A recent study published in Nature Genetics has identified 10 new genes linked to lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting millions worldwide. The research analyzed over 17,000 DNA samples from Asian populations and found that these genes play a significant role in the development of lupus.
A new, tiny arboreal toad species from the Andaman Islands has been identified, prompting concerns about its endangered status. The 'Andaman bush toad', named Blythophryne beryet, is characterized by its reddish-brown coloration and is threatened by human activity and invasive fauna.
A new study published in Geoscientific Model Development predicts that global water demand will exceed current levels, posing significant challenges for sustainable food production and economic development. The IIASA Water Futures and Solutions initiative aims to reduce future water use through improved efficiency and policy options.
A study by Sarah Benson-Amram and colleagues found that carnivore species with larger brains relative to their body size were more successful in solving a novel problem-solving task, with bears being the most successful and meerkats and mongooses being the least. The results support the theory that brain size predicts cognitive abilities.
A new study suggests the US can transition to a low-carbon electricity system by 2030, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 78% and delivering electricity at costs similar to today's. The model uses weather-driven renewable resources to supply most of the nation's electricity.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a novel regulatory mechanism governing levels of calcium inside cells. The discovery may help scientists understand and target molecular components regulating calcium flux in various diseases.
A new study found that wearing a helmet can increase sensation-seeking behavior and risk-taking in adults, challenging common safety advice. Researchers used a computer-based simulation to test participants' willingness to take risks while wearing different types of headgear.
Two independent groups studying gut microvilli have found striking parallels with the protein complexes that organize inner ear hair cell stereocilia. The findings suggest that evolution may have borrowed successful biological structures to create new functions, connecting the gut and the ear.
The study reveals the mechanics of dopamine transport into and out of neurons, shedding light on its role in various brain-related functions. The findings have significant implications for understanding and treating diseases related to dopamine imbalance, such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
A Kansas State University researcher has received a $446,000 NSF CAREER award to develop robust verification of cyber-physical systems, enabling high-confidence systems in automotive and aerospace applications. The project aims to bridge a gap in existing methodologies for cyber-physical system analysis.
A randomized clinical trial found that mailing free nicotine patches to smokers without behavioral support increased 30-day smoking abstinence at six months compared to those who received no intervention. The study suggests general support for direct-to-smoker programs with free mailed nicotine patches.
A Cornell University study found that consumers are more supportive of GM labeling when they believe the company considered public input. The research bolsters procedural justice theory, suggesting transparency builds trust and legitimacy in decision-making processes.
Researchers discovered a new cellular pathway where activation of TRIB3 gene causes tumour cell death by autophagy. The drug enhances anti-tumour effect of standard chemotherapies with low toxicity and high tolerability.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) offers guidance on evaluating blood in the urine, emphasizing the importance of referring patients with gross hematuria and confirming heme-positive results. For adults with microscopically confirmed hematuria, urology referral for cystoscopy and imaging is recommended.
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists found phytoplankton populations double in size above natural oil seeps in the Gulf of Mexico. Turbulence from rising oil and gas bubbles brings up deep-water nutrients that phytoplankton need to grow.
Researchers have found an epilepsy drug that can protect nerve damage in MS patients, according to a study published in the Lancet Neurology. The anti-convulsant drug phenytoin protected neural tissue in patients with optic neuritis, a symptom of MS.
Researchers found that the brain prioritizes calorie intake over taste quality when it comes to sugary foods. The study suggests that the brain has two separate pathways for processing sweetness and energy signals, with calorie-rich foods dominating our desire for sweets.
A recent study of over 9,000 anesthesia claims found that a commonly used billing code gives a false impression of nurse anesthetists practicing without physician supervision. The study suggests that nurse anesthetists often work with physicians, and using the modifier QZ code to represent solo care may be invalid.
The great tit's reference genome shows epigenetic processes influencing learning and cognitive processes, with conserved patterns found in humans and other mammals. The study suggests a correlation between methylation levels and molecular evolution rate.
Researchers have discovered that epigenetic information in the egg plays a crucial role in shaping the development of the placenta during pregnancy. The study found that DNA methylation marks from the egg are essential for correct placental development, particularly in regulating cell adhesion and migration.
