The UMass Amherst program aims to explore new models for graduate education, including T-shaped skills and collaborative work. Students will receive a graduate certificate in Soft Materials for Life Sciences and be prepared for the 21st century global economy.
A new study reveals high levels of radioactivity in coal ash from all three major US coal-producing basins, up to five times higher than normal soil. The presence of radioactive elements like radium isotopes and lead-210 poses significant environmental and health risks if not properly regulated.
Imetelstat, a novel telomerase targeting drug, demonstrates potential value in treating patients with myelofibrosis by inducing morphologic and molecular remissions in some patients. The study shows selective anti-clonal activity, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Research suggests that feeling sadness can change how we perceive color, with participants who were induced to feel sad being less accurate in identifying colors on the blue-yellow axis than those who were led to feel amused or emotionally neutral.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a new way to kill cancers driven by the MYC gene, which is responsible for aggressive behavior in many types of malignancies. By inhibiting the spliceosome, a complex machine within cancer cells, scientists can target and destroy tumor cells without harming normal tissues.
Research suggests that above-water microbes contribute to the development of hydrogen-sulfide-rich caves through aerobic respiration, producing sulfuric acid. In contrast, underwater microbes only partially burn hydrogen sulfide, creating pure sulfur as a byproduct that is not corrosive to limestone.
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute create a method for getting nanoparticles to self-assemble, focusing on the medium in which they're suspended. This approach enables reversibly writing information and has potential applications in rewritable paper, water decontamination, and controlled drug delivery.
A new study found that brain microstructure and tissue volumes in prematurely born children can predict their math skills and working memory at school age. Researchers used neonatal MRI to identify infants at risk of low academic achievement, suggesting early intervention could reduce long-term problems.
A UT Arlington biologist is conducting a comprehensive study of zooplankton in over 20 lakes in Alaska and Wisconsin to better understand the relationship between ecological changes and evolutionary responses. The research aims to predict how organisms adapt to natural and human-induced environmental shifts.
Researchers have found that a 12,000-year-old climate shift in northern latitudes occurred rapidly, while equatorial regions took hundreds of years to respond. This discovery can help scientists understand the relationship between temperature and precipitation in the face of climate change.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that termite mounds breathe once a day as temperature oscillations drive ventilation. The mounds' structure, with central chimneys and thin exterior walls, allows gases to exchange and maintain efficient airflow.
The study estimates that there are over 3 trillion trees on Earth, with the total number of trees having plummeted by roughly 46% since the start of human civilization. The research provides new insights into tree populations worldwide and offers improvements to modeling large-scale systems, including carbon cycling and climate change.
A new NSF grant will study maker success stories in China, Taiwan, and the U.S. Midwest to identify pathways guiding making from hobby to industry. The researchers aim to replicate Asian practices that support makers in the US, focusing on Michigan and Indiana.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that as geckos become larger, their bodies act like springs, becoming stiffer and enabling them to climb effectively. The team measured the adhesive ability of five species, finding a strong correlation between body size and stiffness.
Foreign chemical and pharmaceutical companies face challenges in China due to economic downturn, overcapacity, and tightening regulations. Despite uncertainty, company heads remain confident in their long-term success in the country, which represents 50% of the Asian chemical market.
Researchers found that too-pure recycled water can pick up arsenic as it seeps underground, causing temporary spikes in levels. The water's lack of calcium and magnesium ions allows arsenic to be repelled from clay particles, entering the water instead.
A new study led by King's College London found that preserving the natural structure of dietary fibre during food production can help slow blood sugar levels after a meal. This could lead to the development of 'diabetic-friendly' foods with slower energy release and prolonged fullness.
ESC Congress 2015 saw a record-breaking attendance of 32,773 registrations, featuring 28 clinical Hot Line presentations, 18 Clinical Trial Updates, and 20 Registry studies. Key findings included the use of spironolactone for resistant hypertension and its positive implications for clinical practice.
Phagraphene, a two-dimensional carbon material, has been predicted to exist through computer simulation. It consists of penta-, hexa- and heptagonal carbon rings and exhibits distorted Dirac cones, allowing electrons to behave like particles without mass. This discovery opens up new possibilities for flexible electronic devices.
