Researchers create device that stimulates lacrimal gland to increase tear production by nearly 57% in rabbit eyes. The next phase will evaluate the quality of tears produced, with clinical trials underway for FDA approval.
Researchers at the Buck Institute discover that dysfunctional mitochondria induce a unique type of senescence, characterized by a distinct secretory phenotype. This finding provides an alternative explanation for the free-radical theory of aging and highlights a new role for mitochondria in affecting physiology.
The conservation community has taken swift and coordinated action to prevent the introduction and spread of Batrachocytrium salamandrivorans, a deadly fungal pathogen threatening North American salamander populations. Conservation organizations have called for policy changes to aid in preventing the disease's entry into the region.
A UK study found that women using contraceptive implants or injectables after an initial abortion were more likely to have a repeat abortion. Factors such as socioeconomic deprivation, age, and previous obstetric history increased the risk of repeat terminations.
Researchers designed synthetic microbes to learn what drives the bacterial circadian clock and how it might be manipulated. The findings indicate that the cyanobacteria's clock can synchronize to metabolism outside of photosynthesis, suggesting potential applications in engineered microbes.
Researchers use super-resolution technologies to observe muscle stem/progenitor cells migrating into place guided by 'ghost fibers,' remnants of the old extracellular matrix left by dying muscle fibers. This study reveals that these ghost fibers serve as architectural units guiding the regeneration of muscle tissue.
Scientists at Rockefeller University identified a new regulator of RNA polymerase II, a critical process for gene expression. The discovery could lead to more specific cancer therapies by targeting this form of gene regulation.
Researchers have found that a cancer drug can neutralize the toxic RNA responsible for myotonic dystrophy type 1. The study used actinomycin D to inhibit toxic expansions in DNA, correcting mis-splicing and reducing symptoms.
A new study finds that publicly funded Ph.D. recipients enter high-wage industries, earn higher-than-average salaries, and contribute to local economic growth. The study tracked nearly 3,200 graduates from eight major research universities, showing they are disproportionately hired in technology and professional service industries.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have made groundbreaking discoveries about the behavior of TrCel7a, a cellulase enzyme that breaks down cellulose. By studying the enzyme's movements and interactions with cellulose fibers, researchers found that it operates slowly but is self-propelling, powered by energy from cellulose bonds.
Nearly 40% of Ph.D. graduates enter industry, with those in RÔD firms earning higher salaries than academia counterparts. Mathematics and/or computer sciences hold the highest average earnings at over $65,000 per year.
A new study suggests that a thicker Earth mantle may be responsible for some of the planet's inner processes. The research found a significant increase in the Earth's mantle viscosity at depths of 1,000 kilometers, challenging previous estimates.
A new paper calls for a radical shift in India's healthcare delivery system, prioritizing primary care and strengthening the public sector. The authors identify structural problems with the current system, including high healthcare costs driving millions into poverty, poor quality of care, and inadequate human resources.
A new study from Kansas State University reveals that gut bacteria play a pivotal role in the communication system of German cockroaches, facilitating aggregation and reproductive maturation. The research identified specific fecal volatile carboxylic acids that reflect the microorganism contents of a cockroach's gut.
A new study by New York University researchers shows that federally and non-federally funded research investments have a significant impact on the economy. The study found that 40% of PhD recipients took jobs in the private sector, with those in science fields disproportionately gaining placement in large and high-wage businesses.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to producing cleaner diesel by optimizing molecule interactions between metal and solid-state acid catalysts. This method can significantly reduce particulates and CO2 emissions from cars.
A UTHealth study found that children born with cleft lip or palate and spina bifida are at higher risk of maltreatment before age 2, with increased risks of 40% and 58% respectively. Medical complexity may contribute to this increased risk.
A new study from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that delaying chemotherapy after surgery increases the risk of death for breast cancer patients, particularly those with triple-negative breast cancer. Patients who start treatment within 90 days have a lower risk of death compared to those who delay it.
A new study found unique microbial communities associated with human cadavers exhibit predictable succession following death, providing a reliable 'clock' for forensic scientists. This method also showed promise in determining the original location of moved corpses and locating buried bodies.
