Researchers have found a way to activate natural killer cells, which hunt and destroy cancer cells, by targeting the 'switch' protein ID2. This discovery could lead to new treatments for breast, colon, and melanoma cancers.
Researchers at KAIST developed K-Glass 3, a smart glasses device with a low-power multicore processor enabling convenient typing and screen pointing. The device features stereo vision and deep-learning algorithms, allowing users to enjoy enhanced AR experiences.
A Phase 2 study demonstrated the safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating mild Alzheimer's disease. No adverse effects were reported, but the next step is evaluating efficacy and longer-term safety in a larger patient population.
Researchers at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center found that a standard front-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer should involve every three week chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel plus bevacizumab, or weekly dose intense paclitaxel without bevacizumab
Fiona Watt receives the 2016 FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award for uncovering mechanisms controlling mammalian epidermal stem cell renewal and differentiation. Her work also investigates the role of inflammation, physical forces, and epigenetics in skin stem cell behavior.
Researchers at Saarland University are developing a new approach to prevent programming errors in web browsers, focusing on the Rust programming language. The team aims to eliminate remaining security vulnerabilities through mathematical correctness proofs, with funding from the European Research Council.
A novel therapeutic approach has been developed to target the monomeric Tau protein, reducing its misfolding and aggregation that leads to Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The study identified small molecule drug candidates capable of maintaining native function and preventing disease onset.
PharmaMar has initiated a Phase II clinical trial for its antitumor drug PM184, targeting hormone-receptor positive and HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of PM184 on four-month progression-free survival and assess safety and pharmacological profiles.
The Zika virus has been linked to neurological diseases, with estimated 1.5 million cases reported so far. Researchers are urging a rigorous approach to understanding the effects of the virus and developing treatment measures.
A team of Danish investigators has created a modeling system that actually mimics indoor fungal aerosols, studying the impact of residential mold on human health. The system, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, contains at least eleven species of fungus associated with water damage, found in both Danish and US buildings.
Scientists have identified a protein crucial to assembling the photosynthetic apparatus, which protects it from oxygen's disruptive effects. This discovery sheds light on the early history of photosynthesis and its adaptation to changing atmospheric conditions.
Researchers develop new parallel-computing method using nanofabricated channels explored by protein filaments propelled by molecular motors, solving combinatorial problems in a dramatic improvement over conventional computers. The approach is fully scalable with existing technologies and uses orders of magnitude less energy.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that combining radiotherapy with the drug panobinostat improved progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with high-grade gliomas. The study, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology, offers promise for a new treatment approach.
The h-index is a widely used measure, but it has significant limitations, including being skewed by specific fields and failing to account for impact beyond the scientific community. Researchers should consider alternative metrics like altmetrics to gain a more complete understanding of a researcher's influence.
Researchers found that Porphyromonas gingivalis is present in 61% of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a type of esophageal cancer. The bacteria was only detected in 12% of tissues adjacent to the cancerous cells, suggesting it may be a risk factor for ESCC.
Researchers will work on two programmes: Nano-Engineered Flow Technologies and MISTRAL, aiming to improve infrastructure design and modeling at the nanoscale. The projects will focus on enhancing fuel efficiency, cooling electronics, and developing visionary technologies.
Demirel is using proteins to coat biomedical swabs, enabling gene analysis from tiny amounts of blood or biological samples. The project has market potential in forensics, genetics and medicine industries.
Researchers have identified the three-dimensional structure of a hantavirus protein, providing a promising model for developing drugs against the disease. The protein's circular complexes may play a role in inhibiting viral growth, making it an ideal target for future treatments.
Researchers at Northwestern University have designed a way to prevent protein unfolding under mechanical stress, which causes devastating neurodegenerative diseases. By attaching polymers to proteins, they can stabilize their shape and prevent them from unfolding even when subjected to large forces.
