A team of researchers has identified genetic mutations causing uncontrolled cortisol production, leading to weight gain, muscle wasting and other symptoms. The discovery may lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment approaches for Cushing's syndrome, a heritable condition.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a web-based tool to examine the genetic interactions behind grapevine development. The 'VTCdb' database enables scientists to identify genes working together in networks, leading to better understanding of complex traits and improved wine production.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells hug capillaries and express specific proteins to survive in the brain. The tumor cells produce a protein acting like Velcro to attach themselves to blood vessels, allowing them to grow into new tumors.
A new study suggests that a high-calorie diet rich in carbohydrates and fat may help slow the progression of motor neuron disease (ALS). Patients who were mildly obese lived longer than those who lost weight as ALS progressed. The diets improved survival rates, with fewer adverse events and deaths from respiratory failure.
A new paper by an MIT political scientist suggests a way to assess the relative impact of several factors at once in politics, using conjoint analysis. The method allows for direct comparison of how voters weigh different candidate characteristics, providing insights into voter preferences.
Disney researchers found that teams with more defensive role swaps are more likely to make three-point shots. They analyzed tracking data from the 2012-13 NBA season and found a significant correlation between role swaps and shot success.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that patients with ALS receiving a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate tube-feeding formula lived longer and had fewer adverse events than those on a standard formula. This preliminary evidence suggests improved nutrition could extend survival in ALS patients.
Researchers developed a mouse whole-brain atlas that maps hundreds of neuronal pathways in the cerebral cortex, revealing a highly organized network consisting of eight subnetworks. This study provides an invaluable resource for researchers studying cortical networks and their role in regulating thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Research from Columbia University School of Nursing and WHO found that one in five US hospitals don't make hand sanitizer available everywhere needed, missing a critical opportunity to prevent health care-associated infections. Only half of facilities have set aside funds for hand hygiene training.
A recent study published in PeerJ challenges previous findings that suggested translation and protein turnover play a larger role in determining protein expression levels than transcription. The new analysis reveals that mRNA levels explain ~81% of the variance in protein levels, while transcription explains ~71%.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland developed a novel treatment using RNA molecules to target and enhance vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF-A) production. This approach significantly reduced myocardial infarction size in mouse models, offering new hope for heart disease treatments.
Astronomers have found a new superpowered small black hole named MQ1 in galaxy M83, which is classed as a microquasar with jets that heat and sweep away surrounding gas. The discovery sheds light on early universe evolution and provides insight into the growth of quasars.
A simple change in urine culture reporting reduced unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions by 76% among hospitalized patients at low risk for UTIs. The study suggests that modifying how test results are reported to clinicians can improve prescribing practices and patient safety.
Researchers have developed a cancer vaccine that utilizes the immune system to target and destroy tumor cells producing a specific protein. The vaccine, which involves genetically modified tumor cells producing IL-15 and its receptor, shows promise in slowing tumor growth and increasing survival rates in animal models.
A new study by Debra Umberson and colleagues found that black men are more likely to experience adverse childhood experiences, leading to poor relationships and health outcomes in adulthood. The study suggests that policies targeting early childhood development may help reduce racial disparities in health.
Overweight pregnant women who believe they are 'eating for two' tend to experience excessive weight gain, while those with a goal-oriented approach and healthy habits gain appropriate weight. Monitoring weight gain during pregnancy can help prevent future complications and obesity.
A new study by Mayo Clinic reveals that African-American individuals develop twice the antibody response to the rubella vaccine compared to Caucasians. This finding may enable the creation of vaccines tailored to specific ethnic groups or individuals, offering a more effective approach to immunization.
A Stanford-led study found that large arrays of offshore wind turbines can disrupt hurricanes enough to reduce peak wind speeds by up to 92 mph. The turbines' energy extraction also decreases storm surge by up to 79 percent.
Scientists found a link between climate change and the decline of Indus Civilization's megacities in northwest India 4,100 years ago. A weakening of the summer monsoon led to droughts that coincided with the beginning of the civilization's decline.
A recent study published in Human Molecular Genetics describes two distinct types of eggs in the mammalian ovary, contributing to puberty and fertility. The identification of these 'first wave' and 'adult wave' eggs may lead to improved treatments for ovarian diseases like premature ovarian failure.