The African cheetah's genome sequence has revealed a lack of genetic variation and unique adaptations that contribute to its incredible speed. The study has shed light on the cheetah's past and its struggles with reproductive impairments, providing valuable lessons for conservation efforts.
A team of researchers has discovered fossils of kinorhynch worms, also known as mud dragons, dating back over 530 million years. The historic find provides crucial insights into the evolution of body segmentation among animals.
A short peptide, SKY peptide, has been developed by researchers at LMU to inhibit the activation of a signal pathway in monocytes, which enables their adhesion to endothelial cells and penetration into sites of acute inflammation. This can lead to chronic inflammatory reactions and tissue damage.
Two tree species in southwestern Colorado employ distinct strategies to cope with drought: the ponderosa pine conserves water by shutting down production, while the trembling aspen alters its physiology to continue growing. This study sheds light on how woody plants may confront twin scourges of less water and hot weather in a warmer a...
Researchers at Michigan Technological University developed a new method to clean contaminated water full of unwanted nanomaterials by shaking oil and water, clearing out nearly 100% of one-dimensional nanomaterials. The technique uses the physical properties of oil and water to trap nanomaterials, which can then be easily removed.
Researchers have found novel mechanisms to inhibit chikungunya virus at multiple stages of infection, including entry and release from cells. The discovery could lead to the development of a single vaccine that protects against multiple alphaviruses.
Fault slip during the 2005 Sumatra earthquake was stopped by the topography on the downgoing plate, with a 3-km high region strengthening the plate boundary and preventing rupture propagation. This finding is supported by seismic reflection data that mapped the shape of the downgoing plate across a long-lived segment boundary.
A population-based study of 37,207 patients found that those who received breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy had improved overall survival after 10 years compared to those who received mastectomy without radiation. BCT was also associated with fewer regional recurrences and distant metastases.
Research reveals LSD reduces connectivity within brain networks, disrupting synchronization of neural firing patterns. This change affects the underlying thought and behavior processes in humans.
Scientists developed implantable probes with tiny LEDs that can control and record individual neurons, shedding light on neural communication. The new technology could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which affects hundreds of millions worldwide.
Researchers link flibanserin-induced decreases in female brain metabolism to increased pair bonding and grooming behavior in common marmosets. The study provides insight into how the drug may work in women's brains, but highlights room for improvement in treatment and safety.
Frank Bradke's groundbreaking research on neural regeneration and spinal cord injuries has earned him the coveted Leibniz Prize. His work aims to promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, inhibiting scar tissue formation and activating nerve cells' regenerative potential.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered a small molecule called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) that causes a chain reaction of destruction within neuron cell processes. This finding may lead to new therapies for age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found a link between brain GABA levels and tactile learning, predicting learning success by baseline GABA levels. Higher GABA levels were associated with improved sensory learning potential.
Tropical Cyclone 05S formed over the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing its formation and development. The cyclone intensified into a tropical depression and then a tropical storm, but faces challenges including dry air and cooler sea surface temperatures that may weaken it.
Researchers found that psychological interventions targeting sensation seeking and reward sensitivity can delay first-time cannabis use in teens. The study suggests these interventions may help reduce cannabis use, particularly among youth who perceive it as low risk.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that natural selection drives prairie voles to be either fully monogamous or seek multiple partners due to genetic brain differences. The findings suggest that these genetic variations are not favored by natural selection, but rather co-exist in the population.
A recent study found that PET/CT and whole-body MRI detect extraskeletal disease, changing cancer management. Combined administration of F-18 sodium fluoride (NaF) and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in a single PET/CT scan showed higher sensitivity and accuracy than alternative methods.
A new study from the University of Maryland found that methylene blue can almost completely repair defects in cells with progeria and restore healthy cell function. The compound also repaired age-related damage to healthy cells, suggesting its potential as a treatment for both progeria and normal aging.
A new $1.5 million grant will support an innovative approach to treating relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma through a dynamic clinical trial design allowing for quick incorporation of new treatments based on genetic changes in individual patients' tumors.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a unique lie-detecting software using real court case data, achieving up to 75% accuracy in identifying deceivers. The system analyzes both speech patterns and body language, uncovering common behaviors such as eye contact, hand gestures, and vocal fill.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a gene, Hnrnph1, that is casually associated with the behavioral response to methamphetamine. This finding may have implications for understanding the genetic basis of methamphetamine addiction and developing novel therapeutics.