Researchers will investigate how disturbances like fire and insect infestation are changing the Earth's carbon absorption, and use models to optimize observation networks for detecting impact on ecosystem carbon balance. The project aims to understand how terrestrial landscapes are shifting from being a net carbon sink to a source.
Researchers analyze 260-million-year-old skull of Eunotosaurus africanus to understand turtle origins. They find evidence of diapsid condition, a characteristic shared with modern reptiles and birds.
A team of researchers from the USA, England, Australia, and Germany will collaborate on a three-year project to better understand the information processing in germinal centres of lymph nodes. The goal is to gain insights into antibody formation and develop targeted therapeutics for infections.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience by Texas A&M Health Science Center researchers found that a specific type of brain cell plays a crucial role in addiction. The findings suggest that periodic consumption of alcohol alters the structure and function of these cells, leading to increased cravings and cycle of alcoholism.
A new study from Drexel University found that young women attracted to both sexes have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. In contrast, lesbian women are not more likely to experience disordered eating symptoms than straight peers.
Researchers have sequenced the first complete ancient genome from the Mediterranean area, shedding light on the genetic changes of Neolithic migration in Southern Europe. The study reveals a common ancestral population among Mediterranean route farmers, who had distinct physical characteristics compared to inland route farmers.
A new study reveals that soil bacteria and animal species below ground regulate ecosystem functions, including carbon storage and nutrient availability, with below-ground biodiversity explaining 32% of variation.
A specific group of genes controls calcium ion concentration, crucial for memory performance and Alzheimer's development. The study provides new insights into the origins of the neurodegenerative disorder.
A six-year controlled burn experiment in an Amazonian rainforest found that trees can survive initial fire disturbance but not repeated or coupled disturbances. The study highlights the potential for grassland incursion to fuel future burns and reduce forest carbon stocks by up to 90%.
A new study found that people with type 2 diabetes have double the risk of developing dementia and exhibit higher levels of tau protein in the spinal fluid. Diabetes was also associated with reduced cortical thickness, suggesting a potential link to brain cell death.
Archaeologists have found the oldest known pottery from Papua New Guinea, dating back 3,000 years, in a remote region of the highlands. The discovery sheds light on how technology spread among cultures and provides insights into early civilizations.
Research reveals mutant p53 proteins use epigenetics to drive aggressive cancer growth by targeting key genes and enzymes, such as MLL1 and MOZ. Inhibiting these regulators may lead to combinatorial epigenetic therapies for treating difficult-to-treat cancers.
Typhoon Kilo is moving slowly through the Northwestern Pacific Ocean with maximum sustained winds of near 90 knots. The storm is expected to re-strengthen and peak in intensity by September 6.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a new protein, TMIGD1, that protects kidney epithelial cells from injury. Increasing expression of this protein can reduce cell death and potentially prevent kidney failure. The findings could lead to the development of therapeutic agents that target these cells.
A meta-analysis by UT Southwestern Medical Center cardiologists found exercise training reduces pressure in the arteries and increases exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The study also showed a positive effect on several measures of heart function and overall quality of life, without compromising safety.
A decade-long study in the Amazon rainforest found that forests can withstand initial, low-intensity burns but are vulnerable to repeated fires, especially during drought years. The research also highlights the role of leaf-cutter ant colonies in creating natural fire breaks and mitigating forest damage.
Infants at 4 months old can associate words with objects, suggesting early knowledge of language's relation to the world. This ability is crucial for language acquisition and learning about surroundings.
Researchers discovered the VRN-D4 gene, found in South Asian wheat lines, plays a crucial role in adaptation to regional climate and environment. This finding could help breeders design more resilient wheat varieties, reducing crop loss due to changing environments.
Scientists developed a silk-based ink that can be used to print complex tissues with versatile functions, including loading with pharmaceuticals. The novel material is biocompatible, flexible, and stable in water, avoiding harsh processing conditions that damage cells.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that nearly 600 surveyed bird species in North America may lose more than half of their geographic range by the end of the century due to climate change. The researchers used correlative distribution modeling to assess potential range shifts under three different climate scenarios.
A new study of over 300 women suggests that phthalate exposure may be associated with miscarriage, particularly between 5-13 weeks of pregnancy. Higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites were found to be linked to pregnancy loss, supporting an association that warrants further research.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association reveals a strong link between food insecurity and the development of metabolic diseases in children. The research found that adolescents from households with low to very low levels of food security were more likely to be overweight and have central obesity,...
