Rice University scientists have streamlined the synthesis of uncialamycin, a potent anti-tumor antibiotic that can be used as part of an antibody drug conjugate. The researchers developed a scalable process for bulk production, enabling the creation of novel variations of the molecule with high potency against cancer cells.
Elaine H. Zackai, a renowned pediatric clinical geneticist, has been awarded the ASHG's inaugural Mentorship Award for her exceptional mentorship skills. The award recognizes her commitment to guiding students towards successful careers in human genetics.
The sunshield consists of five layers of Kapton material, each coated with aluminum and doped-silicon for optimal thermal insulation. The unique kite-like shape and precise layer separation direct heat away from the optics, allowing the telescope to reach required temperatures.
A study analyzing media reports of snakebites in the US found that 92.4% occurred under natural conditions, while only 7.6% were intentional bites. The majority of bite victims were unaware of the snake's presence and suffered lower extremity bites.
Researchers developed a visual cloud computing architecture to streamline data processing in disaster situations. The system helps first responders and law enforcement make informed decisions by providing critical visual data, such as suspect tracking and hazardous material detection.
FeverPhone is a smartphone-based diagnostic system that can diagnose six febrile diseases in the field using a drop of blood, providing rapid and accurate diagnoses. The system has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes in resource-limited countries by enabling timely treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality.
Research on plant development, including cell division, differentiation, and organ formation, reveals new insights into the biosynthesis of auxins and the molecular control of stem cells. Key findings also shed light on the hormonal and transcriptional control of secondary cell wall formation and pollen wall development.
Researchers at UT Austin developed an enzyme that accurately proofreads RNA for the first time, increasing precision in genetic research and potentially improving medicine. The new discovery may enhance diagnoses made based on genomic information, leading to more accurate medical outcomes.
A meta-analysis of diverse animal groups reveals that bioluminescent courtship traits lead to increased speciation rates, resulting in more species. The study found 10 groups where a bioluminescent courting species outnumbered its sister clade.
Weizmann Institute researchers successfully engineer E. coli bacteria to consume carbon dioxide and produce sugars, a breakthrough that could help address global food security and climate change. By adapting the bacteria's metabolism through evolution, scientists have created a new tool for studying and improving carbon fixation.
Researchers at Princeton University, MIT and Merck & Co. have developed a cheap, complementary approach to the fundamental chemical reaction known as C-N bond coupling. The direct, cost-effective method enables efficient production of anilines, a common structure in medicinal agents, without expensive ligands.
Researchers have discovered two antibodies that can efficiently neutralize both dengue and Zika viruses, sharing identical binding sites on their viral envelopes. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a single vaccine offering protection against both diseases.
A new survey reveals public inconsistencies in prioritizing individual and collective safety in autonomous cars. Participants preferred self-protective vehicles over utilitarian ones, despite valuing the greater good. The findings highlight the need for regulation and challenge programmers to balance ethics and AI development.
Researchers from the University of Washington and NOAA have created a seasonal outlook for Pacific Northwest waters, providing predictions for water oxygen, temperature, chlorophyll, and pH. The tool shows measurable skill on seasonal timescales, especially at the beginning of the spring upwelling season.
Researchers investigated the Goffin's cockatoo's ability to make flexible decisions about tool use based on the current 'market' situation. The study found that the birds could overcome immediate impulses in favor of future gains, but only when both tools were not offered simultaneously due to limitations in working memory capacity.
Monkeys' selectivity towards social and non-social information increases with age, similar to humans. Aging monkeys show reduced social interaction but remain interested in their social world.
Health Equity is a new peer-reviewed open access journal launching in Fall 2016, focusing on translational research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease to achieve optimal outcomes and health equity. The journal will serve as a primary resource for organizations and individuals working with vulnerable populations.
Consistent reductions in cancer incidence and mortality were observed with adherence to cancer prevention guidelines. These guideline adherence showed a significant reduction of 10-45% in all cancer incidence and 14-61% in all cancer mortality. The review also found consistent reductions in breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancers.
A study by Nagoya University researchers reveals high levels of genetic heterogeneity and DNA instability in schizophrenia patients, suggesting a possible link between copy number variations (CNVs) on chromosomes 1, 15, 16, and 22 and disease mechanisms.