Scientists at Disney Research developed an automated approach to generating life-like character motions, easing game designers' workload and providing instant feedback. The system seamlessly integrates into existing pipelines to produce virtual characters that can autonomously reason about their environments.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer is developing a computational model to measure how and when battlefield blasts can cause devastating damage to neurons in the brain. The research aims to quantify the effects of blasts on brain cells, providing new insight into brain injuries caused by combat scenarios.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new graphene material with enhanced light absorption, enabling applications such as 'smart wallpaper' that can generate electricity from waste light or heat. The technology uses nanotexturing to localise light into narrow spaces, increasing light absorption by 90%.
Researchers from HRL Laboratories used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve pilot learning in a realistic flight simulator. The study found that subjects who received tDCS showed improved piloting abilities, with enhanced skill retention and faster learning rates.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to making solar cells, resulting in the thinnest and lightest complete solar cells ever made. The new process enables the creation of ultra-thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into various materials or surfaces, opening up new possibilities for portable electronic devices.
A UCLA psychology study concludes that many people oppose same-sex marriage due to perceived promiscuity among gay individuals, threatening their own marriages and way of life. The researchers measured attitudes and found a strong association between gay couples and the concept of promiscuity.
Researchers have identified an effective and safe treatment for Huntington's disease, using IONIS-HTTRx to inhibit huntingtin protein production. The drug has shown promising results in mice and monkeys, with motor skill improvements and reduced cortical huntingtin levels.
Macrophages produce excess inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta when damaged mitochondria release signals; p62 coats damaged mitochondria, ensuring removal. This prevents chronic inflammation and potentially age-related diseases.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified key regulators of blood cell development using a 'big data' approach. By studying six consecutive stages of development, they discovered previous unknown regulators and explained how regulatory elements work together to drive gene expression and stage transitions.
A team of scientists collected over 70 fertile/flowering orchid specimens from the field during the 6-week Lengguru 2014 expedition. Four new orchid species were identified among them, all collected in high-altitude forests above 1000 meters above sea level.
According to Matthew Logan, PhD, a retired police officer and psychologist, a small percentage of violent incidents involving the police dominate headlines. The article argues for greater public airing of the police perspective to provide a more balanced understanding of violence.
A pregnant Brazilian woman infected with the Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects. The case provides evidence that congenital Zika infection may be linked to hydrops fetalis, hydranencephaly, and fetal demise.
A study published in Journal of Applied Psychology found that players who display team-first behavior in college tend to be drafted earlier and earn higher salaries in the NFL. Researchers analyzed media reports of such behavior and found a significant impact on draft positions and first-year salaries.
Researchers found that failing cardiac tissue had increased levels of acetylated mitochondrial proteins, promoting metabolic defects in heart failure. In a mouse model, they detected elevated protein acetylation at the earliest stages of heart failure, supporting the role of hyperacetylation in disease progression.
The Geographical Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program (GMaP) grant supports region-specific cancer research, education, outreach, and training needs. Moffitt serves as the hub for GMaP Region 2, which includes partner institutions in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico.
The US medical community will play a key role in determining the ethically acceptable path forward for clinical application of mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs). MRTs aim to prevent certain debilitating diseases related to mutated mitochondrial DNA by replacing a mother's mtDNA with that of another woman. The first use of MRT...
A new research essay in Cell journal suggests that the US can follow the UK's approach to regulate germline editing and mitochondrial replacement therapy. The authors argue that the UK's experience with MR therapy provides a well-drawn regulatory framework for evaluating the safety and ethics of germline editing.
Researchers found proofreading molecules apply physical tension to RNA, preventing splicing errors and enabling alternative splicing sites. This mechanism regulates splice site choice, shifting the perspective on the realm of possible activities for this class of enzymes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that inducing the hypoxia response, the body's reaction to low oxygen levels, may relieve symptoms of mitochondrial diseases. Activation of this response alleviated mitochondrial pathology and extended survival in animal models.
Researchers have developed a targeted substance that blocks the pathogenic function of an Alzheimer's enzyme in cells, reducing toxic β amyloid peptide production. This selective inhibition may lead to effective treatment without severe side effects, offering hope for Alzheimer's patients.
A Finnish study found that genetic variants associated with musical creativity are linked to specific brain regions, including chromosome 4 and chromosome 18. These findings suggest a biological basis for music composition and arrangement, highlighting the role of multiple genes in creative activities.
