Researchers at The University of Nottingham have shed new light on the interaction between two proteins, laminin receptor (LAMR1) and galectin-3, and the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. This study provides critical components that cause the formation of pairs of molecules targeted by the bacterium.
Researchers at University of Southampton demonstrate a breakthrough technique that enables silicon detectors for telecommunications, promising significant advances in photonics. The technique uses laser-crystallised silicon photonic devices to overcome challenges of using silicon in data communications.
A CTRC doctor has been awarded a $1.6 million FDA orphan grant to study the efficacy of TH-302 in treating glioblastoma, a devastating brain tumor with a median survival time of four months. The drug, combined with Avastin, aims to slow tumor growth by creating a low-oxygen environment, sparing healthy cells from chemotherapy damage.
Researchers at MIT demonstrated a novel automated fabrication process for producing highly aligned polymer films (HAPFs) with superior mechanical and thermal properties. The process involves sol-gel extrusion, structure freezing and drying, and mechanical drawing, resulting in uniform alignment of molecular chains.
A recent study from Tel Aviv University suggests that prenatal exposure to viruses may cause type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases in children. The researchers found a link between winter epidemics and increased levels of damaging antibodies in cord blood, indicating autoimmune damage to islet cells during gestation.
David Mayerich aims to create three-dimensional models of tissue and whole organ microstructures using his NIH grant. This will help diagnose and treat diseases closely tied to microvascular structure, including cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
NASA's GOES-West satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Simon on Oct. 3, showing strong thunderstorms circling the storm's center and rainfall in western Mexico. The storm is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches with isolated amounts up to 8 inches, causing flash flooding and mudslides.
A new study reviewing nearly 70 antimicrobial resistance studies suggests that aggressive treatment may not always be the best way to prevent resistant pathogens. The review found that varying drug dosages and treatment durations may affect resistance emergence, and moderate treatment could be a more effective strategy for some diseases.
Scientists have created a global database that increases detailed knowledge of the cattle genome by several orders of magnitude. The database contains genomes of over 1,200 animals from various breeds, providing a comprehensive resource for studying cattle genetics and livestock history.
Researchers at the University of Granada have developed a new imaging system using Transverse Field Detectors (TFD) that can extract full color information from each pixel without filters. This technology has numerous potential applications in various fields, including medical imaging, remote sensing, and assisted driving.
Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IAFLD) in children is characterized by gradual and often symptomless liver injury, with mortality rates up to 40%. Early enteral feeding and referral to specialized intestinal failure centers are key to prevention and treatment.
A study of over 2,200 adolescents found that those who had at least one family meal a week were less likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Regular family meals are associated with reduced odds of obesity, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Typhoon Phanfone formed a large eye with intensifying winds reaching 110 knots (126.6 mph). The typhoon is predicted to peak at 125 knots and then weaken, passing near Tokyo, Japan.
Researchers at Drexel University developed a program called LEVER that enables biologists to track and study the movement and multiplication of cells using 3D microscopic images. With enhanced version LEVER 3-D, scientists can visualize and analyze cell behavior in real-time.
A Washington State University undergraduate has developed a new method for detecting water on Mars using an index called groundmass crystallinity. This method could potentially be useful for not only studying rocks on Earth but also on other planets.
A team of researchers has demonstrated a means by which CRISPR/Cas9 can be programmed to recognize and cleave RNA at sequence-specific target sites. This allows for direct RNA transcript detection, analysis and manipulation, paving the way for transformative studies in RNA function.
Scientists use NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to study a gigantic filament on the sun, which can last for days or weeks. The filament is 1 million miles wide and appears in different temperatures and wavelengths of extreme UV light.
A new report by The Hastings Center calls on bioethics to help redress injustices faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The report highlights the need for bioethics to examine its role in shaping laws and medical practices that impact LGBT populations.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a new pathway that connects the brain to increased blood pressure, involving the unusual steroid ouabain. This discovery offers potential new approaches for treating high blood pressure and heart failure.
A study found that cheetahs' energy expenditure is driven by distance traveled to find prey, not prey theft. Habitat loss and human activities force cheetahs to travel farther, making life harder for them. The researchers suggest that these factors are more important for population viability than direct competition with larger predators.
