New estimates suggest excess body weight causes around 481,000 new cancer cases annually in adults, with a quarter of these cases (118,000) avoidable by reducing rising BMI since 1982. Obesity-related cancer disproportionately affects women, particularly post-menopausal breast and endometrial cancers.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh reveals that parasites can hide their genetic material inside 'vesicles' that mimic natural cellular functions, suppressing the immune response. This discovery could inform new strategies for treating diseases caused by parasitic worms, as well as allergies like hayfever.
A young female hammerhead shark was tracked for 10 months, revealing its 3,350 km journey and important insights into habitat use. The research suggests that juvenile hammerheads are trading off risks to get offshore quickly, maximizing growth and reproductive potential.
A breakthrough in flexible electronics has been achieved using Inorganic-based Laser Lift-off (ILLO), which overcomes material and processing limitations. ILLO allows for the fabrication of ultrathin inorganic electronic devices on flexible substrates, enabling high temperature processes previously restricted by polymer materials.
Researchers have discovered that the region's first people brought a rich art practice to Southeast Asia, resulting in naturalistic images of wild animals and hand stencils. The oldest paintings, dating back 35,000-40,000 years, have been found in rock shelters across several countries.
Researchers developed a device to display average pressure during compression, reducing pain and variability associated with current force-based protocol. The study found that standardizing pressure, not force, leads to more comfortable mammography without sacrificing image quality.
A recent study has sequenced the centipede genome, providing insight into how life developed on Earth. The research found that centipedes adapted to dry air by expanding gene families not present in insects.
Engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center tested a 'tripod' supporting the James Webb Space Telescope's secondary mirror in a successful deployment. The system was designed to unfurl in space to 8 meters long and was tested using the Pathfinder backplane structure.
A recent study found a significant decrease in vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) infections in southeastern Michigan. The prevalence of VRSA precursor organisms decreased by 2009, coinciding with the last reported case in Michigan.
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg have demonstrated that Bitcoin transactions can be linked to a user's IP address using just a few computers and €1500. This reveals up to 60% of the IP addresses behind Bitcoin transactions, highlighting low anonymity in the network.
Vultures have developed a tough digestive system to destroy most bacteria ingested, but also appear tolerant of deadly species that flourish in their lower intestine. This adaptation may confer dietary benefits, highlighting the importance of the avian microbiome in evolution.
A new hybrid vehicle has been developed to deliver DNA vaccines that can fight HIV, cancer, influenza, and other diseases. The technology improves the delivery of genes to the immune system, increasing its effectiveness in treating major illnesses.
A study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researcher Anita Rao found that homeless, mentally ill women in India suffer from a vicious cycle of homelessness and mental illness relapse. The study highlights the need for a balance between reintegrating women with their families and achieving psychiatric remission.
Researchers have found that specific cells are required for the spread of breast cancer, which could lead to new anti-cancer therapies and improve predictive tests. The study combined tumor cells from patients with breast cancer with laboratory models and found a correlation between high MenaINV levels and metastasis.
Researchers found that metformin use was associated with a 23% decrease in mortality compared to other treatments, and may have therapeutic benefits for certain types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
Researchers at Penn Medicine identified a protein that predicts post-concussion severity in professional athletes. Elevated levels of calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) shortly after sports-related concussion can predict the severity of post-concussion symptoms.
Nanoporous metals with superior qualities have numerous applications due to their high surface area for electron transfer and increased sites for analyte adsorption. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers developed a cost-effective method to manufacture nanoporous metals over various scales, from nanoscale to macroscale.
Regular internet use and engaging in civic, leisure, and cultural activities may help maintain health literacy skills among older adults. Health literacy scores fell by one or more points in around a fifth of people over six years, regardless of initial score.
New Rutgers research suggests that an overabundance of the NOS1AP protein in developing brains can lead to abnormalities and faulty connections, potentially triggering schizophrenia. The study's findings offer a potential explanation for the biological process of the disease and may pave the way for targeted treatment therapies.
Researchers found that excessive contact between cellular organelles disrupts metabolism in obesity, leading to insulin resistance and diabetes. Disrupting these connections improved metabolic health in obese diabetic mice, pointing to a potential treatment target.
CPRIT awards UTSW faculty $22.5 million for groundbreaking research into leukemia, liver cancer, and anti-cancer immunotherapy, aiming to drive innovative therapies and better care for cancer patients. The grants will support investigations targeting promising new discoveries in cancer and commercial development.
