Immunology is the study of the human immune system, which seeks out and destroys dangerous bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also explores how its activity connects with other body systems, influencing metabolism, hormone levels, and overall well-being.
A study has identified a dozen genetic mutations involved in changes to complete blood counts and the onset of severe biological disorders. The research used DNA from 6,796 people and found mutations in genes related to red and white blood cells and platelets.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is launching a three-year training program for nurse midwife technicians in rural Malawi to address the critical shortage of health care workers. The program aims to provide quality HIV and health services to rural communities, with support from the US CDC through PEPFAR.
The loss of large wildlife has been directly correlated with a significant increase in rodents and zoonotic diseases dangerous to humans. The study suggests that conservation efforts could help mitigate the problem of rodent-borne diseases.
A gene expression profiling test analyzes patterns of 21 genes to predict cancer recurrence and benefit from chemotherapy. Many patients misunderstand the test's meaning, viewing it as a personalized and emotionally significant result rather than population-based statistics.
A large-scale study found that patient satisfaction with postoperative pain treatment is linked to perceptions of improvement and the patient-caregiver relationship. Patients who feel involved in their care experience higher levels of satisfaction.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed multilayer, microscale solar cells that can operate across the entire solar spectrum at exceptionally high efficiency. The technology enables quadruple-junction four-terminal solar cells with individually measured efficiencies of 43.9 percent.
Research by University of Illinois engineers reveals that smartphone sensors can be used to identify individual devices, raising concerns about user tracking and security. The study found that imperfections in the manufacturing process create unique fingerprints on each sensor, which can be used to track a device's activities.
Oxytocin increases facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys, promoting communication and social interest. The hormone also lowers cortisol levels, indicating a possible role in diminishing anxiety.
A study by the University of Sheffield found that low blood sugar levels can cause prolonged periods of abnormal heart rhythms in older patients with Type 2 diabetes. The research sheds light on the 'Dead in Bed' syndrome, where young people without a history of complications die suddenly from diabetes.
Researchers at Disney Research have created electrostatic loudspeakers that can be printed in any shape using 3D technology, enabling objects to produce sound and even ultrasound. The technology has potential applications in interactive systems, toys, and games.
A recent study found that high doses of antidepressants are associated with a higher risk of suicidal behavior in children and young adults. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid initiating pharmacotherapy at high-therapeutic doses and monitor patients for several months after starting treatment.
Researchers at Emory University and the University of Queensland have found a framework for the celebrated Rogers-Ramanujan identities, revealing a treasure trove of algebraic numbers and formulas. The breakthrough solves a century-old mystery surrounding Indian math genius Srinivasa Ramanujan's work.
Advances in biological imaging enable scientists to identify the most promising new drugs and rule out those unlikely to work, potentially improving the success rate of cancer medicines. Researchers are using this approach to streamline the drug discovery process, reducing costs and side effects.
A team of McMaster researchers has developed a simple pill that can test water safety using a dissolving breath strip technology. The new method reduces the need for expensive lab equipment and shipping water to the lab, making it potentially life-saving for people in remote areas.
Researchers developed a new circuit board, Neurogrid, capable of simulating 1 million neurons and billions of synaptic connections using 16 custom-designed chips. The device is more efficient than other brain mimics on the power it takes to run a tablet computer.
The study aims to understand why some young men exhibit risky behaviors as they emerge into adulthood, while others do not. The research team will consider factors such as social and sexual networks, homophobia, substance use, and mental health burdens.
Researchers discovered specialized astrocyte functions support specific neurons, contributing to neurodegenerative disorders like ALS. The study also found potential links to developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
A new 3D printer developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research can turn wool and wool blend yarns into fabric objects. The device produces 3D objects made of a form of loose felt reminiscent of hand-knitted materials.
A 9,000-year-old caribou hunting drive lane has been found beneath Lake Huron, revealing distinct seasonal approaches used by Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic caribou hunters. The complex structure, known as Drop 45 Drive Lane, features stone lanes and blinds that suggest a larger cooperating group of individuals was involved in the hunt.
Rice University researchers have created a thin-film battery that combines the best qualities of high-energy batteries and supercapacitors, retaining over 76% of its energy capacity after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. The flexible device has potential for wearable electronics.
