Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute have identified a bacterial protein called RaxX that activates rice plant's immune response to Xanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae, the pathogen causing bacterial blight. This discovery has important implications for future grass-type biofuel feedstocks and the worldwide supply of rice.
A team of scientists used X-ray spectroscopy to analyze the interactions between active metals and gas molecules in catalytic converters. They found that different materials exhibit unique reaction paths, which can help improve their efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.
Tropical Depression Felicia made landfall on Socorro Island in the Revillagigedo Islands, southwest of Baja California, Mexico. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph, and it is forecast to weaken into a remnant low by Saturday.
Chakrabarti's new study will create a simulated map of satellite populations from analyzing extended atomic hydrogen disks, which may answer the
A new study has found that inbreeding is not the primary cause of Colorado's declining bighorn sheep population. Genetic analysis suggests that high ram migration and gene flow between herds have maintained healthy levels of genetic variation, rescuing the population from a genetic bottleneck. However, other factors such as nutritional...
Researchers at Strathclyde University won a prestigious award for their work on the Stardust project, exploring solutions to threats from asteroids and space debris. The €4.1m project, funded by the European Commission, aims to tackle the risks posed by asteroids and ensure a safe future for assets in orbit.
Research found that healthy individuals with difficulties regulating emotions exhibit smaller volume in orbitofrontal cortex, a region also affected in people with borderline and antisocial personality disorders. The study suggests a continuum in emotional regulation ability, with extreme variants leading to psychiatric diagnoses.
Tiny marine organisms produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds that reflect more sunlight. This process affects the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's surface, with implications for global climate.
The 'Watch' from Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery highlights potential risks of all-inside meniscal repair using FAST-FIX devices. Surgeons can minimize loose anchors by using strong holding tissue, particularly in the posterior third of the medial meniscus.
The Genetics Society of America has awarded prizes to undergraduate and graduate students who presented research on Caenorhabditis elegans at the recent meeting. The awards recognized innovative work in various fields, including cell biology, development and evolution, gene regulation and genomics, neurobiology, and physiology.
Gold compounds demonstrate novel reactivity, competing with traditional catalysts. Acetic acid serves as a proton shuttle, transferring hydrogen atoms between reaction centers.
A study found that patients who experienced significant reductions in pain and disability after spine surgery were more likely to be satisfied with their outcomes. Factors such as initial severity scores, insurance status, and mental health played a role in patient satisfaction rates.
A recent year-long study reveals that 40% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience falls, with over 75% falling multiple times. The study identifies several factors linked to an increased risk of falling, including smoking, other illnesses, and taking multiple medications.
Mark Zimmerman, a clinical researcher at Rhode Island Hospital, suggests that accurate diagnosis of psychiatric disorders is not as crucial as effective treatment outcomes. Prescription medications and therapy are often effective for various conditions, reducing the need for precise diagnosis.
A computerized attention-control training program significantly reduced combat veterans' preoccupation with - or avoidance of -- threat and attendant PTSD symptoms. This approach balances moment-to-moment fluctuations in attention bias from threat vigilance to threat avoidance, correlating with the severity of PTSD symptoms.
Researchers found that SSDI beneficiaries who enrolled in state vocational rehabilitation agency services achieved work milestones at a faster rate than those who did not. The study suggests that provision of these services may be a means of reducing the costs of SSDI and improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
A new algorithm developed by MIT researchers combines SLAM and object recognition to improve robots' performance. The system uses SLAM information to augment existing object-recognition algorithms, achieving comparable performance to special-purpose robotic object-recognition systems that factor in depth measurements.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that vertebral cross-sectional dimensions in newborn females were 10.6% smaller than males, indicating a predisposition to osteoporosis and scoliosis later in life. This difference may be mitigated with exercise and nutrition.
University of York scientists identified how tiny regulatory molecules in cells make prostate cancers resistant to radiotherapy. By manipulating these critical micro-RNAs, it may be possible to kill more cancer stem cells and extend the lives of thousands of men.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new approach to structuring catalysts, using nano cage structures to achieve more potent chemical reactions with less material. The discovery offers a pathway for industries to wean themselves off platinum, a scarce and expensive metal.
