A randomized clinical trial found that 25% calorie restriction over two years improved mood, reduced tension, and enhanced general health and sexual drive in healthy adults. The study suggests that calorie restriction may provide some benefits for nonobese individuals, contradicting previous concerns about potential negative effects.
A new blackspot identification method developed by QUT uses a Bayesian latent class model to analyze multiple crash risk processes. The model identifies additional high-risk sites, resulting in improved prediction ability and accuracy.
A new study by University of Exeter expert Dr James Screen found that Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) affects Arctic amplification, with varying sea-ice loss impacting warming rates. The 'negative' phase of PDO leads to greater Arctic warming due to colder ocean temperatures along the west coast of North America.
Ricardo Sosa, a University of Houston student, has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to continue his research on kidney stones. He will study how organic modifiers affect kidney stone growth, potentially leading to new treatments or prevention methods.
Hydroelectric dams devastate aquatic insect populations and food webs by creating an 'extensive intertidal zone' along river shorelines. Citizen science data show that species with river-edge egg laying behaviors have been largely extirpated from the Grand Canyon.
Researchers discovered that people's stereotypes can alter brain activity when viewing faces, making them appear more in line with biased expectations. The study found specific patterns of visual bias and neural activation, confirming stereotypical associations with the US population.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has released updated guidelines for cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) best practices. The new guidelines aim to improve the quality of care, enhance patient satisfaction, and promote consistency in cath lab operations.
New genetic data shows two major changes in prehistoric human populations, linked to the end of the last Ice Age. The data also reveal mixture with Neanderthals and evidence of natural selection removing Neanderthal ancestry.
A study analyzing data from three injury surveillance programs found concussions in high school football had the highest average number of reported symptoms. High school football players also had the highest proportion of concussions with a return to play time of at least 30 days, followed by youth and college players.
A study published in Pediatric Obesity found that vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life is critical for muscle-mass development and less body fat in toddlers. Children who had sufficient vitamin D stores averaged around 450 grams less body fat at 3 years of age.
Research in a mouse model found that antibiotics deplete beneficial bacteria, increasing oxygen levels that favor the growth of pathogen Salmonella. This discovery has profound implications for preventing side effects of antibiotic treatment and informs new strategies to tackle bacterial infections.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as first-line treatment for adults with chronic insomnia, according to the American College of Physicians. The new guideline also suggests a shared-decision making approach if therapy alone is unsuccessful, and notes that medication may have fewer harms than sleep medications.
Experts gathered at EPA headquarters to discuss design of in vitro system to assess nanomaterial toxicity, with PETA International Science Consortium funding its development. The report summarizes workshop discussions and recommends aerosol generation and exposure tools.
The primary method used to test compounds for anti-cancer activity in cells is flawed, according to a study by Vanderbilt University researchers. They have developed a new metric to evaluate a compound's effect on cell proliferation called the DIP rate, which overcomes the flawed bias in traditional methods.
A study of 44 US climate-adaptation plans found that local communities apply diverse strategies to combat climate change, but often fail to prioritize goals or provide implementation details. The plans also lack clarity on metrics for measuring progress and addressing uncertainty related to climate-change impacts.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that Fanconi anemia genes play a crucial role in selective autophagy, particularly in removing damaged mitochondria. This finding has implications for treating Fanconi anemia and certain cancers, including familial breast and ovarian cancer.
Researchers identified key signal TBK1 drives Tfh cell maturation, promoting precise immune response. ICOS regulates B cell activation and specificity through TBK1 association.
The Middle East and North Africa may become uninhabitable due to climate change, with temperatures expected to rise by over two degrees Celsius by mid-century. Heat waves could occur ten times more often, with prolonged periods of extreme heat becoming the norm.
Researchers have discovered that a combination of 5-azacytidine and the HDAC inhibitor butyrate reduces the number of cancer stem cells in breast cancer patients. This targeted approach may improve survival rates and provide a new treatment option for breast cancer.
Researchers at Indiana University estimate that nearly 1 trillion species exist on Earth, using large datasets and ecological models to conclude that 99.999 percent remain undiscovered. The study highlights the vast diversity of microbial life on the planet.
