Researchers developed a microscale thermogravimetric analysis technique that can analyze tiny nanoparticle samples, detecting mass changes as small as a nanogram and using samples as little as one microgram. The technique has potential for studying nanomaterials in biology and the environment.
Karl Gschneidner, known as 'Mr. Rare Earth,' has been awarded the Materials and Society Award for his groundbreaking research on rare earths, essential ingredients in clean-energy technologies. His work has led to innovative solutions, including magnetic cooling devices with significant energy and environmental benefits.
The European Commission has invested nearly $475 million in 100 gene transfer projects to support basic and clinical research in the field of gene and cell therapy. This funding is aimed at developing new treatments for chronic and rare diseases, as well as novel regenerative medicine approaches.
New research reveals that opioid use changes the activity of a specific protein needed for normal brain function, affecting both pain relief and tolerance. The study found that blocking this protein can reduce addiction-related behaviors, but increasing its activity lowers pain relief response and leads to faster morphine tolerance.
Scientists boosted potato resistance to late blight without deploying fungicides in a three-year GM research trial. The study found non-transgenic plants were 100% infected while GM plants remained fully resistant., The GM technology triggers the plant's natural defense mechanisms, enabling it to recognize and resist the pathogen.
Researchers investigate the impact of Saharan dust on ground-level pollution in Houston, with a focus on regulatory limits and measurable air quality. They plan to use samples collected in Barbados and Houston to confirm previous findings.
Fibromuscular dysplasia can cause high blood pressure, kidney failure, stroke, and other symptoms in women. A recent Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for this condition.
A new blood test measures a protein called cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) to detect heart attacks more quickly. cMyBP-C is released to the bloodstream within just 15 minutes of cardiac damage, rising to significant levels in three hours.
Research found that antihypertensive medications may increase the risk of serious injury from falls among older adults, particularly those with a previous fall injury. The study suggests that clinicians should weigh the potential harms and benefits of medication in this population.
A large international study found that women with BRCA1 mutations who underwent preventive ovarian surgery before age 35 had a 77% reduction in total mortality risk. In contrast, women with BRCA2 mutations may delay this procedure until their 40s.
Researchers found that collecting and bleeding horseshoe crabs for biomedical purposes causes short-term changes in their behavior and physiology. The study suggests delaying the blood harvest or improving transportation conditions could help the animals recover and breed again, potentially mitigating population declines.
Researchers have discovered a key protein, AP2-G, essential for the development of male and female sexual forms of the malaria parasite. The protein triggers the production of gametocytes, which are infectious to mosquitos, offering clues for identifying transmission mechanisms.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change found no link between warmer winters and reduced excess winter death rates in the UK. Instead, flu activity was identified as the main cause of year-to-year variation in winter mortality.
Researchers at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, have developed a new technology that can isolate histones and follow dynamic duplication processes in cells. The technology has identified 100 new molecular components involved in chromatin duplication and maintenance of cell memory.
Researchers at Uppsala University have challenged the established model for gene regulation by directly measuring transcription factor concentrations in living cells. They found small but significant differences between measurements, opening up new possibilities for understanding gene regulation.
A team led by Robert Linhardt and Jian Liu created a synthetic form of low-molecular-weight heparin, which can be reversed in cases of overdose and is safer for patients with poor kidney function. The new drug is also cost-effective and has improved properties compared to the animal-derived alternative.
Scientists discovered that key characteristics of flight, such as body size and forelimb length, evolved simultaneously in a group of dinosaurs. These findings suggest that birds arose through multiple evolutionary steps, with powered flight emerging later.
Researchers have discovered a novel immunological mechanism that regulates B lymphocytes to fight encapsulated bacteria, clearing the path for more efficient vaccines. This discovery improves our understanding of the immune system's protection against infections.
Researchers discovered a 'microbial Pompeii' in ancient dental calculus, revealing opportunistic pathogens and periodontal disease-causing bacteria. The study also recovered dietary DNA, providing insights into ancient diets and the origins of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers successfully increased photosynthetic rate by 30% and turned sugarcane into an oil-producing crop. The team hopes to integrate these attributes into sugarcane to make it more productive with more photosynthesis and cold-tolerant.