A team of scientists has uncovered greater intricacy in protein signaling than previously understood, shedding light on the nature of genetic production. The research found that both protein synthesis and mRNA production are highly regulated processes, with different patterns and responses to outside stimuli.
A new study by an international team of scientists confirms that recent record warm years are almost certainly due to human-made climate change. The odds of these extreme temperature records occurring naturally are extremely low, between 1 in 5000 and 1 in 170,000.
Researchers tracked shark movements and longline fishing vessels in the North Atlantic finding significant overlap, driving shark declines. The study suggests catch quotas or size limits will be necessary to protect oceanic sharks from commercial fishing.
Researchers have designed a material that can encapsulate human islet cells before transplanting them, allowing patients to control their blood sugar levels without immunosuppressant drugs. In tests on mice, encapsulated human cells cured diabetes for up to six months.
The study found that the US, China, India, and Brazil are responsible for 46% of global nitrogen emissions, while developing countries export large amounts of nitrogen through food, textiles, and clothing. The results highlight the need for policies to reduce nitrogen pollution globally.
Researchers found that the bacterium Yersinia pestis persisted in Europe, causing repeated devastating waves of plague epidemics. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of the pathogen and its potential role in modern-day antibiotic resistance.
A new species of duck-billed dinosaur, Eotrachodon orientalis, has been identified from the Appalachian region, providing insight into its origins and dispersal. The discovery sheds light on how these dinosaurs spread across the world after the seaway lowered, opening a land corridor to western North America.
Research finds that teens who vape are almost three times more likely to start smoking a year later than non-vapers. Vaping is also associated with increased e-cigarette use among teens, but not necessarily reduced smoking frequency.
A recent study found that medical provider training, new clinic policies, and tapering opioid use can significantly reduce the level of opioid medication used by patients. However, women had less success with the tapering approach. The research also highlighted the need for close collaboration between doctors, pharmacists, and patients...
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that older adults who stop driving face accelerated declines in cognitive function and physical health. This cessation is linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms, reduced social networks, and increased dependence on caregivers.
Researchers propose a novel approach to determine the origin of the universe by analyzing variations in the cosmic microwave background. The new method identifies
A new theory suggests a novel way to probe the beginning of space and time, shedding light on initial conditions. The researchers propose using 'primordial standard clocks' to put time labels on seed fluctuations, allowing for the distinction between inflation and contraction scenarios.
Researchers created a device that moves single cells in three dimensions using surface acoustic waves, enabling precise manipulation and structure building. The technology has potential applications in regenerative medicine, neuroscience, tissue engineering, biomanufacturing, and cancer metastasis.
Researchers create synthetic nanoparticles that can deliver miRNA-based therapies to late-stage liver cancer, inhibiting tumor growth and extending survival. The breakthrough addresses a major challenge in treating aggressive liver cancer, offering hope for patients with limited treatment options.
A new scientific statement highlights differences in heart attacks between women and men, including different underlying causes, symptoms, and risk factors. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms and undertreated with guideline-recommended medications, leading to worse outcomes.
Professor Francesco Bova has received a major award from Rutgers University's School of Management and Labor Relations for his groundbreaking research on the link between corporate governance issues and employee share ownership. The two-year financial support will enable him to explore other pioneering directions in this field.
Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that obese children's brains exhibit an imbalance between food-seeking and food-avoiding behaviors. The study suggests that mindfulness may help recalibrate this balance to prevent obesity, which has nearly doubled in the US over the past 30 years.
Chemotherapy can reduce the body's immune response, leaving breast cancer survivors vulnerable to illnesses. Researchers found that levels of lymphocytes and antibodies dropped significantly after chemotherapy, with only partial recovery in some cases.
A thin coating of graphene nanoribbons in epoxy has been proven effective at melting ice on a helicopter blade. The coating, developed by Rice University, may be an effective real-time de-icer for aircraft and other surfaces exposed to winter weather, reducing the need for glycol-based chemicals.
