The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has awarded $3 million to six outstanding early-career scientists to study the effects of environmental substances on human health. The researchers will investigate connections between pollutants, cognitive function, asthma, and DNA damage.
A recent study of 20,000 Chinese children found that lower-income students had nearly twice the prevalence of nearsightedness as their middle-class counterparts. Using blackboards in classrooms may have played a protective role against myopia in poorer areas, but this was not statistically significant when adjusted for other factors.
MIT researchers have engineered a way to use human liver cells to screen potential antimalarial drugs and vaccines for their ability to treat the liver stage of malaria infection. The approach may offer new opportunities for personalized antimalarial drug testing.
A new clinical trial is exploring the use of breast MRI and genomic testing to guide treatment decisions for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer. The study aims to determine whether MRI findings can reduce the number of unnecessary mastectomies, a common concern among patients with DCIS.
A study by MIT researchers projects the growth potential of high-tech firms with new precision, identifying key characteristics and locations with higher growth prospects. The study found that firms with certain features, such as formal registration and capital investment, are more likely to grow.
Researchers discovered a consistent shape emerges from hard candy immersed in water current, persists before vanishing, and relates to lollipop dissolving rate. Understanding this process is crucial for industries relying on solid compound incorporation.
A new protocol for colorectal surgical care has been shown to decrease hospital stays by 2.2 days, reduce complications by 17%, and increase patient satisfaction with pain control by 55%. The approach also results in significant cost savings of up to $7,129 per patient.
Research reveals Norwegian lemmings use aposematism to signal their defensiveness through warning calls and conspicuous coloration. This strategy helps reduce the risk of becoming prey, making their long-distance movements more conspicuous.
Researchers found salicylates reduce vestibular schwannoma cell viability and proliferation without affecting healthy nerve cells. The study's results suggest salicylates as promising pharmacotherapies against vestibular schwannomas, which can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.
A new study found college-educated police officers are dissatisfied with their jobs, have negative views of their supervisors, and don't favor community policing. However, the researchers suggest that a college education may actually lead to less force being used on citizens, making police departments more legitimate and trustworthy.
A groundbreaking study published in The Journal of Pediatrics suggests a relationship between concussions sustained by young ice hockey players and subtle changes in the cortex, indicating an early marker for brain damage. Researchers hope to further investigate the long-term effects of repeated blows to the head on young athletes.
A longitudinal study found that infants who developed type 1 diabetes had a significant drop in microbial diversity prior to disease onset, including a decrease in health-promoting bacteria and an increase in potentially harmful ones. The study also revealed stable biological functions served by the microbiome across individuals.
Researchers from Arizona State University and Georgia State University model the impact of timely diagnostic testing on Ebola's spread across populations. Early detection provides the opportunity to safely isolate and treat individuals before they become contagious, significantly reducing the number of infected individuals.
A study published in Current Biology establishes a molecular-level link between a slow-down in the biological clock and genetic deficits in Angelman syndrome. Experimental treatments targeting the paternal copy of UBE3A gene show promise for treating sleep disorders and other symptoms.
Researchers found that termite mounds create refugia for vegetation on drylands, allowing them to thrive in areas with significantly less rain. This discovery could inspire new approaches to understanding the effects of climate change on ecosystems.
A new study suggests that dark-colored grapes may help overweight people burn fat better by managing obesity-related metabolic disorders. Consuming grape extracts containing ellagic acid proved to boost metabolism of fatty acids and slow the growth of existing fat cells.
A recent position paper from the ESPGHAN Hepatology Committee recommends bariatric surgery for carefully selected young children with severe or morbid obesity and associated medical conditions. The procedure can strongly reduce the risk of adulthood obesity and obesity-related diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have identified a promising avenue for treating Alzheimer's disease by rebalancing the immune response to clear toxic plaques from the brain. The study found that blocking a specific substance can activate an immune response to restore memory loss and brain cell damage.
Farms in Indiana have a high chance of saving money by using solar energy, thanks to the ability to depreciate their investment. In contrast, homeowners face uncertainty and lower chances of saving. The analysis suggests that putting solar on a level playing field with coal power would give homes more incentive to adopt solar.
The study introduces a novel approach to growing nanowires using metal-alloy catalysts, allowing for more control over their light-emitting and electronic properties. By adjusting the concentration of nickel and gold in the catalyst, researchers can precisely manipulate the orientation of the nanowires.
