The human immune system uses enzymes like ADAR1 to modify viral genetic information, rendering it useless for new virus particles. The study reveals how the cell protects itself from accidental import of viral RNA into the nucleus.
Researchers from Inserm and the Institut Pasteur have identified a new variant of the Ebola virus in Guinea. The virus is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate, with symptoms including fever, severe diarrhea, and vomiting. The discovery highlights the need for increased measures to prevent transmission from wild fauna to humans.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which ghrelin works to limit depression, as well as a potentially powerful neuroprotective drug called P7C3 that may provide greater anti-depressant effects.
Researchers identified a link between fetal growth and the risk of stillbirth, finding that fetuses with restricted or excessive growth had a higher risk. The study suggests that obstetricians should focus on identifying fetuses at the extremes of growth for prevention strategies.
The PETA science consortium will present a tiered-testing strategy for assessing nanomaterial hazards at the 7th International Nanotoxicology Congress. The proposed strategy involves multiple in silico and in vitro model systems, data sharing through web-based tools, and is cost-effective while reducing animal use.
A Mayo Clinic-led study found nine independent risk factors for acute respiratory distress syndrome in surgical patients, including sepsis and high-risk cardiac surgery. The findings may lead to better identification of high-risk patients before surgery and inform changes in care to prevent the condition.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered methods to build heat-resistant RNA nanostructures and arrays, showcasing its potential as a stable alternative to conventional polymers. The breakthrough offers new possibilities for controlling RNA nanoparticles for therapeutic applications.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and INPA discovered a new genus and species of electric knifefish in the Negro River, revealing unique features such as electric organs and distinct pulse patterns. The discovery is expected to contribute to a better understanding of Amazonian biodiversity and its adaptations.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have found a way to promote growth in damaged nerve cells by inactivating protein Rb, which normally acts as a brake on nerve growth. This discovery has the potential to treat conditions such as peripheral nerve disorders, including diabetic neuropathy and multiple sclerosis.
A study published in JAMA Network found that the medication acetazolamide, combined with a low-sodium weight-reduction diet, improved vision in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The treatment resulted in modest improvement in visual loss compared to a placebo.
A QUT physicist demonstrated that a siphon operates through gravity, not atmospheric pressure. The experiment involved a hypobaric chamber and showed that water flow remained constant despite changes in atmospheric pressure.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a way to block abnormal cholesterol production, transport and breakdown, preventing the development of atherosclerosis in mice and rabbits. The treatment, using an existing compound called D-PDMP, successfully prevented the formation of fatty plaque and calcium deposits inside blood vessels.
The NeuroPace RNS System uses responsive stimulation to suppress seizures before they begin, reducing seizure frequency by up to 50%. The device is surgically placed and coupled with a unique electrode placement planning system that facilitates precise targeting of the seizure focus.
Researchers have sequenced the rainbow trout genome, revealing that roughly half of protein coding genes have been deleted since a genetic doubling event 100 million years ago. The study also shows retention of microRNA genes and original genes involved in embryonic development.
A quality improvement initiative improved treatment times and reduced complications for over 71,000 stroke patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), resulting in lower in-hospital deaths and intracranial hemorrhages.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that stillbirth may be linked to both underweight and overweight fetuses. The research used a new approach to estimate gestational age and identified abnormal fetal growth in 25% of stillbirths, with those born small for gestational age facing a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of stillbirth.
A new study suggests that US policymakers should incentivize pharmaceutical companies and device makers to develop products with more value. The aim is to reduce healthcare spending while preserving health benefits, potentially through novel approaches such as increased creativity and risk-taking in scientific research and development.
A new study of 36 species found that brain volume – not body size – is the key to self-restraint. Animals with varied diets showed superior cognitive powers, while those with larger brains were more likely to inhibit counter-productive behavior.
Researchers analyzed breeding bird surveys for 40 songbird species over 35 years and found they shifted either northward or to higher elevation in response to climate change. This suggests previous studies may have underestimated the effects of environmental warming by only looking at one factor.
A new analysis of cougar teeth found significant variation in dietary habits among the species, suggesting a more generalized approach that allowed them to survive the Pleistocene mass extinction. This contrasts with the more finicky diets of extinct cousins like saber-tooth cats and American lions.
