon may affect medical advice, with doctors being influenced by the method of conception.
Researchers found that chronic fluoxetine administration can induce a 'juvenile-like' state in specific neurons of the prefrontal cortex, potentially leading to improved plasticity and neural function. This discovery may revolutionize the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders.
A new international collaboration aims to advance commercial opportunities in next-generation electronic devices by developing more accurate measurements of strain at the nano-scale. The Nanostrain project seeks to drive innovation in areas such as microelectronics, ICT, and sensors industries.
A new approach to treating high blood pressure aims to reduce medication usage while preventing more heart attacks and strokes. Researchers found that considering multiple factors beyond just blood pressure levels can lead to more effective treatment.
A study found that six patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer developed mutations in the estrogen receptor after taking anti-estrogen therapies, leading to treatment resistance. The discovery sheds light on why patients become resistant to hormonal therapy and offers new insights into developing targeted treatments.
Tropical Storm Haiyan is strengthening due to warm waters and low wind shear, expected to intensify to a powerful typhoon before landfall in the Philippines on Nov 8. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts Haiyan will have maximum sustained winds of near 45 knots/51.7 mph/83.3 kph.
Gary M. Shaw receives Agnes Higgins Award for his research on human birth defects, highlighting the link between prenatal nutrition and increased risk of birth defects. The award recognizes Dr. Shaw's efforts to improve maternal nutrition and baby health.
A new algorithm developed at Northwestern University can accurately track physical activity no matter where a patient carries their phone. The study's findings are crucial for improving the health of patients with Parkinson's disease, who may carry their phones in different locations throughout the day.
A University of Southampton study has found that ibuprofen provides no benefit for patients with respiratory tract infections, including colds and sore throats. The research also showed that steam inhalation has no clear symptom-relieving effect, while ibuprofen may actually contribute to the progression of illness in some individuals.
Researchers at University College London have developed a new method for building membrane-crossing pores using Lego-like DNA building blocks. This approach provides a simple and low-cost tool for synthetic biology and has potential applications in diagnostic devices and drug discovery. The technique uses two large anchors to embed the...
A RAND Corporation study suggests that expanding patient-centered medical homes and nurse-managed health centers can help eliminate up to 50% of the expected primary care physician shortage by 2025. These new models rely on a mix of medical providers, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Researchers have recorded unprecedented observations of energy moving through diamond impurities, providing a starting point for new insights into critical electronic-state phenomena. The findings hold broad implications for magnetometry, quantum information, and sensing applications.
The latest issue of ZooKeys has been automatically registered in ZooBank, marking the successful deployment of an automated registration-to-publication pipeline for taxonomic names. This innovation is part of a joint EU and US National Science Foundation project to develop the Global Names Architecture.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that wives' ability to calm down during disputes is linked to higher marital satisfaction. Constructive communication by wives helps couples resolve conflicts, while husbands' quick problem-solving mode often leads to disagreements.
The new journal will cover a range of topics including microscopic methods, optogenetics, and computational methods relevant to understanding brain function. It aims to foster greater awareness and interaction among the photonics, neuroscience, and clinical communities.
College of Veterinary Medicine researcher Yunjeong Kim is working on a novel approach to combat feline coronavirus and calicivirus infections, which cause life-threatening illnesses in cats. She has identified a promising compound that targets the virus protease, essential for successful replication.
University of Helsinki researchers have developed photochemically active polymers that can switch from a trans conformation to a cis conformation using light. This phenomenon allows for the creation of complex patterns and designs in liquids, opening up new possibilities for materials science and optics.
Researchers at UCSF advocate empowering all team members to care for a large number of patients based on their training and abilities. They recommend expanding the scope of practice for registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and medical assistants to provide care for uncomplicated medical problems.
The Theory in Biosciences journal commemorates Alfred Russel Wallace's contributions to evolutionary biology and biogeography. Wallace was a leading scientist who published extensively on various topics, including natural selection and biodiversity research.
Before hitting wind shear, NASA's TRMM Satellite observed heavy rainfall in Typhoon Krosa, with rain rates exceeding 116mm/hour. The storm weakened significantly over the South China Sea, making landfall far south of Vietnam on Nov. 5.
Women who underwent bariatric surgery reported significant improvements in overall sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction. Additionally, they experienced gains in reproductive hormones and psychological status.
A 300-year-old Asian elephant specimen has been reclassified as an African elephant due to genetic and physical evidence. The discovery confirms that the specimen, named Hansken, was likely from West Central Africa and challenges traditional understanding of the species' classification.
A new study predicts a sixfold increase in the number of potential invaders in Arctic waters by 2100 due to warmer climate and increased shipping. The researchers expect an increasing pressure on marine ecosystems, threatening traditional fisheries in Norway and Greenland.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that women and African Americans are at a higher risk of heart attack due to atrial fibrillation. The study found that patients with AF, especially women and African-Americans, have a more than double increased risk of heart attack compared to those without AF.
