Researchers developed a novel robot microscope system to track freely moving small animals and manipulate their brain activity. The system, called OSaCaBeN, uses projection mapping to reveal functional diversification of dopamine-releasing nerve cells in the nematode C. elegans.
The NOAA-sponsored Gulf of Mexico hypoxia forecast predicts an average dead zone of 5,898 square miles, affecting nationally important commercial and recreational fisheries. The forecast uses multiple models to provide better information to communities and businesses, and aims to reduce the threat of hypoxic zones.
Nuisance flooding in the US increased significantly in 2015 due to strong El Niño and rising sea levels. Cities such as Charleston, SC; Port Isabel, TX; and San Francisco, CA experienced record numbers of flooding days, with Wilmington, NC leading the way with an all-time high of 90 days.
A new study using fossil records of planktonic foraminifera found that environmental changes control the number of species that can co-exist on Earth. The researchers analyzed the fossil history of 210 evolutionary species and discovered that the limit to species richness is environmentally dependent, varying with climate and geology.
Scientists used X-rays to discover the microscopic structures on butterfly wings reflect light, creating brilliant colors. Researchers found photonic crystals with tiny crystal irregularities that enhance light-scattering properties.
Researchers at UCF College of Medicine have identified a tiny liver protein, SVIP, that regulates VLDL secretion when disrupted leads to cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease. High levels of myristic acid in diet can activate SVIP, causing excess fat buildup in the liver, potentially leading to cancer.
Researchers have concluded that reprogramming does not create differences between reprogrammed and embryonic stem cells. A thorough study showed that reprogrammed and embryonic stem cells are similar, with a list of 275 key genes that can present reprogramming results.
A national testing facility will be built at Colorado State University to evaluate new technologies for sensing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The facility, funded by ARPA-E, will simulate real-world industry conditions and allow research teams to test new technologies.
A study found an association between a specific genetic pathway and the development of mouth ulcers in SLE patients. The VEGF genetic pathway was significantly associated with mouth ulcers and antinuclear antibodies, offering new insights into disease mechanisms and potential treatment targets.
A new study reveals that prolonged repetitive physical workload increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, with certain types of work increasing the odds more than others. The study also found a significant interaction between genetic makeup and physical workload in relation to the development of RA.
Researchers at University College London have successfully targeted an autoimmune condition in mice using cancer drugs being tripped in human patients. The study found that by blocking a specific genetic key, the immune system's aggressive response could be prevented, reducing inflammation and damage.
A study published in JAMA Oncology shows that intrinsic molecular subtyping of breast cancer can predict patient outcomes and guide treatment decisions. The research found that the genomic classification of tumors is a key prognostic factor, outperforming traditional variables such as age and number of metastases.
Researchers found that basaltic rocks can effectively store carbon dioxide, a potential solution to mitigate climate change. By injecting CO2 into these rocks, the greenhouse gas is converted into stable carbonate minerals, reducing leakage risks.
Researchers found a distinctive pattern of injury in the brains of deceased military personnel who survived high explosive attacks, suggesting a link between blast exposure and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The study's findings highlight the need for further research to understand the underlying pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury.
The Rutgers scientists reveal how a transcription activator protein interacts with RNA polymerase and DNA to initiate transcription. The discovery provides a molecular picture of transcription activation at a target promoter.
Exposure to LED light for just four hours can make milk taste like cardboard, while older milk remains at high quality for two weeks when shielded from LED exposure. Consumers overwhelmingly prefer older, fresh-looking milk over newer, LED-exposed milk.
Researchers found that Candida-specific CD4 T cells are more susceptible to HIV infection and preferentially depleted earlier than CMV-specific cells. This sequential dysfunction may lead to the early loss of immune control over mucosal candidiasis in HIV-infected individuals.
Chem, Cell Press' new physical sciences journal, aims to move the field forward through original research articles, reviews, and front matter. Key findings include transporters with high selectivity for chloride over other ions, stable phosphorous carbene analogs, and strategies for producing chemicals from renewable sources.
A new treatment uses chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation to fully halt clinical relapses and development of new brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. Eight patients showed a sustained improvement in disability 7.5 years after treatment.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified 12 subclasses of oligodendrocytes and a novel cell distinct from oligodendrocytes residing in blood vessels, uncovering unexpected diversity within the nerve-insulating cells.
