Researchers studying cow antibodies have gained insights into the diversity of human antibodies, which is crucial for recognizing and neutralizing pathogens. The unique structure of these cow antibodies may also be useful for antibody-based therapies or diagnostics.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has selected 126 young researchers for the 2014 Sloan Research Fellowships, recognizing their achievements and potential as rising scientific leaders. Awarded annually since 1955, the fellowships provide $50,000 to support further research.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a low-temperature fuel cell that directly converts biomass to electricity using a catalyst activated by solar or thermal energy. The device can use various types of biomass, including starch, cellulose, and switchgrass, and operates for up to 20 hours without needing purification.
Scientists have visualized the inactive X chromosome in intact cells for the first time, revealing its unique substructural organization. This breakthrough could help understand gene activity and inheritance patterns, with potential implications for diagnosing and treating X-chromosome-linked diseases.
A study by American University researchers found that understanding public opinion goes beyond partisanship to address differences in people's perceptions about the social implications of science. Four distinct groups, including 'Scientific Optimists' and 'Disengaged', were identified as influencing opinions on stem cell research.
State-level spending on prison education programs declined by an average of 6% from 2009 to 2012, with large states cutting spending by 10% and medium-sized states by 20%. The study's findings highlight the need for better focus on spending and more effective instructional models to improve outcomes for inmates.
Scientists create magnetically structured materials by irradiating iron aluminum alloy with neon ions, enabling the creation of spin valves that can function as magnetic storage media. The technology uses electron charge and inherent magnetic properties for information storage and processing.
Scientists have developed tools to observe nitrogen uptake in real-time, improving understanding of the process and potentially increasing crop yields. The technology allows for the study of transport proteins involved in nitrogen absorption, enabling the development of more efficient agricultural practices.
A team of scientists from Harvard University and Virginia Tech has established a reliable set of human genotypes to benchmark human genome sequencing. This will help researchers gain traction against human disease by refining genomic data. The findings are available online, enabling real-time benchmarking of DNA-sequencing methods.
A recent study reveals that bottle gourds originated from Africa and were likely domesticated multiple times in the New World. The research found that modern bottle gourd samples from the Americas matched African genetic profiles, supporting the idea that gourds floated across the Atlantic Ocean frequently.
Two TAU researchers received $1.35 million in funding for their proposals on melanoma cell movement to the brain and tumor disarmament. Prof. Satchi-Fainaro's team aims to develop targeted nanotherapies, while Dr. Markel's team seeks to enhance immunotherapy success rates.
The 'One Love My Plan' smartphone application provides college-age women in abusive relationships with personalized safety plans and confidential resources. The app, developed by University of Missouri researchers, aims to connect young women with existing services and provide immediate strategies for helping themselves or friends.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have developed a mathematical method for classifying glioblastoma tumor cells based on gene transcript variants. This system can predict the subclasses of glioblastoma tumors with 92 percent accuracy, enabling personalized therapies.
Researchers at Clemson University have developed sticky nanoparticles that can deliver drugs targeting damaged arteries, providing a new method to fight heart disease. The nanoparticles, coated with a sticky protein, latch onto damaged arteries and release drugs in slow fashion, reducing the need for surgical interventions.
Researchers develop microbattery that packs twice the energy of current microbatteries used in acoustic fish tags. The new battery is small enough to be injected into an organism and holds more energy than similar-sized batteries.
Current Medicaid policies create a two-tiered system of access for low-income women seeking tubal ligation. The 30-day mandatory waiting period is excessive and should be shortened or eliminated. Researchers suggest revisiting the policy to honor women's reproductive autonomy and create more equitable access.
An interdisciplinary team proposes a thought-provoking answer to how plants and animals evolved different forms in response to the same mathematical and physical principles. By applying a famous mathematical formula, the team explains decades worth of real-world observations, revealing why plants and animals have similar energy efficie...
A new study from Cornell University researchers challenges the notion that momentum plays a significant role in sports performance. Despite appearances, winning streaks have little to do with momentum. Winning the first game of a weekend series does not impact the probability of winning the second, according to the study.
A study led by University of British Columbia researchers reveals how the fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS is transmitted from cell to cell. The research shows that misfolded non-mutant SOD1 can be transmitted regionally in the nervous system, offering a molecular explanation for ALS progression.
