A new five-gene signature, MG5, identifies high-risk children with aggressive forms of the disease, suggesting personalized treatment options. The test has been validated in samples from 68 patients and could lead to improved survival rates and reduced side effects.
A suspected case of sexual Ebola transmission was confirmed using genomic analysis, providing evidence of direct transmission between an EVD survivor and his partner. The study also shows the persistence of infectious EBOV in semen for over 179 days after disease onset.
Research reveals that people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have difficulty judging the severity of crimes and assigning appropriate punishments. This impairment can affect their social skills, such as empathy and rational judgments, leading to poorer prognoses for resuming normal work and family life.
Researchers used artificial light to activate a natural receptor, ROS1, which is linked to several forms of cancer. They identified a new compound, AV-951, that inhibits this receptor using an 'all-optical' screening method.
The MAINZ Graduate School of Excellence has awarded Visiting Professorships to Dieter Jaksch, a renowned theoretical physicist, and Thierry Valet, a leading industry-based physicist in spintronics. The recipients will spend up to twelve months at the graduate school, sharing their expertise with doctoral candidates.
A new study found that residents of green public housing experienced fewer 'sick building' symptoms and lower asthma outcomes compared to those in traditionally constructed low-income housing. The researchers also found improved indoor environmental quality, including better ventilation and reduced exposure to pollution sources.
The 2015 Antarctic maximum sea ice extent is the 22nd lowest on record, breaking a streak of record highs. The strong El Niño event had an impact on the sea ice distribution in west Antarctica, causing it to be 513,000 square miles below the previous record high.
A Stanford-led study assesses the health of yellow cedar trees in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, revealing early signs of climate change-induced dieback. The research highlights the need for new conservation strategies that integrate ecological and social dimensions to safeguard species vulnerable to climate change.
A new synthesis method for glucosepane, a molecule implicated in diseases such as diabetes, has been developed by researchers. This breakthrough allows for the production of glucosepane's various forms, which may help uncover its role in health complications and potential countermeasures.
University of Missouri researchers have created a biodegradable active layer in organic electronics using peptides, enabling full biodegradability. The discovery could significantly reduce electronic waste in landfills and minimize health risks associated with e-waste exposure.
Children with TSC who undergo more extensive surgery have improved seizure control, whereas resecting just the tuber may not be enough. The study suggests that 'the malformed cortex surrounding the tuber may contribute more to epileptogenicity as opposed to the tuber itself'.
Patients with lower household income below $50,000 had 32% lower odds of participating in clinical trials compared to higher income patients. The study found that trial participation decreased as annual household income decreased from $50,000 or higher to between $20,000 and $49,999 and to less than $20,000.
Researchers have discovered a new gene, snoRNA42, linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer recurrence and shortened survival. This gene may serve as a reliable biomarker for selecting high-risk patients who can benefit from personalized treatments.
A new study from the University of Michigan Injury Center found that positive peer influences are associated with reduced dating violence among teenagers. The research analyzed individual and social factors, including alcohol use, mental health, and social connections, to identify risk and protective factors for dating violence.
Researchers report that up to half of surgical site infections and over a quarter of infections after cancer chemotherapy are caused by resistant bacteria. The study predicts that reducing antibiotic efficacy could lead to 120,000 more infections and 6,300 infection-related deaths annually in the USA.
A study found that primary care physicians often misestimate stroke and bleeding risk in AFib patients, leading to inadequate treatment. This resulted in under- and over-prescription of oral anticoagulation therapy, increasing the risk of stroke and bleeding events.
Researchers have found that drivers tend to discriminate based on race when stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks, with African-Americans experiencing a 32% longer wait time before yielding. The study, which controlled for age, clothing, and socioeconomic factors, suggests that implicit racial bias plays a role in driver behavior.
A phase III clinical trial's results may lead to the first approved gene therapy product in the US for treating Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2). The treatment, SPK-RPE65, could improve patients' ability to see and function at night or in dimmer light levels.
The Autism & Beyond app, developed by Duke University researchers, uses smartphone questionnaires and video analysis to gather information about children's development. The six-month study aims to detect early signs of autism and other developmental disorders, with the potential to provide broader access to mental health screening.
Researchers found that three ancient groups of hunter-gatherers slept an average of 6.5 hours per night, similar to modern humans. Their sleep patterns were influenced by temperature, not light, and they lacked chronic insomnia compared to modern society.
