A team of researchers from Kansas State University has completed a chromosome-based draft of the wheat genome, providing a valuable resource for plant science researchers and breeders. The genetic blueprint will enable the rapid location of specific genes controlling complex traits such as yield, grain quality, and disease resistance.
The study reveals that two kinases, Plk1 and CDK, work together to ensure precise CENP-A replenishment at centromeres. Incorrect timing of this process can lead to chromosome segregation failure, resulting in cell death or disease.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have identified a protein called HSP70 that helps stabilize NOD2, a key protein involved in Crohn's disease. This finding provides a possible pathway for developing an effective therapy for the inflammatory bowel disease.
A new paper from the University of Toronto suggests that gender quotas are more effective in countries with tight cultural norms, where people prioritize obedience and conformity. In contrast, loose cultures may struggle to implement policies due to disagreements over how to translate egalitarian principles into practice.
Scientists have identified over 200 lunar pits, some of which may lead to caves that future astronauts can use for shelter. The pits, found using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, range in size from 5 meters to over 900 meters and are believed to form when the roof of a void or cave collapses.
Laura Carstensen is recognized for her significant impact on the field of gerontology through her mentoring and leadership. She has advised numerous PhD students and individuals who went on to academic careers, making a lasting impression on the next generation of gerontologists.
Research at UC San Francisco found 60% of HIV-infected or high-risk unstably housed women experienced recent violence, including emotional, physical, and sexual violence. Social isolation unexpectedly reduced the odds of experiencing violence, while psychiatric diagnoses increased the risk.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found that eye patterns concentrate on a stranger's face if the viewer sees them as a potential partner in romantic love, but gaze at the body when feeling sexual desire. This automatic judgment occurs in half a second, producing distinct eye movement patterns.
Researchers established a standardized model of radial nerve injury in rhesus monkeys to evaluate peripheral nerve repair. The study found that bone marrow stem cell-laden allografts achieved comparable nerve regeneration to autografts, suggesting potential for improved treatments.
Researchers develop a plasmon-enhanced polarization-selective filter using SPPs technology, allowing for the integration of optical components on circuits. This breakthrough enables the construction of nanoscale optical logical gates and all-optical switches.
Researchers developed an ab initio method to study hot carriers in semiconductors, providing data for hot carrier dynamics in silicon and other materials. The method found that thermalization under solar illumination is completed within 350 femtoseconds, dominated by phonon emission from hot carriers.
A study has identified over 27,000 endogenous retroviruses preserved in the genomes of 38 mammal species, including humans. Larger animals have fewer ERVs, suggesting they may have evolved mechanisms to combat cancer-causing mutations.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London developed an automatic analysis technique to identify characteristics of bird sounds from recordings. The system combines feature-learning and classification algorithms to distinguish between bird species in a large dataset, with promising results in public contests.
Penn Medicine researchers found that living donor transplant outcomes are superior to those of deceased donors when surgeries are performed at an experienced center. The three-year patient survival rate for living donor recipients was 83% compared to 78% for deceased donors.
Researchers found that obese women struggle with reward-based learning when food is involved, but not when money is the reward. This discovery could lead to new approaches for tackling obesity, focusing on modifying environmental cues rather than food itself.
Laura Carstensen, a renowned expert on socioemotional selectivity theory and life-span motivation, has been awarded the 2014 Robert W. Kleemeier Award by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Her research focuses on ways in which motivational changes influence cognitive processing.
A new study advocates for investing in the sexual and reproductive health of 10 to 14 year olds, a critical period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Researchers recommend tailored programs to meet their unique needs, including parental and guardian involvement, and preventive services to prevent misinformation and promote heal...
Marie A. Bernard, MD, has been recognized for her outstanding leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and public interpretation. She serves as the NIA's deputy director, overseeing a portfolio of over $1 billion in research.
CNIO researchers identify Sox4 as a crucial gene in tissue maintenance, with implications for aging and cancer. Mice deficient in Sox4 exhibit accelerated aging, osteoporosis and age-related illnesses but resist cancer development.
Research links childhood sexual abuse to higher carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) at midlife, indicating early signs of atherosclerosis. The study of 1,400 women found no explanation for the link beyond standard cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Researchers review the role of PIWI proteins and piRNAs in regulating gene expression during germline development and beyond. Recent studies have identified novel mechanisms of epigenetic programming, DNA rearrangements, mRNA turnover, and translational control in both germline and somatic tissues.
