Researchers found a 24-hour day 'bicycle' mechanism turning key brain neurons on or off with sodium and potassium currents, awakening animals in the morning and putting them to sleep at night. This ancient mechanism is conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution and may lead to new drug targets for sleep-wake trouble.
Researchers found that women's brains respond more to romantic cues on a full stomach, suggesting eating may prime or sensitize young women to rewards beyond food. The study supports a shared neurocircuitry for food and sex.
A team of scientists at Scripps Research Institute has devised an improved method to engineer therapeutic proteins into antibodies, which can persist long enough to be useful. The technique mimics evolution and harnesses the power of large numbers to select rare junction segments that allow inserted proteins to fold and function normally.
Carnegie Mellon psychologists discover that more familiar chunks facilitate learning and reduce working memory consumption. This finding has implications for teaching methods and understanding children's working memory capabilities.
Scientists have identified a new species of pre-mammal, Ichibengops, which lived around 255 million years ago. The species features a unique groove above its teeth, potentially for transmitting venom.
A team of UCLA scientists discovers a Jupiter-like planet, 51 Eridani b, which orbits a nearby star at a distance similar to Saturn's orbit. The planet has the strongest concentration of methane ever detected on a planet outside the Milky Way and is roughly twice the mass of Jupiter.
Engineered nanoparticles from common products like paint and sunscreen can harm aquatic organisms when they settle in sediments. The review calls for further research into nanoparticle fate and toxicity in these ecosystems.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth aim to develop wireless implants that can help patients regain communication skills after speech impairments. The three-year project will analyze data from intracranial recordings in patients with epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of creating a prosthetic system to reconstruct speech.
Researchers argue that internal natural variability can overwhelm background warming, making temperature plateauing rates appear significant. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation and other factors contribute to these variations, which must be considered when developing climate change models.
Researchers discovered ants can detect subtle hydrocarbon components in body odor, allowing them to recognize individuals and distinguish between castes. This remarkable ability enables social insects to maintain complex colonies.
A new genomic catalog of nearly 200 viral genomes provides insight into the origins and transmission of Lassa virus. The data set confirms rodent-to-human transmission as the primary mode of infection.
A study by Kevin Hall found that restricting dietary fat leads to greater body fat loss than carb restriction, even though a low-carb diet increases fat burning. The research used controlled feeding studies and measured participants' food intake over two 2-week periods.
Research reveals that humans and animals host highly specialized microbial communities, differing from earlier assumptions of generalist dominance. These findings have significant implications for the structure of biodiversity in microbial ecosystems.
A study published in CHEST found that COPD patients with psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis are more likely to be readmitted early due to complications. These patients had a longer hospital stay and lower outpatient follow-up visits, indicating the need for additional guidance to reduce readmission rates.
Researchers found that bears' heart rates increase significantly when exposed to unmanned aerial vehicles, a sign of acute stress. Despite the calm behavior observed in encounters with UAVs, the physiological response is notable, with one bear's heart rate increasing by up to 400 percent.
Tropical Storm Molave was observed by NASA's Suomi NPP satellite on August 13, 2015, with a distinctive fan shape and strong winds near 40 knots. The storm was moving east-northeast at 15 knots and forecasters expect it to continue in that direction.
A research team at the John Innes Centre has identified and studied peas with mutations in genes coding for seed protease inhibitors, which can reduce protein availability by up to 10%. The study provides proof of principle for genetic approaches to improve crop traits, including the removal of allergenic proteins.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is assessing the safety and activity of a special cell therapy for individuals with complete cervical spinal cord injuries. The therapy uses oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells to potentially improve motor or sensory function.
The newly discovered exoplanet, 51 Eridani b, is a young Jupiter-like planet with the strongest methane signature ever detected on an alien planet. Its mass and atmospheric composition suggest that it formed in a similar way to Jupiter in its infancy.
High participation in small church groups correlates with higher civic engagement rates among members unless overall group participation is high. In such cases, engaged small-group participants are less likely to donate to charities outside their congregation.
A new study finds that forecasters are perceived as more confident and trustworthy when predicting high probabilities, leading to more accurate judgments about the prediction. This has practical implications for information outlets, with consumers preferring higher predictions from news programs and websites.
