Tropical Storm Jangmi is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Philippines as it moves westward through the Sulu Sea. NASA's Aqua satellite detected the storm on December 29, revealing a tightly wrapped low-level circulation centered near 10.0 north latitude and 124.2 east longitude.
A recent article describes clinical trials targeting TRK fusions in various cancer types, including lung, breast, and melanoma. The TRK family of genes can cause cancer when improperly fused with other nearby genes.
Researchers discover enzyme SPPL3 activates T cells without cutting proteins, providing new insight into immune system control. The findings could also shed more light on presenilin functions and related Alzheimer's disease.
A Harvard study found that members of an East African herding tribe who engaged in violent raids had more wives and thus more opportunities to increase their reproductive success. The study, which analyzed the data of 120 men, found a clear correlation between raid participation and higher reproductive capacity.
Researchers found that sending text message reminders increased receipt of the second dose of the vaccine by the end of the season and brought children in sooner to be vaccinated. When educational information was embedded into the text messages, the effect was even greater compared to conventional text messages or written reminders only.
A new clinical trial has shown that using available heart failure drugs can slow the progressive decline in heart function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The combination of eplerenone and either an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker significantly reduces left ventricular function decline.
A study found that changes in the H9N2 flu virus in chickens may have contributed to the creation of the H7N9 avian virus, which has caused outbreaks and deaths since 2013. The research suggests tracking genetic diversity of H9N2 on poultry farms could provide an early warning of emerging viruses with pandemic potential.
Researchers found a significant impact of the FTO gene variant on body mass index (BMI) that largely depends on birth year, with stronger correlations in later years. The study suggests that broad environmental changes may alter the effect of the gene variant, highlighting the importance of considering time of birth in genetic studies.
After a small number of MS patients received high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and then transplanted with their own hematopoietic stem cells, most sustained remission of active relapsing-remitting MS. Improvements in neurological function, quality-of-life, and functional scores were also noted.
Manual acupuncture has a substantial difference in treatment effect, with stronger evidence of pain relief compared to laser acupuncture. The study found that manual acupuncture is effective in short-term pain relief and activates the descending pain inhibitory system.
A study led by Dr. Majid Afshar found that binge drinking in young adults significantly disrupts the immune system, leading to increased risk of falls and traumatic injuries. The study showed that blood samples taken after peak intoxication revealed higher levels of white blood cells and proteins signaling an active immune response.
Dr. Felix Ikuomola, a PhD candidate, is searching for natural products from Hawaii's oceans that can block sepsis by inhibiting endothelial cell permeability. His work aims to provide treatment options for the leading cause of death in the US and a major complication of cancer.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge successfully created primordial germ cells from human embryonic stem cells, a crucial step in early mammalian development. The study identified a critical gene, SOX17, involved in directing human stem cells to become these cells, and showed that PGCs can be made from reprogrammed adult cells.
Tropical Cyclone Kate formed over the Indian Ocean on Dec. 24, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its visible image. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and rough seas to the Cocos Keeling Islands on Dec. 25 and 26.
Researchers used optogenetics to record synaptic transmissions from light-sensitive neurons to interneurons in the mouse barrel cortex. The study revealed cell-type-specific synaptic connectivity and transmission patterns, shedding new light on brain function.
Researchers reconstruct genetic family tree of Pheidole ants, finding two main groups with distinct evolutionary histories in the Americas and Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia. The study reveals a deterministic pattern in climate distribution, suggesting that Pheidole's success is linked to a key innovation.
A nationwide project has revealed 12 new genetic causes of developmental disorders, including intellectual disabilities and congenital heart defects. The Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) project sequenced DNA from over 1,000 children to identify the genes responsible for their conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a safety lock mechanism in the enzyme RAG that prevents helter-skelter clipping of DNA. This discovery provides new insights into how the immune system regulates gene expression and could lead to better understanding of immunodeficiency and cancer.
A novel study has provided an answer to the long-standing question of how cells control their size and maintain stable distributions. Researchers found that cells follow a simple quantitative principle, adding constant size irrespective of birth size, to ensure stability of size distributions.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have identified the genetic pathway of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), a rare form of liver cancer that disproportionately affects people in Asian countries. The study's findings could lead to earlier diagnosis and increased survival rates for patients.
