The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognized six exceptional young scientists with the 2014 Klerman and Freedman Prizes for their innovative research on mental health. The winners were awarded for their work using neuroimaging to identify the biological roots of major mental illness, as well as their discoveries on the genetic m...
Researchers found that cells are constantly fighting herpes virus, even in dormant phase, leading to potential new treatments. The study used genetically modified cells and viruses to measure virus activity, revealing varying levels of infection across different cells.
Researchers identified a genetic switch that stifles blood vessel development and used it to prevent peripheral vascular disease in a mouse model. The study's findings offer hope for new treatments targeting conditions like diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Researchers used statistical tools to map social connections in prairie dogs, uncovering relationships that escaped traditional observational techniques. The study found key bridge individuals connecting different groups, which could aid in conserving populations and mitigating plague spread
A new gene variant, PLXNA4, has been linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study found that this gene affects the processing of tau protein, a key hallmark of the disease. This discovery may lead to the development of targeted drug treatments for AD.
A new study reveals that nicotine and its metabolite cotinine can inhibit DNA damage caused by NNK, a carcinogen present in tobacco smoke. The study suggests that these compounds may protect against one form of DNA damage, but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science discover that genetic mutations affecting only half the population, like those causing male sterility, occur twice as often as those affecting males and females equally. This finding has implications for understanding causes of genetic diseases and developing targeted treatments.
A recent study found that prolonged electrical stimulation does not cause damage to the sacral nerve roots of rabbits. The research suggests that neurons in the rabbit sacral nerve roots can tolerate long-term electrical stimulation, which could have implications for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
A new study from MIT warns that climate change and air pollution can combine to reduce crop yields, with effects varying by region. The study found that ozone pollution can cause significant damage to crops, particularly in the US where stricter regulations may mitigate its impact.
A new library of tools called Thunder enables neuroscientists to quickly analyze large amounts of brain activity data, generating unprecedented insights into how the brain works.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a protective layer of interconnected carbon nanospheres to protect the unstable lithium from drawbacks, enabling the design of a pure lithium anode. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting rechargeable batteries with improved capacity and reduced safety risks.
A systematic analysis of hepatitis E virus transmission by blood components found that about 1 in 3000 donors in England have the virus. Around 1200 HEV-containing blood components are likely to be transfused every year in England.
A Canadian hospital reduced cardiac surgical site infections (SSIs) by 77% through a comprehensive safety program. The hospital implemented best practices in prophylactic antibiotic use, wound care, and patient warming to lower the SSI rate from 7% to 1.6%.
Scientists at Barts Cancer Institute have identified a molecule called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) that signals the body to repair itself after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Removing FAK from blood vessels in melanoma and lung cancer models made treatments more effective, suggesting that targeting this molecule could boost cancer therapy.
An international research team has shown that the soft X-ray glow blanketing the sky originates from both inside and outside the solar system. The bulk of the radiation comes from a local hot bubble of gas in our galactic neighborhood, while the solar wind contributes up to 40 percent.
Researchers found that some microorganisms can use epimutations, a temporary silencing of drug targets, to gain drug resistance without committing to permanent mutations. This flexible mechanism could be employed by various organisms to withstand treatment with different drugs.
A new kidney transplant drug has been shown to halve the early risk of rejection, allowing a less toxic regimen of anti-rejection drugs to be used. The study, published in The Lancet, found that alemtuzumab-based induction therapy reduced acute rejection by 69% compared to basiliximab-based induction therapy.
A new study reveals a significant link between childhood obesity and an earlier age of puberty, with heavier children at age five tending to have lower SHBG levels and reach puberty sooner. The findings suggest that obesity in childhood may contribute to the decline in the age of puberty over the past century.
A website providing information on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most cost-effective way to increase its uptake, with a potential saving of £9.20 per vaccination for the NHS. This method is also more convenient for parents seeking additional information about the vaccine.
Scientists from The University of Manchester discovered that drugs used to treat asthma and pneumonia become ineffective due to the body's natural circadian rhythm. The study found that cells lining the lung airways have their own internal clock, which regulates inflammation in the lungs.
Researchers analyzed data from over 18,000 patients to find more than two dozen genetic risk factors involved in Parkinson's disease, including six previously unknown. The study confirms that the more variants a person has, the greater their risk of developing the disorder.
