A $7.3 million genomic project in Canada is developing a winter-hardy, disease-resistant breed of honeybees to combat declining health and economic losses. The research aims to improve bee health through the identification of genetic markers and the development of accurate tests for detecting Africanized genetics.
Researchers analyzed 118 proto-porcelain and 35 impressed stoneware sherds, finding distinct chemical profiles that suggest raw materials were sourced locally. The discovery sheds light on the origin of Chinese proto-porcelain and its glazing techniques.
A new study from Lund University suggests that unwanted blood vessel formation may be behind intractable walking and balance difficulties associated with Parkinson's disease. The researchers used cerebrospinal fluid samples from 100 patients and found clear connections between angiogenesis markers and symptoms.
Unused prescription drugs contribute to water pollution and drug abuse when flushed down toilets or left in medicine cabinets. Local governments are creating take-back programs to collect pharmaceuticals, requiring drug companies to install containers at pharmacies.
A new method using sound waves can detect cell stiffness changes that could signal disease, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. The technique uses low-frequency ultrasonic waves to levitate cells and high-frequency ultrasonic waves to measure their stiffness.
Researchers measured kangaroo methane production and found it was no lower than that of horses. Well-fed animals produced less gas due to faster food passage through the gut, not a unique low-production trait.
Scientists at ETH Zurich create surface designs that allow water droplets to 'trampoline' upwards, leveraging evaporation and microstructure. This phenomenon enables materials to violently repel water and ice, with potential applications in de-icing, power lines, and road surfacing.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a mechanism that propels liver development after birth through alternative splicing, allowing the liver to acquire new functions tailored for adult needs. The study highlights the importance of an RNA binding protein, ESRP2, in controlling this developmental program.
A study of nearly 1,300 veterans found that those who completed online expressive-writing sessions showed more improvements than peers who didn't write at all or did factual writing. Expressive writing reduced physical complaints, anger, and psychological distress, but had limited impact on PTSD symptoms.
Researchers found that grid cells integrate information about time and distance to support memory and spatial navigation, even without visual landmarks. The discovery suggests a broader role for the medial entorhinal cortex in coding locations, time, and distance.
Researchers studied the eye development of Sunburst Diving Beetle larvae, revealing rapid eye growth and transformation between stages. The findings suggest a pre-determined eye growth mechanism, but also allow for adjustments at the level of the lens, which reforms over eight hours.
The University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research has received a $7.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate development of drugs and vaccines against alphaviruses, deadly viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. The team aims to develop therapies and protection against these diseases.
The University of Oklahoma Institute for Study of Human Flourishing aims to advance the science of virtue and improve the flourishing of OU students and all Oklahomans. The Institute is launching various programs, including a Common Read program and Camp IMPACT, to promote character development and civic engagement.
The University of Texas at Arlington has developed a sensing and therapeutic tool called the SMART bandage, which can monitor and cure wounds in real-time. This innovative technology will help doctors and healthcare workers better treat patients' complex wounds more quickly and effectively.
Researchers found that high math motivation can buffer the negative effects of math anxiety on math learning, while low motivation is linked to poor math performance. The study used twin data and college student samples to investigate the complex relationship between math anxiety, motivation, and math achievement.
A phase 2 study found that 42% of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can remain cancer-free after reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation, challenging traditional age-based exclusion criteria. This approach may offer improved outcomes for AML patients over 60 with otherwise well-tolerated treatments.
The article reviews lessons learned from Alzheimer's disease research to advance the development of screening and diagnostic algorithms for Parkinson's disease. It explores MCI-AD research, clinical trials incorporating biomarkers and genetics, and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting specific biological mechanisms.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that using a cell phone app to track exercise and calories did not result in significant weight loss for overweight young adults. In contrast, those who received personal coaching lost more weight over time.
Researchers have discovered a central relay station in plant cell communication, controlled by the MICU protein. This protein regulates calcium ion concentration in cellular power stations, enabling plants to respond to environmental stimuli such as water stress and pathogen attacks.
A study by the USGS found that native bees are exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides and other pesticides, particularly in agricultural fields and grasslands. The presence of these pesticides can harm bee populations and reproductive success.
