A biodegradable nanoparticle acts like a Trojan horse to convince the immune system not to attack an allergen, shutting down allergic reactions and preventing asthma attacks. The technology also shows promise in treating food allergies.
Researchers discovered a significant shift in copper isotopic composition, indicating the Great Oxidation Event's gradual increase in atmospheric oxygen. This finding provides a tool to track fluctuations in oxygen levels throughout Earth's history and sheds light on the evolution of life.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Liverpool analyzed data from 157 ecstasy users and 148 controls to examine the effect of ecstasy on the brain. The study found significant reductions in serotonin transport in ecstasy users, which may contribute to cognitive deficits and mood changes.
New research suggests that human brain size and body size are genetically linked, with increased brain size leading to a correlated response in body size. This phenomenon played a significant role in the evolution of larger brains and bodies in humans.
Researchers at the University of Stirling discovered that wild bumblebees are born with the ability to vibrate flowers to extract pollen. Over time and with practice, bees refine their vibrations, saving energy and maximizing rewards from each flower.
A new study found significant variability in surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use and appropriateness among children's hospitals, with a median rate of 64.6% for appropriate use across all procedures. The likelihood of Clostridium difficile infection and epinephrine administration was higher in patients receiving antibiotics
Researchers from Penn Medicine and Harvard University have developed a novel CAR T cell therapy that targets glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. The phase I trial has shown promising results, with patients experiencing significant expansion of engineered T cells in their blood and infiltration of tumors.
The phase 1b clinical trial of atezolizumab has reported promising results in 23 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Fifty-two percent responded to treatment, and median progression-free survival was 14.1 months. Another patient, Rodney Bearfoot, has remained on the study for over three years despite a stage 4 diagnosis.
A study by the National Institutes of Health found that a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce the risk of high blood pressure among women who had pregnancy-related (gestational) diabetes. Women who adhered to such a diet were 20% less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who did not.
Research by University of Arizona geoscientists finds post-wildfire erosion dominates landscape transformation in the US Intermountain West. Erosion rates increased 1,000 to 10,000 times in burned watersheds compared to unburned areas after severe wildfires.
Memories formed in one part of the brain are replayed and transferred to another area for consolidation, according to a new UCL study. The process, essential for tackling Alzheimer's disease, involves the transfer of memories from the hippocampus to the entorhinal cortex.
RMIT researchers have successfully trialled a quantum processor capable of routing quantum information from different locations, opening a pathway towards the first quantum data bus. This breakthrough has significant implications for future quantum technologies, including quantum computing and secure communication.
Scientists found neonicotinoid seed treatments yield higher results in southern U.S. states, with economic benefits in four out of 10 years studied.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found a way to attack a process that tumor cells use to escape the effects of standard cancer drugs. The discovery highlights how targeting specific metabolic requirements of cancer cells can prove effective in their selective eradication.
A study at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that normal liver cells metabolize dietary fructose differently than cancerous cells, revealing a potential diagnostic marker for liver cancer. The researchers discovered a gene called KHK that is expressed differently in healthy and tumor tissues.
Researchers identified an underlying cause of immune suppression in spinal cord injuries and proposed a possible treatment using chemogenetic agents. Chemogenetic silencing reversed the immune suppressive reflex, reversing spleen atrophy and increasing white blood cell counts in mouse models.
The American College of Physicians calls for immediate global action to combat the health impacts of climate change, including heat-related illnesses and malnutrition. A new policy paper highlights the need for physicians to educate themselves and their patients about climate change's effects on human health.
Researchers developed a new computer algorithm called REVEALER to identify groups of genetic variations associated with cancer cell activation and treatment responses. Using large tumor genomics database The Cancer Genome Atlas, REVEALER revealed new gene mutations linked to cancer development and treatment resistance.
Researchers found that combining great willow herb extracts with antibiotics can reduce antibiotic doses and minimize side effects in treating multi-drug resistant infections. The synergistic effect of the herb's phenolic acids and flavonoids with common antibiotics has potential to influence antimicrobial activity.
Scientists have successfully converted spin current into electric current in several organic semiconductors, including carbon-60 buckyballs. The 'inverse spin Hall effect' method has potential for use in future electronic devices like batteries and solar cells.
