A Washington, D.C., researcher has received a $130,000 award to investigate temporal lobe epilepsy and its impact on memory processing. The two-year fellowship will support the development of a standard method for using imaging scans to evaluate patients' memory functioning before surgery.
Researchers successfully use gene-editing technology to prevent mutated mitochondrial DNA from being passed down to offspring in mice, offering a potential cure for maternally inherited genetic disorders. The approach involves injecting mRNA into mother's oocytes or early embryos and could be easily implemented in IVF clinics worldwide.
A systematic review of cigar smoking and all-cause and smoking-related mortality found that cigar smoking carries the same fatal health risks as cigarette smoking, including oral, esophageal, and lung cancers. The risk of death from these cancers increases with inhalation of cigar smoke.
Researchers at The University of Akron have pioneered a new class of hybrid materials by creating tetrahedron building blocks that assemble themselves into strong structures. This breakthrough has the potential to be custom-designed for various functional materials and applications in nanotechnologies.
Research by Mark Zimmerman suggests borderline personality disorder's psychosocial morbidity and suicidality comparable to bipolar disorder. The study highlights the need for improved detection and treatment of BPD.
Researchers at Salk Institute have developed a gene-editing technique to eliminate mitochondrial mutations, preventing babies from inheriting these diseases. The approach may offer new hope for carriers wishing to have children without the disease.
Researchers found that bold field crickets suffer from higher mortality rates compared to shy individuals, likely due to increased predation. This study, published in Behavioral Ecology, highlights the importance of considering individual personality traits when studying animal survival and ecology.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed a solution to distinguish between the DNA of identical twins using high-resolution melt curve analysis (HRMA). The technique exploits differences in DNA methylation patterns caused by environmental factors, enabling forensic investigators to accurately identify guilty parties.
Researchers identified specific molecular profiles and mutational patterns that can help determine which hepatocellular carcinoma patients benefit from targeted anticancer treatments. The study suggests that exome sequencing can be used to identify potential new targets for therapy, leading to optimized personalized patient care.
Hristelina S. Llieva will receive a two-year Clinical Research Training Fellowship in ALS to investigate glial cell dysfunction contributing to familial ALS. The award supports her work on the C9ORF72 linked subtype of familial ALS, which is viewed as a predominantly neuronal disease.
Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in the RBP4 protein that causes severe vitamin A deficiency and eye deformities. The mutation creates a functional 'double-whammy' by blocking both the transport of retinol to the developing embryo and the cell surface receptor for RBP4, leading to birth defects.
A new study at The International Liver Congress 2015 reveals that sofosbuvir-based regimens are effective and well-tolerated in hepatitis C and HIV co-infected, cirrhotic patients. Sustained virologic response was observed in 98% of patients at 4 weeks and 95% at 12 weeks.
The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine candidate demonstrates partial protection against clinical malaria in young African children, with efficacy increasing with a booster dose. The vaccine's impact on severe malaria and hospitalizations is also significant, especially in areas of high transmission.
A new study reveals that chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The study found significant increases in the cost of care and length of time in hospital for patients with HCV infections.
A study published in Neurology found that individuals with higher occupational levels, such as professionals and engineers, lived up to three years longer than those with lower-level occupations. This suggests that mentally demanding jobs may help protect the brain from the effects of frontotemporal dementia.
A study by the University of Michigan found that cleaner school bus fuels can improve children's health, particularly those with asthma, by reducing inflammation and airborne particles. The research suggests a potential 14 million fewer absences from school annually if all vehicles were altered to reduce emissions.
Researchers at UBC have discovered a single gene that causes brain swelling after trauma, providing a target for drug development. By turning off this gene, they successfully stopped swelling in rodent brains.
Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, has been found to have beneficial effects on liver damage. In a study, capsaicin reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in liver fibrosis. The compound partially improved liver damage and inhibited further progression of the injury in mice models.
Scientists have discovered a way to create stable structures with holes using a simple mathematical principle. By imagining electric resistors or springs, they can transform real materials and save computation expenditure.
