A study published in Circulation found that increasing IGF-1 levels in macrophages could reduce plaque buildup and lower the risk of heart disease in older adults. Higher IGF-1 levels were associated with less plaque buildup and more stable plaques.
A new study identified a population of monocyte-derived cells that play a significant role in destroying Legionella bacteria. These cells respond to the infection within 24 hours and can control the bacteria, with researchers hoping to develop new treatments to strengthen the immune system.
The detection confirms the existence of binary black holes with a range of masses, forming from different stars. The event provides valuable data on gravitational waves and the nature of gravity, shedding light on the universe's most violent cosmic events.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have created a reactor that can continuously produce methanol from methane at room temperature and pressure. The innovative 3D-printed polymer-based system retains high enzyme activity, enabling highly controlled reactions with greater flexibility and efficiency.
A new study by MIT sociologist Susan Silbey finds that women experience marginalization during team-based work projects, leading to disillusionment with their career prospects. Women tend to be assigned routine tasks or simple managerial duties, while men take on more challenging problems.
Researchers discovered that red-eyed treefrog embryos use a unique mechanism to escape deadly snakes, rapidly releasing enzyme-degrading substances from specialized glands on their snouts. This process allows the tiny escapees to wriggle through an aperture created in the egg membrane, ensuring survival.
Researchers extracted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil using an espresso machine, a process that takes only 11 seconds. The results were comparable to those obtained with certified techniques, but the new process was significantly less expensive and faster.
A new study by Columbia University and Inria found that reader referrals drove 61% of clicks on news stories posted on Twitter. The researchers analyzed public data and found that most users share and read content discovered on Twitter, with a relatively long shelf life for shared links.
For the second time, scientists have detected gravitational waves, which provide information about their origins and gravity's nature. The event involved two smaller black holes that merged to form a more massive spinning black hole.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified distinct characteristics that differentiate reserve stem cells from label-retaining cells, resolving a decades-long debate. The study uses single-cell gene expression analyses to demonstrate that reserve stem cells are a separate population in the intestines.
A recent University of Toronto study found that individuals with arthritis are more likely to attempt suicide compared to those without the condition. The study also identified childhood adversities such as parental domestic violence and sexual abuse as key risk factors for suicide attempts among adults with arthritis.
Salk Institute researchers have visualized the natural arrangements of vital receptors on T cell surfaces in lymph nodes, revealing pre-organized 'territories'. This study could help scientists better understand how to modulate the immune system's activity for autoimmune diseases or cancer treatments.
Research found that C-sections, antibiotic use, and formula feeding slow the development and decrease diversity of a baby's microbes. The study also showed that these modern practices can lead to lower species diversity and delayed microbiota maturation in babies.
A new study reveals that beech trees in central Europe, particularly in southern England, are increasingly vulnerable to drought due to climate change. The research found that the region's iconic beech woods are at risk of widespread mortality during extreme dry spells.
A new study by Drexel University found that making art can significantly reduce stress-related hormones in the body, with 75% of participants experiencing a decrease. The study also found no correlation between past art experience and cortisol levels, suggesting that anyone can benefit from creative expression.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute developed a powerful new method to find drug candidates that bind to specific proteins. The technique can be applied to thousands of distinct proteins and has successfully identified selective inhibitors for two caspase enzymes, which play key roles in multiple diseases.
A recent study found that exposure to commonly used antidepressant drugs (SSRIs) during pregnancy can affect the brain activity of newborns. The research suggests that the effects on fetal brain function should be reassessed and non-pharmacological interventions should be prioritized for treating depression and anxiety during pregnancy.
Red-eyed treefrog embryos, thought to be helpless, are found to have evolved a quick-release mechanism to escape the egg prematurely. The study reveals that tadpoles can hatch up to two days ahead of schedule and use enzymes to create a hole in the egg membrane before escaping.
A study comparing robotics and manual approaches to treat ventricular tachycardia found that the robotic system can deliver better outcomes for many patients. The robotic arm enables precise movement and reduces invasiveness, maximizing accuracy in ablation procedures.