A team of researchers identified traits that best protect trees against death from drought, finding that xylem stress is a key predictor of survival. The study provides a foundation for improving predictions of drought-induced tree mortality across diverse forests.
Researchers found that a gap phase in the cell cycle acts as a switch to mask asynchronous synthesis, enabling a mitotic wave to coordinate with neural tube formation. This study provides insight into the critical stage of animal embryonic development.
A new HPV vaccine could significantly reduce cervical cancer incidence by 73% and healthcare costs if states coordinate policies to improve coverage. Increased funding can lead to improved vaccine coverage and public health.
A team of researchers at Binghamton University recorded the brain activity of 50 people while they looked at images, finding that participants' brains reacted differently to each image. This allowed a computer system to identify each volunteer's unique 'brainprint' with 100% accuracy.
Using ultrasonic signals, researchers demonstrated the possibility of high-definition video transmission through tissue for in-body communications with implanted medical devices. The study achieved data rates >30Mbps with low error rates, sufficient for real-time streaming.
Researchers from Illinois Institute of Technology analyzed over 200 brands on Twitter, finding that fans of eco-friendly, luxury, and nutrition brands tend to follow environmentally focused accounts, resulting in a positive brand image. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional surveys.
A new study suggests that increased carbon dioxide levels could help mitigate the negative impacts of rising temperatures on crop yields, particularly in regions with suitable conditions. The research projects a 10% increase in average yields of certain crops, while water consumption would decrease by a corresponding amount.
Researchers have developed a method that uses laser pulses to identify brain tumors without labeling or staining, providing histological detail comparable to conventional techniques. The technique allows for fast and accurate diagnosis in the operating room, potentially enabling real-time tumor detection before surgery.
A study found that most patients with asymptomatic carotid disease underwent unnecessary carotid imaging tests ordered for uncertain or inappropriate indications. The majority of these patients received endarterectomy, while others had stenting performed.
Researchers have identified a biological pathway in mice that explains the ineffectiveness of current asthma therapies. The discovery highlights the role of neuropeptide NPY in airway hyper-responsiveness and constriction. Inhibiting NPY activity may help alleviate asthma symptoms, providing hope for millions of patients.
A new technique to probe and control environmental noise in quantum computing has been developed by a Dartmouth-led team. The method, called quantum noise spectroscopy, uses a quantum system as a probe of its own environment to extract information about the noise.
A USU aerospace engineering team is developing next-gen green rocket motors with a potential impact on the space industry. The team aims to determine if exhaust plumes from new motor designs can contaminate solar panels and other external spacecraft surfaces.
Researchers found that SLE neutrophils release oxidized mitochondrial DNA, stimulating type I interferon production and contributing to disease pathogenesis. Targeting pathways for oxidized DNA degradation may offer new treatment options for chronic autoimmune disease.
A recent study reveals that cancer patients and families perceive palliative care as synonymous with death, despite its benefits in improving quality of life. The researchers call for a rebranding of palliative care to address the stigma and promote earlier access to supportive care.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered the structure of MraY enzyme, revealing a hidden binding pocket that can be targeted by muraymycin. This breakthrough provides a platform for designing broad-spectrum antibiotics that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections and save millions of lives.
Researchers found lower metabolism and reduced brain size among study participants taking anticholinergic drugs, which may increase risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. The study provides insight into the potential underlying biology of these clinical links using neuroimaging measurements.
Research found that delaying radiation therapy after surgery increases the risk of recurrent tumors in women with stage 0 breast cancer. Women who received radiation within eight weeks had a lower rate of recurrence compared to those who delayed treatment. The study suggests that timely radiation therapy is crucial for reducing the ris...
A Tel Aviv University study found that smartphone technology has led to diminished overall privacy, as individuals voluntarily share personal data and location information. The researchers developed an Android application to collect data and discovered a correlation between the type of space and willingness to share information.
A new study found that consuming produce grown in treated wastewater-irrigated soil leads to higher levels of carbamazepine excretion. The researchers discovered that the production and consumption of such veggies pose a potential risk for consumers, despite the low quantities involved.