Researchers use genetically engineered pig models to study human diseases and identify new drug targets for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, ophthalmology, and xenotransplantation. These models enable the development of novel cell therapies to restore diseased tissues and organs.
The NSF is investing $16M to build two new supercomputing systems, Bridges and Jetstream, which will expand computational capacity and capability for researchers nationwide. The systems will provide cloud-based and data-intensive advanced computing resources, enabling a broader swath of researchers to use advancing computing.
Kansas State University professors C. Michael Smith and Christopher Sorensen were selected as AAAS fellows for their pioneering contributions to entomology and soft matter physics, respectively. Their research has been recognized for advancing science, education, and outreach.
Research from NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development suggests that people interpret terrorist threats in varying ways. Study author Rezarta Bilali found that individuals with homogeneous group identities are less likely to perceive heightened threat when exposed to external terrorist threats.
Babies as young as five months old can recall positive emotional interactions with caregivers, but struggle to remember negative ones. Researchers used eye-tracking tests to measure infant memory, finding that happy voices and emotions significantly improved shape recognition and recall.
A new study suggests that starting HIV treatment within a year of seroconversion can improve immune health by increasing CD4+ T-cell count. Researchers found that an HIV-infected person's CD4+ T-cell count is more likely to return to normal if treatment starts within a year and at a CD4+ T-cell count of 500 or more.
Researchers at University of Nebraska-Lincoln enhance ferroelectric tunnel junction performance, increasing disparity between 'on' and 'off' conditions to improve RAM reliability. The team's graphene-ammonia combination also addresses the challenge of maintaining polarization in thin ferroelectric layers.
A rare connexin mutation has been linked to a baby's disordered breathing, with researchers discovering that astrocytes with the mutation cannot bind to carbon dioxide. This breakthrough could lead to the development of an algorithm to pinpoint when a premature infant's breathing pattern goes south.
Researchers have identified a gene, MACROD2, whose presence may explain why some breast cancers are resistant to tamoxifen. The study found that MACROD2 overexpression was present in the majority of metastases in patients with tamoxifen-resistant tumors.
Researchers propose a new theoretical framework to explain the transition of colloidal glasses from liquids to solids, highlighting the role of crowding effects and weak spots in the material. This work has significant implications for our understanding of glass behavior and its applications in consumer products and medical research.
A new underwater robot has enabled scientists to create detailed, high-resolution 3D maps of Antarctic sea ice, providing accurate measurements of ice thickness and volume. The technology, known as SeaBED, fills a gap in data collection by allowing researchers to measure thicker areas of sea ice.
Honeybee populations are under stress due to various factors, leading to susceptibility to diseases. Researchers suggest that managing stress and improving nutrition could help improve bee immunity and health. They call for more basic science to understand the underlying immune responses and molecular mechanisms involved.
Researchers have created a new method to quickly identify bacteria causing infections and determine antibiotic resistance, which could lead to timely treatment and reduced antibiotic use. The innovative approach enables rapid identification of bacterial species and resistance patterns in under four hours.
Researchers are exploring software-defined cellular networking to provide next-generation mobile broadband with speeds of up to 10 Gbits/s. The proposed end-to-end architecture offers flexibility, scalability, agility, and efficiency, while overcoming bandwidth shortages and improving quality of service.
Researchers find that climate change may affect the ratio of oxygen consumed to phosphorus released during organic matter respiration in the subsurface ocean. This shift could lead to more carbon being stored in the ocean, potentially offsetting the slowdown of the ocean's uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Researchers found a new type of immune T helper cells called TH-GM cells play a crucial role in the immune system and pathogenesis of neuronal inflammation. Blocking IL-7 or STAT5 could provide significant therapeutic benefits for MS.
Research shows that patients receiving basic life support (BLS) have greater survival to hospital discharge and 90-day post-discharge compared to those receiving advanced life support (ALS). BLS providers tend to spend less time at the scene, leading to higher mortality rates in ALS patients.
Researchers inhibit autotaxin, an enzyme that promotes cancer cell survival and metastasis, decreasing tumor growth by up to 70% and improving chemotherapy effectiveness. The discovery offers a new therapy potential for breast and thyroid cancer patients.
