A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico's Guerrero State on May 8, triggering rain from dissipating tropical low pressure system System 90E. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of the system three hours later, showing high cloud tops and potential for heavy rainfall.
Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) promotes beneficial bacteria growth by blocking ATP's growth-inhibiting action. The study reveals IAP's role in maintaining intestinal microbial balance and its potential as a simple therapy for health problems caused by imbalance.
A team of researchers studied the genome of a Dead Sea fungus to understand its survival strategy in salty environments. The study found that the fungus needs to control cell membrane transport under tight conditions to cope with extreme salt levels.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have discovered a new epigenetic mechanism that distinguishes normal blood stem cells from blood cancers. This finding holds promise for developing targeted treatments that preserve healthy stem cells while killing leukemia cells.
The study found that overexpression of Notch1 in temporal lobe epilepsy rats reduced seizure frequency and brain discharges. Increased presence of Notch 1 and hairy and enhancer of split-1 was observed in intractable temporal lobe epilepsy patients, suggesting a potential role for Notch signaling in the disease.
A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that taking calcium supplements did not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. The study, published in Osteoporosis International, examined 74,245 women over 24 years and found no association between calcium supplement intake and heart attack or stroke.
The study reveals that chaperones, like GroEL and GroES, use a high-speed origami-like mechanism to accelerate protein folding. This process, which was previously thought to be energetically unfavorable, is now understood to be a favorable reaction, allowing proteins to fold faster than they are produced.
The TRMM satellite recorded severe weather affecting the Great Plains from May 8 to 9, including three tornadoes in Minnesota. The satellite detected intense rainfall rates of over 6.4 inches per hour in Arkansas and Texas.
Research from North Carolina State University found that more diverse bee species improve blueberry yield by $311 per acre, with a total value of $1.42 million annually. The study suggests that differences in weather tolerance among bee groups contribute to this benefit.
Dahl will build a new type of detector to study dark matter particles, while Stern will investigate quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials. Their work has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
A study published in Neuron reveals that Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) plays a critical role in the development of addiction-related behaviors. FMRP is also linked to Autism Spectrum Disorders and controls brain connections during normal development.
A statistical modeling study projects almost all European countries will experience rising obesity rates by 2030, with the highest prevalence in females in Ireland. The study highlights the need for urgent policies to reverse this trend and prevent premature mortality and economic strain on healthcare systems.
Researchers developed a novel compound, Sticky-trap, to treat retinopathy by selectively closing off abnormal blood vessels without affecting healthy ones. The treatment has shown promise in mice and may lead to a new class of pharmacological entities for various conditions.
A study by Intermountain Medical Center found that AFib patients on blood thinning medications are at higher risk of developing dementia if their doses are not within the optimal recommended range. Patients with dosages outside this range were 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia.
Researchers discovered a new fossil organism, Plexus ricei, resembling a tapeworm or modern flatworm, with bilateral symmetry unlike any other Precambrian fossils. The discovery sheds light on the earliest origins of bilaterian animals and their evolutionary history.
Researchers discovered that young adults in romantic relationships exhibit reduced neuroticism over time. The study found that partners support each other and positive experiences change thought structures, leading to increased stability. This effect is observed in both men and women, with long-term relationships having a stronger impact.
Researchers have developed a new method to analyze sea level records, revealing substantial evidence for global and regional sea level acceleration. By 2020-2030, there will be statistical certainty of what the sea level rise situation will look like for the end of the century.
Research indicates that coyote predation on fawns in the East may not be significant enough to cause deer population decline, especially with reduced doe harvests. In contrast, extremely low doe survival rates combined with high fawn mortality support stabilization of Eastern deer populations.
A team of scientists from Tufts University, Brown University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is working on a project to create robots capable of making moral decisions. The researchers aim to develop formal frameworks for modeling human-level moral reasoning that can be verified and implemented in computational architectures.
A new study found that low doses of two widely used neonicotinoid insecticides significantly harm honey bee colonies during colder winters. The research suggests that the pesticides impair bees' neurological functions, leading to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
UH chemical engineer Lars Grabow has received a $750,000 five-year award from the Department of Energy to continue his research on upgrading bio-oil. Bio-oil is created by heating biomass and has high oxygen content, making it unstable for use as transportation fuel or chemical feedstock.