The Coordinated Canyon Experiment is an international effort to study sediment movement in Monterey Canyon. Researchers will place dozens of instruments on the seafloor to measure currents, sediment concentrations, and physical properties of seawater, as well as track underwater avalanches and turbidity currents.
The Hastings Center Report explores enhancement debates, including gene editing and emotions. Alberto Giubilini argues that the methodological divide between bioconservatives and bioliberals is less significant than thought. The report also examines genome editing, ecological research ethics, and organ donation conversations.
Researchers from UCLA and UC Berkeley have produced high-resolution images of the telomerase enzyme, revealing its structural details and interactions. The study sheds light on telomerase's role in aging and cancer, providing potential new strategies for treating disease.
Researchers discovered that statins can help prevent acute kidney injury by suppressing inflammation and regulating blood vessel thickness, thanks to the presence of KLF4 protein in endothelial cells. The study found that treating mice with statins protects against AKI, and loss of KLF4 exacerbates the condition.
The COMPASS method uses a combination of molecular spectroscopy techniques, predictive protein-folding algorithms, and image recognition software to determine a protein's likely structure. The approach has been successfully applied to 15 proteins and holds promise for studying complex protein structures that have eluded researchers.
A giant mound near the Moon's south pole has been found to be a result of a unique volcanic activity triggered by a colossal impact. The Mafic Mound, standing 800 meters tall and 75 kilometers across, exhibits a different mineralogical composition than the surrounding rock.
A group of Michigan State University scholars argue that colleges need to transform their introductory science courses, focusing on core ideas and scientific practices. They suggest adopting strategies from K-12 schools to improve learning in STEM fields during the first two years of college.
Tropical Depression Nora is experiencing strong vertical wind shear from the southwest, pushing clouds and showers east of its center. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph on October 15, 2015, with forecasters predicting it will continue moving northwest before taking a more westerly track.
A team of scientists discovered a new evolutionary mechanism in Manduca sexta moths, where a single amino acid change in an enzyme switches the production of pheromone precursors from mono- to tri-unsaturated compounds. This change is responsible for the evolution of new insect species and divergent pheromone communication.
Research in West African countries finds that co-infection with two species of schistosome does not affect treatment efficacy, but patterns of re-infection vary. Overall, the study suggests that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of schistosome interactions.
A review of studies identified 27 natural ingredients that can act as antioxidants in meat and meat products, including Mustard Leaf Kimchi Extract, Oregano Essential Oils, and Carrot Juice. These natural compounds may help preserve the quality and safety of meat products without the use of synthetic additives.
Case Western Reserve University's Institute for Functional Restoration and Synapse Biomedical form a partnership to commercialize technology restoring movement in paralyzed patients. The partnership aims to bring the technology to those who need it, ensuring sustainable access through non-profit efforts.
A Washington State University study found that a yoga program for incarcerated fathers improved their parenting skills, physical health, and mental well-being. The program, called Fit Fathers, Successful Families, Inside and Out, also aimed to prevent child abuse and reduce recidivism by enhancing parents' resilience.
A small freshwater algae has evolved to live in harsh seawater, adapting to high salt levels through genetic and epigenetic changes. Researchers tracked the transition of successive generations in a lab setting, discovering two stages of adaptation that enabled the plant to thrive in seawater.
A new FAU study documents the effects of temperature and rainfall on hatchling sex ratios in loggerhead turtles. Warmer conditions produce females, while cooler conditions produce males. The study's findings suggest that climate change is shifting the reproduction patterns of sea turtles.
Researchers found that weaning age decreased by about three years over 30,000 years leading up to the woolly mammoth's extinction. This shift suggests hunting pressure was a primary cause of extinction, contradicting previous hypotheses pointing to climate change.
The New Horizons team revealed a diverse range of findings about the Pluto system, including varied landforms, atmospheric complexity, and intriguing moons. The mission has provided unprecedented insights into Pluto's geological activity, with evidence of water-ice rich crusts and multiple haze layers in its atmosphere.
The New Horizons mission has revealed a wide range of colors across Pluto's surface, with dark red regions at the equator and brighter, bluer regions at higher latitudes. The team also discovered significant regional differences in volatile ices on Pluto's surface, including water ice in previously undetected regions.
Engineered viruses were used by MIT researchers to achieve a significant efficiency boost in a light-harvesting system, utilizing quantum effects to enhance exciton transport. The team successfully more than doubled the speed of excitons, increasing the distance they traveled before dissipating.