A recent study published at EULAR 2016 found that patients with osteoarthritis (OA) are more likely to have their condition underestimated by rheumatologists than those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study highlighted the importance of understanding the impact of disease severity on treatment compliance and future outcomes. Resear...
Researchers used advanced MRI to predict which concussion patients would fully recover and identify brain areas involved in the repair process. The study found that high FA white-matter areas correlated with better outcomes, while low FA areas showed axon damage and cognitive impairment.
Researchers have discovered essential proteins controlling cellulose assembly, enabling improved biomass production and guiding plant breeding for wood and ethanol applications. The findings aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to fossil fuel sources, providing a sustainable alternative for the industry.
A new study has confirmed a direct link between air pollution exposure and lupus disease activity in children and adolescents. The study found that fine pollution particles triggered an increase in disease severity, including worsening of renal and haematological involvement.
Physicists at NIST create a quantum simulator by entangling up to 219 beryllium ions, enabling simulations that challenge classical computers. The technique also helps improve atomic clocks and models complex physics phenomena.
Scientists at the Hellisheidi power plant in Iceland have developed a method to convert CO2 emissions into solid minerals within months, significantly faster than predicted. The process involves mixing CO2 with water and injecting it into volcanic basalt, resulting in the formation of whitish, chalky minerals.
A team of researchers has developed a method to precisely alter the quantum mechanical states of electrons in an array of quantum boxes. This allows for the investigation of interactions between various types of atoms and electrons, crucial for advancing quantum technologies.
A special issue of Deep Sea Research II explores the global issue of chemical munitions dumped at sea, finding that while some munitions pose little risk to humans, others can have adverse effects on fish populations. International collaboration has shed light on techniques for investigating munitions dumpsites and mitigating damage.
A study found that isolated Cape honeybees in South Africa reproduce asexually, with female workers laying eggs fertilized by their own DNA. This unique behavior is linked to genetic differences at several genes, enabling social parasitism and population survival.
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Colin led to widespread flooding in Florida and Georgia, with over 250 mm of rain recorded in some areas. NASA's IMERG data analysis showed Colin's heaviest precipitation occurred over central Florida, with extreme amounts exceeding 280 mm.
A new laboratory test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine accurately clocks the 'speed' of human brain tumor cell movement, which may predict how quickly and aggressively a given cancer might lethally spread. The assay has been tested on 14 glioblastoma patients and showed promising results in predicting clinical outcomes.
A 15-year study of 1.1 million patients with atrial fibrillation found that women are 23% more likely to be hospitalised for acute ischaemic stroke than men, regardless of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or region. Women consistently had a higher risk of stroke hospitalization than men over the past 15 years.
An international team of scientists has found a way to remove anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere by turning it into rock. The process, known as carbonate mineralisation, can take as little as two years and permanently locks away CO2 in basaltic rocks.
Researchers discovered an enzyme that slows cell growth in breast cancer cells by increasing cyclic GMP production. Histone deacetylase inhibitors also relax blood vessels, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for erectile dysfunction and other diseases.
A new study links melting in Greenland to Arctic amplification, a phenomenon fuelled by rising global temperatures and melting sea ice. The jet stream's northern swing reached record-breaking latitudes, allowing warm air to penetrate further north.
Researchers identified and recorded over 50 species of fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, lichens, and vascular plants at the Mars Desert Research Station. The study provides a first-line reference for identifying these organisms and serves as a starting point for future floristic and ecological work.
By immersing glass particles in a fluid, researchers enhanced the optical properties of both solids and liquids, demonstrating significant changes in diffusivity. The findings have potential applications in imaging, sensing, and photography, including calibrating medical-imaging systems and creating tunable optical devices.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation in the TEK gene that causes primary congenital glaucoma, a devastating eye disease affecting children worldwide. The finding validates previous research in mice and suggests a new therapeutic pathway to repair damaged vessels in the eye.
A new mouse study suggests that autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be linked to defects in peripheral nerves, rather than just the brain. The research found that mice with ASD-associated gene mutations exhibited abnormal touch sensitivity and anxiety-like behavior.
Scientists at the University of Utah found that delaying the budding of new HIV particles triggers protease to destroy the virus, rendering it non-infectious. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new AIDS treatments with fewer side effects in about a decade.
Researchers found that birds flee from predators at longer distances when their eggs are well-camouflaged, and adjust their behavior to shade their eggs during the day. This suggests that camouflage can mitigate both predation risk and thermal risks in animals.
