Research suggests that exposure to narrative fiction can enhance our ability to understand mental states and empathize with others. Studies have shown that children who read fiction regularly develop better theory-of-mind skills, while adults who engage deeply with stories report higher levels of empathy.
A new study led by researchers at UCSF analyzed the effect of two widely used osteoporosis drugs on breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. The findings suggest that low estrogen levels, rather than the drugs themselves, may be protecting against breast cancer.
Researchers found a 40-year-old man with no apolipoprotein E had normal cognitive function despite being at high risk for Alzheimer's. The study suggests reducing apoE levels may be beneficial in treating neurodegenerative disorders like AD.
Researchers found triheptanoin oil to be an efficient treatment for Glut 1 deficiency, reducing seizure frequency and improving brain metabolism. The oil has been shown to have a positive impact on neuropsychological performance in patients with the rare disease.
A team of scientists from Virginia Tech has proposed using neutrino detectors to monitor plutonium production in Iran's Arak reactor. The technology can detect antineutrinos produced by fission of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, providing high-level monitoring not currently offered by any other technique.
A University of Cincinnati experiment using the Enactive Torch found that visually impaired individuals can make accurate judgments about their ability to pass through narrow passages using only touch. The device emits vibrations when detecting objects, allowing users to navigate with greater ease.
A new study published in Global Change Biology found that habitat fragmentation significantly alters the cycling of carbon and nutrients in woodland ecosystems. The researchers discovered that drier conditions at the edges of forest patches slow down the decay of dead wood, leading to a reduction in wood decomposition rates.
The majority of adults worldwide are falling short of the recommended five servings (400 grams) per day, with a significant shortfall found in people's diets globally. Eating foods rich in phytonutrients may provide health benefits, including promoting eye and bone health.
Researchers found that trapped atmospheric waves are becoming more frequent, leading to more extreme weather events, particularly during periods of prolonged warm air transport from the tropics to mid-latitudes.
A new study by Mary Jean Amon reveals that social support systems play a key role in helping women persevere in male-dominated STEM fields. The study found that women in these fields often face conflicting role expectations, feelings of lack of authority, and interpersonal cues indicating gender bias.
Experts like Joseph Stiglitz, Eric Maskin, and James Mirrlees address the paradox of high wealth and income stagnation, arguing that policies and politics also contribute to inequality. The Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences brings together scientists from around the world to discuss counteractive measures.
A study of postmenopausal women found no link between bisphosphonate treatment and reduced breast cancer risk. Researchers analyzed data from two randomized trials, concluding that bisphosphonates do not protect against breast cancer in this population.
A commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals the history of 'miraculous' Ebola virus serotherapy, inspired by 19th century discoveries. Additionally, two systematic reviews address challenges of interpreting troponin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.
A new Dutch study finds that elective C-sections significantly reduce infant mortality in breech presentations, with a 10-fold increase in fetal mortality for vaginal deliveries. Researchers analyzed 58,320 term breech births and found that elective C-section rates increased from 24% to 60%, resulting in a decrease of infant mortality.
A study by University of Liverpool scientists has identified a new mechanism of joint destruction caused by high-density mineralised protrusions (HDMPs) in human hip joints. These protrusions, seen only in horses, can snap off and grind against healthy tissue, worsening osteoarthritis.
Researchers have created a synthetic ion transporter that can cause cancer cells to self-destruct by disrupting the delicate balance of ions within their cell membranes. The molecule, which was discovered after two decades of research, confirms a hypothesis that could lead to new anticancer drugs and benefit patients with cystic fibrosis.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that competition can harm the creative output of female-led groups, but not male-led ones. Women contribute less to team creativity when teams are competing against each other, while men become more creative under similar conditions.
Researchers developed a highly accurate test to detect surprise ingredients that are neither sweet nor flavorful in ground, roasted coffee. The test uses liquid chromatography and statistical tools to identify unwanted additives, such as grains or plant parts, with 95% accuracy.
Scientists have identified key DNA sequences and regulatory proteins controlling blood stem cell fate, revealing a more dynamic process than previously thought. The discovery has implications for developing diagnostic tools, personalized medicine, and regenerative therapies.
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will image the entire visible sky twice per week, providing a vast amount of information on short-lived transient events, dark matter, and dark energy. The project is a partnership among NSF, DOE, and private contributors, with operational support from researchers worldwide.