Two new pill-only antiviral drug regimens have shown promise in treating the most difficult-to-cure form of hepatitis C, with high cure rates and minimal side effects. The treatments offer a more effective, safer, and shorter option for patients with cirrhosis or those who have failed existing therapies.
Research suggests that autophagy may be both beneficial and detrimental to neuronal survival after stroke. The study proposes that autophagy has dual effects on neuronal survival, highlighting the need for further investigation into its therapeutic potential.
Quercetin reverses high glucose-induced inhibition of neural cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis through autophagy induction. Autophagic and proliferative activities are rescued in Schwann cells under high glucose conditions after quercetin intervention.
A new study of National Lung Screening Trial participants found that those who received false positive diagnoses did not report increased anxiety or lower quality of life compared to those with negative results. The study suggests that informed consent and understanding of the high likelihood of false positives can mitigate potential p...
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine created a mouse model showing that epigenetic alterations alone can cause cancer. DNA methylation changes led to a higher incidence of spontaneous cancers and reduced survival in the mice.
Researchers Neus Isern and Joaquim Fort developed a model to estimate the impact of language substitution and predict the speed of language expansion. Their study applies this tool to languages such as Welsh, Quechua, and Scottish Gaelic, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A new study by Tulane University reveals that exposure to light at night can render breast cancer cells resistant to tamoxifen. In contrast, complete darkness and high melatonin levels significantly slow tumor growth and enhance tamoxifen's effectiveness.
Researchers have yet to identify a specific cause or risk factor for brain tumors, but ionizing radiation is recognized as a risk factor in therapeutic doses. Recent studies have ruled out associations between brain tumors and cell phone use, cigarette smoking, or other environmental factors.
The seventh tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific Ocean formed on July 25, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The storm is expected to continue moving westward, with NHC forecasting no strengthening due to increased wind shear.
New research suggests that climate change increases the risk of a major slowdown in global crop yields over the next two decades. The odds of such an event are about 1 in 10 for corn and 1 in 20 for wheat, even with a warming climate.
A new study reveals that trees are saving more than 850 human lives a year and preventing 670,000 instances of acute respiratory symptoms by removing pollutants. The study found that tree cover in urban areas has substantially greater impacts on human health due to their proximity to people.
A new licensing agreement between Medicines Patent Pool and Gilead Sciences could improve treatment options for children living with HIV. The deal will allow generic versions of the medication tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) to be developed in India and China for countries with over 92% of people living with HIV.
A Vanderbilt study finds that bacteria produce a therapeutic compound that inhibits weight gain, insulin resistance, and other adverse effects of a high-fat diet in mice. The researchers genetically modified E. coli to produce NAPE, which reduces food intake and weight gain, suggesting a potential new treatment for obesity.
Research finds that men perceive responsive women as more attractive, but women's perceptions of partner responsiveness are complex and context-dependent. A study by Gurit Birnbaum and colleagues explores how responsiveness sparks sexual desire in initial encounters.
Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN, receives the 2014 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award from GSA for her work on promoting healthy aging and improving long-term care policies. She is a nationally recognized expert in gerontological nursing and rural health care.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) disputes systemic patient anxiety concerns related to inconclusive cancer screening test results from computed tomography (CT) lung cancer exams. A study by Gareen et al suggests that anxiety effects are minimal, and the lifesaving benefits outweigh any downsides.
A new test diagnoses motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), which combines gait speed measurement with cognitive questions. People who test positive for MCR are twice as likely to develop dementia within 12 years, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and potential underlying cause identification.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found that XPro1595 can protect vulnerable neurons and reduce motor deficits in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. The drug targets tumor necrosis factor, a critical inflammatory signaling molecule, and showed benefits when administered by subcutaneous injection.
Researchers from the University of Leicester used a novel laser technique to study the structure and internal atomic motion of a small cluster containing an acetylene molecule and a single helium atom. The study found that the helium atom rotates and vibrates almost freely, occupying nearly the entire volume within the cluster.
A University of Oklahoma physicist has received a $1 million grant to develop a quantum enhanced plasmonic sensor that can detect diseases earlier, identify pathogens, and monitor atmospheric pollutants. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like chemistry, medicine, and atmospheric science.