A new report calls for increased funding for convergence research, which merges approaches from engineering, physics, and life sciences to transform health research. Convergence-based research has already shown promise, with many universities adopting this approach, including MIT's Koch Institute and Harvard's Wyss Institute.
Researchers at Harvard developed an ultra-compact flat lens that can resolve both spectral information and chirality of objects. The device has significant potential for various fields, including biology and pharmaceuticals.
Recent advances in genomics, physiology, and genetic manipulation enable the bioengineering of new strains of algae. Eukaryotic microalgae are being utilized to produce environmentally friendly, renewable biomaterials and biofuels.
Mount Sinai scientists identified CBX8 as a protein that promotes tumor growth in the most lethal forms of breast cancer. This study highlights the need to focus on epigenetic factors and suggests new strategies against these aggressive cancers.
Researchers develop a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment that activates two drugs within the same cell at the same time, preventing resistance in aggressive cancers. By tracking cellular signals and molecular pathways, they discovered vulnerabilities to small molecule PI3K/AKT kinase inhibitors.
A new study found that state laws restricting prescription opioids had no measurable effect on opioid use among disabled Medicare beneficiaries. The analysis revealed no significant association between state laws and hazardous prescribing patterns.
A recent study by Queen Mary University of London has uncovered a previously unknown survival mechanism used by cancer cells to spread throughout the body. The researchers discovered that an integrin protein pairs with c-Met and signals within the cell to resist death, paving the way for new therapies to prevent metastasis.
The global mapping of artemisinin resistance, led by Institut Pasteur researchers, has confirmed that resistance to the main malaria drug is confined to Southeast Asia. The study identified 70 new mutations, including those in Cambodia and Vietnam-Laos, which were not associated with resistance.
Saint Louis University is conducting a human clinical trial of a Zika virus vaccine to prevent microcephaly and brain damage in babies. The study aims to protect people from the emerging infectious disease, which can be transmitted through mosquito bites or sexual contact.
A team of researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that the loss of essential protein Alix leads to hydrocephalus in mice by compromising the epithelial barrier and disrupting tight junctions. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying brain homeostasis.
A new study published by researchers at the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center aims to sharpen planners' insight on how many people may leave a given area during a hurricane. The study found that demographic data, such as race and socioeconomic status, influence evacuation decisions, with white respondents having a highe...
A Northwestern University research team has developed a tool to rapidly test millions of nanoparticles at once, similar to gene chips in biology. The combinatorial library approach enables scientists to quickly identify the best nanoparticle size and composition for various applications.
The AGA Research Foundation has awarded $90,000 per year to three young investigators working on inflammatory bowel disease projects. The funding aims to improve patient care and advance the understanding of this serious digestive disease.
A trial by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that broccoli sprout extract activates a detoxification gene, protecting against oral cancer recurrence. The results were confirmed through human, animal, and laboratory tests.
A new study reveals that paternal mitochondria are degraded in early stages of development, reducing the risk of embryo lethality. The cps-6 gene plays a key role in initiating this self-destruction process, which may be an evolutionary advantage for the embryo.
A survey of medical professionals in Saskatchewan found that most recognize an increased cancer risk from CT scans, but many underestimate the actual radiation dose. The study suggests that automation and education can improve understanding and minimize risks.
Researchers have developed a new squeezed vacuum source that can reduce phase noise in laser interferometers, enabling the detection of weaker gravitational waves. This advancement could enable the observation of more faint signals from distant events, including neutron star collisions.
A new study shows that post-transplant gamma-ray irradiation can prevent immature cells from forming tumors in rat brains after human iPS cell transplantation. This approach aims to improve the safety of cell replacement therapy using human iPS cells for Parkinson's disease treatment.
Researchers have developed an olive oil-based emulsion that improves the efficacy of Mycobacterium brumae in treating bladder cancer. The emulsion reduces clumping and preserves mycobacteria viability, providing a promising delivery vehicle for this treatment.
A new study found that infants produce broadly neutralizing antibodies within the first year of HIV infection, which could accelerate path to HIV vaccine. The novel antibodies, produced relatively quickly after infection, may improve HIV-vaccine design by mimicking infant immune response.
