A new study found that elevated blood sugar levels in pregnancy are linked to an increased risk of congenital heart defects, including tetralogy of Fallot and dextrotransposition of the great arteries. High glucose levels were correlated with an increased risk of tetralogy of Fallot, but not dextrotransposition of the great arteries.
Researchers have identified a two-molecule sensing mechanism that allows human cells to detect electric fields, opening up new avenues for understanding wound healing and cellular movement.
A 3D printed model of a fetus's face helped doctors at the University of Michigan determine the severity of a life-threatening airway mass in a baby. The model was created using an MRI and allowed doctors to visualize the soft tissue mass, ultimately leading to a scheduled C-section instead of a risky lifesaving procedure.
A Penn study shows that gene therapy can cure canine X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, even when treatment is started at mid- or late-stage disease. The treatment successfully halted photoreceptor cell loss and maintained vision in dogs for over three years.
Researchers at KAIST have developed ten general strategies of systems metabolic engineering to successfully develop industrial microbial strains. The strategies cover economic, state-of-the-art biological techniques and traditional bioprocess aspects.
A comprehensive study of non-protein-coding RNAs in human cancers has identified alterations linked to 13 different cancer types. The research provides a rich resource for investigating lncRNA dysregulation and identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Researchers at NC State University have used 'Avatar' experiments to study locomotion and discovered that resonance tuning is a key mechanism behind springy leg behavior. By understanding how the nervous system interacts with the leg, they aim to design more efficient exoskeletons for humans.
A study led by Indiana University biologist Patricia Foster found that external environmental forces and oxidation are the primary threats to DNA repair, unlike previously thought. The research used whole genome analysis of spontaneous mutation in E. coli and showed that only loss of oxidative damage repair significantly impacted mutat...
Lianas slow tree growth and reduce aboveground carbon uptake by over three-quarters, threatening carbon storage capacity. This reduction can lead to a positive feedback loop, accelerating climate change.
A two-year randomized controlled trial found that moderate wine consumption, especially red wine, can modestly decrease cardio-metabolic risk and improve sugar control. The study also found that slow alcohol-metabolizers who drank red wine achieved an improvement in blood sugar control.
Researchers at the University of Reading and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts found that accounting for unusual winds miles up in the stratosphere can make long-range winter weather forecasts twice as accurate. This allows forecasters to predict extreme winter weather events up to four weeks before they occur, providi...
A team of marine scientists discovered four new deep-water coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean using predictive mathematical models. The reefs were identified at depths of up to 1.2km west of Ireland and confirmed during a two-week expedition using an underwater robot.
Researchers identified a key mechanism driving prostate cancer development, where normal cells undergo epigenetic reprogramming to form malignant growth. The study provides insights into the origins of prostate cancer and potential targets for prevention and treatment.
Children leverage their early world knowledge to help unlock language skills, recognizing links between new word meanings. The study found that children recognized new words more easily when they already knew many related words.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine studied tiny DNA minicircles containing only 336 base pairs to understand biologically active DNA. They found that the coiling caused many different shapes, including sharp bends and figure-8s, and showed how these structures facilitate DNA interactions with proteins and anticancer drugs.
Floodwaters in Vermont (2011) and Colorado (2013) highlighted the impact of downstream increases and decreases in stream power on erosion and sedimentation. The study successfully predicted river channel and floodplain responses in almost 90% of cases, revealing the potential role of downstream changes in stream power.
Researchers discovered two major types of cortical neurons providing separate mechanisms for stimulus-specific adaptation in the brain. This phenomenon helps the brain distinguish between expected and unexpected sounds, enhancing sensitivity to rare sounds. The findings provide new insights into the neural basis of key hearing phenomena.
A recent global analysis predicts a decline in marine species diversity and abundance as ocean acidification and warming are expected to have devastating effects on fisheries and ecosystems worldwide. Microorganisms are the only group likely to thrive, while carnivorous fish face a collapse from top of food chain.
A new study projects more extreme weather in the Amazon, with frequent and extensive droughts expected to impact forest structure, biomass, and carbon emissions. The region will experience profound implications for the environment, including increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Research suggests extending flu vaccine administration to 5-16 year old children is the most cost-effective option, reducing disease burden in the general population. Universal vaccination of all low-risk individuals over 2 years could achieve the highest net benefit.