A study by Oregon State University and Simon Fraser University found that small fish with long bodies are most likely to be attacked by lionfish, which can increase their chances of being eaten by up to 200 times. The research also identified common traits among prey species that make them vulnerable to predation.
Researchers found a commonly prescribed muscle relaxant may be an effective treatment for Wolfram syndrome, a devastating form of type 1 diabetes. Dantrolene blocks the enzyme calpain 2, which causes cell death in insulin-producing cells.
A St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study found that adult survivors of retinoblastoma, particularly those diagnosed in infancy, have normal cognitive function and fulfill milestones of adult life. The brain may compensate for early visual loss by reorganizing areas responsible for processing verbal and auditory information.
Researchers found cooperative strategies were initially successful but ultimately collapsed as players adjusted payoffs to maximize rewards, leading to a rise in selfish strategies.
Researchers have confirmed the discovery of a new bird species, the Sulawesi streaked flycatcher, after 15 years. The bird has distinct plumage, body structure, song and genetics compared to other flycatchers, confirming its classification as a new species.
Researchers found differences in grasshopper types and numbers between undisturbed and post-agricultural woodlands, challenging conventional ecological wisdom. The study suggests new strategies are needed to promote ecological recovery in disturbed environments.
Researchers found that blocking angiogenesis can reduce bacterial numbers, limit their spread and increase survival rates in infected lab animals. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic approach targeting the body's response to tuberculosis rather than directly attacking the bacteria.
A new study reveals that targeting specific immune cells in the gut can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 2.7 times. The findings suggest that existing drugs for inflammatory bowel diseases could be effective in treating or preventing HIV infection.
Researchers have found that selenium compounds can effectively block immunostimulatory molecules in cancer cells, which overactivate the immune system. This breakthrough could lead to better cancer drugs with fewer adverse effects, slowing down cancer development.
A JAX research team discovered a link between mistranslation during protein synthesis and misfolded proteins in the heart, contributing to cardiac diseases like desmin-related cardiomyopathy and systemic amyloidosis. Mistranslation can lead to cell death and impaired heart function.
A new MRI diagnostic approach has identified significant damage to the blood-brain barrier of professional football players following unreported trauma or mild concussions. The study showed that 40% of examined football players with unreported concussions had evidence of 'leaky BBB' compared to 8.3% of control athletes.
Researchers have developed novel nanoparticle designs that detect and destroy cancer cells using photo-thermal therapy, detecting tumors early and killing them simultaneously. The nanoparticles target specific proteins on cancer cells, releasing heat that burns the abnormal cells without harming normal ones.
A team of scientists from Arizona State University and IBM have developed a prototype DNA reader that can distinguish individual chemical bases of DNA. The device is thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair and could make whole genome profiling an everyday practice in medicine.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that advanced life support ambulances, which use sophisticated gear and staffed with highly trained paramedics, do not save lives but rather increase the risk of death compared to basic life support ambulances. BLS patients were nearly 50% more likely to survive than ALS patients at 90 days.
The Structure-guided Drug Discovery Coalition receives a $2 million grant to develop new medicines for tuberculosis, malaria, and other neglected diseases. Researchers aim to fast-track the discovery of new treatments for these conditions, which affect over a billion people worldwide.
A mouse study identified a malfunctioning neural circuit as the root of motor impairments seen in autism, where abnormal synaptic pruning and Purkinje cell function contribute to motor learning deficits. The findings may shed light on the intense world syndrome phenomenon in autism.
SMU seismologist Brian Stump has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for his groundbreaking work on seismic monitoring and its significance in enforcing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. His research has significantly improved scientists' ability to distinguish between earthquakes, conventional explosions, and nuclear tests.
Researchers have discovered a gene variant, PHACTR1, that reduces the risk of cervical artery dissection and other related conditions. This finding could lead to new treatment strategies for stroke prevention in young adults.
Researchers at MIT have developed a load driver device that can reduce unpredictability in biological circuits, allowing for robust and predictable behavior. This breakthrough could lead to applications such as biosensing and glucose monitoring for diabetic patients.
Scientists at 10 US observatories are improving understanding of Earth's critical zone with a $1.35 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The CZO Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) will develop networked sites to address pressing scientific questions on regional and global scales.
A UCL-led team of scientists has uncovered the structure of pores found in cell nuclei, revealing how they selectively block certain molecules from entering to protect genetic material and normal cell functions. The discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs and better delivery mechanisms for gene therapy.