Two new treatments for liver diseases are being explored. A probiotic, VSL#3, has been shown to improve liver function and reduce the risk of hospitalization in patients with cirrhosis. Meanwhile, a fatty acid conjugate called Aramchol has been found to significantly reduce liver fat content in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver di...
The investigational drug patiromer decreased high potassium levels and maintained normal levels in patients with chronic kidney disease. Elevated potassium increases the risk of death in high-risk patients and limits the use of certain drugs used to control hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
A new study from Oregon State University found that an intervention using music and games improves self-regulation skills in preschoolers, preparing them for kindergarten. The program had a positive effect on math achievement among English language learners.
A new tool provides real-time ocean chemistry data along the West Coast, helping scientists understand changes in water chemistry and aid the shellfish industry. The IOOS Pacific Region Oean Acidification Data Portal offers valuable insights for adapting to ocean acidification.
Clemson University researchers are developing new instruments to measure ultra-high-resolution strain movements in underground CO2 storage sites. The goal is to improve the ability to monitor and safeguard geologic carbon storage, making it cheaper and safer.
Researchers have identified a natural resistance gene in white spruce trees that makes them resistant to the devastating spruce budworm. The gene, betaglucosidase-1, produces compounds toxic to the caterpillar, potentially allowing for replanting of forests affected by the pest.
A University of Cincinnati doctoral student presents research on the legal issues posed by transgendered inmates, including Eighth Amendment protections and varying policies. The study aims to create a manual for prison institutions to guide treatment of this population.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are exploring ways to create more human-like interactions between humans and robots. Julienne Greer, a theatre arts lecturer, is using her expertise in performance technique method acting to inform the design of robots like Pepper, which can understand and respond to human emotions.
New research examines the effects of powered prosthetic leg errors on users, revealing some mistakes are insignificant, while others can cause noticeable instability. The team aims to improve decoding accuracy and minimize mechanical work changes to create more reliable prostheses.
A new study reveals how the immune system recognizes enemies on a molecular level and how this process can go wrong, leading to autoimmune diseases. The research also offers insights into training the immune system for vaccine development.
A study found that people tend to accept dates from unattractive partners when faced with a potential date, rather than rejecting them due to concerns about hurting the other person's feelings. This bias was observed even when participants knew they would not meet in person, suggesting that social consideration can influence dating dec...
A new simulation demonstrates that hummingbirds generate lift and thrust using unsteady airflow mechanisms, creating invisible vortices of air. This unique approach sets them apart from larger birds and is more closely aligned with insect flight.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that employee motivation increases when workers and their supervisors share similar views on the quality of their relationship, even if the relationship is poor. This discovery suggests that being honest about one's feelings can lead to better work engagement and performance.
Vermicompost leachate enhances tomato seedling growth in temperature and water-stress conditions. Regular supply of VCL improves morphological characters, including leaf area and shoot/root biomass.
Researchers at UCSF have identified patterns of genetic activity that can be used to diagnose endometriosis and its severity, offering a less invasive alternative to surgery. The test uses machine learning to analyze gene expression patterns in uterine lining cells.
A clinical trial found that patients who received more CD34+ bone marrow cells experienced significant benefits, with improved ejection fraction and lower rates of major adverse cardiac events. The study, which enrolled 161 patients, showed a dose-dependent trend in the effects of cell therapy on heart function.
Researchers mapped p53 binding sites in human cancer and normal cells, finding the protein binds selectively to repeat sequences in cancer cells. This suggests p53's role in maintaining genomic stability and tumor suppression is context-dependent.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health estimates that obesity-attributable absenteeism among US workers costs the nation more than $8 billion annually, with state-level costs ranging from $14.4 million in Wisconsin to $907 million in California.
Researchers have found four novel loci associated with eosinophilic esophagitis, a severe food allergy. The study suggests that genetic factors play key roles in the disease and may offer attractive targets for therapy. Understanding these biological networks could lead to tailored approaches for treatment.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in personalized vaccine technology for all types of cancer, using genes expressed in tumors to create tailored vaccines. The approach has shown promise in improving biological responses and disease control.
