Researchers discover STING's critical role in treating autoimmune diseases by evoking expression of enzyme IDO, which blocks immune attack on healthy body constituents. Mice with STING deficiency had no response to DNA nanoparticles, highlighting the protein's essential role in recognizing the molecule that senses DNA.
A study by sociologist Junchen Yan found that young Chinese employees are disappointed with career opportunities in Western companies, citing flat hierarchies and limited promotion. The researcher suggests that companies should improve their communication with employees regarding career objectives and work on increasing their image in ...
Researchers have discovered the unique properties of Morpho butterfly wings that can be used to develop innovative technologies. The study found that the physical structure and surface chemistry of the wings provide surprising properties for applications such as photonic security tags, sensors and self-cleaning surfaces.
A recent study published in Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that men are at a higher risk of developing physical illnesses compared to women. Having a mental illness increases the risk by 10 times, with women experiencing a physical illness a year earlier than men.
Researchers identified a gene mutation that predisposes children to the most common form of childhood leukemia. The PAX5 mutation was found in multiple generations of two families, leading to a marked reduction of normal PAX5 activity in leukemia cells.
UCI researchers develop a biomimetic infrared camouflage coating using squid protein reflectin, allowing it to mimic the dynamic coloration and reflectance of squid skin. The material can disappear and reappear when visualized with an infrared camera.
Scientists have developed a new way to analyze archived biopsy samples for exposure to carcinogenic substances, providing insights into the role of environment in cancer risk. The breakthrough enables broader use of stored tissue samples to study human exposure and DNA damage.
Scientists present innovative approaches to reduce hazardous substances in production processes, using renewable materials and minimizing waste. The symposium features topics such as banana-peel powder removal of toxic metals from water and sustainable nanoparticle production.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London discovered a novel nanoparticle with magnetic properties, revealing potential applications in battery technology and cancer therapies. The sea urchin-shaped nanoparticles consist of iron-filled nanotubes with unique properties that can be manipulated for various uses.
The largest ever study of NHS culture and behavior found that high-quality care is often hindered by unclear goals, excessive box ticking, and variable staff support. The analysis identified 'dark spots' of poor care and highlighted the need for clear goals, good intelligence on performance, and person-centered cultures.
The World Happiness Report 2013 reveals six key factors explaining national happiness, including real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, and freedom from corruption. The report also shows significant changes in happiness levels over time, with some countries rising and others falling.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that critically ill patients often receive futile treatment, with estimated costs of $2.6 million over three months. The most common reason for perceiving treatment as futile was the significant burden it placed on the patient's quality of life.
A study projects how climate change affects West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes across the southern US, with changes varying by region. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions may lead to longer mosquito seasons but smaller summer populations.
University of Cincinnati researchers have made early discoveries on converting waste coffee grounds into energy sources, including biodiesel and activated carbon. The process involves extracting oil, drying the grounds, and burning what's left as an alternative energy source, with promising results in reducing emissions.
A study published by JAMA Pediatrics found that improving household routines associated with obesity can increase sleep duration and reduce TV viewing among low-income, minority children. The intervention also resulted in a decrease in body mass index (BMI) over six months.
Researchers at NYU and USC have developed a synthetic molecule that targets the interaction between two proteins, preventing tumor growth. The approach presents a new frontier in cancer research, offering potential for the treatment of various human diseases.
A new analysis confirms the importance of regular mammography screening in reducing breast cancer deaths, especially among younger women. The study found that 71% of confirmed breast cancer deaths occurred in the 20% of patients who did not receive annual mammograms.
A new analysis reveals that regular mammograms before age 50 significantly reduce breast cancer deaths in younger women. The study analyzed data from invasive breast cancers diagnosed between 1990 and 1999, finding that only 13% of cases occurred in women aged 70 or older.
The symposium aims to improve science-informed hazard prediction and risk assessment for pesticides and other agrochemicals. New approaches, including high-throughput methods, are being developed to reduce the use of animal testing and increase transparency in risk assessments.
NASA's HS3 mission investigated Tropical Storm Gabrielle's remnants near the Bahamas, while Aqua satellite data showed strong thunderstorms strengthening Humberto. Humberto is expected to continue strengthening and potentially become a hurricane.