Researchers discovered that people with a variant of the longevity gene KLOTHO have improved brain skills, such as thinking and learning, which decreases with age. Increasing KLOTHO levels in mice may boost cognitive abilities by strengthening connections between nerve cells.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that certain desaturating fatty acid enzymes can link up to efficiently pass intermediate products from one enzyme to another. This process, known as metabolic channeling, enables the efficient production of useful plant products, such as healthful polyunsaturated fatty acids.
A 16-week study found that grape consumption significantly decreased self-reported pain related to activity and total knee symptoms in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The beneficial effect was more pronounced in females, particularly those under 64 years old.
Scientists investigate Vorarlberger Bergkäse, a regional Austrian cheese, to understand its unique microbiome. The study reveals the presence of halophilic microbe Halomonas on young rinds, which plays an unknown role in cheese-making.
Researchers found that duplication of the OTX2 gene is associated with hemifacial microsomia, a common facial disorder. The study used genomic analysis to identify the genetic cause of the condition in a large family affected by HFM.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identified a new source of DNA damage that may play a role in rare childhood neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and aging. Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) causes DNA damage in the developing brain.
Researchers have modeled water properties at the nanoscale, revealing surprising characteristics that can benefit various technological applications. The study's findings may lead to advancements in biomedical imaging, particularly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), by optimizing contrast agents and improving image quality.
The cattle egret's colonization of Brazil offers insights into non-native species dispersal and adaptation. The bird's ability to establish itself in the Americas without human introduction highlights its adaptability and potential ecological impacts.
Researchers developed a novel anti-cancer drug delivery method using lipid-based nanocapsules to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells. The technique triggers the release of the drug, leading to cell death in breast cancer tumors. This efficient and fast-acting approach may improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
Researchers have developed conducting polymer films decorated with biomolecules to facilitate cell growth, adhesion, and manipulation. The films are created through hydrogel stamps and can be tailored to various shapes, sizes, and surface properties.
Scientists have discovered a new plant species that can absorb high amounts of nickel, accumulating up to 18,000 ppm without being poisoned. This rare phenomenon has great potential for developing green technologies such as phytoremediation and phytomining.
Yuntao Wu's lab has won a $3.3 million NIH grant to develop an HIV cure using a Trojan Horse approach. The strategy aims to eliminate the virus by targeting its hiding places in T-cells. If successful, it could offer a cure for people struggling with HIV.
A study of healthy senior men found that intense endurance exercise confers cardiac benefits regardless of age. The research, published by the European Society of Cardiology, indicates that 40 is not too old to start endurance training and that the heart remains amenable to modification through exercise even at this age. This finding s...
The LEADLESS study found that the leadless pacemaker demonstrated overall device performance comparable to conventional pacemakers, with no infections or failures to sense, pace, or communicate. The device's benefits may allow for less patient discomfort and device complications.
Researchers found that preconditioning crush can increase the survival rate of motor neurons after spinal root avulsion. The study, published in Neural Regeneration Research, discovered that induction of heat shock protein 27 inhibits neuronal nitric oxide synthase, attenuating cytotoxic effects and preventing ventral motor neuron loss.
A study of almost 10,000 men and women found that frequent arguments with partners, relatives, or neighbors were associated with a doubling in the risk of death from any cause. Men, especially those not in work, were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk.
Researchers developed a new approach to measure the sensitivity of aquatic invertebrates to pesticides, revealing that different species respond differently to toxicants. The study focused on three pesticides, diazinon, imidacloprid, and propiconazole, which showed varying levels of toxicity among shrimps and snails.
A Honolulu-based study reveals that shorter men tend to live longer, thanks to a protective form of the longevity gene FOXO3. This gene is linked to smaller body size during early development and lower blood insulin levels, resulting in a longer lifespan. The study, which followed over 8,000 Japanese-American men for nearly 50 years, p...
A Case Western Reserve University student and his mentor have discovered an ancient kitten-sized predator that lived in Bolivia about 13 million years ago. The animal would have been about the size of a marten and probably filled the same ecological niche as larger sparassodonts.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida discovered a new grasshopper species, Liladownsia fraile, named after Grammy-winning singer and activist Ana Lila Downs Sanchez. The vibrant, colorful insect measures about an inch long and is recognized for its efforts to preserve indigenous culture.
