Researchers have developed a new tool that combines genetic and epigenetic data to identify the underlying causes of complex diseases. By analyzing overlapping patterns, scientists can pinpoint specific genetic variants linked to conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders.
A new £1.1 million grant will support research on vulnerability and adaptation in semi-arid regions of East Africa, focusing on the impact of more frequent droughts on livestock and agriculture. The project aims to develop strategies for communities to adapt to climate change by mid-century.
Researchers have shed light on the red widow spider's restricted diet, revealing it primarily preys upon five species of scarab beetles endemic to the Florida scrub habitat. This finding highlights the need for habitat conservation efforts in this unique ecosystem.
Research reveals cells shut down DNA repair processes during cell division to prevent chromosome fusions, a process that could lead to cancer. Telomeres fuse together when DNA repair is re-activated, causing defective chromosomes.
Research finds that obese patients have a higher risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Diabetes also affects cancer outcomes, particularly in hormone receptor-positive tumours, increasing the risk of death from all causes by 49%.
The draft genome of the loblolly pine, seven times bigger than the human genome, has been completed using a faster analytical process. The sequencing provides a better understanding of plant evolution and diversity, as well as gene locations involved in fighting off pathogens.
Researchers found that hypoxia stimulates the mislocation of SPOP to the cytoplasm, promoting rapid tumor growth. This shift enables SPOP to degrade key tumor-suppressor proteins, such as PTEN, leading to cancer progression. Understanding this mechanism may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers have found that humans are capable of discriminating between an vast number of complex odors, with estimates suggesting at least 1 trillion possible scents. This new understanding challenges the long-held assumption that humans can only detect around 10,000 different smells.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that Instagram photos with human faces are 38% more likely to receive likes and 32% more likely to attract comments. The study, one of the first to examine engagement on image-sharing communities, also found that posting frequency and follower count can impact engagement.
A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) is potentially hazardous for frail patients with lower creatinine concentration levels. In contrast, more robust patients experience increased survival and reduced mortality when receiving dialysis. These findings highlight ...
The American Society of Nephrology warns that dwindling medical research funding is hindering progress in kidney disease and other medical studies. With 20 million Americans affected by chronic kidney disease, the need for continued clinical advances is pressing.
Phytoplankton release dimethyl sulfide, a chemical signal that attracts krill-eating birds, while also promoting cloud formation. This connection highlights the importance of marine top predators in regulating climate.
A joint study found that a computer system can detect fake facial expressions of pain more accurately than humans. The research team developed a pattern-recognition algorithm that identifies distinctive dynamic features of facial movements, which are often missed by human observers.
Researchers uncover molecular mechanism behind Parkinson's disease, linking faulty energy production to the Pink1 gene. Correcting this defect may hold promise for treating the condition.
The NIH has awarded a five-year grant of up to $28 million to establish a center for excellence in finding an antibody cocktail to fight the deadly Ebola virus. Researchers from 15 institutions, led by Erica Ollmann Saphire at Scripps Research Institute, will collaborate on definitive experiments.
Researchers found that happiness significantly increases productivity in the workplace, with participants producing 12% more work under happy conditions. The study suggests that employers can improve employee satisfaction and boost productivity by implementing employee support programs.
Emergency department usage in Massachusetts rose by up to 2.2% after the implementation of a 2006 state law expanding health care access, according to a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found that increased insurance coverage reduced financial barriers to care but did not significantly impact access to timely ...
A meta-analysis of 37 studies found that regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk by 12% compared to the least active women. The protective effect of exercise seems to be cancelled out in women taking hormone replacement therapy, but this trend may change as HRT use decreases.
A recent study found that active, older caregivers who continue to engage in hobbies and activities are happier after caring for a loved one with a stroke. These caregivers were also better physically healthy and provided higher levels of assistance to the stroke survivor.
Researchers estimate that humans can distinguish between more than 1 trillion odor mixtures, far exceeding the previously accepted number of 10,000. The study suggests that humans' sense of smell is more sensitive than previously thought, but often underutilized.