Researchers created an animal model of adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) using the TSUNAMI method, providing insight into disease progression and potential treatment. The study revealed that only moderate levels of SMN protein are needed in the adult nervous system for normal function.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio suggest that cell transplants could be a promising treatment for schizophrenia. By transplanting interneurons into the brain, they were able to restore normal function in rats with impaired dopamine systems, which are involved in cognition, movement, and emotions.
Multiple myeloma patients experience persistent disease recurrence due to intrinsic resistance in immature progenitor cells. Researchers identify a cancer cell maturation hierarchy and propose targeting both progenitor cells and plasma cells to develop new treatments.
Researchers found that permanent parasites that are normally a social burden protect their hosts against greater evils. The guest ants rise to defend their hosts against mobile raiders, greatly decreasing the probability of a raid. This co-evolutionary process maintains lesser evils when it helps prevent greater harm.
High crop species richness suppresses pest populations, indicating a positive relationship between crop diversity and biological control. The study found that crop diversity enhances the natural enemy-pest ratio, leading to improved pest control on EMS using microlandscape.
Researchers have discovered disturbing climate trends near Earth's surface, highlighting the impact of aerosols on cloud formation and human health. The study, led by Kimberly Prather and Vicki Grassian, aims to improve our understanding of aerosol chemistry and its effects on the environment.
The Center for Brains, Minds and Machines aims to foster collaboration across disciplines to understand intelligence and develop intelligent machines. The center will focus on four main research themes: integrating intelligence, circuits for intelligence, developing intelligence in children, and social intelligence.
Researchers found that increased fatty acid levels suppress incretin-associated insulin release, highlighting the importance of β cell connectivity. Maintaining β cell connectivity may be a useful strategy for restoring glucose balance in type 2 diabetes.
Obese teenagers who lose weight are at risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Early intervention is crucial for a good prognosis, but these adolescents often go undiagnosed due to positive provider perceptions of weight loss.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a programmable DNA glue that directs tiny gel bricks to self-assemble into complex structures. The method could help solve tissue engineering challenges by creating injectable components that self-assemble into biocompatible scaffolds.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new method for sourcing obsidian artefacts that takes only 10 seconds, dozens of times faster than current methods. The handheld instrument uses portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and enables archaeologists to identify origins in the field.
A University of Adelaide study finds that Aboriginal populations and climate change were more likely responsible for the extinction of Tasmanian tigers and devils on the mainland. The research used complex models to recreate the dynamic interaction between dingoes, climate, and human populations.
Researchers watched genes move together in response to environmental changes, a discovery that could improve understanding of gene expression and its impact on nature. The technique allows scientists to monitor a gene in whole, living organisms, opening up new avenues for research.
Rice University's Multi-Robot Systems Laboratory researchers gather data from online game SwarmControl.net to develop new control algorithms for robotic swarms. They demonstrate complex behaviors with simple commands, showcasing potential for massive populations of robots to perform coordinated tasks.
University of Utah engineers developed a wireless sensor network that can detect falls without wearing devices. The system uses radio-frequency sensors to track a person's location and distinguish between falls and benign activities.
Researchers found combined transplantation of astrocytes and decorin promotes axonal regeneration and growth, inhibiting astrocyte proliferation and glial scar formation. This therapy offers a potential new approach for spinal cord injury repair.
The EMBO Meeting 2013 conference will feature keynote lectures by prominent scientists, including Kai Simons, Hans Clevers, Sir Michael Stratton, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel. The scientific programme will include sessions on stem cells, cancer genomics, optogenetics, and the search for life beyond Earth.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identify fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) as a predictive marker for poor overall survival in ovarian cancer patients. Overexpression of the gene encoding FGF18 was associated with enhanced tumor blood vessel formation and expression of cancer-promoting cytokines.
A new study by George Washington University researchers finds no evidence that primary care physicians deliver less care to low-income and vulnerable patients. Despite critics' claims of substandard care, the study analyzed data from over 31,000 visits and found comparable care for all patients regardless of insurance status.
Researchers have identified compounds found on human skin that impede mosquitoes' ability to detect their victims, providing a promising new approach to preventing mosquito bites. These substances, including lactic acid and 1-methylpiperzine, are already used in various medicines and products.