Researchers found that smaller streams carry CO2 produced by plants on land, while larger streams emit more CO2 through respiration and natural decay. The study sheds light on the role of freshwater rivers in the global carbon cycle.
A Dartmouth study reveals that strong winds blowing off the Greenland Ice Sheet are eroding soil and vegetation in the surrounding tundra, making it less productive for grazing animals. The study found that wind-driven soil erosion is more widespread near the ice sheet but restricted to steep south-facing slopes farther away.
A new study reveals that 9- and 10-year-old children who are aerobically fit tend to have significantly thinner gray matter than their peers, associated with better mathematics performance. The study suggests cardiorespiratory fitness contributes to gray matter thinning, a normal process of child brain development.
A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tend to confuse reality with imagination, leading to a break from reality. This tendency is linked to increased OCD symptoms.
Researchers found that retrieving eggs from smaller follicles at an earlier stage in IVF improves embryo quality and clinical pregnancy rates. Granulosa cells' reduced ability to grow and multiply in older women's ovaries was linked to increased hormone sensitivity, leading to premature luteinisation.
Researchers identified a unique doorway in the blood vessel wall that allows breast cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body. The discovery could lead to new treatments and better predict whether breast cancer will spread.
A recent study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that companies going public often adopt a more conservative approach to innovation, introducing fewer groundbreaking products. Despite this, they do innovate more and introduce a wider variety of products, such as new flavors or package sizes.
A new study by an international team of scientists found that competition from cats drove the extinction of many ancient dog species. The researchers analyzed over 2000 fossils and discovered that felids had a deadly impact on the diversity of the dog family, contributing to the demise of up to 40 species.
Scientists have developed a technique to estimate the age of fingerprints, which could help investigators determine relevance and exclude older prints. The method uses palmitic acid migration rate to predict fingerprint age, applying to prints up to four days old, with plans to expand that window.
A new study suggests that regular exercise may help reduce disease activity in children with multiple sclerosis. Children who engaged in strenuous physical activity had lower overall volume of lesions in the brain and fewer relapses compared to those who did not.
Scientists at the NIH discovered that PINK1 triggers an intricate process called mitophagy, which breaks down and removes damaged mitochondria from cells. This discovery suggests a new avenue for treating diseases like ALS and Parkinson's by boosting the disposal of damaged mitochondria.
A new partnership aims to reduce wildfire fighting costs by developing and testing UAS platforms for smoke plume sampling, early warning, and detection. The project will leverage DRI's expertise in climate, ecosystem, and fire applications, as well as NASA's research and industry connections.
A high-protein breakfast containing 35 grams of protein prevented gains of body fat and stabilized glucose levels among overweight teens who skipped breakfast. Eating a high-protein breakfast also led to reduced daily food intake and improved feelings of hunger.
Researchers found that community conversations, educational support, conditional economic incentives, and combined approaches can significantly delay child marriage. In Ethiopia, offering education to girls aged 12-14 reduced marriage likelihood by 94%, while providing chickens resulted in a 50% reduction for those aged 15-17.
A McMaster University hematologist has identified various limb loss syndromes, including symmetric peripheral gangrene and venous limb gangrene, which can be caused by septic shock, cancer, and blood clotting disorders. The treatment for these conditions involves the use of blood thinners and replacement of protective factors.
Experts argue that free internet access should be rolled out across NHS premises to enhance decision making and patient outcomes. However, others believe that diverting funds from front-line clinical services would be unethical and compromise patient care.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that can detect small aggressive breast cancer tumors and micrometastases. The agent binds to molecular markers expressed in high-risk primary tumors and metastases, generating increased image contrast.
A recent US study found that fetal electrocardiogram ST segment analysis does not improve outcomes during labor and delivery or decrease cesarean deliveries compared to conventional fetal heart rate monitoring. The research involved 11,108 randomized patients and found no significant differences in negative outcomes.
GCEP has awarded funding to six new projects, including a device that harnesses nighttime radiation and a charcoal-like soil amendment that removes carbon dioxide from the air. These promising technologies have the potential to transform our global energy system in the future, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The octopus genome contains widespread rearrangements of genes and a dramatic expansion of genes involved in neuronal development. The research also found novel genes that may be responsible for the creature's unique camouflage abilities.