The study found that mountain lions use a 'stalk and pounce' strategy due to its high energy efficiency, with costs varying depending on prey size. The new SMART collar technology enabled researchers to track and quantify the energetic costs of these behaviors.
Researchers at LMU Munich discovered that low-frequency signals activate measurable responses in auditory circuits, contrary to the assumption that the ear is unresponsive to these frequencies. The study found that low-frequency hum stimulates the cochlea and induces slow oscillations in spontaneous otoacoustic emissions.
Dr. Mark Hersam, an ONR-supported scientist, has won a $625,000 MacArthur Fellowship for his work on graphene and nanoelectronics, which could lead to advancements in electronics, medical devices, and renewable energy for the Navy. The award recognizes his exceptional creativity and promise for future breakthroughs.
Researchers have characterized the dog's epigenome and transferred the results to human breast cancer, revealing significant alterations in gene modulation and common epigenetic mechanisms. The findings suggest that targeting these epigenetic alterations may help slow disease progression.
A study published in Violence and Gender explores the link between past sexual violence and distress during routine pelvic examinations. Researchers identified physiologic symptoms of trauma associated with distress among female veterans with a history of sexual violence.
Researchers have developed bioinspired materials with potential applications in detecting heavy metals and fostering faster surgery recovery time. The materials interact with light to enable applications in therapy, biosensing, and bioimaging.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego developed SeedMe to convert labor-intensive data sharing processes into streamlined automatable ones, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. The platform aims to provide significant time-saving benefits for researchers by enabling easy integration into existing scientific appl...
A new study suggests that human activity, such as erecting fences and over-hunting, may be the major cause of declining cheetah populations. Cheetahs were found to incur more energy loss while searching for prey than during high-speed chases.
A parent coaching intervention, known as the PLAY Project approach, brings benefits for preschool-aged children with autism-spectrum disorders. The program yields improved parent-child interactions, along with other key outcomes, and is associated with reduced stress and increased mental health for parents.
Research on 1221 Danish men found a link between moderate weekly alcohol intake and poorer sperm quality, with effects more noticeable at higher consumption levels. The study showed that even habitual drinking was associated with changes in reproductive hormone levels, leading to lower sperm counts and abnormal sperm shape.
Scientists developed a new statistical method to track the continuous changes in wakefulness during sleep onset, identifying healthy subjects who behave as though awake despite being clinically asleep. The study suggests that understanding how one falls asleep is crucial for improving sleep diagnosis and treatment.
Fertility experts advocate for making ovarian tissue and egg freezing options widely available to healthy women. The techniques have restored fertility in female cancer patients and enabled the birth of nearly 2000 babies without an increase in birth defects.
A $1.2 million grant will support the creation of a real-time seismic imaging system that uses ambient noise to image shallow earth structures, such as those beneath Yellowstone National Park. The technology has the potential to inform homeowners about subsurface stability and detect natural hazards like volcanoes in real-time.
Researchers found that high-sensitivity troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels strongly predict heart failure in individuals with mild to severe kidney disease. These biomarkers may indicate subclinical cardiovascular changes, contributing to the development of heart failure.
Researchers compiled two new datasets on insect evolution, finding that families of insects with metamorphosis diversify more quickly than others. The findings suggest that these insects are responsible for a higher rate of diversification and a greater turnover of species.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded a $100,000 young women's breast cancer research grant to the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University. The grant will support research on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their potential effectiveness in preventing metastasis of breast cancer in young women.
Researchers at Princeton University have captured an image of a Majorana fermion, a particle that exhibits properties of both matter and antimatter. The discovery could yield powerful computers based on quantum mechanics, as the particle's stability allows it to interact weakly with its environment.
Researchers found that big-headed ant colonies produce larger soldiers when they encounter aggressive competitor ants, leading to a three-fold increase in size. Genetic analysis ruled out long-term evolutionary change, suggesting the ants adapt quickly to new environments.
A new study by Michigan State University economist Soren Anderson found that children are 39% more likely to buy a particular car brand if their parents bought that brand. This inherited brand loyalty could impact automakers' marketing strategies, with potential implications for pricing and product offerings.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have refined the measurement of a key property of quark-gluon plasma, revealing new insights into its ultra-hot, frictionless nature. The findings provide clues to the state of the young universe immediately after the big bang.
