The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded $1.2 million in Proof of Concept grants to five Washington-based organizations, focusing on new therapies for cancer, diabetic macular edema, hepatitis B, and severe epilepsy. Additionally, the fund has announced two commercialization-focused awards totaling $600,000.
Chemists at Scripps Research Institute invent powerful method for joining complex organic molecules, allowing venture into previously inaccessible territory. The new technique enables the creation of new chemical entities with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, materials and agricultural chemistry.
Scientists have discovered that Metformin can boost the efficacy of TB medication and stop Mtb replication without promoting drug resistance. This discovery could lead to a new and affordable treatment strategy for tuberculosis, potentially shortening clinical trials.
Scientists successfully reversed magnetization direction in a multiferroic device using an electric field, overcoming thermodynamic barriers. The two-step switching process relies on ferroelectric polarization and oxygen octahedral rotation.
Researchers uncover that C9orf72 gene mutation generates toxic PR protein causing brain damage in ALS, leading to motor neuron death. This discovery may lead to new treatments by preventing or breaking down PR aggregates.
Global CO2 emissions hit a new all-time record of 35.3 billion tonnes in 2013, with China's emissions increasing at a slower rate than usual due to energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy growth. The US saw a slight increase in emissions, while the EU continued to decrease emissions.
Breast cancer cells can spread throughout the body when they overexpress the gene SNAIL, which helps them break free from the primary tumor and become more mobile. This unique blend of microarray analysis and characterization of physical changes in breast cancer cells could aid the search for ways to block or slow metastasis.
Researchers from UCLA have created a device that can accurately detect cancer and cell abnormalities like pathology lab microscopes. The lens-free microscope uses holograms to create 3D images, making it easier to spot any issues.
Researchers identified nerve cells that produce serotonin, leading to gregarious behavior in locusts. Serotonin also plays a role in regulating mood and behavior in humans, with links to mental disorders like depression and anxiety.
Researchers found that two orphan receptor proteins, ERRbeta short and long forms, exert anti-cancer effects on glioblastoma cells when activated by DY131. The short form stops DNA replication, while the long form prevents cell division if DNA is already replicated.
Researchers aim to enable scientists to ask a computer a question and receive an answer in an easy-to-understand picture. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, seeks to develop an interactive computer system that can produce meaningful visualizations based on natural language requests.
Researchers explain how certain antidepressants, like SSRIs, can initially worsen symptoms by suppressing the release of neurotransmitter glutamate. This delay in effectiveness may be linked to the dual signal of serotonin and glutamate in brain neurons.
A Kansas State University study found that employees who openly discuss their religious beliefs at work experience higher job satisfaction and perceived well-being. Employers may benefit by creating a welcoming climate for diverse religions and cultures.
A new study from Duke University finds that a combination of federal regulations and local community-based conservation measures are urgently needed to protect spinner dolphins in Hawaii. The research suggests that managing the bays where dolphins rest should be tailored to each bay's unique use, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-...
A unique genetic disorder responsible for ovarian insufficiency has been discovered by Tel Aviv University researchers. The SYCE1 gene mutation was found to be the underlying cause of primary ovarian insufficiency in two sisters, and its effects were also detected in three brothers and parents.
Scientists develop novel class of molecules that could revolutionize immunotherapy for cancer and other diseases. The synthetic antibody mimics, or SyAMs, are smaller than current biologics and may avoid their risks.
New research from Carnegie Mellon University suggests that greater social support and more frequent hugs can protect people from getting sick, with the physical act of hugging playing a key role in reducing susceptibility to infection. This study found that hugs were responsible for one-third of the protective effect of social support.
Scientists found high variability in mid-depth Atlantic Ocean currents around 2,000 years before the last Ice Age ended. The team analyzed neodymium isotopes in coral fossils to gain insight into ocean circulation during the Ice Age.
Pilots flying at 30,000 feet receive the same amount of UV-A radiation as a 20-minute tanning bed session, increasing melanoma risk. Authors recommend sunscreen use and periodic skin checks for pilots and cabin crew.