Researchers have developed a new technology to detect misfolded protein fragments, known as Aβ oligomers, in cerebrospinal fluid that could lead to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity, distinguishing between Alzheimer's patients and those with other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford University discovered a potential way to make graphene superconducting, which could transform the engineering of materials for nanoscale electronic devices. They found that electrons scatter between graphene and calcium layers, interacting with natural vibrations to conduct electricity without resistance.
Researchers found that low oxygen and nitric oxide levels increase red blood cell adhesion to blood vessel walls, leading to debilitating pain crises in sickle cell patients. Restoring normal nitric oxide levels can substantially reduce this adhesion, making it a potentially new therapeutic target.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute develop new technologies to conserve energy and resources in manufacturing processes, including a mobile environment monitoring box and smart devices. Pilot applications will be tested in four locations by 2016 to raise awareness of sustainable production issues.
Scientists tracked 18 individual minke whales using passive acoustic monitoring, finding that each species uses a unique call sequence to interact with others. The findings provide insight into minke whale social interactions and migration patterns.
The Landsat satellite helps track urban change, which impacts a community's flood risk, using data from NASA and the US Geological Survey. Urbanization increases flood risk as impermeable surfaces absorb water, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a new mechanism that governs how body clocks react to changes in the environment. The enzyme casein kinase 1epsilon (CK1epsilon) controls how easily the body's clock can be adjusted or reset by environmental cues such as light and temperature.
A 12-week virtual conferencing-based group weight management intervention helped obese men lose an average of 4.3% of their body weight, compared to 0.7% in a control group. Participants who attended more sessions lost nearly one pound per session.
The Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy & Aging Report highlights the need for policy changes to optimize technology use by older adults. The report emphasizes the importance of collaboration between business, government, and non-profits to develop a next-generation technology-enabled aging services workforce.
The threat of antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that requires a multi-faceted approach, including strong basic, clinical and translational research. NIAID's new directions in antimicrobial resistance research aim to develop vaccines, point-of-care diagnostics, and new antibiotics to prevent and treat infections.
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports identified the earliest arising hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) precursors based on their ability to generate all major blood cell types. This discovery may be beneficial for creating purer, cleaner populations of these precursor cells for clinical treatments.
Breast cancer mortality rates in Europe have decreased from 1989 to 2010 due to improved treatments and enhanced access to care. However, notable variations between countries remain, with France showing a modest decrease despite devoting substantial resources to cancer care.
New research from University of Illinois economics professors Stefan Krasa and Mattias Polborn shows that economic issues have a greater impact on swing voters. Candidates compete for moderate voters in the middle who are virtually indifferent between rival candidates, leading to incentives to cater to their interests.
Researchers found that problem-solving therapy and dietary coaching were equally effective in preventing major depression among older adults. The study's findings suggest that lifestyle interventions can have a positive effect on well-being and protect against the onset of depression.
A neuroscientist at Virginia Tech is researching how the brain develops collateral blood vessels to restore oxygen and nutrients after a stroke. Her study aims to understand the brain's natural network of collateral vessels and develop new treatments to improve blood flow and limit tissue damage.
A study found a small but consistent increase in emergency department visits after Massachusetts implemented its first-in-the-nation law to expand health care insurance coverage. The data showed an average annual increase of 1.2% in ER visits between 2006 and 2007, which rose to 2.2% by 2009.
Two proteins, HIF1α and HIF2α, play a key role in the formation of human stem cells through reprogramming. The findings advance understanding of stem cell development and suggest potential targets for new cancer therapies.
A study of 300 children's gut microbiota found that breastfeeding impacts the composition of gut flora. The research suggests that the gut microbiota is not fully established until after 18 months, indicating a need for supplementation or probiotics to promote healthy gut health.
Researchers developed a device to noninvasively monitor cerebral blood flow in acute stroke patients. The study found that head-of-bed positioning affects blood flow, with some patients experiencing a paradoxical improvement when their bed was elevated.
Researchers suggest active mediation and monitoring online behavior over blanket rules to guide teens in making safe moral decisions. Parents who learn about technology can better engage with their children, while those with lower digital literacy may rely on restrictions.