Researchers found hundreds of possible new genes that could transform benign skin growths into deadly melanomas when combined with the Braf V600E mutation. The discovery provides new targets for slowing or stopping cancer growth.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for congenital eye malformations, caused by mutations in the RBP4 protein that transports vitamin A. The mutated proteins fail to transport retinol and block cell surface receptors, leading to severe retinol deficiency and birth defects.
The Acoustical Society of America has published a free online booklet to aid architects in understanding and meeting the national classroom acoustics standard, ANSI/ASA S12.60. The booklet provides practical guidance on topics such as room acoustics, reverberation time, and sound transmission class, to help architects create classrooms...
The LIFE REGEN FARMING project demonstrates regenerative agricultural practices that increase grass yields by up to 14% while maintaining nutritional quality. This approach reduces chemical fertilizers, increases grazing time, and lowers the carbon footprint of milk production.
A new model, XactMice, allows researchers to test anti-cancer therapies in an environment similar to real patients. Human blood stem cells are used to grow a human-like immune system before tumor transplantation.
A Baltimore researcher has received a $260,000 award from the American Academy of Neurology to investigate the role of nitric oxide in multiple sclerosis. The goal is to examine the ability of selegiline and related drugs to alleviate disease symptoms in rodent models of MS.
New estimates suggest that the West African Ebola outbreak could have resulted in comparable number of malaria deaths as those due to Ebola itself. Implementing mass drug administration and ITN campaigns may largely mitigate the impact of Ebola on malaria.
Brown University researchers developed new textured surfaces using graphene to better mimic the complex surroundings in which cells grow. The wrinkled surfaces influenced cell growth, with cells being elongated and aligned along the wrinkles, resembling a biologically relevant phenotype.
Research found that long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution, particularly at low levels, can cause subtle structural changes in the brain and increase the risk of covert brain infarcts. This association was strongest among older adults and those with relatively healthy brains.
Researchers discovered that parents of children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder reported more early concerns, particularly sensory and motor issues starting at six months. Early parental concerns can be predictive of autism diagnosis, highlighting the importance of talking to parents and taking their concerns seriously.
Heavy drinking has increased by 17.2% since 2005, while binge drinking has risen 8.9%. Women are more likely to be binge drinkers than men. The study highlights the need for locally-focused alcohol policies and programs.
A new study by Imperial College London found that alternative providers of primary care in the NHS performed worse than traditional GP practices on 15 out of 17 indicators. The study highlights the need for careful evaluation of the private sector's role in delivering NHS services.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center resident neurologists found that simulation-based education significantly improved the knowledge, skills, and confidence of first-year neurology residents treating stroke patients in the emergency department. The study resulted in a 16.1% improvement on a multiple-choice test about treating s...
Walter F. Mondale is recognized for his efforts to raise awareness about brain diseases after losing his wife and daughter to these conditions. He advocates for research breakthroughs, aiming to improve patient care and save the country from potential $1.1 trillion in Alzheimer's-related care costs by 2050.
Research by NOAA Fisheries found that dolphins consume 80% more oxygen when whistling at higher vocal energy levels, suggesting a biological cost of communication in loud environments. This study supports concerns about vessel traffic and noise impacting marine mammals like Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Researchers found that environmental ratings have spillover effects on other companies' behavior, leading to reduced toxic emissions. Rated firms reduce their emissions more when their peers are also rated, while unrated companies in highly regulated industries also change their behavior.
A new device has demonstrated its potential to preserve and improve the quality of donor livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD) for transplantation. The transportable machine perfusion Airdrive effectively maintained liver quality, reducing biliary complications and increasing graft function.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that breast conserving therapy was successful in over 90% of women who became eligible after treatment with chemotherapy. Despite this, 31% of those eligible chose mastectomy, highlighting the need for further exploration of patient and surgeon factors.
Researchers at City College of New York have developed a novel polarization method to increase data speeds, carrying an additional data stream through manipulated laser beam shapes. This technology has the potential to scale terabits or even petabits per laser beam and is compatible with building-to-building communication in NYC.
Sunil Sheth, MD, a clinical instructor at UCLA, is receiving $154,000 to develop a lab test that can diagnose stroke from a single drop of blood. The award aims to validate this test in emergency rooms and potentially revolutionize initial stroke evaluation and treatment.