A nationwide survey of 2200 French adults reveals significant knowledge gaps about lung cancer, including misconceptions about screening, treatment options, and prognosis. The study emphasizes the need for public education to address these gaps and improve outcomes.
A new study reveals that warm vinyl crib mattress covers release higher levels of phthalates, which can increase infant exposure four-fold. The preliminary findings suggest the need for further investigation into the potential risks posed by alternative phthalates.
Researchers at ORNL used atomic force microscopy to fabricate nanoscale patterns in polymerized ionic liquids, exhibiting unique properties and potential applications in lithium batteries, transistors, and solar cells. The study showcases the technique's promise for alternative nanofabrication methods.
Researchers designed networks that mimic natural forms to create efficient and durable optoelectronic devices, including solar cells and display screens. The designs improved electro-optical properties, showed high mechanical strength, and minimized light shading.
Researchers have identified a compound in Korean mistletoe that can help treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Viscothionin, the key ingredient, has been shown to reduce body and liver weights in obese mice, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that faulty stem cells surrounding muscle fibers are responsible for the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A drug called losartan has been shown to inhibit fibrosis and partially restore muscle function in laboratory mice, offering new hope for potential treatments.
Researchers at Ohio State University propose that the Earth's mantle contains entire oceans of water, which are continuously cycled to the surface via plate tectonics. This process could have supplied water to the oceans for billions of years, making Earth habitable.
Research at the University of Kansas explores how native language impacts processing auditory words in a second language. Annie Tremblay's study investigates cues that signal word beginnings and endings, finding that some cues are easier to pick up than others.
Gut bacteria produce cephalosporinases that protect themselves and beneficial bacteria from antibiotics, while also giving protection to harmful bacteria. The researchers found genes in Bacteroides bacteria that produce an enzyme destroying certain antibiotics.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that introverted employees tend to rate extroverted colleagues lower in job performance and give them fewer credits for work. This suggests that introverts can have a significant impact on their co-workers' career advancement.
A new model for measuring acceptability of a long-acting contraceptive vaginal ring was tested among 1,036 women in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The study found that 89% of women were satisfied with the ring and had easy insertion and removal. Continued research is recommended to broaden the evidence supporting its use.
Researchers found that wolves can discriminate between different food quantities, but dogs struggled with this task, suggesting a loss of numerical competence through domestication. The study's findings have implications for our understanding of canine cognition and the effects of domestication on animal behavior.
Research suggests that talking to babies and naming things in their world can help them make connections between what they see and hear. Training with individual-level labels in infancy leads to long lasting learning effects that generalize from the trained images to human faces.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that home-based HIV testing and counseling services can achieve higher participation rates among rural Africans. The researchers compared two community approaches: home-based and mobile clinic-based services. They found that the home-based approach reached more first-time testers, particular...
Researchers investigate whether human microbiome has played a role in shaping human population structure, particularly lifespan. Their findings suggest that microbes like H. pylori may have evolved to target the aging process, benefiting the species at individual cost.
Researchers design novel cathode for rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries featuring graphene-wrapped sulfur electrode. The design improves cycling stability and efficiency by confining active materials within a porous structure.
A global fleet of composite planes could reduce CO2 emissions by 14-15% if introduced widely, thanks to fuel savings. However, the aviation industry's overall emissions reduction will be lower due to a mix of new and old aircraft in service.
Humpback whales cooperate with each other to corral prey near the surface and emit specific acoustic cues when feeding on bottom prey at night. These sounds, dubbed 'tick-tock' noises, help flush out sand lance, a common food source.
Laboratory experiments by Iowa State University glaciologists found that glacier beds can grow more slippery as the ice slides faster. This effect can improve predictions of future sea-level rise and ice volume loss. The results challenge traditional mathematical models, which had predicted the opposite relationship.
Researchers found that people exhibit a 'progress bias,' prioritizing movement toward goals over movement away from them. This bias can lead to overestimation of progress and underestimation of setbacks, potentially hindering goal achievement.
Researchers found that postoperative TRALI is significantly underreported but occurs in 1.4 percent of surgical patients, while TACO remains a risk at 4 percent, particularly in those with increased volume of blood transfused and advanced age. The studies provide new insights into the incidence of these life-threatening complications.