Researchers found that personalized ads showing only one item from a consumer's browsing history are more effective than those showing all items. Consumers reject ads due to privacy concerns and discomfort with intrusiveness if retailers lack trust with customers.
A major study of over 30,000 women shows that aromatase inhibitors substantially reduce the risk of death from ER-positive breast cancer. Taking aromatase inhibitors for five years reduces the risk of death by 40% compared to tamoxifen.
A new technique has been developed to create tens of thousands of precisely guided probes covering an organism's entire genome for less than $100 in supplies. This enables genetic screening potentially accessible to organisms less well studied, facilitating targeted gene therapy and disease discovery.
The University of Delaware research team aims to improve solar cells and medical imaging by changing the color of low-energy light into higher-energy colors. Their novel approach could lead to a significant boost in solar energy harvesting, with predicted efficiencies of up to 30%.
A new library construction method allows simultaneous generation of up to 12 size-selected long mate pair libraries with reduced DNA input, time, and cost. This approach improves the likelihood of achieving high-quality genome assemblies, particularly for complex genomes.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that chemotherapy was associated with worse quality of life near death for patients who could still perform many life functions. The researchers concluded that chemotherapy use may be unnecessary and potentially harmful for patients with progressive metastatic disease.
Research published in BMJ Open found that successful aging is associated with harmful drinking among older adults. Analysis of over 9000 responses from the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing showed that higher income, better health, and social activity levels are linked to increased risk of hazardous drinking.
Researchers have developed a new fabrication technique to produce ultra-thin hollow nanocages with platinum walls, which can increase the utilization efficiency of the metal by up to seven times. The new structures can use smaller amounts of platinum, making fuel cells more economically viable.
Researchers have identified new genetic markers for mosquito resistance to insecticides, which could improve its detection in the field. The study also found that mutations affecting detoxification enzymes can increase the biodegradation of insecticides in resistant mosquitoes.
Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography accurately mapped the 7.8-magnitude Nepal earthquake's movement, revealing a three-stage rupture process that poses significant seismic risks to the region. The study will serve as an important benchmark for understanding future seismic risks in the Himalayan region.
The University of Montana's Sunburst Sensors won a $1.5 million XPRIZE for developing an affordable and accurate pH sensor to measure ocean chemistry, recognizing efforts to combat ocean acidification. The company, founded by UM professor Mike DeGrandpre, employed 9 people at the time of the win.
Researchers have developed a new drug, CCT245737, that blocks cancer's escape route from chemotherapy, boosting its effectiveness in treating lung and pancreatic cancers. The drug, a CHK1 inhibitor, demonstrates significant anti-cancer activity when combined with chemotherapy in mice.
Postdoctoral researcher Stephen Wu's discovery challenges prevailing ideas of generating spin current from insulators. He found that a paramagnetic material can sustain a strong spin current without the need for a ferromagnetic material.
Two classes of inexpensive generic drugs, aromatase inhibitors and bisphosphonates, have been shown to improve survival prospects for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. The combination of the two types of drug may also increase benefits while decreasing some side-effects.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine discovered a protein's critical role in developing and progressing acute myeloid leukemia. Blocking this molecule leads to a profound inhibition of leukemia growth, offering a novel target for better treating AML.
A new study has found that biomarkers, specifically phosphatidylethanol (PEth), are significantly higher in binge drinkers than moderate drinkers. PEth levels were positively correlated with the number of drinks consumed and self-assessment survey scores.
Tropical Storm Felicia formed over 400 miles southwest of Baja California's southern tip on July 23, 2015. The storm strengthened into a tropical storm near latitude 19.1 North, longitude 114.9 West, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
A new Penn study found that internal medicine residents are twice as likely to prescribe expensive brand-name statins when supervised by senior physicians who also use them. The study's findings represent an opportunity to improve value in healthcare spending and highlight the importance of redesigning graduate medical education.
Researchers developed a high-throughput screening method to characterize and select multipotent cells from adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) using flow cytometry. This approach can identify specific cell types advantageous for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications.
The new fibers have a unique structure that allows for reversible stretching without increasing electrical resistance. They enable the creation of artificial muscles, capacitors, and strain sensors with improved performance and durability.