Researchers at Rice University measured the attractive force between antiprotons, revealing a fundamental new way to understand antimatter interactions. The scattering length and effective range of interaction were found to be nearly equivalent to those between protons.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can identify key mutations driving resistance to a widely used prostate cancer drug. The test predicts which patients will not respond to treatment and can inform personalized treatment options.
A recent study published in International Journal of Gynecological Cancer found that protein CK5 marks ovarian cancers likely to be resistant to cisplatin. This marker could help predict and analyze platinum resistance, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
The study suggests specific criteria for adolescents that differ from those in adults to predict outcomes and guide treatment. An A1C greater than 6.3% within three months of starting metformin increases the risk of losing glucose control within 11 months.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 167 fisher deaths were attributed to rat poisoning from illegal marijuana grows, with exposure rates rising by 6% between 2012 and 2014. The poison, often used as bait, has been linked to 10% of fisher deaths and affects the animals' ability to recycle vitamin K.
Researchers found that kangaroos emit around the same amount of methane as horses or ostriches per body size, but higher when food intake is increased. The study suggests that differences in methane production are more related to bacterial exposure conditions than specific bacteria types.
Researchers from Mississippi State University found that pre-treated neonicotinoid seed treatments yield better and suffer less damage than untreated crops from the rice water weevil. In areas of high insect pressure, seed treatments show an economic advantage.
Researchers have identified a single gene, TLE6, responsible for human embryonic lethality at an earlier stage of development than previously documented. The mutation impairs the binding of components of the sub-cortical maternal complex, leading to arrest in early embryonic development.
A new study published by Bielefeld University found that only one in three women participating in Germany's mammography screening programme (MSP) are well-informed about it. The study also showed that women with higher levels of education and those from Turkish migration backgrounds are more likely to make an informed decision.
Recent gonorrhea susceptibility trends indicate a worsening of susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, particularly cefixime. The CDC's Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project found that the percentage of resistant isolates increased from 0.1% in 2006 to 0.8% in 2014.
Scientists have generated genome-scale sequence information for the fathead minnow, a commonly used model organism in environmental toxicology studies. The new data will enhance the understanding of complex traits and biological pathways affected by environmental toxins.
The new technology uses magnetic fields to shape composite materials into patient-specific products, resulting in stronger and lighter devices. The approach enables the creation of customized catheters for premature newborns, addressing a significant need in neonatal care.
A large-scale study reveals the hepatitis A virus is likely of animal origin, with viruses from small mammals showing similarities to the human virus. The discovery offers new perspectives for risk assessments and may hint at a distant ancestry in primordial insect viruses.
The village of Ceren shows significant interactions among families and villagers in daily life, challenging traditional top-down societies. Archaeological evidence indicates the villagers had free reign regarding architecture, crop choices, and economics.
Researchers found that switching to efavirenz is effective in reducing viral rebound and improving CD4 T cell counts, suggesting it's a safer alternative for older children and adults.
The AAAS will provide training and professional development for up to 18 fellows, focusing on community engagement managers who facilitate collaborative projects. The fellowship aims to create a well-defined career path and resources for individuals in this field.
A University of Georgia study finds that tobacco addiction in adolescents is often overlooked due to lack of stigma. Researchers recommend treating tobacco cessation treatments for adolescents with substance abuse issues and implementing more counselor training.
Researchers have discovered that diamonds can form in a simpler natural chemical reaction involving water and rock. This finding could lead to a better understanding of the Earth's deep formation processes.
A study by the American Cancer Society found that standing for at least one-quarter of the day was associated with lower odds of obesity. Standing time was also linked to reduced metabolic risk, particularly when combined with physical activity.
Antiepileptic drugs may progressively impair balance in patients, increasing the risk of falls and related injuries. Long-term use can lead to significant changes in balance function over time.
A University of Missouri researcher found a strong correlation between rural-to-urban migration and negative environmental effects on Chinese cities. Despite negative impacts, the study suggests that policymakers should encourage population redistribution to less-dense urban areas.