UK cage fighters are engaging in potentially hazardous behaviors to shed pounds quickly, with two-thirds using 'water loading' and one-third taking diuretics. The researchers warn of increased risk of brain damage from head blows sustained during loss of consciousness.
A study found that cardiac patients receiving care from physicians and advanced practice providers have comparable quality of care, despite low compliance with performance measures. Advanced practice providers showed higher rates of screening for smoking and referral to cardiac rehabilitation.
A new study suggests that girls who suffer a concussive bump on the head in childhood may be at increased risk for abusing alcohol as adults. However, research found that female mice living in an enriched environment reversed this effect by reducing drinking and degeneration of axons.
A new RNA editing technique called exon skipping has shown promising results in treating a rare and severe form of muscular dystrophy. The treatment, licensed to the Kurt+Peter Foundation, aims to slow down muscle decline and stabilize function in individuals with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2C.
Researchers used climate models to predict how greenhouse warming could be the source of water on early Mars, which would support a warm and habitable environment. The study found that volcanic fluxes caused by plate tectonics may have led to a high percentage of hydrogen in the atmosphere, driving global warming.
A recent study by Dr Shawn McGuire and Dr Louise Sperling found that farmers in developing countries do not scale back on seed production during times of stress. Instead, they adapt and access seed from various channels, including local markets, which supply more than half of all seed used by farmers. This challenges conventional appro...
Dr. Story Landis has been awarded the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience for her significant contributions to neuroscience research and public service. She is recognized for her groundbreaking work on synapse formation and neurotrophins, as well as her leadership in transforming NINDS into a training and mentorship hub.
New research suggests that multiracial individuals may be healthier than minority peers who consistently identify as monoracial. Health care systems continue to use outdated approaches to racial categorization, masking health conditions and obscuring disparities in healthcare access and utilization among multiracial populations.
A new grant from the NIH will support the creation of a national chimpanzee brain resource at GW University, providing access to tissue samples, MRI scans, and data for scientists. The resource aims to promote further study of chimpanzee brains for future generations.
Researchers identified four consensus molecular subtypes of bowel cancer, allowing doctors to treat each type differently. The study has implications for identifying patients at risk of developing more serious disease and tailoring treatments.
Researchers have discovered that short segments of genes associated with severe malaria are shared across multiple species, including humans, apes, and chimps. This finding suggests an ancient genomic structure underlying human malaria virulence factors, which could aid in developing new treatments and vaccines.
Terrence Sejnowski receives the Swartz Prize for his significant cumulative contribution to theoretical models and computational methods in neuroscience. He has made major research discoveries, including learning models for birdsong and neuroeconomics.
Researchers at Florida State University have created the first complete bird family tree, showing that all land birds diverged from a group of dinosaurs. The study reveals unexpected relationships between different bird species, including the connection between hummingbirds and nightjars.
Childhood cancer survivors showed significant improvements in working memory, attention, and processing speed after completing computer-based cognitive training. The training program, using Cogmed, improved performance comparable to stimulant medications and showed changes in brain activity suggesting neuroplasticity.
William B. Kristan is recognized for his outstanding contributions to neuroscience education and training. He has established the Neurobiology Boot Camp course at UCSD, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience.
Joshua Levitz, PhD, received the Nemko Prize for his innovative approach to studying G protein-coupled receptors. His method will impact brain circuitry research and our understanding of receptor signaling.
Only four out of 27 mental health apps accredited by the NHS provide scientific proof that they work, with many failing to demonstrate clinical effectiveness. The authors urge removal of these apps from the NHS library to prevent potential harm and waste of money.
A comprehensive assessment of acrylamide in smokeless tobacco products found exposure levels to be relatively low and comparable across different types. However, the study suggests that snus and other STPs present a minor source of acrylamide exposure compared to diet or cigarette smoking.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has found that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit distinct brain activity patterns when making food choices, including increased activation in the dorsal striatum. These findings have significant implications for developing new treatments and understanding disease mechanisms.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a virtual reality platform to help protect endangered animals. The platform uses 360-degree cameras and real-time data analysis to predict the locations of critically endangered species such as rock wallabies and Sumatran orangutans.
