Researchers found that treating high blood pressure too aggressively can increase health risks, with patients in optimal blood pressure ranges having the lowest risk of kidney failure and death. The study suggests that ideal target blood pressure ranges need to be better understood to minimize lifestyle burden and improve safety.
Researchers analyzed failed shark attacks on 120 Atlantic spotted dolphins off Bimini, Bahamas, and found that 14 dolphins exhibited signs of attack. The study provides insight into the predation pressure these dolphins face from sharks in the area.
A study found that declines in visual perception speed are strongly related to declines in intelligence in old age. The researchers tested 600 healthy older people on a simple task of visual perception and found that the brain's ability to make correct decisions based on brief visual impressions limits complex mental functions.
A study found that acupuncture at Waiguan inhibited Brodmann area 5 on the healthy side in stroke patients, indicating a potential mechanism for improving brain function. Acupuncture also activated functional brain areas, suggesting its therapeutic effects.
A UC Riverside PhD student's study on how species interact with each other has been selected as this year's recipient of the Thomas M. Frost Award for Excellence in Graduate Research. The study found patterns that have never been seen before, including changes in the network structure of interacting plants and animals within ecosystems.
Valerie Hu, a GW University researcher, has received a $435K grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to investigate how environmental factors affect the gene RORA in individuals with autism. Her research aims to understand how endocrine-disrupting compounds may contribute to increased risk for autism.
NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites captured images of Super Typhoon Halong, revealing an 11.5-mile-wide eye and signs of eyewall replacement. The storm has weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 120mph.
Inadequately managed allergies result in significant economic costs due to reduced working capacity and absence from work. Effective treatment can reduce these costs by up to 95%, with average annual cost of 125 Euros per patient.
Researchers reanalyze Flores bones, finding features indicative of Down syndrome, including cranial asymmetry and short thigh bones. The analysis challenges the original claim of a new 'hobbit' human species, instead suggesting a developmental disorder.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine is a new open-access journal publishing peer-reviewed articles on cardiovascular disease diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis. The journal provides unrestricted access to current information for clinicians and medical educators worldwide.
A study by conservation biologists highlights the lack of accessible information on fracking fluid chemistry and spill data, raising concerns about chemical contamination and its impact on plants and wildlife. The authors call for increased transparency and cooperation to minimize environmental damage.
Researchers are developing Camelina sativa as a biodiesel crop for the Great Plains, which can grow on poor-quality farmland and requires little irrigation and fertilizer. By altering the plant's biochemistry, they aim to create low-viscosity oil that can be used directly in diesel engines.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that eating baked or broiled fish once a week is associated with greater grey matter brain volumes in areas responsible for memory and cognition. The study suggests that lifestyle factors contribute to structural changes in the brain, rather than biological factors.
Researchers have discovered anomalous sulfur signals in Antarctic snow that provide insights into the Earth's atmosphere, past climate patterns, and potential future climate scenarios. The findings reveal a previously overlooked atmospheric chemistry process that should be included in climate models.
A combination pill taking key medications for heart disease prevention may reduce costs and improve adherence to medication recommendations. The polypill has been proposed as a low-cost strategy to improve secondary prevention in nations with limited resources.
Researchers found that early enzyme replacement treatment was most effective in mice with very early-stage disease, while late-stage disease proved ineffective. Continued research is crucial to understand the reversibility of disease-based degenerative changes.
Researchers propose a new method of flood risk assessment that starts with the null hypothesis of 'no trend' but explicitly assesses statistical uncertainties. This approach could help water managers better estimate future flood risks and avoid wasting money on unneeded infrastructure.
Scientists used X-ray imaging and chemical fingerprinting to analyze lithium iron phosphate battery material under operating conditions. The results show that fast charging inhibits the material's performance due to inhomogeneous phase transformation, while slower charging yields higher capacity.
A novel course at Washington University in St. Louis evaluates the effectiveness of active-learning techniques in large lecture classes, showing mixed but consistent benefits in conceptual learning and attitudes towards learning and problem-solving. The study eliminates traditional concerns about large classes and inquiry-based courses.