Columbia University researchers develop groundbreaking technique to repair large bone defects in the head and face with lab-grown living bone. The innovative approach, which uses autologous stem cells derived from a patient's fat, enables precise anatomical replication and active bone remodeling.
The ASPB Plant BLOOME Grant supports education and outreach projects that advance youth knowledge and appreciation of plant biology. Two winners received funding for comics and interactive videoconferencing resources to engage students in learning about plant science.
Scientists developed MetaFast, a software tool that rapidly analyzes metagenomes to identify previously unknown pathogens and develop personalized medicine. The algorithm can work with unknown environments and detect microorganisms like viruses.
Researchers discovered that chemotherapy activates immune cells T cells within tumours, but also boosts cancer defences against immune attack. Effective immunotherapy treatments will have to block PD-L1 protein to target tumours effectively.
Mothers who develop postpartum depression often experience protective risk factors, but once their babies are born, they show more obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Women who had depression before becoming pregnant were more likely to experience hypersomnia and difficulty falling asleep.
Researchers mapped the brains of teenagers with serious antisocial behavior problems, finding significant differences in structure compared to peers. Childhood-onset and adolescent-onset conduct disorders showed distinct patterns of brain development, highlighting the importance of early interventions.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to distinguish real protein clusters from single blinking molecules in superresolution microscopy. The study reveals that many studied proteins do not form clusters as previously assumed, challenging the theory on protein distribution on cell membranes.
Researchers found that the testes of larger, more aggressive dark-eyed juncos produced more testosterone, leading to flashier plumage and other traits influenced by testosterone. The study challenges the prevailing theory that hormonally regulated trait differences are controlled largely by the brain.
A novel PET imaging study reveals a significant correlation between increased tau and decreased metabolic activity in the brains of living Alzheimer's patients, indicating clear signs of neurodegeneration. The study measures amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and metabolic activity using three different radiotracers.
A new study finds that a shorter radiation course with higher doses per fraction is equivalent to a longer, lower-dose course in terms of cosmetic, functional, and pain outcomes. The results support the use of hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation as the preferred treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients.
A new fluorescent agent and imaging system guided surgeons in real-time to remove additional ovarian tumors that were not visible without fluorescence or could not be felt during surgery. This improved visualization allowed for the detection of an additional 29% of malignant lesions.
Researchers developed Camelid antibodies against serine proteases to study catalysis and inhibition. These findings have significant implications for disease treatment and diagnosis involving these enzymes.
The study reveals that genetic variants can affect protein levels through post-transcriptional effects, including direct protein-protein interactions. By combining quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics, researchers can infer the proteome-wide effects of a specific genetic variant.
A new study suggests that socially enforced nepotism, a concept that expands the classic theory of kin selection, may explain why people are altruistic towards distant kin. The simulations show that helping distant relatives can increase one's reputation and lead to more help from others, improving social rules and enforcing them.
Researchers are investigating various vinyl formulations to enhance sound quality in classic vinyl records. Early studies suggest that materials such as wax cylinders are surprisingly stable when handled properly.
Researchers developed GreenWeb, a new open-source framework that enables web developers to control energy consumption on mobile devices. The tool reports energy savings of 30-66% over Android's default mode, extending battery life by 20-40%.
A new study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that genetic research in large-scale biobank studies can significantly improve the drug development pipeline and reduce costs. The study used a genetic variant linked to cardiovascular disease to demonstrate the value of Mendelian randomization.
Researchers found that men with prostate cancer who consumed tree nuts five or more times a week had a 34% lower risk of overall mortality. The study suggests that tree nuts may offer cardioprotective and anticarcinogenic benefits, supporting their inclusion in a healthy diet.
A study found that general surgery patients with social fragility were at high risk for hospital readmission. Factors such as lack of social support, discharge to respite care, and Medicaid/Medicare status were identified as risk factors.
Researchers find food service industry is significantly more labor intensive and has decreasing returns to scale compared to other industries. The study suggests higher costs and wages may make it difficult for restaurants to remain profitable, requiring a re-thought of the business model.
Researchers at Cardiff University are exploring a potential new treatment for human temporal lobe epilepsy by transplanting immature neuron cells into the brain. The project, funded by Epilepsy Research UK, aims to develop this cell transplantation treatment and potentially lead to clinical trials in the next 3-5 years.
