Researchers at Einstein College of Medicine have identified a human protein called transthyretin (TTR) that causes an autoimmune reaction in the joints of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients. Tafamidis, a drug targeting TTR, may be a potential treatment for JIA.
Researchers used 3D microscopic imaging to reconstruct the diets of medieval children, discovering differences in poor and wealthy families. The technique, dental microwear texture analysis, measures changes in tooth surface topography, offering a new way to access dietary information.
Research published in Injury Prevention found that paid family leave in California is associated with a lower rate of children's admission for head injury, including cases of deliberate inflicted trauma. The study suggests that this policy may have positive effects on reducing childhood abuse admissions.
A new NASA visualization reveals an unusual 2015 El Niño pattern, with warmer sea surface temperatures across the Pacific and Atlantic. This differs from the stronger Eastern Pacific pattern seen in the 1997-1998 event.
Research suggests that long-term high-intensity exercise may lead to permanent structural changes in the heart, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. A review by sports cardiologist André La Gerche argues that large prospective studies are needed to fully understand the effects of intense exercise on heart health.
Researchers at Cardiff University have developed a new group of catalysts that can produce hydrogen peroxide on-demand in a simple one-step process, opening up possibilities for manufacturing the chemical in remote areas. The production of hydrogen peroxide is essential for water purification and could significantly reduce costs.
A recent study has discovered an intermediate gut microbiome from the Central African Republic's Bantu community, which incorporates some westernized lifestyle practices. The discovery sheds light on what factors may drive our microbiome differences, linked to metabolic disorders in Western populations.
A single monoclonal antibody isolated from an Ebola survivor protected non-human primates even after lethal infection, offering hope for a potential treatment. The findings suggest a novel site of vulnerability on the Ebola virus and may lead to effective therapy.
Scientists have discovered a way to specifically target and inhibit the most harmful behavior of the amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease. This new therapeutic strategy could potentially treat AD without causing major side effects.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the German Cancer Research Center have identified four new subtypes of a rare childhood brain tumor using molecular techniques. This discovery is expected to improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment options for these hard-to-treat cancers.
A study reveals a deep indigenous genetic history tracing back to the initial settlement of Australia 50 thousand years ago, challenging previous theories about an influx of people from India. The findings show a long and independent genetic history in Australia.
Researchers developed a new screening protocol to detect human polyomaviruses in tumor samples, but found no association with various types of cancer. The technique will aid in studying diseases linked to polyomaviruses, such as Merkel cell carcinoma caused by Merkel cell polyomavirus.
Researchers at Columbia University are reengineering and simplifying music to make it more enjoyable for listeners with cochlear implants. By analyzing which parts of music are most important for listener enjoyment, they aim to develop software that can take original pieces and reconfigure them or allow users to engineer their own music.
Researchers from Colorado State University have discovered a potential diagnostic tool for dengue fever by analyzing metabolomic profiles in patient serum. The study found that distinct metabolic clusters were associated with different disease outcomes, including the progression to hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.
Researchers discovered that saposin B binds to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine, potentially leading to toxicity due to prolonged binding instead of removing damaged lipids. This finding opens up new avenues for investigating saposin B's role in other conditions, such as lysosomal storage diseases.
Research breakthrough reveals pancreatic tumours often lose miR-137 expression, triggering uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. Restoring normal miR-137 levels induces senescence and stops cells from spreading.
Kyoto University engineers have developed genetically modified E. coli that produce thebaine, a morphine precursor, 300 times more efficiently than yeast. This breakthrough could lead to the production of painkillers from microbes with low regulatory risk.
Researchers used fluorescent false neurotransmitter 200 to observe synaptic activity in mice, revealing that only a small number of synapses may be active at any given time. This discovery could help understand how brain signals are transmitted and potentially shed light on brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
A new study reveals that leaf quality, rather than leaf abundance, plays a crucial role in forest carbon cycles. The research finds that varying leaf quality can explain twice as much seasonal variation in ecosystem productivity as leaf quantity alone.
Researchers found that flowers with imperfect iridescence are easier for bees to spot than those with perfect iridescence, which can confuse bees' color recognition. This subtle signal allows flowers to communicate with bees without interfering with their ability to distinguish between colors.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center develop adaptive therapy to keep resistant cells in check, prolonging survival without disease progression in mouse models of triple-negative and ER+ breast cancer. The approach is being tested in a clinical trial for prostate cancer patients.
