Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a new gene variant in the Khoe-San population that reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and leads to larger, healthier babies. The mutation alters the binding of immune cells to placental cells, resulting in better blood supply to the developing embryo.
The world's boreal forests are under pressure from global warming, with rising temperatures and changing conditions threatening their resilience and productivity. The forests play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, but may switch from being carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas emissions if not managed adaptively.
A new model presents a common mathematical structure underlying food-web interactions, allowing ecologists to view all species' connections using a single language. The model reveals previously unobserved similarities between different ecological reactions and has profound implications for infectious diseases, fisheries, and conservation.
The hippocampus is involved in quick and successful conflict resolution, enabling the brain to make rapid decisions. This finding suggests that the memory system may learn from resolved conflicts, leading to improved performance.
Bacteria can become highly resistant to antibiotics when exposed to their environment in the body, not just in lab tests. The study suggests incorporating animal models and biochemical environments into antibiotic development to improve accuracy.
A brief period of postnatal visual deprivation rewires the brain's visual processing areas, even after normal vision is restored. This crossmodal competition highlights the role of early experience in shaping brain function.
Researchers at TSRI found that Staphylococcus aureus develops resistance to arylomycin by switching on a previously uncharacterized set of genes, bypassing the essential protein Type I signal peptidase. This discovery highlights the built-in redundancies that help bacteria survive in many environments.
Researchers discovered that genetic variation impacts multiple, separated gene regulatory elements simultaneously, revealing a harmonized and synergistic behavior. This study sheds light on fundamental aspects of genome biology and its role in complex diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
A new wound closure technique has been shown to significantly reduce complication rates in patients with non-idiopathic scoliosis undergoing spinal fusion surgery. The multilayered flap closure method eliminates 'dead space' and creates a better barrier, resulting in a 0% complication rate in patients who received the novel technique.
Researchers have identified a protein called sigma54 that controls bacterial defenses, including the production of resistant outer coats and defensive structures. Understanding how sigma54 works could lead to the development of new compounds that can kill bacteria, providing a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has proposed an alternate pathway to recertification that focuses on active, adaptive, self-directed learning modules. This approach aims to enhance patient care by making the recertification process more individualized and competency-based.
Physicists suggest detecting dark matter through radiation signals created by particle collisions, increasing chances of detection in underground detectors and specific areas in space. The current satellite-based experiments may have been searching for the wrong signals.
Study finds that certain IgG3 and IgG4 donor-specific HLA antibodies correlate with distinct patterns of antibody-mediated injury to transplanted organs. Patients with mostly IgG3 antibodies have a higher likelihood of organ rejection soon after transplantation, while those with mostly IgG4 antibodies experience delayed rejection.
Experts claim number of people with dementia in some Western European countries is stabilizing. The findings suggest a decrease in prevalence and incidence of dementia across specific age groups.
Researchers found that bacteria in different lung regions evolved distinct traits, including antibiotic resistance and virulence, affecting patient health. The study suggests that understanding this bacterial diversity could lead to new treatments for chronic infections.
A new study suggests that women and men in the military have similar rates of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after combat. The study found that 6.7% of women and 6.1% of men developed PTSD, with no significant differences in severity.
A new study reveals that humans prey on adult species at rates up to 14 times higher than other predators, leading to widespread extinction and restructuring of food webs. This behavior alters observable traits in prey populations and transforms ecological interactions.
Researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum have discovered a mechanism by which FIC proteins send bacteria into a state of dormancy, protecting them from antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of pathogens and their tools, offering new avenues for understanding bacterial evolution.
Researchers at UC Berkeley conducted an experiment to detect dark energy particles called 'chameleons,' which were proposed as a possible explanation for the mysterious energy. The results narrowed the search by a thousand times compared to previous tests, ruling out certain energies and eliminating a large range of possible particles.
The 2015 Atlantic season's first hurricane, Danny, was detected by NASA as it intensified into a tropical cyclone. The storm is moving west-northwest at 12 mph with sustained winds of near 75 mph.
SLU researchers suggest approach to fight common virus in immunosuppressed patients by targeting Type 1 interferon pathway. The study found that disrupting the STAT2 gene in Syrian hamsters resulted in 100-1,000 times more virus replication compared to wild-type control animals.