A nationwide project is diagnosing rare diseases in children, finding a cause for nearly a third of first 1,000 families. Genome-wide sequencing and database comparison help identify genetic keys to disorders.
A clinical trial found no clear benefit of low glycemic index diets on key measures of heart disease and diabetes risk. Healthy eating habits focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are recommended by the study's lead researchers.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have identified a toxin released by the pathogen Paenibacillus larvae that causes American foulbrood disease. The study found a lead-based inhibitor against this toxin, which could lead to natural and effective approaches for fighting bee brood diseases.
Hydrogen transforms into a layered sheet structure resembling graphene at high pressures, exhibiting unique aromaticity and conductivity. This discovery validates earlier predictions made by chemists three decades ago, expanding our understanding of chemical bonding in extreme conditions.
A genetic abnormality drives Ewing sarcoma through two processes: stimulating tumor growth and suppressing cancer development. New therapies may target these mechanisms.
A study found that beaver populations have grown dramatically, damming up 42,000 square kilometres of aquatic pond areas and increasing methane emissions by 15 percent each year
Research reveals four billion microscopic plastic fibres littering each square kilometre of deep sea sediment worldwide. Microplastics have sunk to the ocean floor, with levels up to four times greater in deep seas than in shallow and coastal waters.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that unauthorized immigrants who previously been removed from the US are 2.5 times more likely to be rearrested after leaving jail. Researchers also found that these individuals were rearrested more frequently and sooner, highlighting the need for targeted immigration enforcement efforts.
A University of Alberta economics professor has discovered a link between contraband cigarette use and illicit drug use among Canadian teens. Contraband smokers are more than double as likely to use illicit drugs compared to non-contraband smokers, according to the study.
Researchers have found that loss of gene PTEN is a common driver event behind high-grade serous ovarian cancer, which is often fatal. Combining image analysis with genetic data helped identify PTEN levels in cancer cells while ignoring normal cells, paving the way for new treatments.
A paralysed woman, Jan Scheuermann, has controlled a robotic arm using complex hand movements, achieving 10-dimensional control. This breakthrough enables her to interact with objects in different ways, simulating human-like hand use.
Researchers will use deep genome sequencing and computer modeling to search for abnormalities in mRNA methylation, a newly discovered epigenetic process linked to diseases like cancer. The study aims to shed new light on the role of mRNA methylation in breast cancer.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to show that commensal bacteria played a key role in stabilizing early human populations. The study found that these beneficial microbes helped keep the community healthy until reproductive age, but their impact became detrimental with increased longevity.
A new study has found that the 'Rayleigh Jet' technique can increase cloud reflectance by 5% with minimal energy consumption, using 30 megawatts of power, about equivalent to two large ships. This method is a reversible geoengineering approach proposed to mitigate rising global temperatures.
Researchers at Cornell University have invented carbon-trapping sponges that outperform industry benchmarks, reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency. The innovative technology uses a silica scaffold with nanoscale pores to capture carbon dioxide in the presence of moisture.
Researchers have developed a microwave imaging system that can produce 3D images of the breast, including the location of cancerous tissue. The system uses dielectric properties to differentiate between normal and cancerous tissue, offering better specificity than current methods.
The Paleolithic diet is unlikely to be a single entity due to variations in early human diets across time and space. Early humans were likely dietary 'jacks-of-all-trades' with diverse eating habits influenced by environments and lifestyle.
Scientists used genetic analysis and mathematical modeling to discover millimeter-sized abnormalities in brain tissue that may cause unpredictable seizures. These 'microlesions' could lead to spontaneous electrical currents causing epilepsy.
Researchers calculate that lungs excrete 8.4kg of CO2 when 10kg of fat is fully oxidized, shedding unwanted pounds. By breathing, individuals can lose up to 200 grams of carbon daily, with exercise further increasing weight loss through increased metabolic rate.
A DNA study from Duke University sheds light on the extinction of giant lemurs, finding that their smaller population sizes made them more susceptible to extinction. The research suggests that lessons learned from ancient DNA can be useful in protecting remaining species.