The Maryland Climate and Health Profile report highlights the state's vulnerability to climate change, with extreme weather events increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses, heart attacks, and severe asthma attacks. The report projects higher rates of these health issues in future decades, particularly among coastal communities.
A recent study at The Hormel Institute has uncovered a new molecular mechanism that detects missegregated chromosomes and prevents the formation of tumors. This discovery provides insight into the regulation of chromosome segregation and its role in cancer development.
Brown University bioengineers have developed a synthetic bed that works as well as traditional mouse cells without contamination risk. The innovation allows for the cultivation of human embryonic stem cells more safely and could lead to advances in stem cell therapies.
A new study from Wake Forest University found that testosterone influences the evolution of a waving display in male Bornean rock frogs. The research revealed that testosterone increases foot-flagging behavior and changes how hormones act on leg muscles, similar to the change seen in vocal croaks.
A study by IRB Barcelona reveals the genetic code stopped evolving at 20 amino acids due to limitations in tRNA molecules. The researchers explain that new amino acids can't be introduced without causing problems with protein synthesis and translation.
Researchers developed SpiroCall, a system that can accurately measure lung function using a standard phone call, regardless of smartphone availability. The tool's results were within 6.2% of clinical spirometer readings, making it suitable for monitoring chronic lung diseases at home.
A team of engineers and marine biologists at the University of California, San Diego, developed a claw-like device based on the sea urchin's mouthpiece to sample sediments on other planets. The device uses five curved teeth with triangle-shaped tips that can scrape, cut, chew, and bore holes into tough rocks.
A study found that freeze-thawing and intravenous infusion affect mesenchymal stromal cell gene expression, which may impact their therapeutic use in reducing inflammatory responses. The lung microenvironment also influences MSC gene expression, highlighting the need for careful characterization.
A team of astronomers has discovered three planets with sizes similar to Earth's orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, which may possess habitable regions. The planets' orbits are extremely close to their host star, receiving four times and twice less radiation than Earth.
Dr. Murtaza and Dr. Antoni Ribas are awarded $200,000 to investigate whether microbiome analysis can predict patient response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients. Their study aims to analyze the relationship between microbial composition and immunotherapy outcomes.
Researchers found that young adults taught to weigh themselves daily and make small changes in diet and exercise had significantly reduced average weight gain over three years. The large change strategy led to even more effective weight loss results.
Severe spring thunderstorms spawned over 67 tornadoes across the US, with intense rainfall totals reported in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Heavy flooding caused six fatalities in Palestine, Texas, while six inches of rain were recorded in southern Mississippi.
A new article provides a comprehensive guide to managing billbugs in turfgrass, including regional information and alternative control methods. The study highlights the potential of using resistant turfgrass varieties and encouraging natural predators to manage billbug populations.
A UCLA study found a significant decline in funding for the US government's HIV/AIDS initiative, PEPFAR, from $448.6 million in 2013 to $302.8 million in 2014. This drop is concerning as many countries rely on PEPFAR for vital health care services.
A new study suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy can help prevent long-term memory issues caused by chemotherapy. The therapy, called Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT), was developed to increase awareness of situations where memory problems arise and develop skills to compensate for memory dysfunction.
The Jayich Lab developed a quantum sensor that captures nanoscale images with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. This technology operates from room temperature, allowing for the study of various phases of matter and phase transitions.
Five teams of cancer researchers received a total of $1 million to advance 'innovation in collaboration' through new research projects. The awards will support novel collaborations between senior and junior researchers, exploring questions arising from existing SU2C-supported Teams.
The BrightFocus Foundation has awarded nearly $5 million in vision research grants to five scientists studying macular degeneration and glaucoma. The grants, named after prominent leaders in the field, will support innovative research projects aimed at understanding and preventing these diseases.
A long-term follow-up study found significant improvement in health-related quality of life after bariatric surgery for patients with BPD-DS. The study evaluated 27 patients who underwent the procedure and compared their outcomes to pre-surgery scores and those from the general population.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that all-female mole salamanders can regenerate tail tissue at 1.5 times the rate of their heterosexual counterparts, with a 10-week timeline compared to 14 weeks for males. This faster regeneration may be attributed to genetic differences and reproductive strategies.