UC Riverside researchers found that recipients prefer to hear bad news first, while news-givers prefer good news. However, the timing of good news can impact behavior change, with a good-bad-good delivery strategy potentially undermining its effectiveness. The study suggests a good-then-bad news order may be more beneficial for recipie...
This special issue explores the interconnections between climate change, biodiversity, ecosystem functionality, and ecosystem services. It highlights the need for adaptation efforts that consider managing landscapes to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem attributes.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to determine which patients with glioblastoma would benefit from anti-angiogenic drugs. Persistent improvement in vessel perfusion and oxygen delivery was found to be associated with longer survival rates among patients.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that offspring of stressed mothers show stress-induced changes at birth, with altered behavior and gender-related differences continuing into adulthood. The researchers identified the CRF1 gene as a key contributor to this intergenerational transmission of patterns.
Foreign-educated and foreign-born health professionals fill critical gaps in the US healthcare workforce, particularly in primary care physicians and nursing positions. However, relying on these workers may reduce incentives for addressing healthcare workforce shortages and lead to instability.
The use of electronic health records and consumer e-health apps is expected to profoundly impact the American healthcare workforce over the next decade, reducing future demand for physicians by 4-7%. This is due to increased efficiency and delegation of care to nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
A recent genetic study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Israel's wild boars descended from European pigs brought by the Philistines approximately 3,000 years ago. The research analyzed DNA samples from over 25 modern-day wild boars and found a dominant European genetic signature.
A study using voxel-based magnetic resonance morphometry found significant gray matter volume loss in Parkinson's disease patients compared to healthy controls. This loss was particularly pronounced in temporal, occipital, parietal, frontal, insular, and cerebellar regions.
A lack of state-level coordination and organization is hindering efforts to address cervical cancer, according to a new Indiana University study. The researchers identified numerous obstacles, including a paucity of inter-agency influence and a failure to establish streamlined systems of care.
Researchers have developed nanotube-based sensors that can monitor nitric oxide levels in living animals for more than a year. The sensors, made of carbon nanotubes, can be implanted under the skin and used to monitor inflammation, potentially leading to new tools for cancer research and diabetes management.
Two studies surveyed parents and adolescents at school-based health centers (SBHCs) and found highly positive views, with 83% trusting the providers to take good care of their children. SBHCs serve as the main source of medical care for many students, offering vaccinations, check-ups, and mental health counseling.
Researchers at McMaster University discovered that metformin reduces harmful fat molecules in the liver, allowing insulin to work better and lower blood sugar levels. The study found that even obese mice with genetic mutations developed fatty liver and pre-diabetes.
Researchers discovered a way to distinguish protein aggregates from healthy proteins using multi-photon laser technique. This allows for the potential removal of harmful protein aggregates without surgery or toxic chemicals.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have identified a molecule, HDAC3, that plays a starring role in maintaining proper intestinal integrity and function in the presence of friendly bacteria. The study found that HDAC3 regulates the relationship between commensal bacteria and mammalian intestine physiology.
Researchers used electron microscopy techniques to study metallic nanoparticles' reaction with environment, finding oxidation occurs much faster due to strain introduced by size. The discovery improves understanding of nanoparticles' applications in clean fuel technologies, data storage, and catalysis.
A 250 million-year-old study suggests that Pangea integration led to environmental deterioration, causing the biggest mass extinction. The integration resulted in global-scale volcanic eruptions, greenhouse gas emissions, and changes in ocean chemistry, ultimately devastating land and marine ecosystems.
A new technique called HaploSeq enables researchers to quickly determine which genetic variants occur together on the same chromosome and came from the same parent. This advance has direct implications for personalized medicine, improving organ donation matching and understanding human migration patterns.
The study found that metformin significantly reduced food intake and body weight gain by inhibiting neuropeptide Y expression in the hypothalamus. Metformin also improved lipid metabolism by reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein levels.
Mészáros was honored for his groundbreaking research on gamma-ray bursts, developing the cosmological-fireball-shock scenario that has been confirmed by observations. He is also recognized for publishing numerous papers in this field and being a leading researcher in high-energy astrophysics.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found a type of archaea that can reproduce without normal replication processes, growing faster in its absence. This discovery challenges existing understanding of DNA replication and has implications for cancer research.
Researchers analyzed 36 cases of inflammatory demyelinating pseudotumor in the spinal cord, finding that patchy reinforcement on MRI and inflammatory cell infiltration are key features. The study aims to reduce misdiagnosis rate and improve patient quality of life by providing accurate imaging and clinical properties.
A team of Singapore scientists has made a breakthrough in understanding the molecular basis of bile duct cancer by mapping human genes disrupted in cholangiocarcinoma. The study identified several genes that were repeatedly disrupted in CCA development, suggesting new potential avenues for treatment.
The 8th International Conference on Genomics (ICG-8) brought updates on research using affordable genomics technologies, focusing on personalized medicine, computer breeding, and open platforms. Researchers discussed disease mysteries and explored the potential of clinical trans-omics for eliminating threats.