The 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics were shaped by the need for a world-class bobsled facility after eight crashes marred practice runs. The site's design, including unique drops and upward slopes, has influenced Sochi's slide, highlighting the Olympic Games' ongoing struggle with safety and environmental concerns.
A new study utilizing archaeological reports of over half a million fish bones from Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State found that long-ago herring populations were consistently abundant and widespread for thousands of years. This contrasts with today's dwindling and erratic herring numbers.
Research by T. Brad Harris and colleagues found that perceived job insecurity is linked to lower use of workplace support programs, increased work-life conflict, and emotional exhaustion. To address this issue, organizations should communicate the value of these programs and help employees recognize their worth.
In 1917 Einstein applied general relativity to a static universe, introducing the cosmological constant to address gravitational collapse. He resisted expanding universe views despite contemporary suggestions from astrophysicists Alexander Friedman and Georges Lemaître.
The Center will conduct high-quality research on patient-centered outcomes and comparative-effectiveness research, focusing on underserved populations. It aims to inform decision-making by assessing the benefits and harms of different interventions.
A researcher analyzes the necessary conditions for a society to become a democracy, highlighting the importance of social protest and the role of institutions. The study suggests that a dynamic between state institutions and Basque society is crucial for enabling democratic processes.
Researchers have identified a biological marker for major depression in teenage boys, combining elevated cortisol levels with depressive symptoms. The study found that these individuals are up to fourteen times more likely to develop major depression than those without these traits.
A Vanderbilt study finds that premature babies who receive a combination of their mother's voice and a pacifier-activated music player learn to eat more efficiently and have their feeding tubes removed sooner. The intervention also reduces stress and shortens hospitalization times.
Geophysicist Seth Stein warns that humans are often outsmarted by nature during disasters, causing unnecessary damage despite expensive mitigation measures. Stein advocates for a thoughtful approach to disaster preparedness, integrating science, economics, and policy formulation to make informed decisions.
High-resolution CT scans can detect IPF by identifying a characteristic honeycombing pattern in lung scarring. This non-invasive method may replace surgical lung biopsies in some cases, reducing substantial risks associated with the procedure.
A study of a sea sponge reveals that complex life can survive with extremely low oxygen levels, challenging the long-held theory that high oxygen levels were necessary for animal evolution. This finding suggests alternative ecological and evolutionary mechanisms may have played a role in the origin of animals.
A longitudinal study by Boston Children's Hospital reveals that the negative effects of bullying can accumulate and worsen over time. The study found that children who experienced chronic bullying reported poor mental and physical health, including depressive symptoms and difficulties engaging in physical activities.
Recent advances in data analysis technology have given federal controllers new weapons in the fight against Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Researchers found that for every dollar spent on fraud control, $7 was returned, with significant recoveries made in fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
A study from Michigan Medicine and Georgia Regents University identified a protein that increases cancer stem cells in triple-negative breast cancer. The researchers found that blocking this inflammatory pathway with the drug bortezomib may reduce cancer stem cells and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers analyzed T cell receptor sequences to understand immune system reconstitution following high-dose immunosuppression. CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes exhibit different reconstitution patterns, with dominant clones expanded or undetectable at 12 months post-transplant.
The Yale School of Environment journal examines the benefits and limitations of environmental footprinting, a concept that summarizes human impact on the planet. The field continues to evolve, offering new opportunities for collaboration and precision in assessing sustainability.
A team of Leeds researchers has built the world's most powerful terahertz laser chip, more than doubling previous records. The achievement showcases the expertise developed at Leeds in fabricating layered semiconductors and engineering them into powerful laser devices.
Researchers have developed a new device that detects atrial fibrillation in 30% of cryptogenic stroke patients, allowing for improved prevention of future strokes. The device uses a tiny implantable cardiac monitor to capture abnormal ECG activity and has been shown to be more effective than standard tests.
Researchers found that sweet taste receptors on solitary chemosensory cells control the release of AMPs, which kill bacteria and viruses. This discovery may lead to new treatments for chronic sinusitis and other respiratory infections.
A commonly-used HIV drug has been shown to kill-off the human papilloma virus (HPV) that leads to cervical cancer. The study found a high proportion of women diagnosed with HPV positive high-grade disease returned to normal following a short course of the new treatment.
A new method for purifying peptide-based drugs has been developed by a chemist at Michigan Technological University, separating perfect peptides from those that don't make the grade in just two hours. The process reduces waste and is cheaper than existing methods, offering a promising alternative for treating diseases like cancer and HIV.