Researchers found that physical strength is a key attribute in judging leadership potential, with strong men perceived as better leaders and having higher status. This effect does not depend on physical attractiveness, and even manipulating body size and height had no impact on participants' ratings.
A new study by Stanford bioengineers and physicians finds that measuring the rigidity of an hour-old fertilized egg can predict its viability more accurately than current methods. The technique, published in Nature Communications, could improve the success rate of single-egg IVF and ultimately benefit both mothers and babies.
A new study by MIT economist Christopher Knittel suggests that technology-driven cost reductions in fossil fuels will lead to continued use of oil, gas, and coal unless governments pass new taxes on carbon emissions. Burning all available fossil fuels could raise global average temperatures by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.
A study by UTMB found that APPs prescribed short-acting inhalers and consulted with pulmonary specialists more often, leading to lower ER visits for COPD and higher follow-up rates. However, they had lower vaccination rates and less frequent clinic visits after hospitalization compared to physicians.
Researchers from eight European countries have mapped the abundance and diversity of earthworms across the continent, highlighting their crucial role in soil health. The study's findings emphasize the need for further data collection to validate the results and improve monitoring.
A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology has found that most Ebola survivors experienced brain symptoms six months after their initial infection. The study, which followed 82 Ebola survivors from Liberia, revealed common neurological problems such as weakness, headache, memory loss, and depressed mood.
Research identifies cellular stress-sensors proteins that favor viral lytic gene expression and cell cycle arrest. The study provides insight into the link between stress responses, cell cycle regulation and virus reactivation in oncogenic herpesviruses.
The Zika epidemic underscores the importance of prioritizing vaccine development for pregnant women, who face specific challenges in clinical trials and labeling guidelines. Researchers highlight the need for a pregnancy-specific ethical framework, standardized measurement of outcomes, and more baseline data to optimize vaccine safety ...
Coral reefs are already experiencing slower growth due to ocean acidification, which is causing coral calcification rates to decrease. The study found that increasing the pH of seawater can stimulate calcification rates.
Agriculture technology improvements can cut emissions by up to 50%, but reductions in beef consumption are necessary to meet EU climate targets. Cutting back on beef and increasing poultry and pork consumption can help achieve the targets.
Recent gene therapy developments focus on viral vectors like AAV for safe gene transfer, and new gene editing tools offer targeted gene inactivation or insertion. These approaches aim to treat multiple diseases with platform strategies.
A Chapman University study found that couples who engage in regular foreplay, set a romantic mood, and express love experience higher sexual satisfaction. The study of over 38,747 men and women aged 40-46 revealed that satisfied couples also reported more frequent sex, oral sex, and orgasms.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that monthly monitoring and support from pain specialists increased PCP confidence in prescribing opioids, improved patient compliance, and enhanced communication between practitioners. The research highlights the benefits of careful monitoring and pain management support within primary c...
A study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology found that consumers are responsible for more than 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and up to 80% of world water use. Changing consumption habits can significantly reduce environmental impact.
Researchers at MUSC have discovered a safe method for producing retinal pigment epithelial-like cells using human proteins, which can be transplanted to treat macular degeneration. The study also found an effective way to repair the damaged Bruch's membrane beneath these cells, rejuvenating the tissue.
A new study found that a computer-based attention bias modification treatment reduced negative attention biases and clinician-rated depressive symptoms in adolescents with major depression. After 12 months, participants in the active ABM group reported even greater reductions in self-reported depressive and anxious feelings.
A new study from Trinity College Dublin reveals that modifying ECT can minimize cognitive side effects while maintaining its effectiveness in treating severe depression. The 'unilateral' approach, involving unilateral electrode placement, shows promising results.
A reduced glycerin formulation of tenofovir gel was found safe when used daily and around the time of sex for HIV prevention. Participants were as likely to follow through using the gel with sex as they were taking daily oral PrEP, demonstrating its potential as a rectal microbicide for people at risk of HIV from anal sex.
Research led by UI Scientist Brian Dennis finds honeybees' decline rooted in hive size, which becomes unstable when cooperative functions are degraded. The study proposes regional pesticide management and conservation programs to help honeybees.
