Scientists uncover the structural and functional properties of the BabA protein, which adapts to different ABO blood group sugars in humans. The discovery provides perspectives on developing drugs that disrupt bacterial attachment and eradicating Helicobacter pylori infections.
A new study finds that Indian technology firms, both registered and unregistered, engage in corruption when competing with smaller rivals. However, when facing foreign multinational corporations, they prioritize employee training over corrupt practices.
A thin, stretchable film developed by University of Michigan researchers could enable doctors to catch cancer recurrence earlier with more effective treatment. The film produces circularly polarized light, a crucial ingredient in early warning systems, making it potentially simpler and less expensive to produce.
Researchers have developed a new way to fully absorb electromagnetic radiation using an anisotropic crystal, hexagonal boron nitride. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing radar visibility and improving applications in photovoltaics, sensing, nanochemistry, and photodynamic therapy.
A new orchid species has been discovered in the Pacific slope of Oaxaca state, Mexico, exhibiting distinct features such as shape, size, and colors. The study led by Dr. Leopardi-Verde refutes a long-held hypothesis about hybridization that contributed to its taxonomic placement.
Scientists have developed a method to regrow functional joints in frogs using a 'reintegration' mechanism. This approach could potentially be used to regenerate limbs in mammals and humans. The research paves the way for further studies on functional joint regeneration.
A new study by NOAA researchers predicts that ocean temperatures in the Northeast U.S. may warm twice as fast and three times faster than previously estimated. This accelerated warming is driven by a higher resolution climate model that better reflects regional ocean circulation patterns.
A new study found that health warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages significantly reduce the likelihood of parents purchasing these drinks for their children, regardless of education level. The study also shows that these labels improve parents' understanding of the health dangers associated with overconsumption.
A study found that chimpanzees extend trust selectively to their closest friends, showing similar characteristics to human friendships. The researchers observed interactions among 15 chimps over 5 months and used a modified trust game to assess their behavior.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown massive volcanic eruption in the Caribbean Sea, which occurred 2.4 million years ago on Guadeloupe. The VEI-6 eruption is the largest documented event in the region since its discovery.
A recent study found a significant increase in kidney stone cases among adolescents, particularly females, and African-Americans in the US. The incidence of kidney stones doubled during childhood for both boys and girls, while there was a 45% increase in lifetime risk for women.
A large-scale clinical trial has been launched in Brazil to evaluate a candidate vaccine for dengue fever, which affects half the world's population and causes 500,000 hospitalizations annually. The vaccine, TV003, aims to prevent the mosquito-borne illness with a robust antibody and cellular immune response.
Theorists have shown that particles of different energies sense slightly modified versions of spacetime, leading to a phenomenon similar to a rainbow. This discovery suggests that the structure of spacetime sensed by individual particles depends on their energy.
A new tool may help predict patients' motor function recovery after stroke by analyzing changes in brain network configuration. Graph theoretical analysis revealed that a lower characteristic path length indicates better recovery, suggesting improved rehabilitation planning and therapy development.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital restored vision in mice with optic nerve injury using gene therapy and a channel-blocking drug. The study found that the regenerated nerve fibers needed to be helped to conduct impulses without myelin sheath, which can be achieved by adding a potassium channel blocker.
A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in song learning in birds, rather than the bird's age. The research found that firing patterns of inhibitory neurons correspond with song accuracy, and similar patterns are seen in both juvenile and adult birds.
A modified version of the Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQI) tool accurately assesses wetland quality without requiring a list of all plants. The rapid model was found effective in predicting wetland quality in 87 tested areas, with a free online calculator available for public use.
The Zika virus has been introduced into the Americas, spreading locally among people who have not traveled abroad. The virus is linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, and there is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment available.
Researchers discovered a novel pathway involved in blood vessel occlusion by increasing LOX activity in platelets. This led to reduced clotting time and increased blood clot formation, pointing to the specific receptor responsible for platelet adhesion.
A new study found that eating less fiber, more saturated fat, and more sugar is associated with lighter, less restorative sleep. Greater fiber intake predicted more time spent in deep slow wave sleep, while a higher percentage of energy from saturated fat predicted less slow wave sleep. On the other hand, greater sugar intake was linke...