Researchers found that 30% of induced pluripotent stem cells were genetically unstable and not safe for clinical use. Despite this, a large set of iPSCs met quality standards, and the study established an online database to support further research.
A clinical trial shows that an intensive procedure replacing the diseased immune system with a new one using blood stem cells can eliminate all signs of brain inflammation in people with early, aggressive multiple sclerosis. The treatment resulted in zero clinical relapses and no new active inflammatory lesions over 4-13 year follow-up.
A study found that about 40% of Hispanic adults with colorectal cancer used complementary and integrative health practices. Women were more likely to have used these practices than men, according to the study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
A team of researchers has pinpointed the genetics behind a select group of garter snakes' ability to eat poisonous newts, revealing an evolutionary 'building blocks' pattern. The study found that resistant muscle evolved after resistant nerves, with the ancestors of garter snakes gaining toxin-resistant nerves almost 40 million years ago.
Dr. Katherine Ralston, a UC Davis microbiologist, has been awarded a 2016 Pew scholarship to study the mechanisms of 'trogocytosis,' or 'cell nibbling,' which allows Entamoeba histolytica to kill cells in the human intestine. This research could lead to new insights into disease prevention.
A study found that breast cancer patients who did not adhere to their medication schedule for chronic conditions before diagnosis were twice as likely to skip oral adjuvant hormonal therapy. Non-adherence rates were higher among women with certain age groups, medical specialties, and co-payments.
Researchers found that DNASE1L3 prevents lupus by breaking down DNA, which triggers immune cells to produce antibodies that cause inflammation. A new mechanism for biologic therapies has been discovered.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a unique method to detect antibodies in the blood, enabling simple diagnostic tests for diseases without known microbial causes. This approach successfully led to the detection of HIV antibodies and holds potential for diagnosing various conditions with just a single drop of bl...
Researchers have developed perovskite solar cells with an average efficiency of 19.6% and a record-breaking aperture area of 1 cm2, overcoming scalability limitations. The new technique eliminates impurities and grain boundaries, resulting in highly oriented crystalline films.
A new study provides direct evidence of the brain's navigation network, including the orbitofrontal cortex and frontopolar cortex. The research found that these regions play key roles in classifying future goals and visualizing spatial contexts for navigation.
A new study reverses resistance to antiangiogenic drugs by adding an antidiabetic agent, inhibiting tumor growth up to 92%. Researchers found that this mechanism can be targeted to attack cancer cells, with potential for improved treatment outcomes. The discovery has the potential to prolong patient benefit from antiangiogenic treatments.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an RNA aptamer that prevents misfolding of a specific serpin mutant without inhibiting its anti-proteolytic function. This breakthrough has implications for diseases caused by serpinopathies, such as liver cirrhosis and lung emphysema.
Researchers found that expensive drugs like aflibercept are not cost-effective for treating diabetic macular edema compared to cheaper alternatives. To reach a threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year, treatment costs would need to decrease by 69% for aflibercept and 80% for ranibizumab.
EPFL researchers have achieved the highest performance ever measured for larger-size perovskite solar cells, reaching over 20% efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to increased efficiency in hybrid solar panels that combine perovskites with silicon, potentially exceeding 30% efficiency.
A recent study confirms a strong association between depression symptom severity and the level of disease activity and disability in adolescent patients with juvenile inflammatory arthritis. The findings underscore the need for psychological health assessment and support to be fully integrated into their routine care.
Researchers at Washington State University have observed skin cells altering proteins and moving to repair wounds, a process that could be manipulated to speed up healing. They found that the cells use their internal muscle-related proteins to generate forces needed to move, allowing them to 'walk' to the wound site.
Scientists have identified a new biomarker for nerve cell damage that can be measured in the blood, providing valuable information on disease progression and treatment response. The discovery offers a potential breakthrough for developing therapies and could simplify clinical trials by using a simple blood sample.
A new method enables rapid isolation and concentration of infectious bacteria from complex clinical samples, accelerating bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. This breakthrough uses an engineered pathogen-binding protein to capture live pathogens from joint fluids, allowing for faster and more accurate diagno...
A new drug called ixekizumab has shown significant promise in treating moderate to severe psoriasis, with 80 percent of patients experiencing complete or near-complete clearance of their symptoms. The long-term efficacy and safety of the treatment will be monitored closely.