Researchers have made progress in designing therapies for patients with specific genetic traits, particularly in cancer treatment. However, the field still faces significant hurdles, including a need to incorporate individuals' health histories and environmental factors into personalized medicine.
The study found evidence of severe Chagas disease and suggests that the young Incan girl may have been victim of ritual homicide. The analysis of her mummy revealed massive skull and face trauma, indicating a pre-mortem injury, which is similar to previously described South American mummies.
A new study by Mercyhurst University, UPMC Hamot, and Shriners Hospitals for Children is exploring the correlation between pitch count and throwing arm injuries. The researchers will use high-speed motion-capture cameras, shoulder muscle power tests, and biomarkers to analyze the effects of consecutive pitches on fatigue.
Researchers found that Alzheimer's disease disrupts the biological clock in fruit flies, causing irregular sleep-wake patterns. The study suggests that the biological clock is still ticking but being ignored by other parts of the brain and body.
A study by Nadia Obi found that older women with higher BMI or those who received trastuzumab had an increased risk for hypertension, while low-weight patients were more likely to develop osteoporosis. Regular exercise and monitoring are recommended to prevent these conditions.
A study found that harvested rainwater frequently contains pathogens like Legionella, Klebsiella, and Yersinia, posing a significant public health hazard, especially for vulnerable populations. The research highlights the need for pretreatment of rainwater before consumption or use in households.
A team of researchers from the University at Buffalo and two Chinese universities has developed an optical nanocavity that boosts the amount of light ultrathin semiconductors absorb. The advancement could lead to more powerful photovoltaic cells, faster video cameras, and potentially aid in developing hydrogen fuel.
A team of MIT researchers has discovered that a small piece of sapwood can filter out over 99% of bacteria from contaminated water. The xylem tissue in the sapwood allows water to flow through while blocking most types of bacteria, making it a promising low-cost material for water filtration.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory developed a hard X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe that preserves the natural state of cells and trace elements by rapidly cooling them to -260°F. This enables the creation of high-resolution images with unprecedented detail, solving long-standing issues in biological imaging.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers reveals that breastfed babies perform better in school due to their mother's sensitivity to emotional cues and reading habits. The study found that these parenting skills can yield significant improvements in brain development by age 4.
Researchers found therapeutic hypothermia to be beneficial for some patients following cardiac arrest, but ineffective or even worsening outcomes in others. The study suggests a need for more rigid guidelines to ensure appropriate application of cooling strategies.
Twenty-five years after the Exxon Valdez spill, beaches on Alaska's Alaska Peninsula harbor unchanged oil pockets, suggesting stable boulder protection. Researchers found remarkably preserved oil similar to 11-day-old oil, offering insights into oil durability and persistence.
WSU researchers Ioannis Kareklas and Darrel Muehling found that young drivers who view PSAs featuring graphic images of death experience lower attitudes towards texting while driving. The study suggests using emotional appeals, such as the fear of death, to persuade drivers to stop texting and driving.
Researchers found that waterbirds using different foraging strategies have evolved distinct tail shapes. Underwater foragers, such as cormorants and penguins, developed elongated tails with specialized vertebrae structures, while aerial birds had shorter, deflected tails.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have discovered a new target for human antibodies that could hold the key to a vaccine for dengue virus. The team found that natural human antibodies bind to a specific region called an epitope hinge, which is composed of just 25 amino acids.
A comprehensive study recommends cutting nutrient pollution nearly in half to reduce the size of toxic algae blooms and oxygen-starved regions, or dead zones, in Lake Erie. The report calls for a 46% reduction in phosphorus pollution to shrink Lake Erie's Central Basin hypoxic zone.
A new scientific blood analysis uses biomarkers and NMR spectroscopy to predict short-term mortality in the next five years. The study found that biomarker concentrations are crucial for normal metabolism, regardless of known risk factors.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that a single polymorphism in the BDNF gene affects intelligence after traumatic brain injury. Individuals with a specific genetic variation showed improved cognitive function, while those without it experienced impaired recovery.
Dr. Gyorgy Fejer has developed a method to create continuously growing macrophage cells in the lab from mice, reducing the need for live animals in research. This could lead to significant reductions in animal usage and improve research effectiveness.