Researchers discovered that a specific type of IgG2 antibody protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa by binding to extra-long sugars on the bacterial surface. This protection can lead to reduced antibacterial capacity and worsened disease outcomes in immunized individuals.
Genevieve has been downgraded to a tropical storm, tracking northwestward at 8 knots per hour. Maximum sustained winds of 70 knots and gusts up to 85 knots are expected, making it far southeast of the Aleutian islands within 2-3 days.
Scientists have devised a method to target venom proteins specifically to malignant cells while sparing healthy ones, reducing or eliminating side effects. The approach involves using tiny nanometer-sized particles to treat breast and melanoma cancer cells in the laboratory.
Researchers discovered that synthetic PAWP can initiate fertilization, promising a new method for diagnosing and treating male factor infertility. The protein's potential as a molecular marker for diagnosis and improvement of fertility treatments is being explored.
Researchers used PET imaging to study Tongxinluo's neuroprotective effects in rats. The study found that Tongxinluo reduced brain damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion, highlighting its potential as a treatment for acute stroke.
A new implantable molecular device measures blood pH and triggers insulin production to regulate metabolic processes. The device, tested in mice with type 1 diabetes, successfully compensated for acidosis and restored normal blood sugar levels.
A significant shortfall in global fruit and vegetable consumption is revealed, with most adults needing to double their intake to meet minimum recommendations. The vast majority of adults worldwide are falling short of the recommended daily serving size of five servings (400 grams), missing out on crucial phytonutrients.
Chloroquine has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastases by normalizing abnormal blood vessels in tumors. This results in an increased barrier function blocking cancer cell dissemination and enhanced tumor perfusion increasing the response of the tumor to chemotherapy.
NREL researchers Art Nozik and Keith Emery have been included in the Thomson Reuters' Highly Cited Researcher list, citing over 22,000 and 10,000 times respectively. Their work has greatly increased solar cell efficiency and established NREL as a leader in photovoltaics measurements.
The Penn-led expert panel recommends key components for public health research, including baseline ground water quality data and ambient air quality monitoring. The panel also urges the use of community-based participatory research principles to address concerns from stakeholders.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge created detailed reconstructions of ancient organisms called rangeomorphs, which were among the earliest large animals on Earth. The creatures thrived in ocean environments during the Ediacaran period but went extinct due to changing conditions and competition from emerging animal groups.
Research at the University of Basel reveals that aberrant mTOR signaling in the liver affects not only hepatic metabolism but also entire body physiology. The study found that activation of mTORC1 in the liver reduces locomotor activity, body temperature, and lipid metabolism.
Cognitive research by Kessler Foundation scientists reveals that unexpected task constraint following self-generated task choice impairs task-switching performance. The study shows that individuals struggle to undo preparation for a task, leading to negative effects on multitasking ability.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found a potential new path toward malaria immunization by injecting a vaccine-like compound into mice. The approach, known as Vector Immunoprophylaxis (VIP), triggers the creation of antibodies that prevent malaria in 70% of mice.
CRI scientists have identified a gene that contributes to the development of several childhood cancers, including neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma. The study found that overproduction of Lin28b specifically causes hepatoblastoma, while blocking it impairs cancer growth.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that the protein Myc drives cell growth by blocking the expression of genes involved in DNA packaging and cell death. The study identifies critical genes regulated by Myc and a microRNA family, offering new therapeutic targets for Myc-dependent cancers.
Researchers developed a technique using high-frequency pulsed electric fields to open the blood-brain-barrier, allowing effective treatment of brain cancer and neurological disorders. The technology, called VEIN pulses, can be applied without causing muscle contractions, enabling potential treatments under conscious sedation.
Researchers have developed an adhesive patterned after glue produced by the sandcastle worm, which may solve the problem of premature births resulting from fetal surgery. The new adhesive is water-borne and non-toxic, and has been shown to be effective in repairing punctures without swelling.
The Tufts team created a modular design that replicated fundamental features relevant to the brain's tissue-level physiological functions. The model exhibits biochemical and electrophysiological responses, offering new options for studying brain function, disease, and trauma, and treatment.
