The Biophysical Society announced the winners of its 2014 International Travel Awards to foster collaboration between American biophysicists and scientists in countries with financial difficulties. The recipients were chosen based on scientific merit and proposed presentations at the annual meeting.
Researchers have identified specific proteins disrupted by genetic mutations in people with schizophrenia, offering a new understanding of the disorder. The study also found an overlap between schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and intellectual disability.
Researchers analyzed eight oil-soaked sand patties collected along Gulf shores, finding large amounts of water-repelling hydrocarbons that can harm wildlife. The study aimed to assess the environmental impact of persisting oil remnants and improve understanding of their toxicity.
Researchers have created a novel scaffold for growing cardiac muscle cells using carbon nanofibers, which can conduct electricity and promote better metabolic activity. This breakthrough aims to repair damaged hearts through tissue engineering.
The university's AIDS Clinical Trials Unit will conduct human studies to advance knowledge of HIV-related diseases, prevention, and treatment. The award supports the development of effective methods to prevent HIV infection and fine-tune treatments for patients, aiming to improve life expectancy and quality of life.
A new CU-Boulder study analyzed over 1,000 scientific studies on North American mammal responses to human-caused climate change, finding that only 52% of species responded as expected. Large mammal body size and restricted times during a day were key traits tied to climate change responses.
A new study estimates that one in five women with ovarian cancer has an inherited genetic mutation that increases their risk of developing the disease. The research identified 222 inherited genetic variants associated with ovarian cancer, including major changes in genes critical for DNA repair and cell division.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a process-friendly technique to cool microprocessor chips using carbon nanotubes, improving heat transport efficiency by six-fold. The method, suitable for manufacturing computer chips, reduces thermal interface resistance and enhances cooling performance.
A new gene, CHD2, has been found to be responsible for a subset of epilepsy patients with symptoms similar to Dravet syndrome. This discovery offers new diagnostic tools and potential treatments for families affected by the condition.
New research reveals vulvodynia affects Hispanic women more frequently than black women, with higher incidence rates in younger women and those with pre-existing pain disorders. The study found that nearly 10 million women experience vulvodynia at any given time, highlighting the need for improved diagnosis and treatment.
The 2014 recipients of the Minority Travel Award are recognized for their participation in biophysics research and their potential to contribute to the field. The winners will present their work at the 58th Annual Meeting, highlighting recent advances in biophysics.
A study of over 57,000 people identified five new genes associated with increased waist-to-hip ratio, a precursor to diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The research found that one gene, SHC1, is linked to abdominal fat and may play a role in metabolic imbalance.
Decisions on homebirth vs hospital birth should consider long-term disability risk to child, leading ethicists say. Homebirth risks include increased chances of death, disability, and neonatal intensive care admission compared to hospital births.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to evaluate the effectiveness of drug alternatives to antibiotics in limiting disease spread. These treatments can prevent infections from evolving too quickly, but also increase the risk of disease transmission.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital has awarded Christina Marsica Grassi a $30,000 fellowship to investigate sterile vitritis in patients with artificial corneal implants. The research project aims to improve understanding of immune responses to prosthetic devices and develop better treatments for this condition.
A study found that UK patients diagnosed with heart attacks between 2004-2010 had higher death rates (10.5%) compared to Swedish patients (7.6%). The difference in mortality rates decreased over time, but the UK still lagged behind Sweden in terms of quality of care.
A new study by Duke University finds that children growing up in dangerous neighborhoods exhibit more aggressive behavior across nine countries. The research suggests a link between perilous environments and harsh parenting practices, which may contribute to increased child aggression.
A team of New York University scientists has found that the warming of the North and Tropical Atlantic Ocean is contributing to climate change in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, reveals a previously unknown force behind Antarctic climate change.
A survey of over 800 US adults found that individuals are primarily blamed for obesity, while farmers and grocery stores are relatively blameless. The study challenges the assumption that policy solutions will work if people believe obesity is a personal problem.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that health disparities among US African-American and Hispanic men result in $341.8 billion and $115 billion excess medical costs, respectively. The total economic burden is over $450 billion, with indirect costs contributing an additional $436.3 billion.
