The updated 2014-2016 HHS Viral Hepatitis Action Plan aims to tackle rising incidences of liver disease and cancer caused by untreated chronic viral hepatitis. The plan builds on previous goals but expands evaluation metrics, calling for further commitments to decrease morbidity and mortality.
A recent study discovered that both genetic factors and prenatal environments play a crucial role in shaping a baby's development. The research, led by A*STAR's Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, found that genetic differences alone account for only 25% of epigenetic variation, while environmental factors contribute up to 75%.
Researchers found that costly mating behaviors in females reduce overall reproductive productivity due to their primary role as caregivers. Artificial selection experiments revealed no change in male parental care behavior despite increased mating rates, highlighting the importance of female-led parental care.
A new study tracks over 70 flatbacks off north-west Australia's coastline using satellites, revealing a 1,000km-long migratory corridor within the Commonwealth Marine Reserve network. The research also identifies common migration routes among whales, sharks, and turtles.
The prescription of testosterone in older men is associated with unclear cardiovascular risk. Despite the benefits in younger men, ongoing studies are unlikely to provide reliable safety data due to limited sample sizes and power.
A study by Penn Medicine experts found significant geographic hotspots of increased stroke mortality in the US, with isolated areas of high and low mortality rates within these hotspots. Additionally, women are less likely to receive clot-busting rt-PA treatment at Primary Stroke Centers and non-Primary Stroke Centers, highlighting dis...
Studies by Penn neurologists investigate the potential of statin use and estrogen to delay Parkinson's onset, with promising findings. Telemedicine is also shown to improve access to specialty care for patients with Parkinson's disease.
An international group of scientists led by Heidi Kreibich has proposed a new integrated cost assessment cycle for managing natural hazards. This approach aims to improve the early detection of inefficient risk mitigation strategies and enable more efficient decision-making.
Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging to measure the volume of optic radiation fiber tracts in 13 healthy volunteers. The study found that the measured optic radiation fiber tract volume was approximately 0.16% and fractional anisotropy value was around 0.53.
Astronomers have discovered the coldest known brown dwarf star, located just 7.2 light-years from our solar system. The object, named WISE J085510.83-071442.5, has a temperature between -54 and 9 degrees Fahrenheit, making it even colder than previous record holders.
Researchers discovered a new water-soluble fluorescent detection system that is extremely sensitive to pyrophosphate, which plays a key role in energy transduction and DNA replication in cancer cells. The discovery may lead to improved cancer diagnostics.
A recent study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that chronic marital stress can make people more vulnerable to depression. Participants who reported higher marital stress had shorter-lived responses to positive images than those reporting more satisfaction in their unions.
Researchers found that long noncoding RNAs distinguish between two major types of heart failure and change expression patterns after LVAD support. These RNA molecules may play a role in coordinating the regulation of multiple genes involved in heart function.
Researchers found that almonds can help curb appetites, improve nutrient intake and reduce abdominal fat mass in adults. Snacking on almonds may be a weight-wise strategy depending on the foods consumed, with their nutrient profile supporting a healthy weight.
New research from Carnegie Institution scientists highlights the need for policy decisions based on sound science, rather than anecdotal information about local weather. The study finds that even as extreme weather events influence public opinion and support for climate change mitigation, waiting for people to experience these conditio...
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have successfully sequenced the genetic code of the tsetse fly, a major breakthrough in disease control. The genetic information will enable researchers to develop alternative strategies to control sleeping sickness, a fatal disease that kills over 250,000 people each year.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that nearly half of homeless men suffered a traumatic brain injury in their life, with most occurring before they lost their homes. The study highlights the links between TBI and mental health issues, substance abuse, seizures, and poorer physical health.
A new study identifies how a genetic variant in the SPG7 gene contributes to cardiovascular health by promoting chronic inflammation and cell division. The researchers found that the variant can activate itself in certain circumstances, leading to increased production of free radicals and more rapid cell division.
The Yucatan Peninsula experienced severe fires during its dry season, from January to May, with the number of fires growing as the season progressed. The fires, which may be wildfires or accidental, produce smoke degrading air quality and pose a threat to local farmers' crops.