Tropical Depression Pali has weakened to a depression with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph, moving southwest towards Hawaii and expected to dissipate on January 15. The storm's proximity to the equator and south-southwesterly vertical shear are contributing factors to its demise.
Aging is associated with chronic low-level inflammation, which can impair white blood cells' ability to fight infection. Reducing inflammation in older adults helps clear infections and improve recovery.
A new study warns that stringent climate policies could limit the adoption of modern cooking fuels in developing countries, putting millions at risk. The study found that without targeted subsidies, increasing carbon prices would disproportionately harm energy access goals.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain development. A balanced diet rich in fish can help prevent premature aging of fetal neural stem cells and improve brain function in children.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki found that the donor's genotype determines the differentiation behavior of iPS cells, regardless of the original cell type. This discovery has significant implications for biobanking and medical research, enabling the use of diverse donor samples to study genetic variations.
The UK's first national tissue bank aims to develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes for pancreatic cancer. The Tissue Bank will store high-quality samples from consenting patients, enabling researchers to test ideas and validate their research more effectively.
A frozen mammoth carcass with signs of weapon-inflicted injuries suggests human occupation of the Eurasian Arctic at 45,000 years ago. This finding challenges previous estimates and highlights advancements in mammoth hunting that enabled human survival and spread across northernmost Arctic Siberia.
Researchers found that early in adolescence, listening to a father's song activates brain cell networks used later for singing, while inhibitory interneurons 'lock' learned notes into memory by suppressing surrounding nerve activity. Fast learners showed faster brain changes.
A trio of molecules, hevin, neurexins, and neuroligins, orchestrate neuron connections in the developing brain that are responsible for processing sensory information. The study may provide insight into brain disorders including autism, depression, and addiction.
When cells are exposed to mitochondrial damage, AMPK sends an emergency alert instructing them to break apart into tiny fragments. This process helps recycle damaged pieces and promotes mitochondrial health.
Using optogenetics and other technology, researchers have for the first time precisely manipulated this bursting activity of the thalamus, tying it to the sense of touch. The work reveals that cells in the thalamus detect potential threats and quickly focus on life-or-death decisions before switching to detailed analytical processing.
A recent study by Texas A&M University found that students who used standing desks showed significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities. The research, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, is the first to objectively examine students' cognitive responses to ...
Researchers discovered a specific gene variant linked to fragile bones in mice with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, a rare inherited disorder. The study suggests that overactive bone-absorbing cells contribute to the disease's characteristic bone loss and fractures.
The study found a positive correlation between genetic recombination and adaptation rate, with a threshold recombination value of 2 cM/Mb indicating optimal genomic adaptation. This suggests that recombination facilitates adaptation and that linkage cost disappears beyond this threshold.
A randomized clinical trial found that ED-initiated palliative care consultations improved quality-of-life scores and median survival without shortening survival. The study suggests that ED visits can provide a unique opportunity for improved access to palliative care.
Astronomers have witnessed a cosmic explosion about 200 times more powerful than a typical supernova, shedding light on the mysterious 'superluminous' explosions. The record-breaking blast, ASASSN-15lh, shone with 570 billion times the brightness of the Sun and is thought to be an outstanding example of a rare stellar scenario.
A new study suggests that climate change may reduce the range of the deadly chytrid fungus in Africa's Albertine Rift, potentially saving some amphibian populations. Microscopic examination revealed that most infected frogs appeared to be in good health, indicating regional resistance to the disease.
Researchers are investigating an explosion brighter than the Milky Way, with a tiny magnetar at its center. The object could be a millisecond magnetar spinning 1,000 times per second, shedding light on superluminous supernovae.
A study by the University of Sussex and Queen Mary University of London found that many supporters of main parties identify as more left-wing than they think, with a mismatch between subjective and objective measures. The research suggests that the UK's political center ground may be further to the left than previously thought.
Adult smokers who use e-cigarettes are 28 percent less likely to stop smoking cigarettes, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data. The largest study to quantify the effect of e-cigarettes on quitting found no association between e-cigarette use and increased smoking cessation.