The use of residual disinfectants in drinking water has been compared between Western European countries, the U.S., and waterborne outbreak data. The Netherlands has the lowest risk of waterborne disease despite no residual disinfectant use due to newer pipe infrastructure.
The MIT Energy Initiative welcomes Exelon as a member to advance key enabling technologies crucial to addressing climate change. The partnership aims to accelerate deployment of clean energy technologies through collaborations with academia, government agencies, and industry stakeholders.
The newly discovered Rafflesia consueloae is the smallest of its kind, measuring only 9.73 cm in diameter, and has been named after Filipino conservationist Connie Lopez. The species was classified as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, highlighting the need for continued protection.
High-arched palate is under-researched, but researchers developed a reliable technique using a mouse model of Treacher Collins syndrome to study its genetic aspects. The study found that TCS mice exhibited high-arched palates and provided significant criteria for defining the condition.
Researchers have discovered that a new medication, pioglitazone, can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by nearly a quarter in patients who have previously suffered a stroke or mini-stroke. This breakthrough finding presents a promising new strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that each smaller group of herring varied out of sync with others, but their collective diversity helped stabilize the population. This 'local matters' perspective highlights the importance of protecting local diversity in ensuring overall sustainability of the resource.
A team of researchers at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new way to use enzyme reactions to trigger self-powered mechanical movement. The enzyme pumps can precisely control flow rate without an external power source and turn on in response to specific chemicals in solution.
Research finds that lymphatic vessels play a critical role in obesity development, with chyle leakage triggering weight gain and insulin resistance. Restoring lymphatic function reverses obesity in Prox1-haploinsufficient mice.
Researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health have published a comprehensive review of ways to monitor physical activity and tools for occupational exposure scientists. The study highlights complex relationships between physical activity and common chronic diseases, such as heart disease and arthritis.
A new Penn study links moving more with decreased mortality, finding even small amounts of physical activity can have a significant impact. Adding just 10 minutes of light activity per day can reduce the risk of mortality, according to the research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Research from the University of Kent shows that parental pressure is a key factor in young male athletes' positive attitudes towards doping. The study found that perfectionism and pressure from coaches were less influential on doping attitudes compared to parental influence.
Scientists have developed a new method to analyze the genetic tree of diseases like HIV to identify possible gaps in transmission chains. The study uses computational phylogenetic analysis to examine how strains of HIV are transmitted and can now evaluate the possibility of unsampled intermediaries or common sources.
Researchers have developed a cooling technique that protects the brain's speech centers during surgery and identifies specific areas responsible for word formation and speech timing. The study used focal cooling to map brain functions, including speech ability, and found distinct roles for specific brain regions in forming words.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition found that children with autism do not have a unique pattern of abnormal results on endoscopy or other tests for gastrointestinal disorders. The researchers analyzed the results of diagnostic tests in 61 children with autism being evaluated for GI sympt...
A team of researchers discovered that people with Down syndrome have altered white matter insulation in their brains, affecting nerve transmission. This finding may lead to new treatments for DS patients and has implications for other developmental disabilities like autism.
Researchers found that young leaves grow at the same time as older ones perish, causing a shift in tree canopy towards younger leaves with higher photosynthetic capacity. This internal dynamics of the rainforest drives seasonal changes in photosynthesis, which was not previously accounted for in climate models.
A team of Spanish researchers has accurately detected a structure in the innermost region of a quasar at a distance of over 5 billion light-years using the gravitational microlensing effect. This breakthrough will help us better understand how galaxies were born and evolve.
Researchers found that mitochondria in brain cells rapidly change shape and function in response to high blood sugar levels, affecting peripheral tissue functions. The study suggests that alterations in this mechanism may be crucial for type 2 diabetes development.
Researchers discover that mammalian egg cells acquire essential cellular components from their undifferentiated sister cells, called germ cells. This mechanism, previously only documented in lower animals, is believed to play a crucial role in the unique properties of eggs.
Researchers discovered a gene in snails that determines shell twist direction, which may offer insights into human body asymmetry. The study found that the same gene affects left-right symmetry in other animals, including frogs.