Researchers have identified a key gene linked to Huntington's disease as also playing a crucial role in normal long-term memory formation. The study used the marine snail Aplysia to explore this connection and found that eliminating the protein disrupted memory formation.
The ALS Association granted Lauren Sciences LLC a grant to develop a V-Smart therapeutic for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The project aims to deliver neurotrophic factors across the blood brain barrier using the company's novel V-Smart nanovesicle platform technology.
Researchers developed a new model explaining how autism occurs, with genetically-controlled brain plasticity mechanisms potentially determining autistic capabilities and subtypes. The 'Trigger-Threshold-Target' model suggests focusing on developing children's unique strengths rather than solely correcting behaviors.
A study of 1.7 million hospital patients found that experiencing atrial fibrillation while hospitalized for surgery was associated with an increased long-term risk of ischemic stroke, particularly following noncardiac surgery. The risk was also higher after cardiac surgery.
A study found that altered brain activity, measured by PET scans, is associated with impaired daily living activities in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The researchers identified changes in frontal and temporal areas of the brain linked to memory and decision-making.
Tropical Storm Julio is weakening as it moves through cooler Central Pacific Ocean waters, with most clouds and precipitation pushed north of the center. The storm is expected to gradually turn north before turning into a depression by August 14, according to NOAA's CPHC.
A study found that different meta-analysis approaches can yield varying treatment outcome estimates, with some methods producing larger results. The researchers recommend assessing the robustness of their results through sensitivity analyses and comparing to other strategies.
Researchers directly compared human and bonobo yawn contagion, finding that strong relationships matter more than species for empathic responses. Humans respond more frequently to friends and kin, while bonobos do so equally, challenging the assumption that humans are more empathetic.
The collaboration aims to understand the underlying genetics of IBD and potentially lead to new treatments. All study participants will receive 23andMe's Personal Genome Service at no cost.
Researchers found that Yizhijiannao granule inhibits neuronal apoptosis, reducing tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. The study identified multiple proteins involved in regulating amyloid beta production, oxidative stress, and neuronal survival.
A nationwide analysis of over 8,000 patients with COPD found that modifiable factors such as prescription adherence and follow-up care can reduce early readmissions. The study suggests that strategies to reduce hospital readmissions extend beyond quality of COPD-specific care.
A new study found that immigrants in Ontario have a significantly lower risk of codeine overdose and death compared to those born in Canada, even when language proficiency is limited. The research suggests that physicians may not need to be as cautious in prescribing codeine for adults or new mothers from East Africa.
Researchers at Oak Crest Institute of Science are developing an intravaginal ring capable of delivering powerful antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection in women. The project aims to determine the best combination of antiretroviral drugs for prevention via vaginal delivery.
Researchers at UCL used mathematical modeling to find that life's Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) had a 'leaky' membrane, enabling it to harness energy from its surroundings. This discovery answers two big questions in biology: how cells harvest energy and why bacteria and archaea have different cell membranes.
A study of 191 couples found that social and economic marginalization takes a psychological toll on both individuals and their relationships. The research highlights the need for couples-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of transgender women and their male partners.
Researchers have discovered a potential MERS transmission mechanism between bats and humans, highlighting the need for understanding animal origins and preventing human infections. The study found that MERS virus adapts to human cells more efficiently than related bat virus HKU4, which struggles to infect human cells.
A prospective study found that baseline levels of fluorescent oxidation products (FlOP_320) predicted the risk of future hip fracture in postmenopausal women. Women with higher FlOP_320 readings had a significantly increased risk of hip fractures, with those in the upper 30% having 2.67 times the risk.
A systematic review found that heart failure is a substantial health burden in low- and middle-income countries, with significant variation in presentation, causes, and management across different regions. The study also highlights the need for more research attention to address this public health issue.
A major international study found that only half of women eligible for antenatal corticosteroids received them, highlighting gaps in treatment practices. The use of these life-saving medications is highly variable across countries, with some nations receiving up to 91% of eligible women.
Researchers have discovered that copper foams can convert carbon dioxide into formic acid and propylene, two valuable industrial chemicals. The discovery provides a new route for sustainable chemical production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Childhood cancer survivors do not adhere to the American Cancer Society's guidelines on healthy eating and physical activity, despite facing increased risk of second cancers, heart disease, and psychosocial problems. Only a small percentage of survivors meet fiber recommendations, and those who do tend to be healthier individuals.