Hospitals participating in UCLA's Target: Stroke program have increased tPA administration speed, leading to improved patient outcomes, including reduced mortality and increased independence. The average time-to-treatment fell from 74 minutes to 59 minutes.
The US Department of Energy has recognized six exceptional scientists and engineers with the 2013 Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award for their contributions to research and development supporting energy, science, and national security missions. The award recipients have made significant advances in various scientific fields.
Researchers found that mitochondria unable to self-repair are responsible for muscle weakness in both long-time alcoholics and patients with mitochondrial disease. The study identified a key protein, Mfn1, involved in skeletal muscle cell fusion.
A study published in Avian Conservation and Ecology reveals that the iconic Blue-footed Booby population has declined by over 50% in less than two decades. The drastic drop is attributed to a lack of sardines in their diet, leading adult birds to elect not to breed, which in turn causes the population to shrink.
Parts of ancient Antarctica reached temperatures similar to today's California coast and Florida heat due to high CO2 levels. The study used a new method to measure past temperatures, providing insights into the sensitivity of the climate system to greenhouse gases.
Researchers applied a geostatistical approach to assess headwater stream chemistry at high resolution, finding patterns that vary over short and long distances. The analysis reveals the influence of landscape processes on stream network chemistry, challenging traditional assumptions about water quality.
Researchers have identified PPAR delta as a crucial molecule linking dietary fats to colon cancer progression. The study found that deleting PPAR delta in a mouse model of colon cancer stopped key steps required for tumor growth, providing new clues for developing therapeutics.
A recent study by Allina Health found that sharing clinical information with other health systems can avoid duplicative diagnostic procedures, such as blood work and imaging. By using the Care Everywhere tool, providers were able to eliminate 560 potentially duplicative diagnostic procedures.
Researchers have discovered a new role for Cullin-5 in killing cancer cells by targeting proteins that drive cell division. The study suggests a possible test to identify responsive patients and develop more effective drugs.
Researchers successfully used a new Krypton-dating technique to confirm the age of a 120,000-year-old sample of Antarctic ice. This technique provides an accurate means of confirming the age of ice samples, and allows scientists to reconstruct climate back as far as 1.5 million years.
A study of 429 crimes committed by 143 offenders with serious mental disorders found that only 7.5% were directly related to symptoms of mental illness. Most offenders who committed crimes with mental illness symptoms also had unrelated crimes for other reasons, such as poverty or substance abuse.
Short-term environmental enrichment exposure induces proliferation, activation and maturation of doublecortin-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex of adult guinea pigs. These alterations may be involved in learning and memory associated with the prefrontal cortex.
University of Houston junior Khanh Nguyen has been recognized as a 2014 Goldwater Scholar for her mathematical neuroscience research. She aims to pursue a Ph.D. in applied mathematics and apply her findings to medical and technological advances.
Wayne State University leads a two-and-a-half-year study on the imagination of high-speed rail in America, examining what motivates decision makers and users to champion or use trains. The research aims to understand how railway futures are shaped by urban growth plans and transportation visions.
Researchers found that activating a receptor, Gpr109a, can inhibit inflammation in the retina and prevent vision damage in diabetes. The new grant will enable long-term studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this approach.
New research outlines how regulations on alcohol and tobacco may inform policies on legalizing marijuana. The study aims to help policymakers understand the decisions they face while taking a public health approach.
Research by hydrologists and scientists found that the death of millions of trees in Rocky Mountain regions due to bark beetles increases groundwater flow and changes water quality. The study used water chemistry to identify the source of streamflow and found a significant increase in late-summer groundwater contributions.
Researchers have developed a low-cost material coating technique that mimics the Lotus effect, providing superhydrophobic properties. The technology can minimize fouling in heat exchangers and improve corrosion resistance.
Using the subway analogy, a physicist is applying queuing theory to study protein traffic jams in cells. By understanding these bottlenecks, he aims to discover mechanisms for alleviating them and develop new tools for synthetic biology. This research has the potential to impact areas such as development, inflammation and cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered a malfunction in the molecular 'proofreading' machinery that repairs DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. The protein UV-DDB makes stops along the DNA strand and transiently attaches to it, causing a proofreading change in its conformation, preventing repair in damaged areas.