Afinatinib has shown significant clinical benefits for NSCLC patients with brain metastases, including improved PFS (8.2 vs. 5.4 months) and ORR (73% vs. 25%) compared to standard platinum doublet chemotherapy. The drug's efficacy was particularly notable in patients harboring EGFR Del19 mutations.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a $4.2 million grant to establish a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, which will support 28 students in their pursuit of careers in cybersecurity. The program aims to address the national shortage of highly trained experts in this field.
Biomedical engineers have created microscopic 'depots' to trap drugs inside cancer tumors, increasing their effectiveness. The technique uses nanocarriers and enzymes to release the drugs gradually, maximizing their impact on tumor growth.
A study of US data found that one in seven colorectal cancer patients is younger than 50 years old, often presenting with advanced stage disease. However, these patients tend to receive more aggressive therapy and have a slightly longer survival rate without recurrence.
A new NIH-funded study suggests that changes in immune cell subtypes after oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy can help predict treatment success. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found a novel T-cell population that likely would not mount an allergic response expanded with treatment.
A study by Chapman University found that Asian American women reported lower evaluations of attractiveness and comfort with appearance compared to white women. The researchers discovered significant differences in satisfaction with face, eyes, nose, and shape of face among the two groups.
Scientists have created a new mouse-human modeling platform that can study neural crest development and model diseases like melanoma and neurofibromatosis. The system uses human committed stem cells injected into mouse embryos, resulting in successfully integrated chimeras with disease-relevant human cells.
Seismologists have identified a zone deep in the crust where temperatures hover around 350 degrees Celsius, varying along the San Andreas strike. The zone separates shallow earthquakes from deeper low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs), with a puzzling five-kilometer wide gap between them.
A Harvard study reveals that disease didn't break out until nearly a century after European contact in northern New Mexico, coinciding with mission church establishment. Native populations dropped from 6,500 to fewer than 900 in just 60 years, resulting in staggering social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
A study published in Physical Review Letters shows that a galaxy cluster's formation history plays a role in its interaction with the surrounding dark matter halo. The researchers found that clusters formed from more dispersed galaxies were clumpier and interacted differently with their environment.
Regulatory T cells use autophagy to maintain stability and function during their task of preventing autoimmune disease. Eliminating this process can lead to excessive cell death and loss of identity in the cells.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and UC Berkeley have made a breakthrough in understanding the proteasome, a molecular machine responsible for breaking down toxic proteins. The new study reveals how a crucial enzyme, Rpn11, is activated to remove harmful proteins from cells, providing potential new therapies for diseases such ...
Researchers have discovered a molecule that blocks cancer stem cells' ability to survive and replicate. The compound, LF3, targets the Wnt signaling pathway and reduces tumor growth in living animals.
A new procedure, Targeted Axillary Dissection (TAD), reduces need for invasive surgery in select patients with axillary metastasis. TAD involves removing sentinel lymph nodes and additional cancerous lymph nodes found during diagnosis, improving staging accuracy and reducing complications.
A study by New York University researchers found that hookah bar employees are exposed to high levels of toxins and inflammation due to poor indoor air quality. The study recommends regulating the industry to protect both workers and patrons from secondhand smoke hazards.
University at Buffalo engineers are developing hardware and software tools to improve underwater telecommunication, increasing data transmission rates by up to 10 times. The technology has potential applications in monitoring pollution, military and law enforcement work, scuba industry, and energy industry.
A new hybrid filter membrane has been developed to remove heavy metals from water, including industrially relevant elements like lead and mercury. The membrane's efficiency is high, with over 99% of toxic substances bound in just a single pass.
Researchers have developed a novel 4D printing method inspired by natural structures like plants, which respond and change their form over time. The new technique enables the creation of transformable architectures with precise, localized swelling behaviors.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have successfully used acoustic tweezers to manipulate single cells in three dimensions, paving the way for precise 3D bioprinting of complex multicellular structures. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
A recent study found that almost 2% of 16-year-olds have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) lasting more than six months. The condition affects girls more than boys and children from families experiencing adversity are more likely to have it. Effective treatment is available for most children, but many miss school due to symptoms.
A study published in Nature Immunology identified Trabid, a protein regulator, as a key component in regulating interleukin genes and promoting autoimmune inflammation in multiple sclerosis patients. This finding suggests that Trabid may be a potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory diseases such as MS.