Researchers identified three key neurocognitive dimensions: impulsive action, impulsive choice, and reward sensitivity. These dimensions are linked to externalizing problems and can be targeted in interventions. The study suggests prevention and intervention approaches targeting these deficits have potential to impact clinical outcomes.
Scientists have discovered that chemical modifications of a gene can contribute to cancer. A new method developed by MIT researchers analyzes these modifications to identify the type of tumor and how it will respond to different drugs. The technique could offer a way to choose the best treatment for individual patients.
Researchers found a significant reduction in blood transfusions with tranexamic acid, with no increased risk of complications. The study involved over 872,000 patients and found that the drug was effective in reducing blood loss during and after major joint surgery.
The 340B program is facing critical issues such as eligibility definition, compliance, and transparency. RAND researchers estimate that the program accounts for $6 billion in outpatient drug spending and provides savings of $1.6 billion for eligible safety net providers.
Scientists have discovered a way to create hemp-derived carbon nanosheets that can store as much energy as graphene, the current gold standard for supercapacitors. These nanosheets offer a promising alternative for more affordable and sustainable energy storage.
A new trial in Bangladesh aims to assess the effect of lactoferrin on treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. If successful, it could lead to cost-efficient improvements in global newborn health and development.
Researchers found nearly all Cameroonian aluminum pots contain high levels of lead, exceeding US guidelines for safe consumption. The study highlights a previously unrecognized source of lead exposure in Africa and Asia.
A recent study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that the retrosplenial cortex plays a critical role in forming contextual memories, which enable us to recall events along with their associated physical locations. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for understanding memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks has received a $18.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health to fund statewide biomedical research and student training in Alaska. The five-year award will support research networks across three university campuses, focusing on health, disease, and environmental factors.
A new study from Concordia University reveals that infants can categorize objects as animate or inanimate even at 10 months old. The study used a visual habituation paradigm to measure how long babies look at different objects, finding that they can distinguish between natural paths of animals and moving cars.
Researchers found that rule monitoring, an executive function, facilitates more accurate prospective memory in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study identified predictors of prospective memory deficit post-TBI and highlights the importance of including rule monitoring in clinical assessments.
A Baylor University researcher found that individuals with a secure attachment to God experience fewer symptoms of anxiety-related disorders. Those who pray but do not expect comfort or protection from God are more likely to show symptoms of anxiety.
The study found that most people can access community pharmacies within a 20-minute walk, with greater access in deprived areas. Community pharmacies have the potential to deliver public health services and interventions to areas that need them most.
A new study reveals that a single Maldivian atoll's whale sharks account for nearly 3% of global shark ecotourism. The South Ari atoll Marine Protected Area attracts 77,000 tourists annually, generating $9.4 million in direct income. The valuation of wildlife tourism is the first to be calculated exclusively from observational studies.
Researchers at Rice University have found that foam is more effective than water, gas, and surfactant combinations in removing oil from low-permeability formations. Foam's unique properties allow it to penetrate and dislodge oil without losing its effectiveness, making it a promising tool for enhanced oil recovery.
Rice University physicist Emilia Morosan has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to investigate unusual quantum materials. Her research aims to uncover fundamental properties of these compounds, which may lead to new discoveries in condensed matter physics.
Brain tumors grow exclusively within narrow spaces between and along the brain's thousands of small blood vessels, contrary to the theory of neoangiogenesis. This 'autovascular' growth allows tumor cells to draw energy and fuel their growth like normal brain tissue.
A team of international researchers has successfully isolated thick multilayers of silicene and demonstrated its stability in the presence of oxygen for at least 24 hours. The breakthrough allows scientists to further explore the material's properties, which have made silicene a promising candidate for the electronics industry.
A large study published in European Urology has found that needle-guided tumor destruction procedures, such as partial nephrectomy and radiofrequency ablation, offer near equivalent lengths of local cancer control compared to surgery for patients with small kidney cancer tumors.