Researchers found that using clear polyethylene mulch on well-irrigated beds under high tunnel glazing can achieve significant disinfestation of soil pathogens and pests within less than one week. This method requires a combination of daily solar radiation, high temperatures, and low relative humidity.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a compact terahertz radiation source that operates at room temperature, offering improved security detection capabilities. The device has a wide frequency coverage and can detect explosives, chemical agents, and biological substances from safe distances.
Research shows that brain metastases have dense concentrations of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes, providing an immunoactive environment. High expression of PDL1 is common in both glioblastoma and brain metastases, making immune checkpoint inhibitors a promising treatment option.
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that the enzyme PKM2 controls cell division, promoting tumor cell proliferation. PKM2's role in regulating cytokinesis was also identified as crucial for brain tumor development and malignant tumor progression.
Researchers discovered a functional antibacterial gene in Archaea, which produces a broad-spectrum lysozyme enzyme. This enzyme kills certain species of bacteria, including those resistant to current antibiotics, and could lead to new antibacterial drug development.
A new study reveals a 48% increase in direct and indirect costs associated with diabetes over five years, with prediabetes costs rising 74% and undiagnosed diabetes costs increasing 82%. The growing burden of prediabetes highlights the need for prevention and early intervention.
Researchers analyzed vaccine failures and found that leaky vaccines lead to higher infection rates in the long run. The study also showed that all-or-nothing and waning vaccines have distinct dynamics following mass vaccination, providing an alternative explanation for disease resurgence.
Employees of small, locally owned businesses exhibit higher levels of commitment to their employers, leading to reduced absenteeism and turnover. For rural workers, company ownership plays a crucial role in organizational commitment.
A new report from the University of Washington shows that Washington families must spend 46% more on average to make ends meet today than 13 years ago. The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2014 found that median wages increased just 21 percent during that time, while costs jumped as much as 72 percent.
A new study found that mothers working full-time are more likely to have preschoolers who get less sleep and are overweight. The researchers followed 247 mother-child pairs and found that children whose mothers worked full-time had higher BMIs at the end of the study period.
A new study from Lund University reveals a special oat oil preparation can produce greater satiety, leading to reduced energy intake. The unique composition of the oat oil, featuring polar fats, delays fat breakdown and stimulates the release of three key satiety hormones.
A $1.5 million NIH grant will fund a five-year study assessing the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive social support group, Joy Luck Academy, among Chinese-American breast cancer survivors. The study aims to improve quality of life, reduce depressive symptoms, and stress.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine and colleagues have discovered a previously unknown immune response to the mitochondria of pluripotent stem cells created through nuclear transfer, which can prompt rejection in mice. This finding may pose a hurdle for using such therapies in humans, but it is considered surmountable.
Researchers found that thawing Arctic permafrost soil may have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere around 14,600 years ago. The study suggests that this process could have amplified initial warming through positive feedback, similar to current effects of permafrost thawing in Siberia.
A study in mice reveals that Sox2 protein can convert NG2 glia, a type of support cell, into neurons in the injured cerebral cortex. This finding supports the notion that cellular reprogramming may become a way to replace degenerated neurons in the adult brain.
Researchers at Princeton University have directly observed the electronic states of iron-sulfur clusters in enzymes, revealing an order of magnitude more accessible states than previously reported. This discovery presents many different chemical possibilities and could explain the ubiquity of these clusters in biological processes.
Research examines programs aimed at reducing gender-based violence worldwide and finds community-based initiatives with men and women's involvement are the most effective in preventing violence. The study also highlights the importance of a two-pronged approach to address both prevention and response to reduce pandemic levels of violence.
A team of researchers has discovered that 'back boosting' the immune system by pre-emptively vaccinating against likely future strains of the influenza virus can significantly improve vaccine effectiveness. This approach would allow for more targeted and effective vaccination campaigns, potentially saving millions of lives worldwide.
A study published in Science reports that HIV/AIDS drugs, such as NRTIs, can prevent retinal degeneration in a mouse model of dry AMD by blocking the innate immune pathway called inflammasome. This discovery offers hope for repurposing these inexpensive and safe drugs to treat untreatable conditions.
Researchers propose that filaments in the cosmic web played a critical role in the evolution of galaxies in the distant universe. Galaxies residing in these filaments have a higher chance of actively forming stars, with a process known as 'pre-processing' accelerating their evolution.