Researchers reconstruct origins of 1918 H1N1 influenza A virus, finding it arose from bird flu virus acquired by human H1 virus before 1918. Childhood exposure to previous flu strains may predict susceptibility to future strains and inform vaccination strategies.
A new study by Jakana Thomas found that terrorism can work in civil wars, but only if governments allow it to, and that responding with violence prolongs the conflict. The study suggests that negotiating with rebel groups or finding peaceful settlements can lead to a better chance of resolving the conflict.
Researchers found that high-frequency irrigation improved root zone soil moisture content, but low croploads reduced effects on fruit quality. Soil and water management treatments had minimal impact on cherry fruit size, but variations were closely associated with cropload.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identified natural human antibodies against MERS, a severe respiratory disease with a mortality rate of over 40 percent. These 'neutralizing' antibodies prevented the virus from attaching to host cells, offering a possible development of antibody-based immunotherapy.
Carnegie Mellon University has received a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Defense to develop a new mathematical approach using Homotopy Type Theory, a connection between abstract geometry and computational logic. The research aims to provide a computational foundation for mathematics and improve theoretical computer science.
Scientists have identified a potential new strategy to treat ovarian cancer by targeting multiple growth factors. By blocking several avenues that tumour cells use to escape eradication, researchers hope to develop new anticancer drugs that target ovarian tumour growth.
Researchers applied NASA's threat and error model to pediatric cardiac surgery, identifying 763 threats in 524 'patient flights.' Most errors led to cycles of additional error, causing progressive loss of safety margins and harming patients. Optimizing communication and resource utilization can improve error rescue and patient outcomes.
A study found that drinking Montmorency tart cherry juice twice a day for two weeks increased sleep time by nearly 90 minutes among older adults with insomnia. The researchers also discovered that the natural polyphenolic compounds in tart cherries, such as proanthocyanidins and tryptophan, play a role in improving sleep efficiency.
Rates of violent crime in the US have decreased since the 1990s, with significant declines in assaults involving weapons or injuries, bullying, and sexual victimization. Researchers attribute these declines to factors such as increased use of psychiatric medication and electronic technology.
Researchers develop intuitive smart home programming solution, trigger-action paradigm, allowing non-programmers to automate tasks and control devices. The study found that 78% of activities could be expressed as a single trigger and action, making it accessible to everyone.
A Simon Fraser University study has linked intimate partner abuse to postpartum mental health problems in new mothers. The research found that 61% of women experienced mental health symptoms and that different types of abuse were associated with varying levels of postpartum mental health issues.
Researchers identified a genetic disorder, DADA2, caused by inherited mutations in the ADA2 blood enzyme, leading to sporadic fevers, skin rashes, and recurring strokes. The discovery may lead to novel diagnostics and potential treatments using artificial forms of the protein.
Researchers have identified various transcription mechanisms in zebrafish during embryonic development, which may help understand the formation of abnormalities or cancer. The study reveals that different starting points are used for transcription before and after activation of the embryonic genome.
Researchers used a genetic approach to find that cortical neurons play a key role in initiating the disease, while shutting down mutant huntingtin in both sets of cells corrected symptoms. The study suggests new targets for therapeutic drugs to slow the devastating disease.
Teens who used both drugs in the past year had higher rates of traffic tickets/warnings and car accidents. Kids who used alcohol and marijuana at the same time were about 50 to 90 percent more likely to admit to unsafe driving than their peers.
A new study evaluates the environmental impact of biocontainers in commercial greenhouse production, finding minor differences in global warming potential compared to traditional plastic containers. The researchers suggest that using more efficient lighting sources could have a greater impact on overall sustainability.
Researchers demonstrate that transplanting hearts from genetically engineered pigs in combination with target-specific immunosuppression prolongs graft survival in baboons, paving the way for human transplantation. The study shows promise for overcoming immunologic roadblocks and eliminating the shortage of donor organs.
A total of 103 wildfires are currently burning across Russia, with the majority located in the Far East and Siberia. The fires have already destroyed over 800 hectares of land and have raised concerns about the environmental impact.
Vanderbilt University PhD student Junhao Lin develops a method to craft metallic wires three atoms wide, opening doors for flexible and transparent electronic circuits. This breakthrough technique enables the creation of ultra-thin wiring for monolayer materials, paving the way for novel applications in electronics and beyond.