A comprehensive study found that black bears in the Central Interior Highlands (CIH) have a remnant lineage in the northern Ozarks of Missouri, indicating their presence throughout the region. The reintroduction of bears in the 1950s and 1960s helped restore diversity and increase population size in the Ozarks and Ouachitas.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that prenatal alcohol exposure can alter brain activation over time, leading to persistent cognitive and behavioral problems in individuals with FASD. The study suggests a possible neural mechanism for the attention problems seen in FASD, highlighting the importance of early developm...
A new UCSF study reveals that emergency department closures can lead to a 5% higher risk of death for patients admitted to nearby hospitals, particularly those with time-sensitive conditions. The findings highlight the ripple effect on patient outcomes and surrounding communities.
A study found significant variation in hospital use of medical consultations for surgical patients, with greater differences among those without complications. Hospitals that are non-teaching or for-profit have a higher rate of medical consultation use, while larger hospitals have more consultations for THR patients.
Tropical Storm Bertha passed over Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands before heading towards the Bahamas. The storm's powerful thunderstorms were being pushed southeast by wind shear from the northwest.
A large-scale biogeographic analysis by GW researcher Alex Pyron shows that amphibians have moved across the planet throughout time, with some species dispersing long distances over water. The study reveals three major processes driving their distribution: vicariance, dispersal, and unexpected oceanic dispersals.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a technique for generating acoustic bottles that can bend sound waves along prescribed convex trajectories. This technology has the potential to revolutionize various applications, including advanced ultrasonic imaging and therapy, acoustic cloaking, and levitation.
A new study found that staff members who joined structured team debriefings after emergency care for children suffering in-hospital cardiac arrests improved their CPR performance. The study also showed substantial increases in patients surviving with favorable neurological outcomes, up to 50 percent among the intervention group.
A two-year project will investigate vulnerabilities in food supply chains and evaluate effective ways to improve consumer trust in food. The team will analyze various food supply chains and test the effectiveness of fraud prevention strategies.
A new triple therapy combining two immunotherapies and targeted radiation has prolonged the survival of mice with glioblastoma brain cancer by up to 67 days. The treatment induces an immune response against tumors, creating long-term immunity.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University uncover key attributes of brown carbon, a toxic airborne particle that warms the atmosphere. The study reveals that brown carbon shares a common production mechanism with black carbon, leading to significant underestimation of warming effects in climate models.
Researchers developed an algorithm to reconstruct audio signals from minute object vibrations captured in video. They successfully extracted intelligible speech from a potato-chip bag and useful audio signals from other objects like aluminum foil and leaves.
Compound Formula Rehmannia alleviates levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease by modulating neurotransmitter signaling in the corpus striatum. This finding suggests a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found significant differences in tactile sense and two-point discrimination among healthy subjects at different times of the day. Highest perceptual ability was observed in the evening compared to morning and noon.
Researchers found that horses rely on facial expressions, particularly eye and ear positions, to gauge attention and locate food. The study's results suggest individual facial features may be important in horse communication, contradicting earlier notions about animals with eyes to the sides of their heads.
Tropical Depression Genevieve may strengthen late on August 4 and 5, while Hurricane Iselle moves toward the Hawaiian Islands. Tropical Storm Julio is also forming southwest of Mexico, expected to become a hurricane later this week.
Researchers in Brazil developed a non-lethal strategy to reduce shark encounters with humans, increasing protected species survival rates and decreasing attacks. The 'simple and humane' approach has been shown to be effective over 8 years, making swimmers safer without harming threatened shark populations.
The Planck Telescope's most detailed map of the cosmic microwave background contains features that challenge the standard model of cosmology. By processing the data differently and including other effects, scientists have found that several anomalies disappear, but others may still persist.
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg have made a breakthrough in implanting neurons into mouse brains, demonstrating long-term stability and functional integration. The successful technique, which uses reprogrammed skin cells to produce healthy neurons, holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease.
The Eiler wildfire has consumed 26,000 acres with unknown cause, while the Bald Fire has spread 39,500 acres with moderate containment, fueled by dry lightning and thunderstorms.
Recent studies reanalyze gene expression patterns in mouse models, finding greater similarities with human disease conditions, contrary to a 2013 study that suggested poor correlation. The new research highlights the potential of mouse models for studying human disorders and developing treatments.