Scientists have developed a detailed computational model of the electrophysiology of congestive heart failure, allowing them to simulate subtle changes at the cellular and tissue levels. The 'virtual heart' model also helps researchers plan a new strategy against a specific form of fibrillation associated with heart failure.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of domesticated rice in China, shedding new light on the history of human agricultural practices. The discovery suggests that rice domestication has been ongoing for much longer than previously thought, with characteristics consistent with japonica rice now cultivated in Japan and Korea.
A new study by NYU researchers found that only 8.3% of high school seniors reported past-year nonmedical opioid use, but when accounting for discordant responses, the prevalence rate is estimated to be 11.1%. This underestimation highlights the need for better drug education and more accurate data to combat the opioid crisis.
A study of 39 Finnish infants found that antibiotic treatments during childhood reduced the diversity and stability of their intestinal microbiota. The research highlights the potential long-term health consequences of unnecessary antibiotic use in children.
West Nile virus causes memory loss and mood disorders by sparking inflammation that prunes synapses, the connections between nerve cells. Researchers have identified potential new treatments for the mosquito-borne illness.
Researchers have developed new time-domain diffuse optics systems that provide deeper insights into human bodies using light. These systems have the potential to detect and identify tissue components, including organs and functions previously unreachable with traditional diagnostic devices.
The current federal legal status of marijuana is a major barrier to research and regulation. Reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous substance would make it easier for scientists to study its medical benefits and untangle regulations. This could lead to safer pesticides being tested on legal crops.
Researchers identified that West Nile virus may cause long-term neurological problems like memory loss by over-activating the immune system in the brain. The study suggests that intervening in this immune response may help prevent brain damage or aid recovery.
Research finds that early behavior problems negatively impact boys' educational outcomes more significantly than girls', perpetuating the existing gender gap in US education. Boys with similar behavioral issues tend to complete fewer years of schooling and are more likely to be held back.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead a regional smart manufacturing center, advancing and implementing smart manufacturing technologies to improve energy management and reduce energy use. The center will focus on industries such as food processing, advanced materials, and metals processing.
The study found that mesh screens provide cost-effective pest control for organically grown peppers, excluding insects including beneficial and pest species. The researchers recommended lighter colored, and/or wider meshes to allow entry of sunlight and beneficial species.
A study found that 34% of hospitals in low- and middle-income countries lacked continuous running water, compromising patient care. Hospitals without running water often rely on trucked-in or rainwater, which can be contaminated and unsanitary.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that nearly a quarter of US adults reported looking for information on tobacco constituents, with young adults and smokers more likely to do so. The research suggests that making this information available could improve public health and reduce tobacco use.
The study found that patients who received the LINKAGE intervention had greater involvement in managing their health and healthcare than those receiving standard care. Participants showed significant increases in patient portal use and rates of abstinence from alcohol and drugs.
A new study in Nature predicts hundreds of massive black hole mergers each year observable with the second generation of gravitational wave detectors. The model takes into account differences in binary black hole production across the universe.
Researchers found that cancers in several species of bivalves are caused by independent clones of cancer cells with distinct genetic profiles. In one species, cross-species transmission was observed, revealing a previously unknown mechanism of disease spread among marine animals.
A nationwide survey found that Americans spent $30.2 billion out-of-pocket on complementary health approaches, with the majority spent on visits to practitioners such as chiropractors and massage therapists. The average annual expenditure per user was $435 for low-income families and $590 for high-income families.
A new study published by University of Toronto researchers found that childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse are associated with twice the odds of drug dependence. Chronic parental domestic violence exposure also remained significantly associated with both drug and alcohol dependence.
A new study found that an ebb and flow subirrigation system can control plant height and alleviate salt stress in poinsettia. The method, known as partial-saturation ebb and flow watering, achieves partial saturation of the root medium, reducing water uptake and sodium accumulation.
Since gun law reform in 1996, Australia has seen an accelerating decline in intentional firearm deaths and an absence of fatal mass shootings. Key findings include a significant acceleration in the downward trend for firearm suicides and a non-significant acceleration in the downward trend in firearm homicides.
A worldwide competition of engineered cells through microfluidic mazes revealed that neutrophil-like cells must balance speed against chemotactic accuracy. An adapted version of the amoeba Dicty with increased activity of a particular protein, Ric8, emerged as the most successful strategy.