After sciatic nerve injury, microRNA-214 targets srGAP3 in rat DRG primary neurons. This relationship affects axon guidance and neural regeneration.
Researchers found that maternal presence and social interactions directly mold infant brain activity and growth. The study showed that the mother's presence regulated and controlled electrical signaling in the infant pup's brain, leading to healthy brain development.
Scientists observe electrons jumping between molecular fragments up to a distance of about 20 Ångström, marking the transition from molecular to atomic regimes. The study provides insights into charge transfer mechanisms that play a role in numerous chemical processes, including photosynthesis and solar cells.
A study from Duke University found that a weight management program significantly reduced depression in nearly half of low-income black women. The 12-month intervention included personalized goals and behavioral changes, which had no direct impact on weight loss or treatment for depression.
A novel First Nations-led study uncovers a previously undocumented grizzly bear 'highway' in coastal British Columbia, revealing nearly 60 individual bears aggregated in the Koeye River. The research also provides early evidence of declining bear populations linked to salmon scarcity.
A recent study suggests that dog bites pose an unknown public health risk, while ignoring the health benefits of dog ownership. Research is needed to improve care and estimate dog bite incidence to develop effective risk management strategies.
Researchers have identified a key gene, ASF1A, that enables cellular reprogramming and the development of stem cells. This finding could lead to the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from adult tissue, offering potential for safer cell-therapy strategies.
A new study using roundworms reveals that starvation induces specific changes in small RNAs, which are inherited through at least three consecutive generations. The researchers found that these changes target genes involved in nutrition and result in a longer life span for the progeny of starved worms.
Scientists studied wild Atlantic salmon from Norway and France, finding both populations had similar capabilities when warmed. They developed temperature tolerance by increasing acclimation temperatures, raising fish's survival in extreme heat.
A new study by Sanford-Burnham researchers identifies the NBR1 protein as a critical regulator of obesity-induced inflammation, which leads to metabolic disease. The study suggests that blocking this signal may protect against the development of metabolic disease and type 2 diabetes.
A team at Université de Genève identified a new cellular mechanism involving non-neuronal cells called astrocytes that stabilize neuron connections. This process protects synapses and allows learning to leave a mark on memory. The study sheds light on the importance of astrocytes in learning, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that intranasal administration of nerve growth factor increases its content and receptor in spinal cord neurons, improving locomotor behaviors after spinal cord injury. This study provides evidence for the use of intranasal nerve growth factor as a treatment for spinal cord repair.
Researchers developed a novel technique to extract molecular information from live cells using magnetized carbon nanotubes, allowing for the study of individual cells without cell death. This breakthrough has potential applications in cancer drug screening and biomedicine.
A study found that fish oil compound protected against inflammation and neuronal cell death in brain cells exposed to high levels of alcohol. The findings suggest limited amounts of alcohol may make brain cells more fit, reducing the risk of neurodegeneration and dementia.
Using lab-cultured bacteria as 'bait,' researchers sequenced complete and partial genomes of 10 million viruses from an ocean water sample, revealing distinct categories and enabling recognition of actual virus populations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the ecology and evolution of viruses in nature.
A recent study published in Health Psychology found that people who experience persistent sleep problems after a divorce may be at risk for increased blood pressure. The longer the sleep problems persist, the more likely they are to have an adverse effect on blood pressure.
A new study found that mothers who return to work full-time are less likely to meet their breastfeeding goals, while part-time work shows no association. Mothers who delayed their return to paid employment or returned at part-time hours may have better chances of achieving their breastfeeding intentions.
Researchers have successfully used computer models to locate and eliminate high numbers of tsetse flies in Senegal, resulting in a 99.6% reduction. The eradication effort aims to control the devastating disease that affects humans, livestock, and wildlife.
The US National Flood Insurance Program is facing affordability issues, particularly in flood-prone areas. A proposed voucher and mitigation loan program aims to address this by requiring homeowners to invest in flood loss reduction measures.
Robert Wilson, Paul Milgrom, and R. Preston McAfee will receive the Golden Goose Award for their basic research on game theory and auctions that enabled the FCC to auction spectrum licenses in 1994. Their work has resulted in over $60 billion raised for the U.S. Treasury and enabled the proliferation of wireless technologies.