A recent study published in the Journal of Community Genetics found that only one in twenty-two high-risk women received BRCA genetic counseling. Despite having a diverse population, no significant differences were associated with factors like age, race, or family size. The researchers urge providers and patients to be more aware of th...
Researchers analyzed 79 Greenlandic polar bears and 10 brown bears to uncover genes involved in the polar bears' adaptation to life in the high Arctic. The study found that the polar bear diverged from brown bears less than 500,000 years ago and developed unique adaptations to cope with a high-fat diet.
A mouse study found that NAD levels decrease with age in the brain, leading to a loss of neural stem cell function. The researchers discovered that supplementing NAD synthesis could prevent this decline, offering potential therapeutic implications.
Researchers at Virginia Tech created a cheap and effective stink bug trap using a foil roasting pan, dish soap, and light. The homemade trap eliminated 14 times more stink bugs than store-bought models, providing a pesticide-free solution for homeowners.
The Department of Energy's Office of Science has selected 35 scientists to receive significant funding for research through the Early Career Research Program. The program provides support to exceptional researchers during their formative years, helping build and sustain America's scientific workforce.
Researchers found that heart muscle cells in mice undergo a brief proliferative burst prior to adolescence, increasing in number by about 40% to meet the body's growing needs. This discovery suggests that thyroid hormone therapy could stimulate this process, enhancing the heart's ability to regenerate in patients with heart disease.
Two researchers, Jairo Sinova and Stuart Parkin, are awarded prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Professorships for their groundbreaking work in magnetism and spintronics. The funding will support research at the Humboldt Center for Emergent Spin Phenomena over the next five years.
Scientists have found that Borneo's dipterocarp trees produce wood faster than their neighbors and other tree species in the Amazon, with average differences of 3.2 tons per hectare per year. This unique trait may be linked to their ability to tap into scarce nutrient resources or trade-off growth for other plant parts.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed materials that can heal and regenerate, filling in large cracks and holes by regrowing material. This technology has the potential to transform commercial goods and aerospace applications, enabling self-repairing plastics with vascular networks filled with regenerative agents.
A new study by Carl Weems found that anxiety intervention programs focusing on academic matters can help students handle test anxiety and other issues. The program was associated with decreases in test anxiety, anxiety disorder, and depression symptoms among participants.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that gibberellin promotes the first transition to inflorescence but inhibits flower formation. The hormone's role is regulated by rising and falling levels, involving protein activation that triggers flower formation.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame have uncovered a novel mechanism by which carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to tumor progression. CAFs block cell death through insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for slowing breast cancer metastasis. Further pre-clinical...
A new study found that ovarian cancer cells become more aggressive and proliferate faster when adhering to soft tissues compared to stiffer environments. The research team used novel techniques to measure cell forces, revealing a three-fold increase in traction forces on soft surfaces for metastatic cells.
Three NSU professors received patents for their innovative solutions: a novel cancer treatment called JFD that starves tumors, a surface modification technology for ceramic materials in dentistry, and a computer-based system to predict law school admissions. The patents demonstrate NSU's focus on developing novel products and services.
A smartphone app has shown promise in detecting early signs of mood changes in people with bipolar disorder through voice analysis during everyday phone conversations. The app, called PRIORI, analyzes broad features and properties of speech to identify potential mood swings.
A team of nanoengineers at UC San Diego created a 3D-printed hydrogel matrix to house nanoparticles, mimicking the function of the liver in sensing and capturing toxins from the blood. The device successfully neutralized pore-forming toxins, offering a potential solution for removing dangerous toxins from the blood.
Researchers developed a single-cell genomics technique to study malaria parasites, allowing for comprehensive understanding of multiple genotype infections (MGI's) and their impact on disease progression. The findings could inform disease control interventions and reduce rates of infection and mortality.
Researchers found that females susceptible to MS produce higher levels of the blood vessel receptor protein S1PR2 than males, leading to the inflammation that causes MS. The study's findings have implications for developing new treatments, including a drug that disables S1PR2.
Researchers discovered that Th2 immune cells produce a steroid called pregnenolone, which regulates their own proliferation and contributes to immune homeostasis. This finding confirms that immune cells are capable of producing steroids, a previously unknown mechanism.