Researchers have unlocked the structure of a plant virus using groundbreaking microscopy, revealing key to building custom virus-like particles that can carry medicines into the human body. The findings could lead to the development of targeted medicines.
The US Pacific Northwest experienced extreme rainfall from Dec. 2 to 9, 2015, with areas receiving over 160 mm of rain and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean seeing totals over 310 mm. This heavy moisture was attributed to atmospheric rivers originating in the Western Pacific Ocean.
Researchers mapped the topological structure of the human genome, revealing how proteins like CTCF and cohesin organize genes for proper transcription. The findings provide new insights into the relationship between genome architecture and gene regulation, with potential implications for understanding genetic diseases.
Research at INRS demonstrates that small changes in enzyme structure can significantly impact its function. The study reveals how the subtle dance of atoms affects enzyme activity, shedding light on protein engineering failures and improving synthetic functional enzymes.
Research finds nearly 4% annual decline in Northern spotted owl populations from 1985 to 2013. Barred owl invasion is a major factor, but habitat loss and climate also contribute to population declines, with some areas experiencing up to 77% reduction in Washington.
A study by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care reveals that brain connectivity patterns differ between individuals who remember episodic details versus facts, suggesting a lifelong 'memory trait'. This finding may have implications for understanding aging and brain health.
In Texas, a citizen science program utilizing public surveillance tracked the distribution and infection prevalence of triatomine insects, showing 63% infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The study suggests that citizen collections are a valid way to document insect distribution, providing a unique sample for disease vector studies.
A new study from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa found that repeating an abnormal PSA test reduces unnecessary biopsies by 55 percent. Men with conflicting test results who had a second normal test were diagnosed with cancer within a year, suggesting the importance of repeat testing.
A new study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that mastectomy plus reconstruction has the highest rate of complications and complication-related costs among guideline-concordant therapies for early breast cancer. The study also revealed that this treatment option is the most expensive in younger patients, wit...
Researchers found female infants have larger gray matter volumes around the temporal-parietal junction, which integrates social information processing. By age two, myelination of long fiber tracks is more developed in males than females, a potential clue to autism risk disparities.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring ways to improve footwear design and replacement policies to reduce slips and falls. By simulating wear using a robotic slip-tester and measuring shoe tread hydroplaning, they aim to identify specific limits to wear and determine critical factors that impact how quickly shoes wear.
Two new studies by University of Maryland geologists provide different explanations for the boundary within Earth's mantle, with one suggesting increased viscosity and the other denser rock composition. The research sheds light on the physics of the deep Earth, particularly the heat engine driving plate tectonics at the surface.
A study by the Colorado School of Public Health found cheerleading to be relatively safe compared to other high school sports, with an injury rate ranking 18th out of 22. However, severe injuries were more common than expected, highlighting the need for prevention efforts and standardized safety measures.
Researchers have mapped the wheat epigenome, identifying patterns of DNA methylation that regulate gene activity. This discovery could lead to improved crop breeding technologies and a better understanding of genetic variation in wheat.
Researchers developed a Bayesian Program Learning framework that captures human learning abilities, allowing computers to recognize and generate new visual concepts. The algorithm achieved impressive results in visual Turing tests, with only 25% of judges performing better than chance.
Researchers found that nearly all health policymakers have Twitter accounts and may be receptive to useful findings. Effective tweets should target Congress members on committees with jurisdiction over health issues, educate policymakers rather than persuade them, and include links to research articles.
A recent study has identified the Shank3 gene as a key contributor to both autism and schizophrenia. The researchers found that two different mutations of the gene produce distinct molecular and behavioral effects in mice, shedding light on how a single gene can play a role in multiple diseases.
At the nanoscale, heat radiates from one surface to another in a vacuum 10,000 times faster than expected. This discovery has significant applications in next-generation information storage and devices that convert heat into electricity.
The ocean microbiome is a vast biological network that regulates global systems, including energy consumption and respiration. Microbes are responsible for virtually all photosynthesis in the ocean and cycle essential nutrients and trace elements.