Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a nanoscale assembly line that uses mobile assembly carriers and biological motors to assemble complex substances. The system, which is three times thinner than a human hair, enables the selective modification of organic molecules and the assembly of nanotechnological components.
Researchers have created an online analytic platform called CellNet to aid stem cell engineering. The tool uses network biology methods to analyze and predict cell fate and corresponding engineering strategies, offering a reliable shortcut for drug development and individualized cancer therapies.
The 'anger face' is a cross-culturally universal facial expression that employs seven distinct muscle groups to signal the emotional state of anger. Researchers found that each component of the face makes an individual appear physically stronger, suggesting it evolved as a threat display to intimidate others.
A study of dialysis patients found that clinicians' reported discussions about transplantation did not increase patients' likelihood of being listed, despite patient-reported discussions being associated with a nearly 3-fold increased chance. The findings suggest the need for improved patient communication and informed consent.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced the recipients of its travel awards for the 2014 American Society of Human Genetics meeting. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research, and this year's awardees represent a total of $29,600.
Aconite poisoning cases have surged in Australia due to increased use of Chinese herbal medicines. A recent case highlighted the potentially lethal nature of aconite, with symptoms including facial numbness, nausea, and abdominal pain.
A new method developed by researchers from Stony Brook University and the U.S. National Institutes of Health uses optical coherence Doppler tomography to image how cocaine disrupts blood flow in mouse brains. The technique provides high-resolution images of capillary flows, shedding light on the effects of cocaine on brain physiology.
Researchers at Northwestern University used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to improve memory in healthy adults, showing that specific brain regions can be stimulated to enhance learning abilities. The study's findings have potential applications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.
TRMM analyzed Cristobal's movement northward along the US East Coast before it began to recurve away from the coast due to an approaching shortwave trough. The storm's sustained winds were reported at 70 knots (80.5 mph) with a partial eyewall observed in infrared imagery.
Researchers have identified key genetic changes responsible for rabbit domestication, including modifications to brain and nervous system development. The study shows that small changes in many genes led to the inhibition of the strong flight response in domestic rabbits.
A candidate Ebola vaccine is being tested on healthy volunteers in the UK, The Gambia, and Mali as part of an international collaboration. The phase 1 trials aim to ensure the vaccine's safety and immunogenicity before deployment to high-risk populations.
A new study found that 27% of rheumatoid arthritis patients in the UK failed to take their expensive anti-TNF therapy as prescribed. Non-adherence to medication reduced its effectiveness and worsened disease outcomes, highlighting a significant concern for healthcare resources.
A Swedish study found that young people who play interactive computer games for more than an hour a week have a larger English vocabulary compared to those who do not. The study also revealed a major difference between boys and girls in terms of their gaming habits, with girls spending more time on language-related activities online.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched an initial human safety study for an Ebola vaccine candidate. The trial is the first in a series of Phase 1 clinical trials that will examine the investigational NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine, which is designed to induce an immune response in healthy adults.
NASA's Asteroid Initiative aims to protect Earth from potentially hazardous impacts. Citizens participate in forums to discuss detection strategies, planetary defense, and asteroid exploration. The initiative seeks to balance costs, risks, and benefits of human exploration in space.
Researchers develop a novel catalyst to cleave aromatic carbon-carbon bonds in benzene at relatively mild temperatures, offering unprecedented mechanistic details on hydrocracking. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and selective production of valuable materials from natural resources.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered hyper-connected emotional and cognitive networks in the brains of young adults who had previously experienced depression. These hyper-connectivities were related to rumination, a maladaptive strategy that can lead to depression and relapse.
New research reveals that plants use mechanical stimulation to respond to beneficial fungi and bacteria, enabling mutual exchanges of signals. This mechanism is essential for the symbiotic relationships between plants and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as legumes with rhizobia.
Karina, a former hurricane, was being drawn into Hurricane Marie's circulation in the Eastern Pacific. The National Hurricane Center reported that Karina's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph on August 27, centered 1,185 miles west-southwest of Mexico.
A three-year study across five low- and middle-income countries found that orphaned children in institutions are as healthy as those in family-based care. The type of residential setting was a poor predictor of child well-being, with country, neighborhood, and community being stronger predictors.