Despite recent advances in understanding pancreatic cancer biology, researchers have made little progress in finding effective treatments. However, a new review suggests that immunotherapy combined with other treatments may significantly increase patient survival rates, and could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at University of Georgia successfully synthesized silicon oxide fragments using a carbene stabilization technique, isolating highly reactive molecules at room temperature. This breakthrough enables further research into silicon chemistry and its applications in the semiconductor industry.
Research suggests Catalina Island is sinking approximately one foot every thousand years, disappearing in three million years. The island's subsidence may pose a small tsunami risk for Los Angeles if landslides occur along active faults.
A small artificially composed virus fragment, sAB+, has been found to be sufficient for inducing a partially protective immune response against the Chikungunya virus. This discovery presents a promising approach for developing a Chikungunya vaccine.
Remogliflozin etabonate improves insulin sensitivity and beta cell function, reducing ALT levels and weight in patients with NASH. The investigational drug also exhibits intrinsic anti-oxidant activity, reversing steatohepatitis and oxidative stress.
Researchers found that extra sleep can restore memory formation in fruit flies with disrupted genes, similar to Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that sleep helps reinforce connections between brain cells and cut back on useless information.
The Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute will expand their long-term care model OPTIMISTIC to target high rates of hospitalization among older adults in nursing homes. The grant aims to improve care, reduce hospitalizations, and increase access to palliative care.
A new x-ray study reveals how a hypertension drug binds to a cellular receptor, providing valuable insights for designing more effective medications. The research could lead to the development of targeted drugs with fewer side effects.
Researchers captured thousands of interactions within a single neuron as it responded to rhythmic clicks, showing how neurons switch from temporal coding to rate coding. This transformation allows the auditory system to process information about time and space, supporting multisensory integration.
A randomized controlled trial demonstrated liraglutide met the primary endpoint of histological clearance of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and a reduction in fibrosis progression. The study also showed significant weight loss, BMI reduction, and fasting glucose decrease with liraglutide treatment.
The study found a significant increase in major depression among US adults during the Great Recession, with prevalence rising from 2.33% to 3.79%. Less severe depression also saw a decline in prevalence after 2009-2010. Vulnerable populations such as those living in poverty or with less than a high school education were most affected.
KAIST researchers create a novel technique for precisely tracking the 3D positions of optically trapped particles with complicated geometry. The Optical Diffraction Tomography (ODT) method measures 3D images in high speed, enabling the visualization and analysis of particles in various fields.
A new study published in Neurosurgery finds that surgery provides good functional outcomes and a high cure rate for patients with lower-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain. The research evaluated 105 patients with AVMs from 2005 to 2012, concluding that treatment is recommended for appropriately selected patients.
Researchers identify a time window when moderately resistant bacteria are sensitive to antibiotics, allowing for optimal treatment design. A new approach may help reintroduce antibiotics that were previously disregarded due to treatment failure concerns.
A team of scientists, led by Harvard University's David Liu, has developed an engineered form of the genome-editing protein Cas9 that can be turned on with a small drug-like molecule. This approach achieves up to 25-fold higher specificity in genome editing than the standard form of Cas9.
A UCL study finds that realising how places connect geographically causes local maps in the brain to join, forming one big map. This merged map helps with planning future journeys by understanding absolute location and distances between places.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified a pathway linking proteins amyloid precursor protein and tau, which may be targeted for treatment. This discovery using human stem cells suggests that manipulating this pathway could halt disease progression.
The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was measured directly from space 450 kilometers above the planet's surface. The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites captured the significant ionospheric signature produced by the quake's infrasonic wave output.
Researchers have identified a single, simple metric to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens. A computer simulation revealed that a regimen based on a pathogen's recovery time could eliminate an otherwise resistant strain of bacteria.
A study has demonstrated that alginate-enriched bread can inhibit fat digestion and circulatory lipids in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results show a significant reduction of up to 31% in fat digestion, suggesting its potential use as a therapeutic weight management therapy.
Researchers discovered a metabolic signature associated with major depression, including changes in mitochondrial DNA and telomere length. The findings suggest that depression may be linked to the body's response to environmental stressors.