Scientists observed anomalous sinking phenomena in apparently fixed powder beds due to local fluidization. The final sunken depth varied with sphere density and air strength. This discovery could lead to the development of dry-type gravity separation technology for separating three objects with different densities.
A randomized clinical trial found no significant effect of pasteurized donor milk on preventing serious infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, and all-cause mortality in premature neonates. The study suggests that providing raw mother's milk to premature infants is crucial for reducing the risk of these conditions.
Single parents living in urban low-income neighborhoods with high levels of community violence experience significant symptoms of stress and depression, affecting their children's emotional health. Research emphasizes the need for further study and programmatic interventions supporting the overall health of housing unstable families.
Developed by University of Cambridge researchers, the nanoscale engine harnesses light energy to generate elastic forces, making it suitable for water navigation and disease-fighting applications. With immense force capabilities and bio-compatibility, these 'ANTs' could revolutionize nano-machinery and microfluidics industries.
A recent study tracked developing cells in an adult mouse brain, finding that the brain prunes back excess dendrite branches to achieve optimal design. This pruning process may hold implications for understanding neurological disorders such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and schizophrenia.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that groundwater extraction contributes about three times less to sea level rise than previously estimated, with an accurate figure of around 80%. This revised estimate suggests that other processes may be contributing more water to sea level rise, widening the gap between modeled ...
A new study reveals that newborns are likely being over-treated for reflux disease, with clinical symptoms only rarely confirmed by the gold-standard reflux test. The study suggests that doctors should use the MII-pH test to confirm diagnoses before treating infants with medications or surgery.
Seven of the top 10 most profitable US hospitals in 2013 were nonprofit hospitals, earning over $163 million each. The study suggests that monopolies in their communities allow these hospitals to charge high rates to private insurers, leading to substantial profits. In contrast, rural and urban hospitals with smaller patient volumes te...
Scientists at UC Berkeley have identified a key epigenetic switch that increases lifespan in mammals, offering hope for new treatments to improve human metabolic function. The discovery was made in the nematode worm C. elegans and found to be linked to increased lifespan in mice.
Researchers at SUNY Downstate Health Science University have identified a brain receptor that triggers synaptic pruning in the hippocampus during adolescence. This process is crucial for normal learning but goes awry in diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.
European companies missed market opportunities by prioritizing own data services over open internet, a study suggests. The industry's decline is attributed to risk aversion, lack of investment in new technologies, and monopolistic traditions.
A vast reef system spanning 10,000 km2 has been discovered at the Amazon River mouth, contradicting long-held assumptions about reef development. The ecosystem thrives under a plume layer due to chemosynthesizing microorganisms, supporting complex biodiversity in low light conditions.
A new study links climate warming to increased algal growth in the Athabasca oilsands region of northern Alberta. Researchers found a stronger link between warmer air temperatures and algal production, rather than industrial nutrient fertilization.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that DNA segments become jammed within viruses when sticky, causing the DNA to behave like LEGO pieces. Adding polyamines can cause viral DNA to become jammed and halt packaging.
Three exoplanets, similar to Earth and Venus, orbit an ultracool dwarf star just 40 light years from Earth. The planets may have regions with temperatures suitable for liquid water and life.
A University of Missouri study found that children physically react to stress from their social networks, with cortisol levels and salivary alpha-amylase indicating stress responses. The quality and size of childhood social relationships may have long-term physiological consequences for youth's physical and mental health.
A Penn-coordinated study confirms that half of patients with age-related macular degeneration retain 20/40 vision or better after five years of treatment with Avastin or Lucentis. The study also found signs of modestly worsening disease, but overall, the therapy has shown significant benefits in slowing vision loss.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) endorses cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the primary treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. CBT-I combines cognitive therapy around sleep with various behavioral therapies.
A study by April Cascasan and Thomas Marler reveals that cycad biologists have limited access to crucial information due to inadequate keyword use in historical publications. The authors suggest incorporating keywords like 'cycad' into article titles or index lists to improve discoverability.
A new analysis suggests invoking a little-known 'patent use' law to permit generic versions of patented drugs for government-sponsored insurance programs. This action could allow more patients to access effective drugs like those for hepatitis C at lower costs.