The NIH has issued a final policy on genomic data sharing to promote the acceleration of biomedical research. The policy, which applies to all NIH-funded large-scale human and non-human projects, requires researchers to obtain informed consent from study participants for future use of their de-identified data.
NASA's HS3 mission investigates hurricane formation and intensity change using two unmanned Global Hawks, analyzing data on winds, temperature, pressure, and humidity. The mission aims to examine conditions that favor rapid intensification of tropical cyclones.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that nearly half of African-Americans may not receive effective doses of the HIV drug maraviroc due to their genetic makeup. Researchers developed a simple genetic test to determine individual dosage needs, which could help improve treatment outcomes.
Scientists discovered that Listeria uses RNA molecules to fine-tune protein production, allowing it to evade the immune system and resist antibiotics. By understanding this mechanism, researchers can develop targeted treatments to combat the life-threatening bacteria.
Scientists Xiangdang Liang and colleagues designed a special conduit for adhesive bonding, improving the repair of sciatic nerves in vitro and in vivo. The new method provides an equivalent repair effect while reducing operation time, making it a feasible and effective technique.
Researchers used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine brain activation during a working memory task in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls. The study found differences in brain activation patterns between the groups that were dependent on task load.
Scientists alter emotional associations of specific memories by manipulating connections between the hippocampus and amygdala, finding that changing the emotional valence can transform a negative memory into a positive one. The research demonstrates potential for treating depression and anxiety.
The pilot program aims to increase colorectal cancer screening rates and follow-up care for patients served by community health centers. Nine national medical professional societies will join forces with the National Association of Community Health Centers and other organizations to support the effort.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a software program that analyzes event-based tweets and measures context, providing qualitative information about tweets. The program helps Twitter analysts gain better insight into human behavior during trends and events.
Researchers have found that the growth factor neuregulin-1 can restore balance to impaired Schwann cells in genetically modified rats with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This imbalance leads to insufficient myelination and nerve damage, resulting in symptoms such as numbness and weakness.
Researchers found that APOE genotype influences the diagnostic accuracy of CSF biomarkers, particularly beta-amyloid 42 (Aβ42), in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, the APOE gene had no effect on Aβ42 levels in younger individuals.
Researchers discovered the brain circuit that links feelings to memories and found it possible to reverse emotional associations using optogenetics. This finding could lead to new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder by strengthening positive memory associations.
Researchers found that contaminated blood cultures can serve as diagnostic predictors for more targeted antibiotics. The study showed that highly resistant skin germs could indicate high mortality rates for the actual disease-causing bacteria.
A new study led by the University of Exeter warns that many global crop-producing countries will be overwhelmed by pests within the next 30 years if current trends continue. The research identifies the most invasive pest species, including fungi and nematodes, which are expected to spread rapidly due to climate change.
A Yale-led analysis of genomic data reveals shared molecular toolkits in flies, worms, and humans, with comparable numbers of functioning genes and coordinated gene expression patterns. However, pseudogene regions show stark differences reflecting divergent evolutionary histories.
Researchers from UCL and collaborators aim to determine whether numerous small galaxies or rare quasars produce more ultraviolet light. A forthcoming survey will analyze detailed measurements of a million distant quasars to map the neutral hydrogen gas in the universe, revealing its history.
The BiliCam app uses a smartphone's camera and flash to take a picture of a baby's belly, which is then analyzed by machine-learning algorithms to detect bilirubin levels. This non-invasive tool could replace current screening methods, especially in resource-poor areas where access to medical care is limited.
Researchers tracked spending and utilization in three states and one insurance group, finding that price increases drove growth, not use. The study provides a mechanism for promoting provider accountability on prices through transparency.
Researchers use X-rays and a new apparatus to compare behavior of glass-forming liquids as they approach the glass transition. The results show that bulk properties are linked to microscopic structure, providing insight into the mysterious process of glass formation. This study has potential applications in pharmaceutical industry.
Research at Duke University found that the brain's motor cortex influences the auditory cortex, dampening responses to tones when a mouse moves. The study used optogenetics to activate specific neurons and showed that movement stimulates inhibitory neurons, suppressing the response in the auditory cortex.