A new study from UC San Francisco found that 60% of unstably housed HIV-infected or at-risk women experienced recent forms of violence. Researchers discovered social isolation may protect these women from danger, while psychiatric diagnoses increase the risk of violence.
Researchers developed a technique for estimating visibility using motion as a cue, enabling large-scale 3D motion reconstruction without markers. The Panoptic Studio used 480 video cameras to create detailed reconstructions of volleyball games and confetti cascades.
A team led by University of Oregon geologist Gregory Retallack analyzed Curiosity rover images and data to discover Earth-like soil profiles with cracked surfaces lined with sulfate. This finding suggests that Mars may have had a more habitable climate in the past, increasing the possibility of microbial life.
Researchers found nine variants in the CFTR gene associated with pancreatitis, sinusitis, and male infertility, but leave the lungs unaffected. The study identifies mechanisms behind these conditions, paving the way for treatments and potential medications.
An interdisciplinary team of University of Arizona researchers is studying language abilities in patients recovering from a stroke. They will use combined language assessments with comprehensive brain imaging techniques to understand the neural processes underlying successful recovery.
Scientists have discovered that ancient protein-building enzymes have acquired new functions in humans, including producing variants with diverse biological activities. These variants are produced only in specific cell types and appear during certain stages of development, highlighting a previously unrecognized layer of biology.
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium has released a genetic blueprint for bread wheat, enabling researchers to rapidly locate specific genes on individual chromosomes. This milestone brings the organization closer to its goal of obtaining a complete reference sequence of the hexaploid bread wheat genome within three years.
A global research team led by Case Western Reserve scientist discovered a genetic dysfunction connected to hydrocephalus, illustrating how one error can contribute to excessive cerebrospinal fluid. The study found that Dvl genes regulate the placement and alignment of cilia in ependymal cells, essential for efficient fluid movement.
A new analysis compares various anticoagulants after different types of orthopedic surgery. Aspirin may be a suitable option for preventing blood clots in patients undergoing hip or knee replacements, but anticoagulation therapy is more beneficial for those who have undergone hip fracture repairs.
Jay Shendure received the 2014 HudsonAlpha Life Sciences Prize for his pioneering work on next-generation sequencing technologies. He completed a detailed DNA sequence of HeLa cells, the first immortal human cell line grown in a lab.
The Indus river dolphin's historical range has been fragmented into 17 river sections due to diversion dams, with dolphins disappearing from ten sections. Low dry-season river discharge caused by irrigation is the primary factor contributing to the decline.
Researchers extracted chemical compounds and microfossils from ancient teeth to study prehistoric diets. The analysis suggests that purple nut sedge was a staple food source with medicinal and aromatic qualities.
A new study published in the Journal of Gerontology found that the Mediterranean diet has a significant correlation with slower cognitive decline among African American older adults, but not white older adults. The study suggests that further research is needed to confirm this association and understand the underlying factors.
Scientists discovered a new pathway the dengue virus takes to suppress the human immune system, deepening understanding of the virus and its potential for more effective treatments. The study reveals how sfRNA interacts with proteins in the cell to evade antiviral defenses.
A single injection of FGF1 protein restores blood sugar levels to a healthy range for over two days, reversing insulin insensitivity and the underlying cause of diabetes. This breakthrough discovery offers a new method to control glucose with a safer and more effective treatment.
Researchers found that bexarotene reduces levels of neurotoxic protein amyloid-beta in mice with late-stage Alzheimer's, but increases it during early stages. This suggests that treatment timing and duration may be crucial for effectiveness.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive gene therapy procedure that transforms ordinary heart muscle cells into specialized 'biological pacemaker' cells. This breakthrough could lead to a long-lasting treatment for patients with heart rhythm disorders, potentially eliminating the need for electronic pacemakers.
Researchers have found the fossilized remains of the brain of the world's earliest known predators, which lived in the oceans 520 million years ago. The discovery reveals a surprisingly simple brain compared to its prey, and similarities with modern-day velvet worms.
Researchers have developed a method to predict membrane protein folding using energy landscape theory, increasing the technique's value to disease and drug research. The study successfully determined that thermodynamic funnels hold the upper hand in folding proteins inside a membrane, similar to globular proteins.