Scientists at Weizmann Institute and Cambridge University successfully created human primordial germ cells, the earliest precursors of sperm and ova, in a lab. The breakthrough method could help address fertility issues and potentially enable new reproductive technologies.
NASA's RapidScat instrument captured high winds in the Gulf of Mexico while Mississippi experienced tornadoes late on Dec. 23. An animation of NOAA's GOES-East satellite data showed the movement of severe weather systems from Canada to South America.
Researchers found that lung cancer cells sever protein ties, allowing them to break loose and spread. Targeting this process could stop lung cancer from spreading by keeping cells stuck together.
The Rialto experiment showed that evidence capture is just one output of body-worn video, and the technology is most effective at preventing escalation during police-public interactions. The 'preventative treatment' of body-worn-video relies on the combination of the camera plus cognition of surveillance, causing individuals to modify ...
Ur/Web's compiler automatically generates XML code and style-sheet specifications and embeds JavaScript and database code in the right places. The language's typing system helps with security and coordination across Web technologies by preventing unauthorized access between page elements.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found that men living in areas with high concentrations of cheque-cashing places have a greater risk of premature death. The research suggests that these facilities may provide quick access to cash and alcohol, particularly during the holiday season.
Research reveals that high-fat diets and maternal obesity during pregnancy compromise the blood-forming stem cell system in the developing fetus. This may contribute to the rise in immune diseases and allergic dispositions in children. The study provides a model for testing whether dietary interventions can repair the damage.
Two new mobile apps, SatCam and WxSat, utilize satellite data to capture observations and provide real-time weather information. SatCam enables users to submit cloud product quality assessments and receive satellite images, while WxSat displays and animates full-resolution satellite data for global weather forecasting.
A numerical triaxial apparatus based on discrete element method simulates and reproduces the mechanical property of granular materials in landslide. The modified DEM model reflects the main mechanism of friction and dilatancy, providing detail information of mechanical properties such as friction angle and dilatancy angle.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discover a new drug therapy that effectively lowers antibodies in kidney patients, paving the way for more successful kidney transplants. The study suggests this approach could benefit up to 10-20% of heart and pancreas transplant candidates who are currently ineligible due to high antibody levels.
A study published in JAMA found that the High Risk Children's Clinic reduced serious illnesses by 55% and total costs by $16,523 per child per year compared to usual care. The clinic provided comprehensive care with an emphasis on prompt and effective treatment.
Scientists at Penn State have discovered a miniscule vacuum gap that creates an energy barrier for electrons moving between layers of material. This gap is crucial for designing next-generation electronic devices, such as vertical tunneling field effect transistors.
A study found that deeper or longer duration cooling did not improve outcomes for full-term infants with moderate or severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Longer cooling and deeper cooling has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models, but its effectiveness was not observed in this trial.
A Phase 1B clinical trial in Uganda found the experimental vaccines safe and induced immune responses in healthy volunteers. The results are encouraging, as similar immune responses were observed compared to a previous US trial.
According to a study published in JAMA Dermatology, indoor tanning decreased among female US high school students from 25.4% in 2009 to 20.2% in 2013. Frequent indoor tanning was also on the decline, with 10.3% of females engaging in frequent use in 2013. Despite these reductions, indoor tanning remains a common practice among youth.
Researchers found that music playing alters motor areas of the brain, influencing executive functioning, working memory, and emotional processing. A child's musical background also correlates with cortical thickness in behavior-regulating areas.
Researchers at CNIO have discovered that macrophages, a type of immune cell, play a key role in activating hair follicle stem cells, promoting hair growth. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel treatment strategies for hair loss and has broader implications for skin regeneration and cancer research.
Temnothorax albipennis ants exhibit a significant leftward turning bias when exploring new nests and mazes. This behavior is attributed to the use of their left eye for detecting predators and navigating through maze-like environments.
A team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center has identified key events that lead to cancer cell resistance to drugs. By understanding these pathways, they can develop strategies to block them and keep current therapies effective.
Regular smartphone use reshapes brain activity in response to touchscreen interactions, with the thumb being particularly sensitive to changes. The study found that smartphone users' brains show enhanced electrical activity when all three fingertips are touched, and this activity is directly proportional to phone use intensity.