A study by the University of Melbourne found a significant disparity in bowel cancer deaths between European men and women. Lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption are linked to higher rates of bowel cancer in men. The researchers suggest that countries with high levels of screening have seen substantial reduct...
The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership report outlines innovative means to help realize national CO2 pledges and reduce electricity use. The group urges policymakers to adopt secure, stable, clear, consistent, and long-term policies to foster industry innovation and investment.
Researchers identified genes disrupted by balanced chromosomal abnormalities (BCAs) in patients with congenital neurodevelopmental conditions. The study found that BCAs may account for a large portion of brain development and function-related birth defects.
A genetic variant near the KLF14 gene regulates fat storage in women, affecting their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The variant influences hip circumference, with women carrying one allele tending to have larger hips than those with the other allele.
A new study found that high-dose flu shots significantly reduced hospitalizations among older nursing home residents during the influenza season. The study showed a 1.2% difference in admission rates between those who received high-dose vaccine and standard dose vaccine, resulting in thousands fewer hospitalizations.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a compound that effectively controls the growth of EWS-FLI1-driven cancer cells in mice. The study found that YK-4-279 significantly reduced leukemia cell numbers and improved mouse health, suggesting potential as a therapeutic agent for various cancers.
Researchers found that using UV robots after room cleaning reduced C. diff infections among cancer patients by 25%, saving approximately $150,000 per year in direct medical costs. The intervention did not adversely impact room turnaround time.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered a new generation of platinum-copper catalysts that can selectively hydrogenate butadiene, a chemical produced in large quantities. The catalysts require low concentrations of platinum and are more cost-effective than traditional palladium-based catalysts.
A five-year, $4.15 million grant will investigate how a high-fat diet interacts with common sunscreen chemicals like BP-3, which may mimic estrogen and increase breast cancer risk. The study aims to identify predictive markers for increased breast cancer susceptibility and develop prevention strategies.
A new method teaches computers to recognize human activities from first-person images, predicting with 83% accuracy. The technique uses over 40,000 images gathered by a wearable camera and can be generalized to another person after just two days of annotation.
A Northwestern University engineering team has designed a data visualization system to provide real-time insights into the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The system uses historical and real-time data to forecast participant concentrations, helping officials plan accordingly.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism linking chronic pain to abnormal activity in the anterior cingular cortex, a region of the brain involved in cognitive functions. The study provides insights into the role of HCN channels in controlling pain signals, suggesting new therapeutic strategies for relieving chronic pain.
Scientists have identified microbes that produce methylmercury, a highly toxic form of mercury, in environments such as coastal sediments, marshes, and rice paddies. The discovery builds on previous work and highlights the risk of increased methylmercury production due to climate change.
Hospitalized children are three times less likely to contract C. diff after implementing antibiotic stewardship programs, which also result in significant cost savings. The programs involve reviewing antibiotic use and providing feedback to physicians, leading to a more than three-fold reduction in C. diff rates.
A team of experts has studied the water flow paths from a subglacial lake in Greenland, showing that it drained via a subglacial tunnel and was filled by surface meltwater. The study predicts increased drainage frequency as the Arctic warms, affecting ice sheet flow speeds and sea level change.
Researchers have successfully sequenced the most complicated gene known using the MinION nanopore sequencer, demonstrating a new technology that can quickly and affordably analyze complex gene expressions.
A UCLA-led study has found that nurses in China can play a pivotal role in helping smokers quit, with the development of a web-based educational smoking cessation program. The program increased nurses' likelihood of assisting with quitting plans and recommending smoke-free environments.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have produced the shortest electron bunches ever by surfing plasma waves, with a length one 300th of a hair's breadth and traveling at nearly light speed. This breakthrough is part of the ALPHA-X project aimed at creating a table-top attosecond coherent X-ray source.
Researchers from UNC and NC State create fully functioning human gut models on a chip, using primary cells derived from human biopsies and sophisticated architecture to mimic the gut's structure and function. This breakthrough enables personalized exploration of gut behavior during healthy and diseased states.
Flexible, spaghetti-like proteins can bind to their receptor within billionths of a second, retaining high specificity. This discovery explains the transport paradox in cellular communication, enabling efficient proof-reading while maintaining speed.