Researchers found that prior sleep deprivation enhances immune system response and recovery from infection in fruitflies. Flies with adequate recovery sleep after infection showed better survival rates compared to those without it.
The study found that tween TV programs, particularly 'teen scene' and 'action-adventure', reinforce traditional gender roles. Girls are often portrayed as attractive and concerned with appearance, while boys are shown to be brave and handy with technology. This can shape kids' perceptions of available roles in society.
Astronomers confirm first self-lensing binary star system, where the closer star's mass is measured by its magnifying effect on light from its companion. This discovery improves research on white dwarfs and galaxy age, using gravitational lensing to reveal new insights into these celestial objects.
A new approach called DICE aims to reduce behavioral problems in dementia by empowering caregivers, patients, and health providers. The DICE method involves Describe, Investigate, Evaluate, and Create steps to change dementia patients' behavior through environmental modifications and other interventions.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that microRNA-3151 promotes AML-cell growth and survival by blocking tumor-suppressor gene TP53. High expression of miR-3151 is associated with a bad prognosis, while inhibition with the drug bortezomib offers a possible therapy.
Researchers have found that narrowing of the carotid artery in the neck without symptoms is linked to problems in learning, memory, thinking, and decision-making. The study compared people with similar risk factors but no narrowing in the neck artery to those with carotid artery narrowing.
A recent study by Sandia National Laboratories and the TSA aimed to understand how transportation security officers' thought processes influence decisions made during baggage screening. The findings have helped improve the performance of TSA's security officers, particularly in switching between pre-check and standard passenger lanes.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas are investigating the potential human health effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, tiny structures used in various products. The researchers will use advanced microscopy techniques to track how these nanotubes interact with human cells and determine their impact on health.
Researchers investigate quantum fluids and their chaotic motion at near-zero temperatures. The study aims to unlock the mysteries of this phenomenon, which has significant implications for daily life and galactic magnetic fields.
A third of Medicare beneficiaries not consistently assigned to the same ACO in both years, highlighting challenges to achieving organizational accountability. About 38% of outpatient care spending billed by ACO physicians was devoted to assigned beneficiaries.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who felt threatened by their teachers' messages about failing performed worse on exams than those who did not. The researchers suggest that teachers should consider using more positive and supportive messages to motivate students.
A study by Fernanda Cristofori and colleagues found that 4.4% of children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) had celiac disease, compared to 0.3% in those without IBS. The prevalence was highest among IBS patients, who had four times the risk of developing celiac disease.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a promising new treatment for Parkinson's disease using a molecular tweezer that prevents protein aggregation. The molecule, CLR01, speeds up protein reconfiguration and has shown success in slowing the first step of aggregation, paving the way for clinical trials.
Researchers found that the river's supply of sand, a key ingredient for rebuilding marshlands, will remain constant for at least 300 years. The study suggests that despite reduced sediment loads, the abundance of sand in the lower Mississippi River channel will continue to replenish wetlands.
The study analyzed 224 strains of Yersinia family members, revealing parallel independent evolution of pathogenicity in species like Yersinia pestis and enterocolitica. The researchers found that acquisition of specific genes and loss of metabolic functions are key traits for pathogenic species.
The American College of Physicians advocates for a patient- and family-centered approach to physician training, recognizing the value of partnerships between healthcare professionals and their loved ones. The organization's proposal includes establishing guidelines for active participation of patients and families in medical care.
An Indiana University study found that immediately after Steve Jobs' death, more than a third of survey participants sought information about cancer in general and 7% sought pancreatic cancer info, highlighting the importance of using celebrities to educate the public about disease prevention and detection.
Scientists have found evidence that the Andes mountain range formed through periodic rapid pulses, not continuous gradual uplift. The Altiplano plateau rose by about 2.5 kilometers between 16 million and 9 million years ago, indicating a rapid rate in geologic terms.
Researchers used amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes to deliver nerve growth factor, improving complex dispersibility and reducing toxicity. This improved the promotion of cell differentiation in PC12 cells and chick embryo dorsal root ganglion.
Scientists have successfully directed charges through single molecules using a bi-layer arrangement of organic molecules, enabling precise control over electronic properties. This breakthrough brings us closer to nanoscale circuitry, which could be used in various applications such as OLEDs and biomedical devices.