Doctors at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have successfully implanted lab-grown cartilage into a patient's knee, offering a potential long-term solution for patients with knee injuries. The implant is made from the patient's own cells and has shown promise in improving patient outcomes.
A Norwegian study of nearly 1,000 children found that time spent in daycare had little impact on aggressive behavior. The longer children stayed in non-parental care, the smaller the effects became.
Researchers found altered mitochondrial DNA in pre-diabetic individuals with insulin resistance, who had lower amounts of mitochondrial DNA and higher methylation levels. This discovery may help prevent Type II diabetes by identifying a biomarker for early intervention.
A University of Washington-led study found that maltreated adolescents can modulate their emotional responses when taught strategies for controlling them. The researchers observed increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion control among the maltreated group, suggesting a promising ability to regulate emotions with training.
Researchers predict a 50-76% decrease in Medicaid payments for antipsychotic medicines by 2016 and 2019, respectively. Generic versions of these medications will become more widely available, leading to substantial financial savings.
A team led by Carnegie Mellon University physicists has discovered the structure of PTEN, a key tumor-suppressing protein. The findings reveal how PTEN regulates cell growth and suppresses tumor formation through dimerization, providing new insights into cancer development and potential therapeutics.
A study by Rhode Island Hospital researchers found that few US hospitals comply with CDC recommendations for preventing infections associated with arterial catheters. The survey of 1,265 critical care clinicians revealed a significant deviation from clinical guidelines regarding the insertion of these catheters.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created an implant containing stem cells that form functional brown-fat-like tissue, reducing weight gain and lowering blood glucose levels in mice. The study's results suggest the technique could lead to new therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders.
A study by Swiss researchers evaluated the therapeutic potential of human fetal progenitor tenocytes (hFPTs) for tendon regeneration. The research found that hFPTs can stimulate adult tenocytes and potentially accelerate healing, with the possibility of reducing scarring.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that grape waste can be converted into a competitive biofuel, producing up to 270 litres of ethanol per tonne of grape marc. The process involves fermentation and pre-treatment with acid and enzymes, which increases yields to 400 litres per tonne.
Research suggests that restoring native grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau could cool the air through increased evapotranspiration, weakening global warming. The study's findings indicate a positive impact on both regional and global climates.
A UCLA physicist tested dark energy theories by mimicking the vacuum of space using cold atoms. The study found no difference in the acceleration of cesium atoms when changing the location of a dense object, providing insight into how chameleon fields interact with normal matter.
Researchers have developed an electrospray technique to improve Langmuir-Blodgett assembly, reducing the need for toxic organic solvents and increasing efficiency. This approach enables the creation of well-dispersed nanoparticle monolayers with precise control over packing density.
A new study has found that breast milk can build up toxic chemicals in infants by 20-30% each month, increasing their risk of immune system dysfunction and other health problems. The study followed 81 children born in the Faroe Islands between 1997-2000 and found higher levels of these chemicals in exclusively breastfed infants.
Actin filaments exhibit complex behaviors, including self-organization and active motion. New research reveals that molecular motors play a crucial role in forming strong bends and enabling collective motions.
Researchers in China have developed tiny nanocrystals that can specifically target and identify cancer cells, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. The nanocrystals, made from heavy metals lanthanum and europium, can be used as 'staining' agents to highlight diseased cells under a microscope.
Researchers from the University of Surrey found that eating while walking triggers more overeating compared to other forms of distraction. Dieters who eat 'on the go' may increase their food intake later in the day, leading to weight gain and obesity.
Academic researchers found that teams with small, incremental improvements performed better than those with big changes, especially when regulatory environments were changing. Small, marginal improvements gained efficiency without disturbing the whole system. The study suggests that sometimes, going slow can be beneficial for business.
A single molecular event in cells may hold the key to how mammals evolved intelligent brains. Alternative splicing (AS) enables cells to create more than one protein from a single gene, and researchers found that PTBP1 plays a crucial role in regulating AS events that lead to neuron development.