A study found that delaying cardioversion for more than 12 hours after atrial fibrillation diagnosis increases the risk of strokes and blood clots. Patients with delayed treatment had a higher incidence of thromboembolic complications, highlighting the importance of prompt correction.
Researchers developed a novel fluorescence-based assay for detecting antibodies in serum samples, enabling earlier diagnosis and better disease progression tracking. The new assay is particularly useful for small sample volumes, making it suitable for studies with limited sample availability.
A phase I clinical trial for MicroVAX's cancer vaccine has begun in Singapore, assessing safety and immune response against breast, prostate, colon, ovary, and lung cancers. The vaccine targets a common protein on many types of cancer.
Releasing genetically engineered male flies could be an effective way to control the Mediterranean fruit fly, a serious agricultural pest that causes extensive damage to crops. The method works by producing only male offspring, which then mate with local females and pass on a self-limiting trait, resulting in no viable female offspring.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital discovered a biomarker linked to PTSD development, centered around the glucocorticoid receptor. This receptor is found in stressed animals with PTSD and may be targeted for new treatments.
A Mayo Clinic study found that 1 in 5 patients who went to the ER with gallbladder pain were sent home to schedule surgery, but returned within a month needing urgent surgery. Younger and older patients, as well as those with other health problems, are likelier to need emergency gallbladder removal.
According to a recent editorial, nearly 6% of US children and teens are severely obese, with a significant increase in prevalence and poor long-term prognosis. Experts recommend more comprehensive strategies, including pharmacotherapy, weight loss surgery, and specialty medical weight management programs.
Researchers have successfully created functional 3D brain-like tissue that exhibits grey-white matter compartmentalization and can survive in the lab for over two months. The tissue displays physical properties similar to rodent brain tissue, enabling scientists to study traumatic brain injury in real-time.
A highly virulent, multidrug-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been discovered in patient samples in Ohio. The strain contains a gene for a drug-resistant enzyme called metallo beta-lactamase, making it resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered how a drug that starves cancer cells of an essential amino acid kills them. The study's findings suggest using this approach may spare patients from chemotherapy toxicity.
Physicists from UT Arlington believe following a trail of radio wave emissions may lead them to the discovery of an exomoon. They suggest using detailed calculations about the Jupiter/Io dynamic to look for radio emissions that could indicate moons orbiting an exoplanet.
Weizmann Institute scientists have created twisted, rope-like structures from cube-shaped nanoparticles, demonstrating the power of self-assembly in nanomaterials. The findings reveal how competing forces like magnetism and van der Waals forces can align particles into complex shapes.
Researchers identified associations between community and neighborhood land uses and community participation among adults with acquired chronic disabilities. Living in communities with diverse land use and open spaces was linked to decreased reporting of social and physical participation.
A novel complement inhibitor has been found to reduce liver cell death and stimulate post-surgery liver regrowth in mice. The treatment increased survival rates from 0% to 70% even after removing up to 90% of the liver. This breakthrough could represent a new treatment strategy for various liver injuries in humans.
Seven physicians receive funding to advance radiation oncology research, including studies on cancer biology, physics, and treatment outcomes. Recipients will focus on improving radiation therapy and enhancing patient care.
Professor Jamie Rogers has been recognized as an Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) Fellow for her outstanding contributions to sustainable engineering. She has received over $3.6 million in research funding and served on the National Science Foundation-funded Engineering Sustainable Engineers project.
The symposium highlights climate's effects on predators, leading to trophic cascades that alter ecosystem structure and function. Sea otters' keystone predator role maintains healthy kelp forests, supporting diverse marine species.
A study suggests that certain population densities allow for coexistence between grouse shooting and hen harrier conservation. Grouse managers and conservationists agree on a possible compromise using a model that shows room for 70 pairs of harriers at relatively low cost to grouse shooting. This approach could involve removing excess ...
A new analysis reveals that US lung cancer rates are declining overall, but also uncovering previously unrecognized trends related to different subtypes and demographic groups. The study found declining rates for squamous and small cell carcinoma, as well as unspecified lung cancer, among certain populations.
Researchers used 3D models of the woodpecker to understand its anti-shock biomechanical structure, which stores most impact energy in the body and reduces it in the head. This study could provide guidance for designing anti-shock devices and structures for humans.