A study published in Nature identified the CA2 region of the hippocampus as crucial for social memory, a function impaired in individuals with autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The findings suggest that targeting the CA2 region could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating these brain disorders.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking MRI technique that can visualize metabolic changes in the body's cells. This breakthrough could lead to earlier diagnoses of diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The hyperpolarization method provides a fingerprint of cellular activity, allowing for real-time monitoring of disease progression.
Scientists created nanoparticles that selectively bind to abnormal immune cells causing inflammation, allowing anti-inflammatory drugs to reach them while leaving healthy ones untouched. This targeted approach shows promise for treating inflammatory diseases with fewer side effects.
Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute detected a stream of stars in Andromeda II, revealing a remnant of a merged dwarf galaxy. The findings provide insight into the rare event of low-mass galaxy mergers, which are expected during galaxy formation.
A new study using a tiny fragment of zircon extracted from Australia's Jack Hills region confirms the Earth's crust formed at least 4.4 billion years ago, providing evidence for a 'cool early Earth' theory. The findings suggest temperatures were low enough for liquid water and oceans to form.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF have made a breakthrough in regenerative medicine by transforming skin cells into mature, fully functioning liver cells. The new method offers hope for treating liver failure and could serve as an alternative to liver transplants.
Researchers identified a polio-like syndrome in five California children over a year, highlighting the possibility of an emerging infectious polio-like syndrome. The children experienced paralysis affecting one or more limbs with abnormal MRI scans, and two tested positive for enterovirus-68.
Researchers found an antibody to KIR4.1 protein in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) years before symptoms appeared, suggesting a potential role in disease development. The study's findings may help detect MS earlier, enabling better treatment and prevention strategies.
A study by researchers at Duke University found that fruit-eating lemur species excel in spatial memory tests, demonstrating a strong link between diet and cognitive abilities. The findings suggest that lemurs with diets rich in fruits, which are seasonally available and often hard to access, develop superior spatial memory skills.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high-dose supplementation with selenium and vitamin E increases the risk of high-grade prostate cancer in men. The risk depends on a man's baseline selenium level, with men who have low levels experiencing a higher risk
A multi-site research project led by Dr. Bradley J. Monk found that women with advanced cervical cancer live an average of 17 months longer when combined with bevacizumab and chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. The study reveals a significant improvement in treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic cervical cancer.
A Penn-led study found Plasmodium vivax's origin in wild-living apes in central Africa, overturning the dogma that it originated in Asia. The parasite infects both gorillas and chimpanzees, with ape P. vivax exhibiting infection rates consistent with stable transmission within wild communities.
Researchers used physical models to tackle the challenge of finding a suitable weekend for both parents in a recomposed family to see all their children at the same time. They found that minimizing energy in a material model is equivalent to maximizing parent-child time, and developed an algorithm to achieve this.
Scientists have discovered a way to selectively degrade viral DNA in the cell nucleus of infected liver cells, opening up new treatment options for hepatitis B. This breakthrough may allow for the development of a treatment that can heal hepatitis B without damaging the host cell.
On January 28, 2014, NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) witnessed a strong solar flare, emitting x-rays and light into space. The IRIS mission offers unprecedented resolution to study the sun's lower atmosphere, providing valuable insights into solar flares.
Research from Aarhus University finds that people with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Infections play a determining role in this association.
A universal language is proposed to classify organisms by their genome sequence, enhancing the current biological naming system. This new system adds further information to classify organisms and enables rapid identification of new ones.
Researchers mapped catalytic reactivity inside a microreactor in high resolution from start-to-finish using infrared and x-ray light. The study revealed opportunities for optimization, resulting in better catalytic performances.
Scientists have developed novel microparticles with structured surfaces that can selectively load various molecules, opening up potential for cancer therapy and artificial manufacture of biological tissues. The microparticles are suited for technical applications such as manufacturing of micromachines and nanorobots.
A new software architecture developed by Fraunhofer IOSB enables the visualization of complex relationships between environmental factors and health data on risk maps, leading to a better understanding of cholera epidemic processes. This allows for faster and more effective response measures.
Researchers found that self-generation may be influenced by variables such as task meaningfulness during learning and memory in MS. Significantly more words were recalled from the generated condition, indicating a more effective learning strategy.