A recent study by the University of California - Davis found that algae concentrations are key to maintaining Lake Tahoe's iconic blue color, contradicting previous assumptions about the relationship between clarity and blueness. The report also highlights improvements in water clarity and climate change impacts on the lake.
Researchers developed a new material that mimics the structure of coral, a natural adsorbent of heavy metals, and found it could remove around 2.5 times more mercury from water than traditional aluminium oxide nanoparticles. The synthetic coral-like material has potential applications in environmental remediation.
Researchers have identified a gene associated with susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The BNC2 gene is linked to increased expression of protein BNC2, which regulates YY1. Studies found that the gene variation leads to higher BNC2 production in genes with the variant, contributing to the development of scoliosis.
A multi-institutional team of researchers has identified an apparently successful treatment for a genetic immune disorder that causes a multitude of health problems. The FDA-approved drug abatacept was tested on a small group of patients, resulting in improved lung function and reduced autoimmunity.
A new study by Trinity College Dublin found that post-separation contact between fathers and their children can lead to the continued abuse of women and children. The research highlights the need for support services to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of children in these situations.
Researchers found that body fat can send signals to the brain, affecting its regulation of energy balance and stress responses. This discovery sheds new light on the relationship between stress, obesity, and metabolism.
Researchers have developed a genetic test that analyzes tumor sensitivity to radiation therapy, with findings suggesting metastatic colon tumors are more resistant to radiation than primary tumors. The study suggests personalizing radiation therapy for patients may be possible through this test.
Researchers have pinpointed the brain region responsible for unifying double vision, a process crucial for tasks such as aiming and catching objects. This finding may lead to new treatments for amblyopia, a condition where the brain favors one eye over the other.
A new workshop report from the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) identifies key barriers to complex data integration and offers recommendations for the research community. The report highlights impediments, technical problems, and crosscutting issues related to integrating data.
Researchers found a molecular clue to aging in transparent roundworm C. elegans, discovering that adult cells begin their downhill slide when an animal reaches reproductive maturity. The study suggests that a genetic switch is responsible for turning off cell stress responses, starting the decline of adult animals.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded $4.5 million in grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support HIV vaccine development. The new funding will enable scientists to screen immunogens and vaccines with high likelihood of success.
Researchers found that US health care providers perceive South Asians as being more reluctant to report pain and seek medications. This is partly due to cultural differences in medical practice in South Asia, where patients are often not asked about their pain and may be given low-dose pain medications after surgeries.
The new tool, MAGI, enables users to search, visualize, and annotate large public cancer genetics datasets, including data from The Cancer Genome Atlas project. Users can also upload their own data and compare findings to those in the larger databases.
Mayo researchers found that class II HDAC inhibitors signal through a newly discovered pathway to promote synergy with chemotherapy treatment in anaplastic thyroid cancer. The study identified vorinostat and belinostat as effective agents, which can increase activity of RhoB, a tumor suppressor and stimulate cell death.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a way to significantly enhance wireless power transfer efficiency using magnetic field enhancement. The method uses a copper loop as a simple magnetic resonance field enhancer (MRFE), boosting transfer efficiency by at least 100% compared to air alone.
A new database, Histone Antibody Specificity Database, has been launched to improve the accuracy of histone antibodies used in epigenetics research. The database provides validated test results for over 100 commonly used antibodies, allowing researchers to select reliable options for their experiments.
A new study using ancient DNA and paleoclimate data found that rapid warming events played a greater role in the extinction of megafauna than human activity. The researchers analyzed DNA records over 50,000 years and compared them to climate event records from Greenland ice cores.
University of Pittsburgh professor Jeremy Levy has been awarded a $3 million grant to pursue research in reconfigurable nanoelectronics at oxide interfaces. The grant aims to merge two fields: semiconductor nanoelectronics and complex oxides, which hold promise for future applications including data storage and medical imaging.
Researchers found that abrupt climate changes during the Holocene epoch affected ancient societies, leading to wetter conditions compared to recent times. The study's high-resolution peat record revealed transitions in major civilizations coinciding with episodes of high atmospheric dust.
Researchers discovered that female stink bugs change the color of their eggs depending on the surrounding light environment. The darker-colored eggs, which are not darkened by melanin but a previously unknown pigment, offer protection against UV radiation when laid on top of leaves.