Researchers have developed methods to overcome technical limitations in studying the immune system, allowing for investigation of interdependent components and their impact on functions at the systems level. The new book provides valuable insights into team science and the application of computational tools to model immunity.
Research in the Netherlands found that persistent HIV transmission clusters, many of which originated before 1996, continue to sustain the epidemic among men who have sex with men. The study highlights the need for new prevention strategies to combat further increases in infection rates.
A new review questions whether premature ejaculation is an illness, citing false assumptions and influence from drug companies. The authors suggest that physiology of ejaculation and orgasm remains intact in men with premature ejaculation.
A business-as-usual approach to satisfying food demand is not sustainable due to climate change. Plant science can bolster supply by increasing crop nutritional content, water efficiency, and resistance to pests and diseases.
Researchers at ORNL discovered a new mechanism for converting bio-based ethanol into hydrocarbon blend-stocks, eliminating an energy-consuming intermediary step. This breakthrough could support the economic viability of direct biofuel-to-hydrocarbon conversion technologies.
A University of Kent expert suggests that psychoactive drugs could be used to encourage sedentary people to exercise. By reducing the perception of effort required during physical activity, these drugs may help individuals with low motivation to engage in moderate-intensity exercises like walking.
A device that hijacks the mating signals of Asian citrus psyllids may help provide an environmentally friendly system for preventing citrus greening, a devastating disease that has cost the Florida citrus industry billions of dollars. The researchers' vibration trap uses acoustic methods to lure male psyllids into traps, where they are...
A recent study by Mayo Clinic reveals that only one in five US pancreatic cancer patients receive the CA 19-9 tumor marker test at diagnosis, which can help predict treatment outcomes and guide personalized treatment. The test eliminates negative effects on survival when chemotherapy is administered before surgery.
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that endovascular therapy improved functional outcomes and higher rates of independence at 90 days, but no significant difference in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or all-cause mortality. The study included data from 8 trials involving 2,423 patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Hypersexuality correlated with sexual boredom and erectile dysfunction in a study of Croatian and German men. Therapies for hypersexual men may include sex therapy principles to enhance erectile functioning and address sexual boredom.
Researchers at Einstein and Berkeley will develop new instruments to image genes and proteins in living cells, enabling visualization of gene regulation processes. The grant aims to create powerful microscopes and fluorescent probes to reveal mechanisms controlling gene expression.
The new approach created flexible Fresnel zone plate microlenses with a wide field of view, enabling capture of broad perspectives at reduced size. The lenses are no larger than the head of a pin and can be freely reconfigured.
Researchers reveal that jellyfish and lampreys suck water towards themselves to move forward, contrary to previous assumptions. By studying the motion of these ancient creatures, scientists gain insights into fluid dynamics, potentially improving human-made technologies such as submarines and ships.
Researchers at Materialytics, LLC have developed a new testing method to identify the sources of diamonds with an average accuracy of 98%. The technique analyzes signals from the carbon itself, making it applicable to all diamonds and providing scientific verification for conflict-free trade.
A new study warns that wildfires may double soil erosion in some western US states by 2050, degrading water quality and affecting aquatic life. The increase in wildfires due to climate change is projected to cause at least a 100% increase in erosion in a quarter of western watersheds.
Researchers at TUM discovered that blood stem cells renew themselves through interaction with surrounding tissue cells, which influences the microenvironment. This feedback loop is essential for maintaining stem cell pool replenishment and has implications for treating leukemia.
A large-scale study published in Frontiers in Psychology found the NeuroCognitive Performance Test (NCPT) to be a reliable and valid measure of cognitive performance. The NCPT assesses various cognitive domains, including working memory, reasoning, and attention, with good test-retest reliability and sensitivity to age-related changes.
A study suggests that health campaigns tailored to teen subcultures can reduce risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking. The 'peer-crowd' campaign, which targets alternative youth, has shown promising results in preventing smoking from being seen as socially acceptable.
Researchers found strong associations between hunger and poor health, including birth defects, anemia, and behavioral problems. Doctors are recommended to ask about food security during regular office visits to identify patients at risk.