Researchers found that mutations in the PTEN gene result in specific social interaction deficits in mice, despite broader brain overgrowth. The study suggests a selective effect on behavior and cognitive development, with sex-specific impairments observed.
Researchers have uncovered how cells block mutation-causing activity of junk DNA, a process involving an enzyme called APOBEC3A. This defense mechanism may help explain a long-standing mystery and has potential implications for cancer treatment.
Scientists at the University of Arizona have discovered a molecular pathway that could help create new therapies for end-stage liver disease. By understanding how Nrf2 is suppressed in cirrhotic livers, researchers have identified Hrd1 as a key player in exacerbating the disease process.
A new UCLA-led study suggests that people taking statins in the 2009-10 year consumed more calories and fat than those who used statins 10 years earlier. Researchers found a significant increase in caloric intake among statin users, with no similar change among non-statin users.
Researchers reconstructed ancient ocean chemistry and found spontaneous occurrence of reaction sequences enabling metabolite formation. These findings suggest that metabolism predates the origin of life and evolved through early ocean conditions.
A reconstructed ancient ocean revealed spontaneous chemical reactions that could have produced crucial organic molecules for life. These findings suggest that primitive cells may have synthesized their own metabolic components without the aid of enzymes, challenging the traditional view on the origin of life.
A recent survey of 75 UK women aged 35 and above found that 40% had not discussed having children with their partner, while 23 decided not to have kids after a single conversation. The research suggests that couples can accurately sense each other's lack of desire for children, making discussion unnecessary.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that cellular interactions can affect aging and infertility in nematodes. Tweaking a specific signaling pathway allowed worms to overcome infertility while living longer lives.
A team of international researchers, including LSTM scientists, has sequenced the genome of the tsetse fly, a key vector for African trypanosomiasis. The study provides valuable insights into tsetse biology and may lead to more effective control strategies, ultimately reducing the human cost and economic losses due to the disease.
Researchers at Drexel University have created a method for 3D printing living cancer tumors using cervical cancer cells and hydrogel substances. This breakthrough technology allows for more accurate modeling of tumor behavior and response to treatment, potentially leading to new paradigms for cancer research and individual therapies.
A novel DNA vaccine targets TEM1, a protein overexpressed in tumors, reducing tumor vascularization and increasing immune cell infiltration. The vaccine induces epitope spreading, creating a secondary immune response against the tumor itself.
Rutgers University has secured a five-year, $26 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead the development of new antibiotics. The research effort aims to combat rising cases of antibiotic-resistant infections, which claim at least 23,000 lives annually in the US.
Biologists have identified a crucial outer shield on T-type channels that influences the electrochemical signaling of heart and brain cells. This finding holds promise for developing new drugs to treat epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, and cancer by targeting this regulator.
Oligomers are identified as the enemy that kills nerve cells and causes symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The study reveals two types of oligomers with different degrees of flexibility, which can link up to inhibit fibril formation.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have found that HIV is slowly adapting to its human hosts in North America, a development with potential implications for vaccine design. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the virus's adaptation rate may be too slow to pose a significant threat.
The center will investigate mechanisms underlying addiction and discover new treatments, focusing on the serotonin system. It will prioritize individuals with impulsivity traits, which are associated with higher relapse rates.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new CRISPR-based RNA-guided nuclease technology that significantly reduces off-target gene mutations. By doubling the length of DNA recognized for cleavage, the new platform improves genome editing precision and fidelity.
A new study published in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery found that a specialized yoga program can improve urinary incontinence in women by up to 70%. The six-week program helped women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles and reduce stress-related urine leakage.
Researchers explore the capabilities of graphene-based metamaterials for various neurosurgical applications, including cancer treatment, neuroregeneration, and functional neurosurgery. Graphene's unique properties make it a promising material for developing new technologies in neurosurgery.
A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology suggests that TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, accelerates lung recovery and reduces scar tissue in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. The researchers found that inflammation can be beneficial during the healing process, rather than just causing scarring.
Stanford researchers found that some corals can adjust their internal functions to tolerate hot water faster than through evolutionary change alone. This ability may help corals survive climate change, but it's not a magic bullet and can be compromised by stressors like acidification and pollution.