The USDA Forest Service's new interactive guide, Southern Forest Products - An Economic Engine, tells the story of forest products in the South over the last decades. Using FIA data loaded onto the Esri ArcGIS Online platform, the guide provides a constantly updated guide to southern timber product outputs and mills that process them.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult male gorillas call more frequently than females and juveniles during feeding, especially when consuming aquatic vegetation, flowers, and seeds. This food-associated calling may help express well-being and aid group coordination and social cohesion.
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have designed a powerful 3-D microscope capable of creating high-resolution images of living cancer cells in controlled microenvironments. The new approach enables detailed study of cell interactions with their environment, accelerating discovery in biology.
A new study in Behavioral Ecology suggests that young male western bluebirds may benefit from living with their parents as helpers for a year before starting a nest of their own. This cooperative breeding strategy can increase both the parents' and the helper's lifespans, as well as reproductive fitness.
Scientists struggle to study Zika due to low symptom visibility and lack of approved tests. Pharmaceutical companies are racing to develop vaccines, but a broader approach targeting multiple viruses could provide future protection
Scientists have found that tropical fires in Southeast Asia and Africa are responsible for high ozone concentrations in the air above the western Pacific Ocean. The ozone is a byproduct of burning organic material, which is transported thousands of miles away by winds.
Researchers found that CRP biomass yield can reach up to 6.4 metric tons per hectare, but economic analyses show that costs of fertilizer application may outweigh benefits. Implementing a system where land owners harvest one-third of their acreage per year could reduce government costs by $31 million annually.
The James Webb Space Telescope is being assembled over the next two years, with recent installations of primary mirror segments and upcoming tests at NASA Goddard and Johnson Space Center. The telescope will undergo end-to-end optical testing in a simulated cryo-temperature environment before final assembly and launch preparation.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a novel method to observe insulin production in the pancreas of living animals. The technique allows researchers to see how much insulin is present and respond to sugar levels in real-time, revealing surprising insights into pancreatic function.
Climate change is forcing species of migrating fish to shift their range towards the poles, affecting people who depend on them. Wealthier communities with stronger resource management tend to benefit more from these changes, exacerbating global inequality.
Researchers optimize algae-based biorefineries to produce cleaner energy with reduced costs and carbon footprint. The study's model uses flue gases as a source of CO2, reducing expenses by almost 90%.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found that non-native English speakers performed slower on sideline vision tests and had higher saccade rates compared to native English speakers. The study suggests that clinicians and trainers need to consider language when interpreting test results, which may impact concussion detection.
A recent study published in Neurology found that maintaining mental activity can slow the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms in people without a family history of the disease. For those with the APOE4 gene, continued learning and intellectual activity in middle age can lower amyloid plaque levels.
A new Yale-led study suggests that climate change reallocates global wealth in unpredictable ways, leading to a potential net loss in global wealth. The researchers argue that price impacts in resource-rich areas can significantly affect wealth reallocation.
A recent study published in the BMJ found that intensive blood pressure lowering treatment using antihypertensive drugs may increase the risk of cardiovascular death in people with diabetes and systolic blood pressure levels under 140 mm Hg. However, for those with high blood pressure, treatment is crucial to prevent complications.
A study by Northwestern University found that out-of-state visitors to Colorado's marijuana dispensaries are increasingly visiting the emergency room, with a 109% increase in 2014 compared to 2012. Adverse side effects of cannabis use include anxiety, hallucinations, and cardiovascular issues.
A new study suggests that fetal alcohol exposure leads to long-lasting slow-wave sleep fragmentation, which is associated with learning problems and impaired cognitive function. The researchers found that mice exposed to binge amounts of ethanol displayed severe sleep fragmentation, memory impairment, and hyperactivity.
A recent study found that mental activity may help delay the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms, but it does not affect the underlying disease changes in the brain. For carriers of the APOE4 gene, continued lifetime learning was associated with lower levels of amyloid plaques.
A study by Dr. Fraser Scott and his team discovered a bacteria-killing protein called cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) that helps the pancreas regenerate and produce insulin. The research could lead to novel treatments for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Using laser probe, neurosurgeons deliver chemotherapy drugs to patients with glioblastoma after opening the blood-brain barrier. The technology allows for longer treatment windows and potentially limits harmful effects of chemotherapy.