The JILA strontium lattice clock has set new world records for both precision and stability, achieving a precision of about 50% more than the record holder. Its stability is comparable to that of NIST's ytterbium atomic clock, allowing it to outperform other types of atomic clocks through averaging.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that estrogen increases proliferation of blood-forming stem cells in females, leading to increased red blood cell production. This discovery raises possibilities for treating blood cancers and reducing chemotherapy toxicity by considering estrogen levels.
A recent study found that men are more likely to experience memory problems than women, with 8 out of 9 questions showing higher rates of forgetting among men. This phenomenon holds true across all ages, from 30 to 60 years old, and is associated with higher education levels and a lower risk of dementia.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that professional athletes in NBA and MLB experience a decline in performance after signing new contracts, dubbed 'contract year syndrome'. This decline is attributed to a post-contract slump that can last two years.
A recent study found that nearly half of hospitalized adults aged 65 and older require assistance making decisions due to cognitive impairment. Family members or children often fill this role, with significant implications for patient care and outcomes.
Rice University laser scientists have developed a highly sensitive portable sensor to test the air for nitrous oxide and methane. The device uses a thumbnail-sized quantum cascade laser and tuning forks, and can detect trace amounts of these greenhouse gases in as little as a second.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that multiple pigment cell types from different skin layers contribute to the formation of guppies' colorful spots. The research found that transparent, reflective, and iridescent cells called iridophores play a crucial role in these patterns.
Researchers suggest that traditional shade-growing techniques and natural fungal enemies can help control coffee rust. Abandoning these methods may exacerbate the problem, and a return to more sustainable practices could be an effective way to manage the disease.
Researchers create method to pinpoint locations for single proteins and improve chromatography process, leading to faster and cheaper drug production. This breakthrough could widen bottleneck in pharmaceutical industry and expand application to other industries.
Researchers at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that consumers are more likely to click on free, generic search results than paid ads. In a large-scale field experiment, they compared sales before and after turning off paid search in various markets, finding no measurable increase in sales from paid ads.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that idelalisib reduces tumor size by at least half in 57% of patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The drug's side effects are manageable, offering a targeted and less harmful approach to treating cancer.
A recent Alzheimer's trial failed to produce cognitive improvement for volunteers, but researchers have identified key takeaways to inform the development of new treatments. Lessons learned include testing drugs in individuals building up amyloid plaques, giving higher doses safely, and combining disease-modifying treatments.
Researchers developed a method to harden bones by growing aragonite on their surfaces, making them 50-70% sturdier. This technique has wide implications for preserving valuable remains and restoring cultural clues.
Researchers found that mild cold exposure can significantly affect energy expenditure over sustained time periods, suggesting a potential benefit for weight loss. Brown fat, a heat-generating organ thought to be active only in infants, is also present in adults and can be activated by cold temperatures.
Structures, a new online peer-reviewed journal, aims to bridge the knowledge translation gap between academia and industry. The journal will publish research articles on structural engineering, materials, and related areas, with a focus on applicability to current practice.
Researchers at Oxford University found that flies living with their brothers cause less harm to females during courting than those living with unrelated flies. This is because related flies are more relaxed in their mating approach and spend less time harassing females, resulting in fewer fights and reduced fecundity for females.
Dr. Beth Levine received the 2014 Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award for her groundbreaking work on autophagy, a housecleaning process in which cells destroy damaged proteins and organelles. Her research has revealed crucial roles of autophagy in health and disease, including its potential to prevent cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
A 10.4-year median follow-up study by EORTC trial 22921 found that adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve survival or disease-free survival for cT3-resectable T4 M0 rectal cancer patients, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies.
Despite devastating effects of the invasive insect in southern Appalachians, increasing tree density associated with reforestation and succession may have offset negative impacts at a regional scale. Hemlock trees do not have natural defenses against hemlock woolly adelgid, resulting in high levels of tree mortality.