A new study in Health Affairs found that combining pay-for-performance with capitation in China's Ningxia Province significantly reduced antibiotic prescriptions and total spending per visit. The intervention led to a near-15% decrease in antibiotic prescriptions and a small decline in total spending.
Researchers Rhonda Patrick and Bruce Ames found a causal link between vitamin D, serotonin synthesis, and autism. Dietary interventions with vitamin D, tryptophan, and omega-3 fatty acids may boost brain serotonin concentrations to prevent and treat symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Scientists at NPL have created a synthetic air reference standard to measure carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, providing a trusted base unit for global monitoring. This innovation addresses the growing demand for standards comparable to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) scale.
The University of North Carolina has received a seven-year, $40 million award from the NIH for its Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Clinical Trials Unit. The unit will lead research on HIV treatment, prevention, and cure, with a focus on high-risk populations in the US and sub-Saharan Africa.
The study provides new insights into stellar nurseries, showing that high-mass stars form in groups rather than alone and that these seeds can be fragmented into individual star seeds early in the formation process.
The SuperMum campaign successfully increased handwashing with soap rates by 31% in rural India villages, sustaining improvements for 12 months. This approach leverages emotional motivators like disgust and nurture to drive behavior change.
A study by the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory reveals more detections of whales traveling through the Bering Strait. The research tracks Arctic beluga and bowhead whales as well as sub-Arctic humpback, fin, and killer whales using underwater microphones.
Researchers found that sprouted garlic had higher antioxidant activity than fresh bulbs and made different substances. This could be a way to improve the health benefits of garlic without wasting food.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a tool that allows for cost-efficient, three-dimensional microgels to study cells in a naturalistic manner. The digital microfluidics platform enables flexible incorporation of different cell types and shapes, with potential applications in personalized medicine.
A recent Finnish study found that individuals with poor self-rated physical fitness in midlife (around age 50) are four times more likely to develop dementia over three decades compared to those with good fitness. Maintaining physical activity and addressing lifestyle factors may help reduce this risk.
Breast cancer cells with low myoferlin levels are less likely to spread when the gene is silenced, according to a new study. The protein's effect on mechanical properties and gene activation also influences cancer cell behavior.
A meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that fructose is not responsible for the increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study suggests that excess calorie consumption, regardless of source, contributes to the development of the disease. Dr. John Sievenpiper, lead author of the study, em...
A collaborative effort has created a standardized nomenclature for the architecture of insect brains, tripling the number of identified structures. This will enable future research on brain function and disease to be more efficient and accurate.
Research found a steep upward tendency in extreme hot days over land, despite a supposed 'hiatus' in global average temperatures. The study revealed regions experiencing 10-50 extremely hot days saw the greatest increases in hot events and affected area.
A pilot study found that mailing free stool tests to patients' homes increased colon cancer screening rates by nearly 40% among uninsured and low-income patients. The test, called FIT, is simple, cost-effective, and can be done at home.
Researchers discovered that sunburns contribute to melanoma development through inflammatory processes in surrounding tissue. Melanoma cells migrate along blood vessels in inflamed skin, with activated neutrophils playing a key role in metastasis.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of SN 2014J, a Type Ia supernova discovered in the galaxy M82. The observations will help refine distance measurements to these explosions, which are essential for understanding the accelerating expansion of the universe.
Researchers have discovered caffeine-based gold compounds that selectively kill human ovarian cancer cells without harming healthy cells. The new compounds target a specific DNA architecture associated with cancer, offering a potential tool in the fight against cancer.
Researchers have sequenced the functional part of the genome of leukaemia cells and identified thousands of genes expressed differently in leukaemia cells compared to healthy B lymphocytes. The study revealed two subgroups of patients with distinct disease behaviors, one requiring minimal treatment and the other needing prompt treatment.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that secondhand smoke exposure is associated with increased risk of fetal loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth. Women who never smoked but were exposed to secondhand smoke had a significantly higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A new analysis has found that babies born by caesarean section are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. The odds of being overweight or obese are 26 per cent higher for adults born by caesarean section than those born by vaginal delivery, according to the study.