Scientists at DTU Physics successfully captured protein quakes that dissipate solar energy throughout entire protein molecules, validating a long-standing hypothesis. This breakthrough has implications for harnessing solar energy in solar cells and other light-absorption systems.
Researchers studied century-old museum specimens to understand how climate change will impact a common tree pest. They found that scale insect populations increased in warmer urban areas and are also rising in rural forests, suggesting cities may be a preview of what to expect elsewhere.
A new treatment, anti-LINGO-1, has been found to be safe and tolerable in phase I clinical trials for multiple sclerosis. The treatment blocks a protein that prevents myelination, potentially repairing damaged nerves.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have developed a novel cancer therapy that leverages the autophagy defense mechanism to induce cell death in multiple myeloma cells. By targeting the p62 protein, the therapy disrupts autophagy and triggers apoptosis, resulting in increased effectiveness compared to t...
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that a one cent per ounce excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, combined with physical activity programs and an advertising ban, could effectively reduce childhood obesity. The tax is expected to generate significant revenue for additional obesity prevention a...
A diet of junk food reduces rats' preference for novel foods and leads to overeating and obesity. Researchers found that the brain's reward circuitry is affected by excessive consumption of junk food.
Three analyses compare how human, worm, and fruit fly genomes are read out and organized into chromosomes, adding billions of entries to a publicly available archive. Scientists discovered common features that apply to all organisms, offering insights into human development and disease.
An experimental drug has demonstrated potential as a first treatment for anemia of inflammation, regulating blood's iron supply and maintaining its transport. The treatment, lexaptepid pegol, inactivates hepcidin hormone production, improving iron levels without interfering with the immune response.
Parents who engage with their infant's babbling can accelerate their child's vocalizing and language learning, according to a new University of Iowa study. Infants whose mothers responded to their babbling showed an increase in developmentally advanced vocalizations and began directing more of their babbling towards their mothers.
A CU Denver study reveals that vaccine refusal is more common among children from higher-income families with educated mothers. These parents often rely on alternative practices like breastfeeding and social monitoring to prevent disease, rather than vaccinations. In contrast, lower-income families face barriers to accessing healthcare...
Researchers discovered a peptide mimicking high-density lipoprotein (HDL) protein helps reduce oxidized lipids in pulmonary hypertension, improving heart and lung function. The study also found elevated levels of oxidized proteins in rodents with the disease, which can be targeted for treatment development.
Researchers used a 'big data' approach to rank top 100 pathogens affecting humans and animals, with E.coli and HIV taking top spots. The Hirsch Index method aggregates scientific work on diseases to guide policy at a continent-wide level.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have mapped the binding sites and cellular expression patterns of regulatory factors in fruit flies, roundworms, and humans. The study identifies shared and distinct patterns across species, shedding light on how genes are turned on and off.
A recent study found that vasopressin alone or in combination with epinephrine suppresses neuronal apoptosis and activates anti-apoptotic pathways during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This suggests a potential benefit of vasopressin for improving CPR outcomes.
An Indiana University study found that parents' coaching styles based on their social class can impact a child's willingness to seek help in the classroom. Middle-class parents tend to encourage seeking help from teachers, while working-class parents teach their children to work out problems independently.
A new study by Baylor University researchers identifies the challenges facing women in the IT profession as being rooted in occupational culture and informal interoffice social networks. The findings suggest that mentoring, social interaction, and career-stage awareness are key areas for improvement to increase diversity.
Scientists and policymakers debate ways to curb sugar consumption amid growing health concerns. Despite reduced sugar intake over the past 15 years, Americans still consume excessive amounts, leading to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other conditions.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a more efficient anode for lithium-ion batteries using recycled tire-derived carbon black, with improved capacity and stability. The novel method could lead to cheaper, environmentally friendly batteries for various applications.
The study reveals that the hippocampus can freely associate with either positive or negative emotions, while the amygdala is hard-wired for specific experiences. This flexibility may help explain the success of behavioral therapy for phobias and PTSD, and suggests novel treatments for depression and other disorders.
Researchers emphasize the need for cultural competence in brain injury research and rehabilitation to address growing minority populations and their higher risk of poorer outcomes. Studies highlight persistent health disparities among minorities with acquired brain injury, underscoring the importance of patient-centered interventions.