Researchers identify machinery of epigenetic inheritance, a process by which traits are passed between generations without DNA sequence changes. The discovery reveals that chemical marks on chromatin serve as molecular memory, allowing cells to recognize and remember to silence specific genes in each new generation.
A nationwide survey found a strong association between tooth loss and depression, as well as anxiety. The study, which analyzed data from over 451,000 respondents, revealed that individuals with depression or anxiety were more likely to experience tooth loss, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.16 for depression and 1.23 for anxiety.
Researchers have identified six natural-products derivatives that can inhibit oral biofilm formation and quorum sensing in three indigenous oral Gram-positive bacteria. These compounds, structurally similar to S-ribosyl homocysteine, reduce bioluminescence in a Vibrio harveyi QS reporter, indicating inhibition of AI-2 based QS.
A Sam Houston State University study found that parents' substance use significantly increases the likelihood of their children using drugs. The study tracked 655 parents and 1,227 offspring over 27 years, revealing patterns of intergenerational drug use.
A study by Michigan State University psychologists finds that genes account for 23-40% of parental warmth, control, and negativity towards children. Environmental factors also play a significant role in shaping parenting behavior, highlighting the complexity of this dynamic.
Researchers at UTMB have discovered a way to remove the toxic oligomeric tau protein, which can slow down the progression of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. The treatment, TOMA antibody, protects brain cells from tau toxic aggregates and improves cognitive function.
Researchers discovered a unique new two-dimensional semiconductor, rhenium disulfide, with direct-bandgap properties. The material's weak interlayer coupling makes it ideal for studying 2D physics and applications in tribology, solar cells, and valleytronics.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that childhood abuse or neglect can lead to long-term hormone impairment, increasing the risk of developing excess belly fat and metabolic disorders later in life.
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly ESBL-producing bacteria, is increasing in US children, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options. These infections can lead to longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality.
Researchers at Brigham Young University developed a new infrared technique to precisely characterize materials in images, enabling remote detection of nuclear weapons and other hazardous substances. The technique uses machine learning algorithms to separate incoming signals and provide unique material signatures.
A recent study found that obese women may require a higher or adjusted dose of GnRH antagonist medication for successful IVF egg harvesting due to faster clearance rates and rebound hormone responses. This could improve fertility treatment outcomes for overweight and obese women.
The draft genome of the loblolly pine is the largest ever assembled, comprising approximately 82% repetitive DNA elements. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in conifer genome sequencing, enabling future projects to build upon a high-quality reference genome.
Scientists at A*STAR's IMCB develop a method to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells from a single drop of finger-pricked blood. This technique enables donors to collect their own blood samples, potentially boosting recruitment and diversities of donors for large-scale hiPSC banks.
Interim results show omitted radiotherapy associated with higher early relapse rates in stage I/II Hodgkin's lymphoma. The study found no significant differences in progression-free survival between standard and experimental treatment arms.
A global approach is necessary to combat massive data breaches like the one that hit Target, a Michigan State University cyber security expert argues. The report found that many hackers operate in Russia or on websites where users communicate in Russian, making it harder for authorities to track them.
A 16-week healthy lifestyle program taught in American Sign Language resulted in moderate improvements in weight and physical activity among deaf adults. The study, led by Dr. Steven Barnett, found that 58.3% of participants lost at least 5% of their baseline weight.
A new species of large-bodied, feathered oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur has been discovered in western North America. The dinosaur, Anzu wyliei, had a crested skull, long neck, and large claws, with an approximate body length of 3.5 m and a body mass of about 200-300 kg.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new processing technique that increases luminescence in LEDs by coating gallium nitride (GaN) with phosphorus-derived acid. This enhances the material's stability, making it more suitable for biomedical applications such as implantable sensors.
The EU's unilateral leadership in reducing greenhouse gases can limit the 2-degree target overshoot to 0.2-0.4°C, with lower costs for late-comers who delay action but face higher transitional challenges once they decarbonize. Carbon leakage is estimated to be small.
A study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology found that histamine plays a role in protecting tumors from the immune system. By blocking histamine production, researchers were able to interrupt a process promoting melanoma growth.