Researchers have identified a small RNA molecule, SNORA42, that enables aggressive colorectal cancers to progress and resist treatment. Detecting high levels of this biomarker in patient tissues may help clinicians determine which patients benefit from more aggressive therapy.
Dr. Kaushik De has been recognized for his contributions to developing cloud computing architectures that enabled global collaboration in particle physics research. He is also exploring physics beyond the standard model, seeking new discoveries in the field.
A University of Miami-led study suggests the atmosphere drives the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO), a decades-long climate variation affecting global weather patterns. The research finds that atmospheric circulation alone can explain the pattern, without ocean circulation's role.
Researchers have identified distinct microbial signatures in triple negative breast cancer tissue, suggesting potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The study found a predominantly viral and bacterial signature, with some fungi and parasites also present.
Leading US neuroscientists advocate for a coordinated national network of neurotechnology centers to accelerate the BRAIN Initiative. The proposed brain observatories would unite and synergize hundreds of individual laboratories, enabling rapid progress in key areas like connectomics and neural nanoprobe systems.
Researchers at MIT have fabricated and tested a large-scale model of a harbor seal's whisker, identifying a mechanism that explains how seals sense their environment and track prey. The team found that the whisker's 'slaloming' motion helps seals detect turbulence left by moving objects.
The 2015 European Resuscitation Council guidelines provide detailed advice on treating cardiac arrest and continue treatment after the heart is restarted. The guidelines emphasize the importance of bystander CPR and recommend specific chest compression rates.
A multidisciplinary team has reconstructed past environments in the Cantabrian Region over a period of nearly 35,000 years using marine microfauna, small vertebrates and stable isotopes. The study confirms a series of warm and cold events during the Upper Pleistocene, providing insights into human adaptation strategies.
Scientists have developed a blood test that can pair cancer patients with the most suitable therapy for their disease, giving real-time updates on tumor progression. This approach could make diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring quicker, cheaper, and less invasive.
A team of scientists analyzed high-throughput sequencing data from 538 CLL patients and identified 44 genes that are frequently mutated in the disease. These mutations, known as driver mutations, affect RNA processing, MYC activity, and MAPK signaling.
A research group at Tohoku University has developed a comprehensive reference panel of genetic variants from 1,070 Japanese individuals through deep whole-genome sequencing. This analysis detected signatures of purifying selection on regulatory elements and coding regions, as well as structural variants that may contribute to complex h...
Researchers have discovered a new molecule involved in the development of fibrosis, a condition characterized by inflammation and stiffening of skin tissue. High levels of this molecule, fibulin-5, were found to contribute to increased skin tissue inflammation and stiffening.
Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered that Sendai virus C protein inhibits STAT1 activation after interferon stimulation, enabling the virus to evade the host immune response. This finding opens up new avenues for developing anti-viral drugs to overcome damage caused by interferons.
The updated guidelines, introduced in 2012, led to a 50% decrease in STI screenings and a significant drop in rates for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The study highlights the need for innovative ways to screen for STIs in young women.
A study by Juan Méndez at CNIO sheds light on molecular mechanisms of ageing in blood stem cells, opening a new avenue for reducing their decline with age and potentially treating aplastic anaemia. Researchers managed to prevent embryonic lethality by increasing the levels of gene CHK1, showing less pronounced anaemia in mice.
UCSF scientists call on hospitals to oppose the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture, citing concerns about human health and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Experts say switching to antibiotic-free meat could create a market and drive down prices.
A study by the CDC found that excessive drinking cost the US $249 billion in 2010, with binge drinking responsible for most of these costs. The economic burden of excessive alcohol use includes reduced workplace productivity, crime, and healthcare expenses related to health problems caused by excessive drinking.
The MinION miniature DNA sequencing device has been evaluated by an international consortium, showing consistent good performance and accuracy across five laboratories. The data is freely available for re-analysis and innovation on F1000Research.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a manganese-based catalyst that combines high reactivity and selectivity, enabling chemists to install nitrogen into carbon-hydrogen bonds with greater ease. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and development, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
A University of California, Irvine study found that neural stem cells can improve both motor and cognitive impairments associated with dementia with Lewy bodies. The treatment involves the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which enhances dopamine- and glutamate-producing neurons.
A team of researchers from Caltech analyzed eggshells from sauropod dinosaurs, bird-like oviraptorid dinosaurs, and Titanosaurs to determine their body temperatures. The results showed that smaller dinosaurs had lower basal metabolisms, while larger ones maintained warm temperatures similar to modern mammals.