A UBC study suggests targeting healthy cells around tumors to stop brain cancer from spreading. The research team found that glioma cells can hijack astrocytes, regulating their environment to stimulate tumor growth and invasion.
A team of scientists has discovered a method to produce valuable organic molecules from calcium carbide, a previously overlooked small molecule. The process eliminates the need for acetylene gas, a hazardous substance, and offers a safer, more sustainable alternative.
Sand fleas change color to match their surroundings, a remarkable adaptation to evade shorebirds and crabs. The research used cutting-edge camera technology to simulate the view of predatory birds, showing that individual animals can tune their camouflage.
NASA satellite data revealed towering thunderstorms in Hurricane Hilda dropping heavy rainfall, with storms north of the eye releasing over 5.9 inches of rain per hour. The storm's cloud tops reached altitudes of over 10 miles, indicating powerful weather conditions.
The researchers will investigate how variability in neuronal responses contributes to learning and performance in motor tasks. By understanding this connection, they aim to uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying neural variability and its role in brain function.
A new study demonstrates postmenopausal women's willingness to use vaginal estrogen (VE) to alleviate painful intercourse and vaginal dryness, with benefits comparable to or exceeding systemic hormone therapy. The study suggests that VE may be a viable solution for certain urogenital problems in menopausal women.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has found that tumor cells associated with pancreatic cancer often behave like communities, working together to increase tumor spread and growth. The research suggests that interactions between subpopulations of tumor cell types contribute to metastatic progression.
A new study by the National Institutes of Health found no significant differences in birth complications between fetal ECG monitoring and traditional heart rate monitoring during labor. Infants in ECG-monitored groups were slightly more likely to have low Apgar scores, but overall outcomes remained unchanged.
Researchers used seismometers to study Peruvian flat slab subduction, revealing its structure and evolution over time. The team found the angle of subduction is shallowest near the Nazca Ridge, where the plate sinks 90 km down before flattening out.
The Toxoplasma parasite's ability to infect and grow within various cell types is attributed to its broad culinary tastes. However, this adaptability comes at the cost of energy expenditure. Researchers have identified a critical enzyme, TgFBP2, that plays a crucial role in the parasite's survival.
Research on Mount Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo found that most endemic species are younger than the mountain itself and have evolved to adapt to cooler conditions. The study revealed two groups of unique species, with some originating from far-away areas and others evolving from local species.
The larger Pacific striped octopus exhibits unusual hunting tactics, displaying subtle tap-like movements to startle prey. It also displays high levels of sociality, forming groups of up to 40 individuals and engaging in cooperative behaviors such as sharing meals.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies found that male doctors are more likely to have legal action taken against them. The researchers analyzed data from over 4 million cases of medico-legal action and found consistent differences between sexes across various years and study types.
Researchers have identified a novel virulence factor that could be ripe for drug development, targeting the electron transport process in TB. The discovery of MenJ, a gene essential for the organism's proliferation, offers hope for rapid treatment of the disease.
Researchers discovered that treating tumors with chemotherapy can trigger a response in the immune system, leading to tumor growth. By combining chemotherapy with an immune-blocking drug, they found that this response could be slowed, potentially preventing tumor regrowth.
The sunshield on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the largest part of the observatory, separating a warm sun-facing side from a cold environment to protect sensitive infrared instruments. The precise unfolding of the five-layer sunshield must be accurate within a few centimeters to maintain alignment and operate effectively.
A new study in the Journal of International Marketing found that companies need both planning and improvisation in their export decisions. Improvisation is a prevalent method of decision-making in exporting, but there is no one 'best way' to make effective export decisions.
Researchers at the University of Otago discovered that a normal cell process called autophagy is deregulated in diabetic hearts, leading to progressive loss of cardiac cells and cardiac dysfunction. Targeting the Beclin-1 protein presents an promising avenue for new treatments of diabetes-related cardiac disease.
Researchers observed beak-to-beak mating, den co-occupancy, and extended spawning in captive adult Larger Pacific Striped Octopuses, supporting previously recorded anecdotes. These findings provide insight into the behavior of this species, which remains undescribed.