Satellite imagery shows Tropical Storm Fred losing its punch, with no strong thunderstorms developing in the storm. The RapidScat instrument measured the strongest winds tightly circling the center, but they are not indicative of a strengthening storm.
Exposure to high-concentration airborne particulate matter PM2.5 has been shown to directly affect the liver, triggering liver fibrosis in animal models. The study highlights air pollution as an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis, with implications for medical care and health policy-making.
A long-term study published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal found that ex-prisoners with common psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse are more likely to commit violent crimes after release. The study estimated that up to a fifth of violent reoffending by former male prisoners can be attributed to diagnosed p...
Tropical Storm Ignacio has weakened significantly, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph, as it moves north of the Hawaiian Islands. The storm is expected to turn north-northwest late on September 3 and slow weakening is anticipated starting Thursday.
Trichoplax, a multicellular marine animal without organs, exhibits complex feeding behavior involving external digestion of algae. The organism's cells coordinate a sequence of behaviors, including gliding and secretion of granules that break down the algae, indicating local control and cellular communication.
Researchers at the Large Hadron Collider investigate the properties of particles and their antiparticles to understand the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry. The ALICE experiment confirms the CPT theorem with the most accurate measurements to date.
A study published in Nature found that guppies evolved 135 genes in response to a new environment, with most changes affecting biological processes like metabolism and immune function. However, the initial response was often opposite to the eventual evolutionary change, suggesting that genes can adapt quickly in the short term.
A new study found that black students and white students with minority teachers have more positive attitudes towards school discipline. Increasing diversity in teachers can enhance perceptions of fairness, supporting a recommendation for schools to hire teachers that match their enrollment demographic.
A new study by WCS found that coral reef diversity 'hotspots' in the southwestern Indian Ocean prioritize fish biomass over location for conservation. Reefs with high fish biomass (>600 kg/ha) should be prioritized for protection.
A new CT scan of Earth's interior connects deep mantle plumes to surface volcanoes like Hawaii, showing plumes are five times wider than previously thought. The scan reveals the connections between lower-mantle plumes and volcanic hotspots, including anchors at the core-mantle boundary.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have made breakthroughs in manipulating photosynthesis to create a robust and renewable energy source. By storing sunlight in chemical bonds, they can produce hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that could power cars and households.
A study by University of Iowa sociologist Ion Bogdan Vasi found that local screenings of Gasland led to increased anti-fracking mobilizations and influenced policymakers to ban hydraulic fracturing. The documentary film reshaped public perception and sparked significant interest in the topic among the general public.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new method for making flu vaccines using cell culture, which could lead to faster and more efficient vaccine production. This technology could potentially replace traditional egg-based vaccine production methods, which are limited by avian influenza outbreaks.
Researchers discover that altering protein recycling complexes in human cells enables cancer cells to resist treatment with proteasome inhibitors, a class of drugs used to kill cancer cells. The discovery highlights the potential for targeting this resistant state to develop new cancer treatments.
A recent study by American Chemical Society found that wild blueberry extract has antibacterial properties against Fusobacterium nucleatum, a key bacteria associated with periodontitis. The extract successfully inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum and its ability to form biofilms, blocking a molecular pathway involved in inflammation.
A University of Iowa researcher found that local screenings of Gasland led to an increase in anti-fracking mobilizations and influenced local policymakers to ban hydraulic fracturing. The study used online searches, social media chatter, and mass media coverage to measure the impact of the documentary on public perception.
Researchers at SUNY Downstate Health Science University have identified a new approach to lowering harmful lipids in blood circulation. The study found that LPCAT3 enzyme deficiency reduces lipid absorption and decreases levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids in the bloodstream.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered a genetic mutation in melanoma cancer cells that may predispose humans to developing the disease. The study highlights the importance of protein complex APC/C and its interactions with Cdh1 and PAX3, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for melanoma treatment.
A new study has found that children with coeliac disease react to the same key toxic proteins in gluten as adults, suggesting a potential breakthrough in treatments. The research supports the use of existing treatments and diagnostic tests for adults with coeliac disease for children.