Researchers have found remarkably preserved 15-million-year-old thin protein sheets in fossil shells from southern Maryland. The proteins share characteristics with modern mollusk shell proteins, offering insights into the evolution of mollusks and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay during the mid-Miocene era.
Researchers at Durham University have found a genetic mechanism that could stop the spread of Septoria leaf blotch (STB) disease, caused by a fungus threatening wheat yields. By manipulating TaR1 protein levels in wheat, they demonstrated earlier activation of plant defenses, potentially allowing for more effective control of the disease.
A carnivorous oyster mushroom has been found to use a hole-punching protein similar to the human immune system. This discovery could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and bacterial infections, as well as pest control methods for agriculture.
Scientists at Natural History Museum London have invented a creative, functional, and affordable pinned insect manipulator using LEGO bricks.
A study by Ivy Haskins at GWU Medical Center investigated the effectiveness of volume-based enteral nutrition support regimens compared to hourly rate-based protocols. The results found that VB protocols provide a significantly greater provision of prescribed calories but may not improve clinical outcomes.
A new study by the University of Sheffield found that genetic differences between humans continue to fuel evolution, despite artificial influences like easy access to contraception and medical advances. The research showed that genetic influence on timing of reproduction and family size tends to be higher in recent times.
New study reveals Neanderthals may have vanished in Iberian Peninsula as early as 45,000 years ago, contradicting previous European timeline of around 40,000 years. The discovery was made at the El Salt site in Spain using high-resolution techniques and palaeoenvironmental data.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers links the Notch cell signaling pathway to pilocytic astrocytoma, a common and slow-growing brain tumor in children. The study found that Notch was abnormally active in nearly all samples of PA brain tissue, suggesting it may be a therapeutic target for treatment.
Researchers identified systolic blood pressures above 150 as a critical threshold for increased risk of death or cardiovascular events. Delays in intensifying treatment by over 1.4 months also tied to higher risk, while reassessments beyond 2.7 months increased mortality.
Researchers at Berkeley and UMass developed a new algorithm that enables autonomous systems to deal with uncertainty, allowing robots like PR2 to perform tasks without specific knowledge of what needs to be done. The framework combines several planning paradigms and optimizes them for efficient execution on modern hardware.
Research suggests that termite mounds can slow the spread of deserts into drylands by providing a moist refuge for vegetation. The study's findings imply that these ecosystems are more resistant to desertification than previously thought, and that climate models should better account for organisms like termites.
David Lim's research on parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) in infants has provided insight into the effects of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) therapy, improving bile flow and serum markers of cholestasis. The study suggests that GLP-2 treatment alters bile acid metabolic pathways, which are beneficial in PNALD.
A new study from Brigham Young University reveals that fathers' depression risk increases when they hold multiple parenting roles, including step-parenting. The research found that parents with three roles are 57% more likely to experience depression than those with a single role.
Researchers found that chimpanzee grunts for 'apple' changed over time as they merged groups at the Edinburgh Zoo, sounding more similar to peers. This discovery suggests a shared building block of language between humans and chimps.
Marialena Mouzaki's research on pediatric end-stage liver disease found that predictive equations underestimate energy requirements, leading to inadequate calorie provision. Indirect calorimetry should be used to ensure proper nutritional care for this vulnerable population.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reveals a key signaling pathway that helps protect healthy tissue from excessive immune activation. This finding may lead to improved treatment options for patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Pioneers in gene transfer technology, Drs. Mulligan and Miller developed the first DNA-based vectors to stably transfect cells with selectable markers. Their work laid the foundation for retroviral vector-based gene therapy strategies, leading to clinical testing and potential treatment of genetic diseases.
A Danish study found that children with higher BMI between 9-13 years old were more likely to develop oesophageal cancer later in life. The study suggests that childhood obesity may be directly linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer as adults, and highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in children.
Researchers study polaritons in organic molecules strongly coupled with photons, finding they can remain at lowest energy levels for an unusually long time. This phenomenon opens the door to novel applications, including modifying optical, electronic and chemical properties.
A joint QUT, Cancer Council Queensland, and University of Queensland study tested the impact of SMS-delivered messages on skin cancer prevention and promotion. The Healthy Text trial found that texting improved self-reported sun protection habits and increased skin self-examination among participants.
Researchers found hormonal IUDs and contraceptive implants to be highly effective one year beyond their approved duration of use, with no pregnancies reported in the implant group. The study aims to enroll a total of 800 women to determine if these methods are effective for up to three years beyond FDA-approved duration.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a crucial pathway that shields cells against death caused by environmental stress. The study found that Rheb inhibits protein synthesis by amplifying the phosphorylation of eIF2α, conserving cell resources during challenging conditions.
A new study found that meditation can help preserve gray matter in the brain, reducing the age-related loss of functional abilities. Researchers compared 50 meditators with 50 non-meditators and found a significant difference in gray matter volume.
A new study by Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has identified a specific stem cell signaling process that regulates intestinal tumors. The findings suggest that protein kinase C-zeta inhibits stem cell activity through downregulation of two signaling pathways: beta-catenin and Yap.
A team of chemists at IRB Barcelona has developed a shuttle that can cross the blood-brain barrier and transport various substances into the brain, opening up new possibilities for treating diseases such as glioblastoma and Friedreich's Ataxia.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured a rare triple-moon conjunction of Jupiter's largest moons Europa, Callisto, and Io. The event occurred on January 24, 2015, with the moons' orbital velocities slowing down as they approached Jupiter's cloud tops.
A new study found that Lyme disease costs the US healthcare system between $712 million and $1.3 billion a year, with patients experiencing persistent symptoms after completing antibiotics. The condition, also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, affects an estimated 240,000 to 440,000 people each year.
A new study by Kevin Shafer and Garrett T. Pace found that having multiple parental roles is negatively associated with psychological well-being for both men and women. Childlessness is more negative for women, while specific role combinations affect mothers and fathers differently.
Scientists at USC and UCLA have discovered a way to accurately measure temperatures inside microelectronic devices using a novel technique called Plasmon Energy Expansion Thermometry (PEET). This breakthrough enables better thermal management, leading to faster transistors and lower power consumption.
US culture shifted towards individualism over a century ago, driven by social class structure and economic changes, according to researchers at the University of Waterloo. The study found that as Americans gained education and wealth, they became more self-directed and less reliant on family ties and conformity.
Researchers found that associating foreign-language terms with gestures and images enhances learning outcomes, outperforming methods relying on listening or reading alone. The brain's motor system plays a crucial role in this process.
A new study by Prof. Ruth Defrin and colleagues found that acute psychosocial stress significantly decreases pain inhibition capabilities while increasing pain intensification in healthy young male adults. The researchers applied acute stress tests to evaluate the body's pain modulation mechanisms prior and after stress induction.
Researchers found that chimpanzees can adapt their 'food calls' to refer to specific objects after social interaction and learning. After three years of living together, the chimps' grunt calls for a particular food item changed to match those produced by other group members.
Researchers found that exclusively breastfed babies had microbial communities more ready for solid foods, while those with mixed diets experienced a dramatic shift. This study provides support for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
Researchers discovered that the heart of bluefin tuna adjusts its electrical activity and calcium cycling to maintain constant heartbeat despite temperature changes. This unique adaptation allows the fish to survive in cold waters, shedding light on how animals react to rapid environmental shifts.
A Yale-led research team has discovered the molecular mechanism behind insulin's role in regulating liver glucose production and how it fails in patients with type 2 diabetes. The findings reveal that inflammation in fatty tissue leads to increased hepatic glucose production, highlighting a potential target for new treatments.
The FASEB MARC Program has awarded 7 travel grants totaling $12,950 to students and post-docs from underrepresented groups attending the 2015 IHCM Short Course. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research by promoting participation of young scientists.
A new single-cell gene expression technology allows for the study of large numbers of genes in tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of cells at once. The technology uses cell- and molecule-specific barcodes to enable the analysis of gene activity with absolute quantification.
Researchers from Poland and Denmark demonstrate spontaneous formation of Turing patterns at the nanoscale, which can be used for surface modification of materials. The patterns can be 'imprinted' in other chemical compounds, opening doors to interesting applications.
A new study suggests that increasing individualism in the US over the last 150 years is systematically correlated with socioeconomic trends, particularly the rise of white-collar occupations. The research found that only changes in occupational status appeared to precede changes in individualism.