A recent study by New York University researchers found that programs for people who use drugs, such as syringe exchange and treatment, are associated with lower rates of AIDS incidence and death among heterosexuals. The study highlights the importance of addressing HIV epidemics in one population to reduce risks in other populations.
A diet rich in carbohydrates can lead to detrimental effects on brain health, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Dr. David Perlmutter explains that carbohydrate calories have a more significant impact on human physiology than calorie sources from fat.
Researchers found that Air Force reservists exposed to dioxin-contaminated aircraft used to spray Agent Orange during the Vietnam War were at higher risk than previously acknowledged. The study's findings contrast with current Air Force and VA policies, highlighting a previously unrecognized source of exposure.
A new study suggests that a strengths-based social/behavioral intervention can help injecting drug users avoid injection-related HCV and HIV infections. The 'Staying Safe Intervention' program, developed by NYU researchers, showed substantial improvements in motivation and planning to avoid injection risks.
A new study published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high-dose selenium supplementation increased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer among older men with high baseline toenail selenium concentrations. Vitamin E supplementation also raised PC risk, especially among men with low baseline selenium levels.
A new study finds that using seed-filled buoys can effectively restore genetically diverse sea meadows in San Francisco Bay. The technique, known as Buoy Deployed Seeding (BuDS), was tested on eelgrass seedpods and showed promising results in maintaining genetic diversity.
A study of Pine Island Glacier reveals it experienced rapid thinning 8,000 years ago at an average rate comparable to modern-day melting rates. This indicates that modern-day melting could last several more decades or even centuries.
NASA's Terra satellite captured visible images of Tropical Cyclone Guito as it exited the Mozambique Channel and moved into the open waters of the Southern Indian Ocean. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 60 knots/69.0 mph/111.1 kph, located just south of the channel.
Researchers found that two Chilean barnacle species, Jehlius cirratus and Notochthalamus scabrosus, coexist without strong competition, even in different temperatures. The study's surprising non-finding may have implications for understanding the biological future of major coastlines.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed new, oxide-based materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using solar energy. The dual-layer catalyst design enabled a record high efficiency of 1.7%, making it possible to produce fuel at a price competitive with gasoline.
A recent study by Erin Abner, Ph.D., found that subjective memory complaints can be predictive of clinical memory impairment. The results are encouraging as they might help identify people at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease sooner.
Researchers have discovered a new species of marsupial in Queensland's Springbrook National Park, the Black-tailed Antechinus. The highly sexed mouse-like marsupial is threatened due to its unique mating behavior, which causes males to die before reproducing.
The new journal will address key issues in policy, law, intellectual property, safety, and liability, among others. It aims to facilitate collaboration across disciplines to drive innovation and industrial competitiveness.
A team of University of Vermont scientists has developed a novel solution to manage the growing fleet of plug-in electric cars, allowing them to charge in smaller chunks and distribute demand over time. The approach uses smart meters and computer algorithms to smooth out supply and demand, protecting grid overload.
A population-based cohort study found that older adults with highly active thyroid glands are at a substantially increased risk of developing depression. The study analyzed data from 1,503 participants and found that those with higher TSH levels were more likely to experience depression symptoms over an eight-year period.
Two UK start-ups, AdFerTech and Straw Fuels, have won €20K Climate-KIC prizes for their innovative solutions to mitigate climate change. AdFerTech's technology converts waste liquor into organic fertiliser, while Straw Fuels produces eco-friendly fire logs made from straw.
A randomized controlled trial found that cognitive behavioral therapy plus hypnosis significantly reduced fatigue in breast cancer patients during and after radiotherapy. The treatment group had less fatigue than 79% of control group patients at the end of radiotherapy, with benefits persisting for up to six months.
AeroClay technology offers various applications, including packaging hazardous materials and oil-spill cleanup solutions. The partnership between Case Western Reserve University and Compadre enables faster commercialization of the eco-friendly material.
Researchers developed a vaccine against rodent skin papillomavirus that prevented benign and malignant skin tumors in vaccinated animals. The vaccine worked even when given to already infected animals and suppressed the virus in mice treated with immune-suppressive drugs.