A team of Dutch investigators has identified NS4B as a potential target for antiviral drug development against dengue virus. A metabolite of acetaminophen, AM404, inhibits replication of the virus. The researchers found that mutations in the viral NS4B protein render the virus insensitive to AM404.
A four-year project aims to investigate the effect of supplementing dairy cows with organic oregano on reducing methane emissions. The goal is to show a 25% reduction in methane production through the addition of oregano, benefiting both the climate and organic farmers.
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. Physicians should be aware of symptoms in travelers returning from affected regions and consider Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly as potential complications.
Researchers warn of the need for more basic research on rewilding's consequences before implementing it as a major conservation approach. The authors advocate for focusing on protecting biodiversity and reducing environmental threats instead.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a unique mechanism underlying Ph-like ALL, a particularly aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The findings reveal that chromosomal rearrangements lead to the activation of a truncated EPOR gene, driving white blood cells to proliferate out of control.
Researchers found that hormone AVP increases willingness to cooperate in humans, mimicking pair bonding in rodents. The study used a game to test the effect of AVP on cooperative behavior, with participants who received the hormone more likely to cooperate than those who did not.
Assistant Professor Yuze Sun is developing an all-liquid optofluidic laser for cancer detection and other biosensing applications. The laser's adaptive nature achieves high-precision tuning, making it biocompatible and bioconfigurable.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a nanoparticle therapy that combines LDL and fish oil to preferentially kill primary liver cancer cells. The approach shows significant anti-cancer activity, with over 80% of tumor cells dying, and holds promise for potentially treating other cancers.
Researchers found that metformin enhances new blood vessel formation and reverses oxygen delay during a heart attack. The study suggests that the medication can aid in heart attack recovery by promoting the growth of new blood vessels.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces HIV transmission in the female reproductive tract, regardless of exposure method. This discovery has significant implications for future HIV prevention, vaccine, and cure research.
Exercise scientists at BYU found that the immune system's T-cells infiltrate damaged muscle fibers, facilitating accelerated repair and reduced muscle soreness after repeated exercise bouts. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about inflammation and its role in exercise-induced muscle damage.
Indiana University faculty experts will present at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Katy Börner will discuss visual analytics and data visualization techniques, while Noretta Koertge will explore scientific virtues and research ethics.
A large-scale study found a significant link between traffic-related air pollution and the formation of lentigenes (facial dark spots) on cheeks of Asian women over 50. The study also showed that exposure to nitrogen dioxide gas had a stronger impact on dark spot formation than particulate matter.
Babies born to mothers exposed to air pollution from traffic sources during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing asthma before the age of 5 years. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, two markers of traffic-related air pollution, was found to increase this risk.
Researchers identify subset of first-degree relatives at higher MS risk; study to map events leading from health to disease. The Genes and Environment in Multiple Sclerosis (GEMS) project aims to develop interventions to block MS onset.
Coralline algae, crucial for marine biodiversity, are becoming less robust due to ocean acidification. The skeletal structure of these algae is vulnerable to changes in carbonate chemistry, which can lead to habitat loss and reduced support for other species.
A new study finds that carbon emissions will have long-lasting impacts on the planet, with some effects lasting over 100,000 years. The researchers warn that reducing emissions slightly or significantly is not sufficient to prevent catastrophic consequences.
Researchers have discovered a new bacterial species, B. mayonii, that causes Lyme disease in people in the upper Midwestern US. The species was previously unknown and has been identified through PCR testing of patient samples.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution explore the rules behind metallic glasses, materials that are stronger and more resistant than traditional metals. By studying alloys under extreme pressures, they found a consistent numeric relationship between structure and properties, which could aid further discovery and synthesis.
A study by Kansas State University found that millennials prefer ethical chocolate but only make a small percentage of purchases based on these values. The majority of participants expressed strong preferences for clean labels and minimal concern for ethical factors in their choice behavior.
Researchers discovered that gut microbiomes play a role in reducing the severity of malaria. Mice fed yogurt with specific bacteria showed decreased malaria pathology. The study provides a potential new approach to developing treatments for malaria.
Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before age seven develop a more aggressive form of the disease compared to teenagers. Researchers found that those diagnosed in childhood retain fewer insulin-producing beta cells than previously thought.