Researchers Chi Wu and Lianwei Li won the prize for their study on transporting polymer chains through a small cylindrical pore, discovering critical flow rates independent of chain length. The award recognizes significant contributions to modern polymer chemistry in China.
A new study published in Pediatrics finds that patients' degree of acceptance of genetic testing and gene-based drug dosing depends on their knowledge of these concepts. The researchers surveyed over 1,500 participants and found that those with higher knowledge levels were more open to the idea.
Researchers developed a method to measure nanoparticle degradation in real time using Förster resonance energy transfer, enabling undistorted measurements without separating particles from their environment. This can inform the design of safer and more effective nanoparticles for various medical applications.
A new study by UCLA psychologists found that girls who are told they are too fat at age 10 are more likely to be obese at age 19. The researchers also found that the number of people telling a girl she is fat increases her likelihood of obesity.
An international team of pain researchers found that male experimenters' scent, caused by pheromones secreted from armpits, can produce a stress response in mice and rats, making them less sensitive to pain. This discovery may contribute to the reliability of rodent research studies.
A Baylor University study found that students who participated in a Facebook group for a large introductory sociology class scored higher on quizzes, wrote stronger papers, and did better on exams. The group helped create a sense of community and belonging among students, transforming them from anonymous spectators into active learners.
A team of researchers has developed a system that can predict global social trends, including consumer reactions and social movements, by analyzing data from a small group of Twitter users. The method, which uses the friendship paradox property on Twitter, was tested using just 50,000 accounts and achieved impressive results.
Biologists at Newcastle University use 'confusion effect' to temporarily disorient whiteflies, reducing their ability to feed on tomato plants. The study suggests a potential new method for sustainable pest control, using harmless plant volatiles to give plants time to defend themselves.
NASA's GOES-East satellite captured visible and infrared data on a storm system that spawned tornadoes affecting seven central and southern U.S. states. The animation shows the development and movement of the storm system, revealing powerful storms and high-altitude cloud tops.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued updated policy statements recommending improved research and education on the treatment of children in urgent care centers. The guidelines emphasize the need for timely evaluation, stabilization, and transfer of children with emergencies, as well as consistent oversight and quality monitoring.
The American Gastroenterological Association has awarded fellowships to 10 minority college students to further their research careers in digestive disease and nutrition. The 2014 AGA Investing in the Future Student Research Fellowship Award recipients will conduct eight to 10 weeks of research related to digestive diseases or nutrition.
Researchers at NYSCF and Columbia University Medical Center have successfully created the first disease-specific human embryonic stem cell line using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The achievement marks a major step towards developing personalized cell therapies for life-threatening diseases like type 1 diabetes. By reprogrammin...
A new study found that older siblings more strongly sway younger siblings close in age towards violent criminal behavior. Environmental factors within families play a crucial role in delinquent behavior, and the results may inform prevention and treatment programs.
Researchers from Harvard and colleagues found new evidence for a previously unknown African-derived terrane, named the Moretown terrane, which lies beneath North American-derived rocks in modern-day New England. The discovery suggests that the Iapetus Ocean closed approximately 20 million years earlier than documented elsewhere.
A new study elucidates how BRCA gene loss accelerates chromosome rearrangements, impairing homologous recombination repair. This discovery could help clinicians guide patient treatment for BRCA mutations of uncertain significance.
A new study found that pelargonic acid is an effective natural herbicide for controlling weeds in yellow squash, with minimal crop injury. The 10-lb/acre PA treatment produced the highest squash yields and fruit number compared to other application rates.
The American Academy of Neurology review found that medical marijuana can help treat spasticity, pain, and overactive bladder in multiple sclerosis patients. However, its effectiveness in other neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Tourette syndrome, cervical dystonia, and epilepsy remains uncertain.
A new study using MRI analysis found that patients who responded to subcallosal cingulate (SCC) deep brain stimulation showed a common pattern of three distinct white matter bundles passing through the SCC. Non-responders did not show this pattern, suggesting that precise mapping is crucial for successful treatment.
Scientists at Ames Laboratory have observed magnetic properties typically associated with rare-earth elements in iron, when positioned between two nitrogen atoms. This discovery opens the possibility of using iron to provide both magnetism and permanence in high-strength permanent magnets.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that nearly one-third of working women who had breast cancer were unemployed four years later. Women who received chemotherapy were most affected, with a significant increase in unemployment over time.