Kidney cancer cells exhibit distinct metabolic differences compared to other cancers, providing a potential weak link for diagnosis and treatment. This discovery opens the door to new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for detecting kidney cancer at an early stage.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed high-temperature piezoelectric materials, allowing for electronic monitoring in extreme environments. The new materials, compatible with existing manufacturing methods, have vast potential applications in industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and nuclear power.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new way psoralen works to kill tumor cells, including a direct anti-tumor effect on HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. Psoralen blocks the signaling pathway of the HER2 receptor, shutting down uncontrolled cell growth and leading to aggressive cancer.
Researchers found that specific small non-coding RNAs near gene start sites can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. These RNA molecules may also predict cancer survival outcomes and have potential as diagnostic tools.
Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered a new strategy for controlling brown rot disease, a major problem for the UK's stone fruit producers. Biological control agents derived from UK cherries and plums show promise in preventing the disease in controlled conditions.
A pre-clinical study suggests that dinaciclib, a CDK inhibitor, can improve the effectiveness of certain therapies for multiple myeloma and myeloid leukemia by disrupting the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cancer cells. The UPR is a cell survival mechanism that allows cancer cells to combat damage caused by anti-cancer agents.
A survey of American views on religion and science found that only 27% of respondents believed in conflict between the two, while nearly half of evangelicals saw a collaborative relationship. Evangelicals were also more likely to turn to religious leaders for scientific questions.
A recent survey found that 64% of small businesses experience employee theft, but only 16% report it to the police. The most common items stolen were cash and products sold by the business. Employees most likely to steal are general or first-line employees, often due to lack of trust and opportunities for easy theft.
Researchers developed a new form of soft matter that moves and reshapes itself in response to external stimuli, storing energy like living organisms. This 'living liquid crystal' holds promise for improving early disease detection, monitoring biological processes, and creating microfluidic biological sensors.
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology found that football helmets on average reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by only 20 percent compared to not wearing a helmet. The study also showed that some helmet brands, such as the Adams a2000, provide better protection against concussion and closed head injury than others.
A recent study has found that European beavers have low genetic diversity due to human hunting. The research, led by University of York Professor Michi Hofreiter, analyzed ancient and modern DNA to show that the beaver population was heavily impacted by expanding human populations over thousands of years.
Researchers at KAIST developed K-Glass, a wearable HMD with an augmented reality (AR) processor that works like human vision, improving power efficiency and speed. The processor enables efficient AR experiences in various environments, including outdoor spaces without barcodes or markers.
The new vaccine technology uses reengineered salmonella to deliver protective immunity against various infections. The study demonstrates a 10-fold improvement in salmonella survivability in a mouse model, modified to mimic human stomach acid conditions, offering hope for safe and effective oral vaccines.
Studies reveal that infants with a heartier appetite grow more rapidly, potentially putting them at increased risk for obesity. Additionally, children with lower satiety responsiveness are more likely to have genetic predisposition to obesity, highlighting potential targets for pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
Boundary organizations facilitate communication between scientists, stakeholders, and policymakers to address pressing environmental challenges like water availability and species decline. Effective collaboration requires integrating diverse perspectives and knowledge in a neutral environment to inform environmental decisions.
A new study published in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters warns that abrupt stopping of the geoengineering method could lead to rapid and extensive warming. The researchers found that global temperatures could more than double if the method is implemented for a multi-decadal period and then suddenly stopped.
Rice University researchers conducted a two-year census of 4,500 possible cap formations for nanotubes, finding that the elastic energy landscapes involved in cap formation do not dictate the nanotube's chirality. Instead, other factors such as catalyst interaction and energy landscape play a crucial role.
Research found that boys are at greater risk for delayed language development than girls, with family reading and writing difficulties increasing the risk. The study also highlights the importance of early identification and enabling language environments to support children with delayed language development.
Researchers found that a 25-minute daily visual training program improved the players' acuity and peripheral vision. This resulted in better on-field performance, including reduced strikeout rates and increased runs scored.
Researchers have identified how dengue virus enters cells using the DC-SIGN protein. Strong neutralization antibodies block this process, offering hope for vaccine development to combat the global mosquito-borne disease. The study's findings could lead to improved prevention and treatment of dengue fever.