Johns Hopkins researchers pinpoint the protein essential to the formation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which coordinates sleep-wake cycles and other circadian rhythms. Disabling this protein in test animals led to disrupted SCN function, resulting in irregular sleep patterns and poor communication with the body's master clock.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully treated C. difficile infection with frozen fecal material, achieving a 90% success rate and offering a safer alternative to traditional Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT). The treatment involves administering the frozen material through a nasogastric tube, which is as effec...
A new genetic brain disorder has been discovered in humans, caused by a mutation in the CLP1 gene. The disorder affects the human nervous system and is characterized by reduced brain size, sensory and motor defects, and neuronal death.
A recent study using nearly 600 animals across three dozen species found that those with bigger brains and more diverse diets outperformed others in self-control tests. The researchers suggest that brain wiring and dietary diversity may be key factors in explaining differences in animal intelligence.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that increasing daily coffee consumption by more than one cup per day can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11%. Conversely, decreasing coffee consumption by more than a cup per day increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 17%.
A new study suggests that adolescents who find pleasure in pro-social activities are less likely to become depressed than those who engage in risk-taking behaviors. The research found that activity in the ventral striatum brain region predicted whether depressive symptoms would worsen or lessen over time.
Researchers at the University of Missouri identified a molecular signal that invites bacterial attack in plants. This discovery could lead to natural defenses against harmful bacteria in food-producing plants.
Scientists at RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics identified gamma oscillations as the key brain signal underlying memory transfer and corrective action. They found that mice made mistakes and then corrected them, triggering a burst of gamma waves that enabled working memory recall.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that cells can grow normally without a crucial component needed to duplicate their DNA. This discovery suggests that cells are more flexible in managing their DNA than previously thought.
New research found that interactive training programmes for health workers can reduce overdiagnosis of malaria by half and prevent the wastage of valuable drugs. The study suggests that comprehensive training packages should be implemented alongside the roll-out of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in endemic countries.
Researchers have discovered a new vulnerable site on the HIV virus that can be attacked by human antibodies, neutralizing its infectivity across various strains. This finding is crucial in developing an effective vaccine against HIV.
A new model shows that molecules in glassy materials settle into a fractal hierarchy of states, unifying mathematics and theory. The findings explain several behaviors seen in glasses, including avalanching, which leads to crystallization.
Researchers identified a previously unknown neurodegenerative disorder caused by a single mutation in the CLP1 gene, found in individuals born during the Ottoman Empire. The study suggests that consanguineous marriages in Turkey contribute to the high prevalence of rare genetic disorders.
New research by UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that high levels of oxygen in the postnatal environment result in cell cycle arrest of cardiomyocytes, making it impossible for adult hearts to regenerate. The study's findings have significant implications for cardiovascular medicine and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers developed a new ultrasound device that can identify vulnerable arterial plaques, which are more likely to break off and cause heart attacks or strokes. The device uses dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound technology to detect contrast agents, making it easier to highlight vulnerable plaques on ultrasound images.
A genomic study of eleven Stone-Age human remains from Scandinavia found that expanding farmers assimilated local hunter-gatherers, while hunter-gatherers had lower genetic diversity. The study provides insights into the demographic history of Stone-Age humans and the impact of agriculture on European population structure.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed the DNA recovered from a relic attributed to Louis XVI and found it did not match his expected genetic profile. The analysis revealed a clear French and Italian component, contradicting historical accounts of Louis XVI's physical appearance.
The golden eagle genome sheds light on the species' vision, suggesting that ultraviolet light is not as sensitive as previously thought. The study also reveals a sharper sense of smell than initially believed, which could aid in tracking populations and monitoring mortality.
A new study by University of Western Ontario researchers reveals that specific interactions between breast cancer stem cells and lung-derived proteins contribute to lung metastasis. Understanding this phenomenon could lead to improved treatment options for breast cancer patients.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the structural features that enable the innate immune system to distinguish viral from host RNAs. The RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) recognize specific patterns in viral RNAs, which differ from endogenous cellular RNAs.