Researchers determine when coral died with precision of up to one to two years, revealing dramatic loss of coral cover near Bowen, Queensland. The study provides a benchmark for monitoring the recovery of these reefs.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have determined the 3D structure of Juno, a mammalian egg protein essential for triggering gamete fusion. The study reveals that changes in Juno's shape alter its ability to bind with sperm protein Izumo1, bringing scientists closer to understanding fertilization.
Researchers developed a muscle-on-a-chip model that demonstrates how cardiac stem cell therapies can fail due to inefficient force transmission between new and old heart cells. The study suggests that mechanical forces are not transmitted properly, leading to the formation of cellular adhesions that dissipate force to surrounding tissues.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health review vaccination policies, finding that states like Mississippi and West Virginia have high immunization rates with strict exemption laws. The authors suggest alternatives to eliminating nonmedical exemptions entirely, including making them more difficult to obtain.
The Independent Data Monitoring Committee has recommended continuing the Phase III trial with PM1183 due to positive safety data from the first 80 patients. The trial assesses PM1183's efficacy compared to standard treatments for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
A multicomponent intervention including reminders, swim shirts, and read-along books increased sun-protection behaviors among young children, while also reducing changes in skin pigment. The study found that the intervention was more effective than usual information provided during well-child visits.
Oxford University researchers have identified the origins of severe disease-causing mutations within the testicles of healthy men. These mutations are linked to an increased risk of rare diseases in children born to older fathers, highlighting a potential 'timebomb' for families.
A research team found that a geologic event known as diking can cause strong earthquakes, with the potential to pose hazards to nearby communities. The team investigated ties between two natural disasters in the Democratic Republic of Congo and discovered that a dike intrusion could have induced a magnitude 6.2 earthquake.
A Yale study applying evolutionary biology tools sheds light on cancer's genetic origins and tumor progression. The research mapped genetic mutations in normal, primary, and metastatic tumor tissue, revealing that metastases originate from different paths within primary tumors and can diverge early in cancer history.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have successfully created three-dimensional artificial capillary systems using cotton candy machines, which can keep living cells viable and functional for over a week. This breakthrough technique uses hydrogels as scaffolds to support cells within artificial organs.
A groundbreaking study from Michigan State University found that sleep-deprived individuals are 4.5 times more likely to sign false confessions than those who have slept eight hours the night before. This raises complex questions about police interrogation practices and the use of sleep deprivation in interrogations.
A new study reveals that Australopithecus sediba did not have a jaw structure suitable for eating hard foods, contradicting earlier research. The discovery suggests that dietary changes played a significant role in shaping the evolution of early humans.
Researchers discovered a new type of enzyme assembly in C. thermocellum that allows the microorganism more freedom to explore for additional biomass, providing redundancy in its cellulolytic system. The findings have important implications for industry and could lead to cheaper production of cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels.
Cocaine users exhibit hyperactivation in the ventral striatum, a region critical for reward processing, and display anomalous activation profiles in the prefrontal cortex. Structural differences, including hypertrophy of key brain regions, contribute to the development of compulsive behaviors and difficulties in controlling impulses.
The program aims to attract and support underrepresented groups in geosciences. Students will participate in field work, hands-on activities, and dual-credit courses to explore four career options.
A new robot, CRAM, has been developed using the inspiration of American cockroaches' ability to penetrate tight joints and seams. The robot can rapidly squeeze through cracks, even when flattened, and withstand forces up to 900 times its body weight without injury.
Researchers found that graphene efficiently shields chemical interactions by covering surface defects, reducing reactivity. This shielding enables controlled selectivity and activity of supported metallic catalysts on carbon substrates.
A study by Aarhus University found that wholegrain foods, such as rye bread, contain bioactive compounds called benzoxazinoids. These substances have been shown to pass through the gut wall and circulate in the body, potentially regulating the immune system.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania's Smell and Taste Center reveals that brain scars caused by MS may be responsible for taste deficits in patients. The research found that patients with more lesions on their brains had worse taste functions, especially salty and sweet tastes.