A swath of smoke from Canadian fires drifted across the Great Lakes region of the U.S., with visible paths taken by the smoke as it moved southeastward. The smoke originated in Manitoba and parts of Ontario before crossing the lakes.
Researchers develop technique to efficiently calculate mutual information between nodes in probabilistic graphical models, allowing for targeted data collection and reducing computational time. By leveraging Gaussian distributions, the algorithm can assess data usefulness before it becomes available.
Researchers have discovered bacteria that create complex biomineralogical patterns in salt water, enabling them to survive and 'hibernate' when dry. This unique process may help scientists detect signs of life on other planets, such as Mars.
Researchers found that over-expression of Xbp1s in mice protected them against obesity and diabetes, with improved body weight, decreased blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. The study suggests the brain controls glucose production by the liver, paving the way for new therapies to treat these conditions.
Cerebral microbleeds have been shown to be a significant marker for diffuse axonal injury, which can lead to severe neurological disorders. The study highlights the importance of using susceptibility-weighted imaging to detect these tiny changes and evaluate traumatic cerebral microbleeds with high sensitivity.
Research suggests that dim light exposure at night can suppress melatonin production in rats with human breast tumors, making them resistant to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen. However, giving these rats a melatonin supplement during the night restored their tumor sensitivity to the drug.
A new study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal suggests that combining clinical judgement with electrocardiogram and blood tests can effectively reduce unnecessary hospital admissions for chest pain. The findings could make a huge difference to a large number of patients, particularly in regions with high incidence rates of he...
Typhoon Matmo brought heavy rainfall to eastern Taiwan, with TMPA analysis showing totals greater than 400 mm. The storm also contributed to a deadly airplane crash in the Penghu Islands.
Researchers at NIFS have successfully fabricated a large-scale magnet conductor using a novel method that stacks yttrium-based high-temperature superconducting tapes. The conductor achieved an electrical current of 100,000 amperes and a current density exceeding 40 A/mm2.
A UT Arlington geophysicist is using new technology to examine the relationship between dynamic loading and rock fragmentation. His research aims to create physics-based models that predict rock fracturing based on strain applied and rock makeup.
Contemporary tribes continue to use fire to maintain desired habitat and natural resources. California native cultures burned patches of forest in deliberate sequence to diversify resources, creating a mosaic of different stages of soil and vegetation.
A new study by USC Marshall professor Victor Bennett found that resale markets like Craigslist can add value to tickets sold by concert venues and Ticketmaster. This increase in price benefits both the artist and venue, particularly in high-demand shows.
The proposed EU General Data Protection Regulation may make cancer research impossible due to explicit patient consent requirements, hindering progress in finding cures. ESMO proposes a 'one-time consent' concept to empower patients and ensure the right balance between privacy and public health.
A new Arizona EMS system dramatically increased cardiac arrest survival rates, with a 60% increase in four-year period. The system sent patients to specialized cardiac receiving centers, significantly improving neurological outcomes and survival chances.
A molecular testing panel developed at UPMC has improved the chances of correct initial surgery for thyroid cancer patients by 30 percent. The test, available at the UPMC/UPCI Multidisciplinary Thyroid Center, bypasses initial surgeries and allows for more efficient removal of cancerous tissue.
Schlemm's canal has been found to have lymphatic characteristics, including a growth factor that reduces eye pressure. This discovery challenges the current understanding of the eye's drainage system and opens up new avenues for glaucoma treatment and diagnosis.
A team of researchers, led by NSU's Alex Soloviev, used computational fluid dynamics and experiments to simulate the air-sea interface under hurricane force winds. They found that changes in microphysics can make a storm grow or weaken in intensity, with some hurricanes rapidly intensifying to Category 3.
George Washington University researcher Anthony-Samuel LaMantia will investigate the link between autism and brain development using a valid animal model with a genetic mutation highly associated with autism. The research team will examine connectivity, behaviors related to autism, and their relationship during development.
Satellite images from NASA's MODIS instrument reveal the extent of wildfires in Eastern Russia, showcasing burn scars as reddish-brown splotches amidst green landscapes. The fires have ravaged remote areas of the Sakha Republic, with smoke and flames visible even in false-color images.