Researchers have deciphered how insulin binds to target cells, unlocking a protective hinge that triggers biological signals. This mechanism has attracted international study since the landmark 1969 elucidation of insulin's storage structure, enabling new molecular designs for safer and more effective insulin products.
Research published in Neural Regeneration Research found that atorvastatin, a commonly used lipid-lowering drug, protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The study discovered that atorvastatin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects contribute to its protective benefits.
A University of Utah researcher found that the Aboriginal Martu people's traditional hunting and fire practices help maintain ecosystem stability, increasing kangaroo populations. The study suggests encouraging small-scale burning to bolster wildlife populations in certain areas.
The study found that Australian Twitter adoption grew slowly in early days before peaking at 100,000 new registrations per month in 2009. By August 2013, the monthly growth rate averaged 45,000 accounts, reaching 80,000. This trend suggests a steady influx of new Australian Twitter accounts.
Climate researchers found that recent rapid Atlantic Ocean warming has affected climate in the Pacific, strengthening trade winds, accelerating sea level rise in the western Pacific, and causing eastern Pacific surface cooling. The study highlights the impact of Atlantic-Pacific coupling on global climate trends.
Scientists have determined the 3D structure of 5HT3-R, a receptor involved in conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea and anxiety. The high-resolution structure reveals the receptor's molecular anatomy, providing insights into its function and potential targets for novel medicines.
A large DNA analysis has identified several new genetic markers that signal increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The markers are variations in the inherited DNA code at particular locations along chromosomes.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified a link between the tumor-suppressive protein p53 and the rare developmental disorder CHARGE syndrome. The study found that p53 plays a crucial role in regulating cellular growth, and mutations in the gene can lead to CHARGE symptoms.
Researchers have found a link between tumor suppressor mutations and missing segments of genetic material in squamous cell head and neck cancers. The study suggests that treating tumors with both markers may intensify treatment, while those with only one marker may benefit from de-intensified treatment.
Rapid Atlantic warming has turbocharged Pacific Equatorial trade winds, causing eastern tropical Pacific cooling and amplifying the Californian drought. The increased winds also accelerated sea level rise in the Western Pacific and slowed global surface temperature rise since 2001.
A large UK study found that telephone triage systems do not reduce overall practice workload, despite increasing patient contacts. Patients who receive over-the-phone support are more likely to seek follow-up advice, with no cost savings or efficiency gains reported.
Epiviz is a web-based tool that enables quick visualization and comparison of large genomic information. It seamlessly integrates with Bioconductor analysis software, supporting popular next-generation sequencing techniques.
A new brain imaging study identified the neural mechanisms underlying judgment of punishment for harm caused intentionally or unintentionally. The study found that graphic language influences punishment, but only when harm is intentional, while unintentional harm has no effect on punishment level.
A new method has been developed to produce artificial anti-cancer molecules with properties similar to those of the body's natural defense systems. The molecules have proved effective against colon cancer cells in laboratory tests and show promise for further research.
Researchers at Cancer Research UK have found a new use for an old drug, rapamycin, in shrinking and stopping the spread of a specific type of pancreatic cancer tumour. The study suggests that targeting mTOR dependency may be a key to tailoring treatment to individual patients.
Researchers discovered a link between DNA methylation and stress response in the brain, predicting depression and PTSD risk. The study used functional imaging, saliva tests, and blood samples to show that small changes in gene expression can be a stronger predictor than genetic sequence variation.
A team of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists describe how Dis3l2 uses recognition sites to capture and degrade specific RNAs that are marked for decay. This mechanism helps preserve the character of stem cells and maintain their identity.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that mice can distinguish between specific odors even when surrounded by multiple background smells. The team used fluorescent proteins to create images of how different scents activated neurons in the brain, revealing a neural explanation for how animals separate relevant from irrelevant se...
A new study by Duke University researchers found that small DNA modifications can affect the brain's threat response. The study focused on the serotonin transporter gene and found a strong link between methylation levels and amygdala reactivity, which may contribute to stress-related disorders.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered a way to jailbreak current generation iOS devices running iOS 7.1.2, showcasing the vulnerability of Apple's closed platform to exploitation. The study highlights the importance of patching all publicly disclosed threats to prevent potential attacks.