A GW researcher has received a grant to develop genetic tools to study parasitic nematode (PN) infections, which affect one-third of all deaths worldwide. The goal is to better understand the infective process and host immune response.
Beaumont Health System receives a five-year National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program grant to conduct cancer research and clinical trials in Michigan communities. The program aims to reduce cancer disparities and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have found that blood cells in crayfish can differentiate into neurons, challenging our understanding of neural development and regeneration. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of neurological diseases such as clinical depression and neurodegenerative disorders.
The University of Chicago Medicine and Advocate Children's Hospital have received a $1.8 million NIH grant to establish the first Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Clinical Center in Chicago. The center aims to identify people at risk or early stages of type 1 diabetes through international collaboration.
Researchers found five lineaments at a depth of 1,200 meters on the Hovgaard Ridge, providing insights into the Arctic's glacial past and freshwater export to the North Atlantic. The discovery supports a hypothesis that large icebergs carried frozen fresh water into the Atlantic, influencing global circulation patterns.
Researchers propose a solution for the rapid growth of ancient quasars, where small black holes zigzagged through dense gas streams, pulling in material and feeding on it rapidly. This mechanism allowed the black holes to grow at an exponential rate, eventually leading to massive growth rates.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that testosterone increases the brain's reactivity to threat cues in healthy men. The study used a novel two-step pharmacological challenge paradigm and found that testosterone increased activity in brain structures involved in threat processing and aggressive behavior.
An international team of researchers from the University of Bonn Hospital and the London Research Institute have now discovered that our immunosensory system attacks viruses on a molecular level. This means a healthy organism can keep rotaviruses, a common cause of diarrheal epidemics, at bay.
The Devil's Elbow Complex is a four-wildfire system burning over 17,000 acres on the Colville Indian Reservation. The fires, sparked by lightning, have merged and are fuel-driven, producing pyrocumulus clouds. Active fire behavior is expected, with evacuations in place for nearby communities.
Researchers discovered that breast cancer cells exploit a signaling pathway used by normal mammary stem cells during pregnancy to produce faster-growing, more aggressive tumors. This connection may contribute to the increased short-term risk of highly aggressive breast cancers following each pregnancy.
Scientists at Brown University have finally rendered the elusive viral 'machine' architecture of the lambda virus, mapping protein-DNA interactions that enable its genetic recombination mechanisms. The team's groundbreaking work provides a detailed understanding of how the virus integrates and extracts DNA from host cells.
Researchers have developed a new approach to measuring early brain development of infants, resulting in more accurate whole brain growth charts. The study found that premature babies' brains grow faster, but may be smaller at 90 days post-delivery, highlighting the importance of inducing labor.
Joan Brennecke's research on ionic liquids may lower energy required to capture carbon dioxide, while Ali Khademhosseini's work creates stretchy sealants for surgical applications.
Researchers analyzed bladder biopsies from patients with suspected interstitial cystitis and those without the disease. The study found a significant difference in gene expression between low capacity patients and both normal capacity and control patients, suggesting a potential sub-type of IC.
Researchers found that digoxin increases the risk of death in patients with atrial fibrillation, regardless of age or other factors. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests alternative treatments may be safer and more effective.
A study published in PNAS reveals that premature infants' gut microbiota assemble in a predetermined order, with the pace of assembly slowing down as gestational age increases. The research found that environmental factors influenced the pace but not the order of bacterial colonization.
Scientists have found a discrepancy between global temperature trends over the last 10,000 years, with some data suggesting cooling and climate models predicting warming. The Holocene temperature conundrum has important implications for understanding climate change and evaluating climate models.
Research reveals that stroke patients' motor function in their unaffected hands can deteriorate despite rehabilitation. After two weeks of treatment, motor function in the unaffected hand showed significant improvement.
A Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center study found that a turn-key intervention program significantly increased physical activity levels among children in daycare. The program achieved 91% of the physical activity goals set by daycare centers.
A new study found that black and Hispanic SLE patients were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge compared to white patients. Lupus patients with kidney inflammation, serositis, or low blood platelet count were also at higher risk for early readmissions.
A team of Rutgers University computer engineers has shown that even without a GPS device or location-sensing technology, a driver can reveal their destination using only speed data and a starting point. The 'elastic pathing' technique analyzes speed patterns to match street layouts, allowing for approximate route and destination identi...