Researchers found that star radiation can push matter out of galaxies, accounting for the missing galactic mass in previous calculations. The FIRE simulations demonstrate that feedback from stars alters galaxy growth and history in a dramatic way.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new method for producing cheap hydrogen using atomic-scale catalysts made of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2). The study found that the thickness of the MoS2 film is crucial to its catalytic performance, with thinner films being more conductive and effective as catalysts.
A new study has found that fungi regulate diversity in rainforests by making dominant species victims of their own success. Fungi spread quickly between closely-packed plants of the same species, enabling a wider range of species to flourish.
The University of Cincinnati has received over $1 million from the US Air Force to fund seven research projects studying the effects of air medical evacuation. Researchers will investigate how altitude affects medical equipment, resuscitation methods, and caregiver performance during flights.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed portable, inexpensive medical tests using color-changing 'smart' holograms that can detect a wide range of compounds in blood, breath, urine, saliva or tear fluid.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that improves muscle strength, corrects muscle structure, and prolongs life in animal models of X-linked myotubular myopathy. This devastating disease affects approximately 1 in 50,000 male births, causing severe respiratory difficulties and requiring intensive support.
A Michigan State University study found that nighttime smartphone usage for work purposes leads to decreased productivity and increased fatigue the next day. The research suggests that smartphones' blue light emission disrupts melatonin production, hindering sleep recovery.
Researchers created a computer simulation to accurately predict blood vessel growth in the laboratory. By studying real blood vessels from rats, they found that denser extracellular matrix impairs vessel formation. This breakthrough aims to develop new treatments for diseases related to blood flow and cancer metastasis.
A new study from Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that the quality of cancer stem cells, rather than their quantity, may be associated with better survival rates in patients with HPV-related oral cancers. Researchers discovered that HPV-positive tumors had fewer cancer stem cells, contrary to previous expectations.
A study by Joslin Diabetes Center found that care managers in Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) increased improvements in diabetes patients. Care managers who were embedded in the care team and used electronic medical records showed better patient outcomes.
A study by RAND Corporation finds that WWII had long-lasting consequences on health, education, and marriage among European survivors. Living in a war-torn country increased the likelihood of physical and mental problems later in life, including diabetes, depression, and heart disease.
A University of Oregon study discovers the source of Galapagos eruptions to be a plume 150 kilometers southeast of Fernandina Island, contradicting previous modeling. This finding sheds light on volcanic activity in the islands and raises questions about plate tectonics and Earth's internal convection.
The Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award funds groundbreaking projects that aim to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. This year's recipients are Emily P. Balskus, Arvin C. Dar, Summer L. Gibbs, Xiaolin Nan, Moritz F. Kircher, and Eirini Papapetrou, who will receive $450,000 over three years for their innovative ideas.
Researchers sequenced genomes of 42 yeast strains, revealing more variation in S. cerevisiae than its wild relative, S. paradoxus. Subtelomeric regions harbor genome variation contributing to differences in traits between strains.
A new web-based course called Project YEAH has been developed to prevent excessive weight gain in young adults aged 18-25. The course uses a theory-based approach and incorporates individualized attention through a website, allowing participants to set goals and receive tips.
Scientists at NREL are working on a biological process to convert methane from fracking into liquid diesel fuel, which could lower dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses microbes that can digest methane and produce lipids, the precursor to fuel.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 82,000 men found that prolonged sedentary behavior significantly increases the risk of heart failure. The study highlights the importance of a physically active and nonsedentary lifestyle for reducing this risk.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a brain development index from MRI scans that captures normal brain maturation patterns. The study shows a relationship between cognitive development and physical changes in the developing young brain, allowing for early detection of subtle developmental abnormalities.
A new study found that tag plays at home plate have the highest injury rate in professional baseball, occurring 4.3 times more often than other base-running plays. The researchers suggest adopting the collegiate rule to reduce collisions and protect both catchers and baserunners.
A new report from the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders identifies 29 evidence-based practices for children and youth with autism, including technology-aided instruction and exercise. These practices can help reduce costs and improve outcomes for individuals with autism.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating on ancient moss samples exposed by modern Arctic warming to determine the age of relic mosses. The findings suggest that eastern Canadian Arctic temperatures are warmer now than in any century over the past 5,000 years.