A study found genes associated with improved survival after surgery for pancreatic cancer patients. Detection of circulating tumor DNA in the blood predicted clinical relapse and poor outcomes.
The Wyss Institute has developed an improved blood-cleansing device that can treat sepsis by removing pathogens and toxins from the bloodstream. The new device uses a genetically engineered pathogen-capturing protein to bind all types of live and dead infectious microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins.
Researchers at Chapman University have published two studies revealing widespread mislabeling of meat species in consumer commercial products, including ground meat and game meats. The studies identified significant discrepancies between product labels and actual species, highlighting the need for improved quality control measures.
A recent UBC study found that planned home births attended by registered midwives in BC between 2001-2004 saved an average of $2,338 compared to hospital births. The study also showed lower health costs for babies born at home, with first-year health costs being $810 less than those for hospital births.
A study of 20 young women found five major unexpected sexual events linked to alcohol use, including sex with new partners and unprotected sex. The findings suggest a disconnect between what women expect when drinking and what actually happens, emphasizing the need for better interventions to promote safer behaviors.
Scientists have finally understood the structure of a flexible plant virus that has resisted description for over 75 years, revolutionizing efforts to stop such viruses and potentially leading to new vaccine delivery methods.
Researchers from the XENON Collaboration report on a search for dark matter using an underground detector in Italy. The results set limits on several types of dark matter candidates and provide new insights into the nature of dark energy.
A new study found a significant association between traumatic brain injuries and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in adults. Adults with a history of TBI were more than twice as likely to report symptoms of ADHD, supporting previous research that linked the two conditions.
Researchers discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial cells without immune rejection. This finding provides hope for the development of human stem cell therapies to treat macular degeneration, a condition affecting 30-50 million people globally.
Researchers developed a molecular imaging biomarker that detects fast-growing primary prostate cancer and distinguishes it from benign prostate lesions. The new PSMA-based PET imaging technique was more specific than MR imaging for detecting clinically significant high-grade prostate cancer lesions.
Researchers discovered a significant increase in antibiotic resistance genes among Swedish exchange students returning from India and central Africa. The study highlights the role of human gut microbiomes in dispersing resistant bacteria, emphasizing the need for societal-level interventions to reduce further spread.
Researchers have designed a model that reprograms fibroblasts to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy development using induced pluripotent stem cells. The study reveals that calcium ion channels may cause muscle degeneration in DMD patients, providing a clear drug target for treatment.
A new study by Aarhus University researchers presents a world map of mammals without human impact, revealing diverse wildlife in northern Europe, North and South America, and Africa. The study provides insights into natural biodiversity patterns and factors influencing species distribution.
Researchers at EMBL and Stanford University mapped three-dimensional interactions between enhancers and promoters, revealing new insights into gene regulation. The study sheds light on how genetic variants control gene expression and disease predispositions.
A multicenter observational cohort study found that no single genetic strain of C. difficile appears to be more harmful than others, contradicting previous research on Ribotype 027. The study's findings highlight the importance of clinical severity markers in predicting severe patient outcomes.
Scientists at the University of York have developed a technique to rejuvenate human cells from older people with osteoarthritis, allowing them to repair worn or damaged cartilage and reduce pain. The researchers recreated similar conditions in the laboratory by growing human cells as 3D aggregates, enabling them to generate new tissues.
A Baylor University study found that people with psychopathic traits are less likely to experience contagious yawning, which is associated with empathy and bonding in humans. The study involved 135 college students and revealed a neurological connection between psychopathy and contagious yawning.
Manchester University researchers have developed a method to stabilize previously unstable 2D crystals, allowing for the study of their properties and potential applications. The breakthrough enables the isolation of these materials in thin stacks, enabling control over their properties and opening up new possibilities for industry.
Researchers at National Chiao Tung University developed a highly flexible white light LED that uses pre-existing technologies, allowing easy replication and build-on the platform. The device demonstrated high efficiency, durability, and flexibility, making it suitable for wearables and non-flat surfaces.
A new study finds that global warming is deepening California's drought by driving moisture from plants and soil into the air. The research estimates that up to a quarter of the drought can be attributed to rising temperatures.