Researchers developed a system to track dynamic process of falling asleep by combining physiologic measurements with behavioral task. The system provides valuable insight into diagnosing and understanding sleep disorders.
A 12-week exercise program improved physical function and quality of life for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, decreasing their pain. The study suggests that incorporating exercise into kidney disease care can significantly improve patients' lives.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have tracked electrical activity in brains during imagination and reality, revealing opposite directions of information flow. During imagination, signals move from the parietal lobe to the occipital lobe, while in reality, they flow in the opposite direction.
A recent study has clarified how proteins influence the direction of egg transportation in the fallopian tube, a crucial component of the reproductive system. Researchers found that protein Celsr1 is essential for proper transportation by controlling cell shape and ciliary movement.
A new survey of 11 countries found that Americans with Medicare have quicker access to specialist care than many other nations. However, the US population is also reported to be sicker compared to older adults in these countries.
The study aims to compare VR-based balance treatment with traditional methods for rehabilitating balance dysfunction after TBI. It will evaluate the effectiveness of customizing VR exercises based on individual ability levels and assess dual-task VR training for improving balance.
A new study shows that senior citizens who run regularly can walk as efficiently as 20-year-olds, while those who only walk expend more energy. The research suggests that running helps slow down the aging process and improves independence.
Researchers at Mount Sinai aim to re-create patients' ocular stem cells to restore vision, eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs. The grant will support efforts to discover new stem cell therapies and develop biomaterials for engrafting patient-owned stem cells.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified a rare population of stem cells that give rise to fibrosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of scar tissue in organs. The study suggests that targeting these stem cells could lead to therapeutic breakthroughs for conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, and high blood pressure.
A new study reveals that Mediterranean sea levels have risen by over 1mm per year since 1989, with the trend being positive in winter and negative in summer. The researchers analyzed data from 1948 to 2009 and compared it with real-time measurements to validate their results.
The Genetic Eye Disease (GEDi) test, developed by Massachusetts Eye and Ear, is a comprehensive genetic test for inherited eye disorders. It includes all known genes associated with these conditions and has been shown to be 98% accurate in detecting genetic variants, outperforming whole exome sequencing.
A Duke University study found that job candidates who share the minority partisan view of voters in a geographic district are less likely to receive a callback than those with neutral resumes. Employers appear not to favor majority-partisan views. The study suggests partisanship may play a role in hiring, but further research is needed.
PharmaMar presents results highlighting a pipeline of targeted therapies, including Aplidin, an antitumoral compound targeting eEF1A2, and an ADC combining a marine-derived agent with trastuzumab. The company's pipeline includes multiple compounds in clinical development for various tumor types.
New research reveals hand dryers can spread bacteria in public toilets, increasing the risk of infection. Studies found airborne germ counts were 27 times higher around jet air dryers compared to paper towels.
Darrin York developed a learning system, ChIPS, that provides personal attention to students in lecture classes and boosts student success in general chemistry courses. He is being recognized for his outstanding impact on undergraduate students and scholarly approach to teaching.
Research shows that serotonin's early regulation is vital for brain circuit formation, particularly in inhibitory interneurons. Dysregulation of this system can lead to psychiatric problems, highlighting the importance of understanding its role in brain development.
Research by Emily Kaskan and Ivy Ho highlights how American female athletes are objectified and stereotyped in media coverage, influencing their self-esteem and athleticism. The study shows that these microaggressions can lead to psychological stress, impacting hormonal, immune, and cardiovascular systems.
The Lancet highlights that current efforts to prevent violence against women and girls are inadequate, with 1 in 3 women experiencing physical or sexual violence. The series urges policy makers, health practitioners, and donors to take five key actions to address the crisis.
Researchers discovered that excess lipids in the lungs trigger an inflammatory response, leading to scarring and pulmonary fibrosis. The team's findings suggest a new direction for developing novel therapies by targeting lipid handling in the lungs.
University of Utah engineers developed a polarizing filter that transmits more light, enabling longer battery life in mobile devices and improved low-light photography. The new technology allows for increased energy efficiency and can pass through up to 74% of light.