Researchers tracked 800-foot-high waves in the Samoan Passage, a key bottleneck for ocean circulation. The waves produce mixing 1,000-10,000 times that of surrounding slow-moving water.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway's asphalt pavement recipe has potential to improve the smoothness, durability, and safety of roads for ordinary speeds. The surface's stiffness and ability to resist tire deflections also play a crucial role in determining fuel economy.
Researchers developed a method to extract and analyze lipid-soluble metabolites from human mesenchymal stem cells using MRI spectroscopy. The technique provides valuable insights into the metabolic characteristics of MSCs, which is essential for optimizing detection efficiency while minimizing cell usage.
A study by Jason M. Glanz and colleagues found that undervaccination with the DTaP vaccine increases the risk of pertussis in children aged 3-36 months. The research involved 72 cases of pertussis and 288 controls, showing that undervaccinated children were 18.56 times more likely to contract the disease than their vaccinated peers.
The Rim Fire has burned over 385 square miles, 80% containment achieved, but low humidity threatens growth. Spot fires remain a concern, with firefighters patrolling to mop up and monitor lines.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new kind of ultraviolet LED that emits light at specific wavelengths, making it suitable for commercial applications such as chemical detection, disinfection, and UV curing. The device runs on lower voltages than existing methods, making it more compact and potentially cost-effective.
A team of environmental engineers at the University of Texas at Arlington has received a grant to study the feasibility of landfill gas-to-energy in Ghana. The project aims to adapt a sensor system to boost methane production and create an alternative energy source.
The study highlights the importance of autophagic and lysosomal activity in ischemic neurons, providing nutrition and energy for their survival. Upregulating cell autophagy or inhibiting autophagy may help eliminate abnormal components in cells after ischemic brain injury.
A new University of Michigan study reveals that incoming Medicaid enrollees may be younger, whiter, and healthier than current beneficiaries. These individuals are more likely to be smokers and heavy drinkers. Overall, the expansion could bring in a new, healthier group with different demographic characteristics.
A US-funded national smoking cessation campaign, 'Tips from former smokers,' helped at least 100,000 smokers quit smoking. The campaign, which ran from March to June 2012, saw a 12% relative increase in smokers trying to quit during the campaign period.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that grid-scale batteries make sense for storing surplus solar energy, but not for wind. This is because the energetic cost of storing wind-generated electricity is lower than curtailment, making it more energetically efficient to shut down wind turbines.
People with severe asthma are less likely to respond to corticosteroid treatment, even when taking high doses. Researchers found that 55% of adults with severe asthma showed greater airway obstruction despite regular oral corticosteroids. The study aims to develop personalized medicine for individual patients with asthma.
A Finnish population-based study found that hypertensive smoking women have an exceptionally high risk of a fatal brain bleeding, with a rate 20 times higher than never-smoking men. The study identified new risk factors for Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH), including previous myocardial infarction and elevated cholesterol levels in men.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a new mechanism for extracting energy from light, increasing efficiency by 3-10 times compared to conventional methods. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells and optoelectronic devices.
A team of University of Montreal and McGill researchers has developed a new method to link signaling molecules to target regulators of cell division. This method could provide valuable insights into the processes underlying cell division and potentially reveal new targets for cancer treatment.
A study found that one-third of Walgreens vaccinations are administered during off-clinic hours, particularly among younger, healthy adults. This shift in vaccination access could measurably increase immunization rates in the US. Additionally, a new study suggests that eligible Medicaid beneficiaries under the Patient Protection and Af...
A study published in Health Affairs found that over 85,000 minimally injured patients were sent to major trauma hospitals despite not needing them, resulting in excessive costs. The study suggests that early decisions in the healthcare process can lead to higher costs downstream.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a bomb-detecting laser that can identify micro traces of explosive chemicals on clothing and luggage. The low-energy laser uses two pulses to detect chemical frequencies, providing excellent sensitivity and robust performance on virtually all surfaces.
A new therapy has shown promising results in slowing the onset and progression of Lou Gehrig's disease, increasing survival rates by up to 39% in animal models. The treatment targets the SOD1 gene, which is mutated in some cases of familial ALS, and was administered via non-invasive delivery.
The Center for Brains, Minds and Machines (CBMM) will focus on understanding human intelligence from multiple perspectives. The center aims to develop a computational understanding of intelligence through research in vision, language, motor skills, neurobiology, electrical engineering, and more.