A study by Penn State researchers found that high-growth firms are more likely to be in communities with a variety of industries, rather than just one or two specialized industries. Communities with higher numbers of bachelor's degrees also tend to host these businesses.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a polymer sphere that delivers microRNA molecules to bone wounds, instructing cells to repair damage. This technology can help grow bone in patients with conditions like oral implants or osteoporosis, offering a new therapy for treating bone loss and associated functional problems.
A study published in Medical Care found that patients with high-deductible insurance plans used fewer imaging tests and had lower costs for diagnostic imaging. However, the study could not determine whether this was due to high- or low-value utilization, raising concerns about potential drawbacks of high-deductible plans.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that higher dietary nitrate and green leafy vegetable intake is associated with a lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. Participants who consumed more nitrate-rich foods had a 20-30% reduced risk of developing the condition.
Researchers studied healthy volunteers' brain activity while receiving propofol, a commonly used anaesthetic. They found that differences in 'brain signature' - measured by alpha waves and delta-alpha coupling - predicted individual responses to the drug.
A team of researchers, including those at Florida State University and the University of Florida, have secured a $4 million USDA grant to tackle citrus greening. They plan to culture the bacteria in labs to test new treatments and approaches to combat the disease, which has devastated citrus crops in Florida.
A new IU study confirms the existence of independent working memory systems in animals, which could inform new pre-clinical research models for Alzheimer's disease treatment. The results show that rats possess two separate memory resources, allowing them to recall more information across multiple categories.
Researchers found a significant association between poor sleep quality and severe arteriosclerosis in the brain, as well as increased oxygen-starved tissue, among elderly individuals. Sleep fragmentation was linked to higher odds of stroke and cognitive impairment, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.
A UBC study found that rats can absorb disease agents from their environment and spread them, posing a significant health threat to both poultry and humans. The researchers discovered avian pathogenic E. coli in the feces of farm rats, with over one quarter carrying multidrug-resistant strains.
Snapping shrimp sound patterns show seasonal variations, with more snaps per minute during summer and fewer during winter. The research highlights the importance of long-term acoustic sampling in understanding marine soundscape ecology.
A recent study found that low blood levels of bicarbonate are associated with an increased risk of premature death in healthy older adults. Participants with normal or high bicarbonate levels had a similar risk of dying compared to those with low bicarbonate levels, which was linked to a 24% higher mortality rate.
The National Institutes of Health has launched the Centers for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) to explore the genomic contributions to common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The program will sequence tens of thousands of genomes from individuals with these diseases, aiming to identify genes and genomic variants underlying d...
Researchers have designed controlled release microspheres to reduce the number of doses needed for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The innovative treatment provides a convenient alternative to current therapies, which require frequent inhalation.
A recent study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that its Community Integration Program enhances training and may increase interest in rural practice for graduating medical students. The program encourages third-year students to identify a health need in a community and implement a project to meet it, leading to in...
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-cost nickel-based catalyst that can power fuel cells with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cell cars truly affordable, potentially priced around $23,000 for a Toyota Mirai.
The DESTCloud platform validates disaster tolerance and fault tolerance of wide-area distribution systems in a virtualized environment. It enables training for complex disasters and interference, allowing for preemptive evaluation of system performance during large-scale disasters.
Dr. David Simmons aims to develop a predictive understanding of the glass transition in strongly interacting polymers, which could lead to breakthroughs in materials science and technology. His research has the potential to improve human health, energy efficiency, and electronics.
Researchers at TSRI have devised a new method for building potential drug molecules and organic compounds more efficiently and selectively. Amino acids can act as catalytic directing groups, streamlining the process and reducing reagent usage.
Researchers from KU Leuven identified histamine as a cause of abdominal pain in IBS patients, discovering that it makes the pain receptor TRPV1 hypersensitive. A pilot clinical study found that ebastine, an existing hay fever medicine, significantly reduced abdominal pain in IBS patients.
A study found that nations with higher prevalence of the A allele in the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene variant are also reported as happier. This allele helps prevent pain and enhances sensory pleasure. Climate, economics, and politics did not significantly influence happiness levels.