A research team has sequenced the genomes of 16 Anopheles mosquitoes, revealing new insights into how they adapt to humans as primary hosts of malaria. The findings suggest an underlying genetic/genomic plasticity that enables variation in key traits determining transmission capacity within the genus.
Researchers conducted the first Ebola vaccine trial in Africa using an early-generation vaccine candidate, demonstrating safety and immunogenicity. The study found that the vaccines produced similar immune responses in African and US populations, providing proof of principle for a multivalent filovirus vaccine.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have created a highly effective and affordable bait and trap for detecting and monitoring bedbug infestations. The innovative technology uses pheromones to lure bedbugs into traps, keeping them contained.
Researchers at Aarhus University have found that genetic variations in the interferon lambda 4 protein impact treatment effectiveness for hepatitis C. This discovery suggests that personalized medicine targeting specific genetic variants could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients.
Rettsyndrome.org has awarded over $3.1 million in grants to researchers worldwide, focusing on basic, translational, and clinical research for Rett syndrome treatment and therapy development. The organization aims to accelerate research from discovery to medicine, covering a spectrum of Rett syndrome research.
Researchers discover that echolocation can induce a 'size-weight illusion' in blind individuals, similar to sighted people's experience. This finding suggests that echolocation may have the potential to be a complete sensory replacement for vision.
Richard DeBlasio, Sarah Kurtz and Suhuai Wei have been named as new NREL Research Fellows to advise on the strategic direction of science and technology research at the laboratory. They bring extensive expertise in renewable energy, photovoltaics and computational materials science.
Researchers have discovered the oldest recorded stone tool ever found in Turkey, providing a major new insight into when and how early humans dispersed out of Africa and Asia. The discovery dates back to approximately 1.2 million years ago and was made using high-precision equipment.
A recent study found that only 32.5% of practices prescribed urate-lowering therapy within five years of diagnosis, highlighting the need for better knowledge and patient engagement on gout treatment.
Seventeen universities and industry partners will receive £32.1 million in funding to develop new materials and technologies, including wearable technology, solar cells, and advanced nanotube applications. The projects aim to accelerate the translation of functional materials science to application and drive economic growth.
A systematic review of the literature suggests that metformin is safe for patients with mild to moderate kidney disease, contrary to FDA guidelines. The risk of lactic acidosis is extremely low and comparable to those who do not take metformin.
A Yale University study reveals that strong neighborhood ties can shield community members from gun violence, reducing chronic trauma and stress. Community-based participatory research empowered 17 community members to gather data, showing a connection between social bonds and reduced exposure to gun violence.
A study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that patients in the highest risk category were less likely to receive gallbladder removal surgery. Despite this, only 22% of those in high-risk group had their gallbladders removed. The researchers used a predictive model to identify low-, moderate-, and high-risk ca...
A Harvard study found that older adults are at increased risk of hospitalization during heat waves due to a range of health issues, including fluid and electrolyte disorders, renal failure, and urinary tract infections. The study's findings have significant implications for healthcare preparedness and prevention.
A study led by Dr Yaohe Wang at Barts Cancer Institute found that arming a modified virus called Vaccinia with a specific gene enhanced its effectiveness against pancreatic cancer. In mice, the armed virus was more effective in killing tumors and preventing regrowth compared to an unarmed version.
Researchers at UCLA and J. Craig Venter Institute discovered a signaling interaction between TM7x and Actinomyces odontolyticus, which causes mucosal inflammation. The study sheds light on the biological importance of TM7x and its potential roles in chronic diseases.
A Saint Louis University researcher has discovered a way to control internal clocks using a small molecule that targets key clock proteins. The compound alters the circadian rhythm, increasing wakefulness and reducing anxiety in mice, suggesting potential treatments for sleep disorders and addiction.
A prospective randomized controlled trial found that laparoscopic shunt placement reduced distal shunt failures, a common complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. The study also showed comparable overall shunt malfunction rates and hospitalization times between the two groups.
A new species of assassin bug, Sinea incognita, has been discovered in the Midwestern United States after remaining undiscovered for over 100 years. The new species was identified by Dr. J.E. McPherson and is distinct from its close relatives, Sinea complexa and Sinea integra.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers confirms that whole-genome sequencing can successfully identify cancer-related mutations in patients. The method was used to analyze the genomes of 258 cancer patients, detecting nearly 90% of clinically identified mutations and discovering additional cancer gene mutations.