Researchers found that CTC clusters can unfold and pass through constrictions in microfluidic devices and human blood vessels. This ability may contribute to their metastatic potential. The study suggests potential strategies to reduce clusters' ability to spread cancer throughout the body.
Ten scientists from eight institutions across the US will receive $750,000 each to support high-risk, high-reward projects in cancer research. The grants aim to accelerate innovative approaches in tumor metabolism, imaging, and mathematical models of combination drug therapy.
Intensifying tropical agriculture may sequester up to 1-4 million metric tons of phosphorus fertilizer annually, forcing farmers to pay a recurring 'P-tax'. Recycling phosphorus-rich livestock manure and rethinking high-meat diets could mitigate this issue.
Exposure to violence during pregnancy may increase the risk of prematurity and low birthweight. A recent study by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Leicester found that mothers exposed to homicides had newborns with lower birthweights and higher rates of prematurity, particularly in the first trimester.
Researchers have identified a key role for a recently discovered immune cell in age-related inflammation and disease. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying these conditions and offers promising avenues for treatment.
A new study finds that patients with advanced cancer often view palliative care as a stigma due to its association with death. Experts suggest that education and rebranding could help break down this stigma, promoting a more positive view of the service.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that heavy media multitaskers benefited from a short meditation exercise in which they sat quietly counting their breaths. Heavy media multitaskers scored worse on attention tests, but improved significantly after the exercise.
Researchers developed a risk prediction model integrating 19 environmental and lifestyle risk factors with 64 common genetic risk factors to identify individuals at high risk of developing colorectal cancer. The model aims to improve colonoscopies for those at higher risk, while avoiding unnecessary procedures for low-risk individuals.
Research shows that people who face uncertain outcomes may prioritize high-risk options even when unrelated to romance. This study found that exposure to unfavorable sex ratios led participants to make riskier financial decisions, such as investing more in a single high-stakes option.
Researchers found that women exposed to disclaimer labels on digitally altered images did not report higher body satisfaction than those exposed to unaltered images. Subvertising efforts, however, were ineffective in improving body image.
A new study found that shifted sleep-wake cycles affect brain function differently in men and women. Women were more cognitively impaired during the early morning hours, making them potentially more vulnerable to night-shift work.
Researchers have discovered how compounds produced by the body's immune system help to dampen inflammation and prevent damage to healthy tissues. These compounds, called alpha defensins, may act on cells of the immune system to prevent excessive inflammation.
Research in female mice reveals estrogen's protective effects against renal ischemia, leading to improved survival rates and lower kidney injury. Human kidney transplant outcomes also show greater failure rates in male recipients compared to females.
A study found that specific psychological and social work factors were consistently associated with sleep problems, both concurrently and two years later. The most consistent predictors of troubled sleep included quantitative job demands, decision control, role conflict, and support from a superior in the workplace.
Dinosaurs were already experiencing an evolutionary decline, with many species going extinct faster than new ones emerged. This suggests that the asteroid impact may not have been the sole cause of their extinction.
Researchers have discovered a new metamaterial that radiates heat in specific directions, making it ideal for use with thermophotovoltaic cells. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient cells that harvest heat from surroundings and convert it into electricity.
The I-SPY 2 trial shows that a combination of T-DM1 and pertuzumab before surgery can eradicate residual disease in more patients compared to paclitaxel plus trastuzumab. This new approach may improve outcomes for women with HER2-positive invasive breast cancer.
McMaster University has received $3.3M in funding to address auto industry and nuclear safety challenges through two research projects, the CaNRisk program and CREATE Program in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain Design and Development.
A new cancer treatment approach uses microparticles and mesenchymal stem cells to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumor cells, reducing systemic toxicity. The method successfully kills tumor cells via a strong bystander effect, offering hope for targeted treatment of prostate cancer and potentially other diseases.
Dr. Crystal Mackall receives $500,000 Clinical Translation Grant to study osteosarcoma and develop immunotherapy treatment options. The grant aims to improve outcomes for patients with this rare form of cancer.
The demand for radiotherapy is expected to increase by 16% between 2012 and 2025, with prostate cancer cases projected to rise by 24%. This is due to an aging population in Europe, with four million new cancer patients expected in 2025. The study's authors aim to help policymakers plan for increased radiotherapy services.