A team of researchers reports a case of a baby born with HIV who appeared to be cured after early antiretroviral treatment, but later exhibited detectable HIV infection. The child's immune system showed signs of responding to HIV even after the virus was undetectable.
A Tel Aviv University study finds that religious Jewish teens are 45% less likely to exhibit suicidal behavior compared to their secular counterparts. The research suggests that Judaism's spiritual and communal support, as well as its prohibition on suicide, may be key factors in this protective effect.
Research reveals that curiosity activates brain regions involved in learning and memory, leading to improved retention of information. Curiosity also recruits the reward system and interactions between the hippocampus and reward circuit enhance learning, suggesting new approaches for treating memory disorders.
Combining common painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin with other medications significantly increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Researchers analyzed data from over 114,000 patients to identify risk factors and recommend strategies to minimize this risk.
Scientists have created a new map of the world's seafloor, offering a more vivid picture of deep ocean structures. The map reveals thousands of previously uncharted seamounts, along with new clues about continental formation and earthquake patterns.
A Yale-led study found that removing earthworms, beetles, and other small animals from the soil of a replicated Scottish sheep meadow altered plant species, reduced productivity, and changed the quality of yields. The results highlight the importance of these tiny creatures in maintaining ecosystem balance and services.
Researchers developed a new test that determines which drugs are unlikely to work by analyzing their structural similarity to naturally occurring substances. The 'rule of 0.5' shows a strong correlation between marketed drugs and metabolites, indicating that molecules with low similarity are unlikely to succeed.
A recent study by the University of the Basque Country highlights the risks of drug-food interactions in mountaineering, particularly at high altitudes. The researchers emphasize the importance of controlling medications and nutritional ergogenic aids to prevent adverse reactions and ensure safe ascent.
Researchers at MIT identified a method to boost yeast tolerance to ethanol by adding potassium and hydroxide ions to the growth medium, allowing for higher ethanol production. The approach increased ethanol output by about 80% and expanded to toxic alcohols like propanol and butanol.
A recent study supports Charles Darwin's insight that regions with deeper evolutionary histories are more likely to produce successful invaders. The 'Evolutionary Imbalance Hypothesis' (EIH) suggests that ecologists should consider historical evolutionary imbalance when analyzing invasiveness.
Researchers from Penn and UCSB discovered that giant clams use their iridescent structures to maximize the usefulness of light reaching symbiotic algae within their bodies. This unique system allows the clams to thrive in intense sunlight, leading to potential breakthroughs in alternative energy research.
A new map of the world's seafloor has been created using satellite data, revealing thousands of previously uncharted sea mountains and providing new clues about deep ocean structures. The map, which is twice as accurate as the previous version, also reveals details of continental connections across South America and Africa.
A new theory proposes that blackflies infected with Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae transmit a secondary pathogen causing NS. The study suggests that population displacement and insecticide control measures may limit the spread of NS.
Scientists have identified two enzymes responsible for the formation of terpenes, which contribute to a wine's bouquet. The study could lead to the development of new grape varieties with improved aromas.
Researchers at UC Davis have found a way to form oxygen in one step by using a high-energy vacuum ultraviolet laser to excite carbon dioxide. This process could be occurring naturally on Mars and Venus, where carbon dioxide dominates the atmosphere. The discovery adjusts models of planetary atmosphere evolution.
The immune system uses a molecular biological clock to target and eliminate intolerant T cells during their maturation process. This process is crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers found that curiosity helps learn about a topic and memorize unrelated information, with increased activity in brain regions involved in reward and memory. Curiosity also enhances learning in the classroom and workplace.
A new study reconstructs the genetic history of HIV-1 group M and concludes that it originated in Kinshasa around 1920. The team's analysis suggests a 'perfect storm' of factors, including urban growth, transport links, and social changes, contributed to the emergence of HIV from Kinshasa and its spread across Africa and the world.
Researchers analyzed bat influenza viruses and found they could not infect human cells or other animals, contradicting initial concerns. The study suggests these viruses have limited genetic compatibility with Type A or Type B influenza viruses, making reassortment unlikely.
Researchers found that MRSA biofilms form in joint fluid, making infections resistant to antibiotics. Pre-treatment with an enzyme can inhibit biofilm formation and increase bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics.