A new study led by Northwestern University anthropologists reveals that energy is funneled to the brain early in life, dominating metabolism and leading to slow body growth during childhood. The study finds that brain development peaks at age 5, when it consumes glucose at a rate comparable to 66% of the body's resting metabolic rate.
Researchers identify protein p66ShcA as a biomarker for predicting breast cancer outcomes and identifying poor-prognosis cancers. The discovery aids understanding of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a process enabling tumor cells to metastasize.
Two University of Illinois scientists are working with the World Health Organization to fortify condiments and seasonings in countries with widespread micronutrient deficiencies. The researchers aim to address deficiencies affecting over one-third of the world's population, particularly pregnant women.
Racial and ethnic stereotypes may contribute to obesity among minority groups due to negative messages about health, self-image, and behavior. A Rutgers-led study found that exposure to hurtful messages can diminish motivation to lose weight and promote unhealthy food choices.
A total of 133 active fires are currently burning in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The fire danger is moderate to high, with smoke potentially affecting some communities.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that nursing homes implementing extensive culture change efforts experienced improvements in quality of care, including reductions in restraints, feeding tubes, and pressure ulcers. In contrast, those with less implementation saw only slight improvements in Medicare/Medicaid deficiencies.
A new study published in Circulation found that low-dose aspirin significantly reduces the risk of new venous blood clots and cardiovascular events. The treatment is especially useful for patients who cannot take long-term anticoagulant medications due to expense or bleeding risks.
A recent study found that states with higher Medicaid payments for office visits have more likely recipients to receive breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings. Eliminating asset tests can also increase the likelihood of receiving cancer screenings by helping low-income individuals remain enrolled in Medicaid.
The study reveals that miRNA-9 negatively regulates oligodendrocyte lineage gene 1 during hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. This regulation is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying brain damage and myelin repair.
Research suggests that individuals with higher levels of yellow pigment in the eye may be better able to see distant objects in hazy conditions. This is due to the yellow pigment filtering out short-wavelength light, also known as blue haze, and allowing for improved visibility.
A team of scientists discovered that a drug originally designed for DNA repair defects could potentially be used to treat leukemia and other cancers. Combining PARP inhibitors with standard chemotherapy drugs showed promise in combating the disease, with potential applications for other common cancers.
Researchers have discovered over 30 enzyme-blocking molecules that can curb malaria before symptoms start, targeting the liver stage of the parasite's lifecycle. These protein kinase inhibitors, also used to treat cancer, could diversify the antimalarial arsenal and extend the lifespan of existing drugs.
Two women with rare stiff person syndrome (SPS) have been successfully treated, one through auto-HSCT and the other through work and activity resumption. Both patients experienced significant symptom improvement, with the first patient no longer experiencing SPS symptoms after a year and the second able to return to work.
Hurricane Marie reached Category 4 status on August 24, with maximum sustained winds of near 135 mph and a minimum central pressure of 944 millibars. The storm continued to cause dangerous surf along the west coast of Mexico, with swells affecting the southwestern coast and potentially life-threatening conditions expected.
OpenStax College will expand its catalog of free college textbooks to 21 titles by 2017, saving students over $500 million by 2020. The new titles will be developed for high-enrollment science and mathematics courses.
A PET study found that acupuncture at Yongquan acupoints induced stronger neuronal activity than sham acupoints, suggesting a potential mechanism for improving patients with DOC. The putamen, cingulate cortex, frontal lobe, and cerebellum were involved in conscious thought.
New research shows parents' reactions to anxious children can reinforce anxiety, but giving positive attention and minimizing reassurance can help. Parents can monitor their own reaction and give their child credit for facing fears, leading to decreased anxiety.
Researchers have discovered that glycoconjugate scaffolds are active players in biological reactions, influencing the binding of lectins to these molecules. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing more effective and targeted pharmaceuticals.
A new study in mice finds that common gut bacteria protect against food allergies by inducing immune responses that prevent allergen exposure. Reintroducing Clostridia bacteria reverses sensitization to peanut allergens, indicating a unique protective role.
A new study published in CMAJ found that people with cognitive impairment have a significantly increased risk of stroke, with a 39% higher risk than those with normal cognitive function. The study analyzed data from 18 studies and observed a higher rate of stroke in individuals with cognitive impairment.
Researchers successfully tested a ZigBee wireless sensor network in space, demonstrating the feasibility of using this technology for satellite communication. The experiment achieved remarkable inter-satellite communications over long distances, with theoretical estimates suggesting a range of up to 15.552 km.
A study of 19,136 people found that 15% had experienced an episode of sleep drunkenness in the last year, with more than half reporting multiple episodes per week. People with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were more likely to experience the disorder.
Tropical Storm Cristobal formed near the southeastern Bahamas on August 24, with NASA's Aqua satellite and NOAA's GOES-East satellites providing imagery of its birth and movement. The storm was expected to produce heavy rainfall over the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the southeastern and central Bahamas.
A new study finds that black carbon pollutants from wood smoke may increase women's risk of cardiovascular disease, with the health effects exacerbated by co-exposure to motor vehicle emissions. Women living closer to highways were found to have three times higher blood pressure than those away from highways.
Researchers found that high insulin levels foster processes leading to obesity, even in mice given insulin to counter diabetes. Suppressing glucagon action may prevent hyperinsulinemia without causing diabetes.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a robust model to predict chemical reactions involving three atoms at ultracold temperatures, shedding light on mysterious quantum states and the Efimov effect. The findings provide a largely accurate idea of how atoms bind to form molecules.
The Stanford-developed eye implant is a tiny device that measures intraocular fluid flow and provides data on eye pressure. This information can help doctors tailor treatment plans, potentially improving outcomes for glaucoma patients. The device is currently designed to fit inside a standard intraocular lens prosthetic.
A new study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias found that mindfulness training can brighten outlooks on life for both individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. The training eased depression, improved sleep quality, and enhanced overall quality of life.
Researchers cast doubt on theories that Australopithecus africanus exhibits key cranial adaptations found in modern human infants and toddlers. The study used high-resolution CT scans of the Taung Child's skull and brain, revealing no evidence for infant brain development similar to that of modern humans.
Researchers use a virus and zebrafish to map the living brain, revealing connections between cells and potential causes of conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The study's findings could lead to better understanding of neural circuits and related behaviors.
A commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights two factors contributing to Ebola infection among healthcare workers: insufficient supply of personal protective equipment and inadequate donning/doffing procedures. To prevent transmission, the authors recommend a structured process for gear removal.
A team led by Robert Boyd at the University of Rochester replicated a 2012 experiment that appeared to violate a fundamental law of quantum mechanics. By analyzing the data more subtly, they found that biased sampling was the cause of the anomaly, reaffirming the standard interpretation of quantum laws.
A meta-analysis review of seven randomized control trials found no short-term pain relief and limited long-term function improvement in patients with some osteoarthritis after arthroscopic knee surgery. The study suggests that non-operative treatments should be used first for middle-aged or older patients.
A new study from NREL demonstrates a concept for converting lignin into various renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. The process uses integrated biological funneling and chemical catalysis to overcome the heterogeneity of lignin.
A new tool called KnIT has shown promise in mining all public medical literature and generating hypotheses that can lead to breakthroughs in cancer research. The tool was tested on the protein p53, which is a critical tumor suppressor protein, and accurately predicted the existence of proteins that modify it.
Glioblastomas are resistant to drug therapy due to epigenetic regulation of EGFR signaling, not altered DNA sequences. This finding suggests a new approach to guiding cancer therapy by analyzing the epigenetic signature of glioblastoma cells.
A large-scale study of 55,568 individuals found that heavy smokers have a 75% higher risk of dying than non-smokers. The study also identified a genetic variant that increases tobacco consumption and is associated with higher blood nicotine levels.
Researchers have found that cancers exhibit distinct patterns of methylation on the DNA genome, enabling tumor cells to turn genes on or off as needed. These epigenetic changes allow cancer cells to adapt and spread, making them a key factor in tumor development.
Research on North Carolina's pre-kindergarten program reveals that dual-language learners, especially those with lower English proficiency, make significant academic progress. The study found that focusing on classroom quality and incorporating home language strategies can maximize gains for these children.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that boron plays a crucial role in the growth and development of corn plants. A lack of boron causes problems with the meristems, or stem cells, leading to stunted tassels and reduced crop yields.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research reports on a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage who showed an unusual neural connection between the injured cingulum and brainstem cholinergic nuclei. The authors used diffusion tensor tractography to investigate this phenomenon.
Rice University researchers have created a CMOS-compatible, biomimetic color photodetector that directly responds to red, green and blue light. The device uses an aluminum grating that can be added to silicon photodetectors with the mainstay technology, "complementary metal-oxide semiconductor," or CMOS.
New research suggests states with medical marijuana laws have 25% lower prescription opioid overdose death rates compared to those without. This could be due to people choosing alternative treatments for chronic pain, or the law changing how prescription medications are abused.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that auriculotherapy may be an effective treatment for chronic constipation. The study analyzed the results of 17 published studies and concluded that auriculotherapy can help alleviate symptoms associated with constipation.
Robo Brain is a large-scale computational system that learns from publicly available internet resources. It will process images to pick out objects and connect them with text to recognize patterns and behaviors. The system employs structured deep learning, allowing robots to understand how the world works and interact with humans.
A parasitic fungus controls the behavior of ants by emitting specific chemicals when encountering their brain, not when infecting other ant species. The fungus produces a mixture of known and unknown chemicals that work in synergy to manipulate the ants' behavior.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new integrated approach to pinpoint genetic drivers of cancer, identifying eight genes linked to luminal breast cancer. These findings offer hope for personalized medicine and potential targeted therapies.
Researchers at Duke University have uncovered a 'roving detection system' on cell surfaces that may lead to new cancer therapies. The system involves receptors that search for signals to guide cell movement, potentially allowing for the prevention of metastasis and other diseases.
The Phase 1-2a clinical trial demonstrated a 92% objective response rate, including complete remissions in eight patients and partial remissions in four patients. Four out of seven evaluable patients with chemotherapy-refractory DLBCL achieved complete remissions, with durations ranging from 9 to 22 months.
Researchers found that closed-loop insulin delivery systems maintained safe blood glucose levels for 53-82% of the time. The study proposed improvements needed for better design and implementation of these systems in adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
A recent study identifies rare variants in the APOB gene in families with exceptional longevity, highlighting its potential role in lipid transport and cholesterol metabolism. The findings suggest that genetic factors influencing lipid metabolism may contribute to human longevity.
A novel molecular pathway has been identified that causes aggressive medulloblastoma, and suggests repurposing an anti-depressant medication could help combat the disease. Elevated levels of cAMP may enhance the potency of Sonic hedgehog inhibitors, currently being tested in clinical trials.
Researchers found that acrylamide exposure damages the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and impairs its secretory and transport functions. These changes may underlie acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in central and peripheral neuropathy.
A study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that intermediate vegetation growth is key to stabilizing river deltas. This 'just right' amount of vegetation slows water flow and promotes sediment deposition, helping prevent sea-level rise from damaging sensitive marshlands.
A global analysis of honeybee genome variation reveals high levels of genetic diversity and suggests the species originated from Asia. The study also identifies specific mutations linked to adaptation to climate and pathogens, providing new insights into evolution and genetic adaptation.
Brown University neuroscientists report that they have directly controlled the cells producing gamma brainwaves in mice, resulting in increased touch sensitivity. The study confirms the first direct evidence of gamma brainwaves affecting perception and attention, suggesting a more complex role for these brainwaves than previously thought.
A new study reveals that p38 MAPK is activated by low nutrient levels and age-related signals, leading to the decline of immune function in older T lymphocytes. Blocking this pathway may help restore their function, potentially improving immunity in older adults.
A new review paper explores the use of dimensionality reduction in neuroscience to uncover the complexity of brain function. By analyzing the activity of hundreds of neurons concurrently, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how the brain distinguishes between different odors, makes decisions under uncertainty, and thinks abo...
Researchers found that repeated-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation at the Guangming point induces distinct electroencephalogram signal patterns compared to other stimulation points. The study also revealed changes in visual response complexity in parietal, central, and temporal regions following this stimulation.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Engineering have successfully reprogrammed yeast cells to produce opioids in stainless steel vats, eliminating the need for poppy cultivation. The breakthrough could lead to reliable manufacture of essential medicines while mitigating diversion to illegal use.