A new Cochrane systematic review provides comprehensive insights into the surgical treatment of vaginal prolapse, comparing tissue repair with artificial mesh. The study found that while mesh reduces awareness of prolapse, its overall benefit is small and comes with increased risks, including reoperation and bladder injury.
Two new species of weakly electric mormyrid fish have been discovered in the rivers of Gabon, belonging to a newly described genus Cryptomyrus. The discovery was made using only three specimens collected over 13 years, highlighting the need for natural history collections to connect the dots.
A 9,200-year-old settlement in southern Sweden has yielded the world's oldest evidence of fermented fish, pushing back the timeline for Nordic societies' development. The discovery suggests that these communities were far more complex and capable of supporting large populations than previously thought.
Researchers proposed a new mechanism for DNA replication called the 'pumpjack' mechanism, which involves a molecular machine with two distinct conformations that rock back and forth to split the DNA double helix. This linear translocation mechanism appears different from previously thought mechanisms in more primitive organisms.
Arizona State University researchers develop an equation to estimate monetary value of natural resources like groundwater and forests, accounting for ecosystem changes and human behavior. The framework enables valuation of natural capital on a balance sheet with traditional assets, guiding sustainable use.
Declines in PSA testing varied by physician type, with primary care physicians showing a larger decrease than urologists. The study suggests that perceptions of PSA screening benefits and conflicting guidelines may contribute to the differences.
Siddharth Garg will use the grant to develop algorithms securing microchip design and manufacturing, addressing piracy, counterfeiting, and malicious Trojans. The NYU Tandon School of Engineering faculty member's research aims to enhance chip security, preventing intellectual property theft and national security risks.
A team of engineers at the University of California, San Diego has successfully created a 3D-printed liver tissue model that closely mimics human liver structure and function. The new model can be used for patient-specific drug screening and disease modeling, potentially saving pharmaceutical companies time and money.
Mark Rosin, a physicist, has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his creative and sustainable public engagement strategies. He organizes interactive events that mix science with art, music, and play to reach diverse audiences.
Researchers have identified a new drug target that can restore healthier lipid levels in people with type 1 diabetes. By blocking the growth hormone receptor, MIA-602 has been shown to reduce unhealthy lipids and improve vascular function.
The American College of Physicians recommends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and second-generation antidepressants (SGAs) as similarly effective treatments for adults with major depressive disorder. CBT is a reasonable approach for initial treatment, particularly when discussing treatment effects and patient preferences.
GPM's radar measured heavy rainfall in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Virginia coast, with rates exceeding 25 mm per hour. The low-pressure area also packed strong winds, generating gusts up to 65 mph, particularly across southeastern New England.
Hospice programs vary significantly in their visitation rates for Medicare patients nearing death, with black patients and those in nursing homes receiving fewer visits. Analysis of Medicare claims data reveals that hospices with smaller patient volumes and those based in nursing homes were less likely to provide visits.
A new mathematical model predicts tunable gene expression levels in fruit fly embryos, and experimental results validate its accuracy. The study shows that enhancers can adapt to new transcription factors, enabling precise manipulation of gene expression.
A team of researchers found that an earthquake initiating on one thrust fault can spread 10 times farther to a second nearby fault, vastly expanding the possible range of 'earthquake doublets.' This could lead to twice as much devastation in areas like Los Angeles, where multiple thrust faults are close together.
A new analysis found that both phone-based and web-based tobacco cessation programs can help individuals quit smoking. However, certain personal characteristics, such as age, race, ethnicity, education level, and employment status, may influence program effectiveness, with Web-based programs being slightly more successful for some groups.
Researchers discovered a large amount of fish bones fermented in a pit around 9,200 years ago, suggesting the ancient Scandinavians had more advanced technology and culture. This finding compares to Neolithic people in the Middle East, who were traditionally thought to have settled earlier.
Researchers discovered a direct link between Wbp2 and progressive high-frequency hearing loss in mouse models and human clinical cases. The study found that Wbp2 expression loss leads to reduced hormone receptor expression and hearing impairment.
A new 'Ouija Board' protein in Drosophila melanogaster flies plays a crucial role in regulating the expression of a single gene required for biosynthesis of insect steroid hormones. This study provides new insights into animal steroid hormone biosynthesis and its evolution.