Researchers found that eliminating α-synuclein protein protects zebrafish from ziram-induced dopamine loss and provides potential treatment for pesticide-exposed Parkinson's patients. This study supports the approach of targeting α-synuclein to slow or stop disease progression in most people with Parkinson's.
Researchers found that targeted intervention with WIC collaboration significantly improved follow-up rates and age at hearing diagnosis for low-income mothers' newborns. The study reduced loss to follow-up rates by 71% and diagnosed hearing issues earlier, leading to better speech, language, and reading outcomes.
Scientists mapped all RNA structures of a diarrheal pathogen at once, identifying temperature-responsive structures that sense temperature changes. These 'RNA thermometers' can reveal gene sequences and proteins controlling disease progression.
Beverages above 149 degrees Fahrenheit increase tumor risk; coffee and yerba mate safe at lower temperatures. Drinking piping hot coffee or tea increases esophageal cancer risk.
Researchers analyzed auction data and found that fine art returns are significantly lower than estimated at around 6.3% per annum. Investing in art via a fund does not increase the chances of outperforming a diversified portfolio.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that exercising children's intuitive number sense can improve their math skills. Researchers created a five-minute computer game that trained the number sense of 40 kindergarteners, who then showed significant improvements in math performance.
A recent study found that invasive Bighead and silver carp species avoid areas with CO2-infused water, reducing movement and behavior. The researchers tested the effectiveness of infusing water with recycled CO2 gas to deter carp movement.
A new device developed at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences produces droplets of virtually identical volume, revolutionizing microfluidic systems. The device eliminates cumbersome infrastructure, enabling researchers to carry out complex chemical and biological experiments with increased accuracy.
Scientists have detected gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes, 14 and 8 times the mass of the sun, producing a single massive spinning black hole. The detection provides new insights into the nature of gravity and the origins of these cosmic events.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame develop new T cell receptor technology to enhance immune system's ability to target specific cancer antigens. The engineered receptors allow for a more directed and accurate immune response against cancer cells.
A UK research team has discovered that proteins are exported from cells while preventing them from re-entering via a molecular turnstile. This discovery provides a solution to an outstanding problem in the protein transport field and may have implications for the development of new drugs.
A joint research group found RNA abnormalities in the sodium channel in the heart as the cause of heart arrhythmia in myotonic dystrophy. This discovery will help prevent death and develop new treatments for the disease. Abnormalities in RNA splicing lead to various conditions, including cardiac sodium channel dysfunction.
Marine biologists have discovered that shark traffic in and out of Palmyra Atoll's lagoon peaks between 7-8 pm. The study used dual-frequency identification sonar to monitor shark movement, revealing a rush hour for these marine predators.
A study analyzing infant gut microbial populations reveals that antibiotic treatment reduces diversity, leading to increased risk of autoimmune diseases. Breastfeeding duration may also play a role in shaping the developing microbiome.
The STARS4ALL project is a EU-funded initiative that aims to promote dark skies across Europe through crowd-sourced data collection and analysis. Researchers are monitoring social media interactions between citizen science volunteers and participants to design new apps and projects for contributing light pollution data.
Researchers at CWRU create a way to control electron spins at room temperature using a magnetic vortex. The technology offers a possible alternative strategy for building faster and more powerful quantum computers. By coupling the vortices with diamond nanoparticles, they can manipulate individual electron spins in nanoseconds.
Allina Health's LifeCourse approach demonstrates significantly better quality of life scores for patients with chronic illness compared to usual care. The program employs a patient-centered experience tool to understand and support the needs of complex patients.
A Johns Hopkins team proposes a solution to the dark matter mystery by suggesting that black hole binaries detected by LIGO may be a signature of primordial black holes. The team's calculations match the predicted mass range for these mysterious objects, making them a plausible candidate for dark matter.
A new study has identified the Nuclear Factor Y-B gene as essential for sperm production in the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. The researchers found that suppressing this gene reduced sperm-producing stem cell numbers, highlighting its role in maintaining a balance between self-renewal and differentiation.
Researchers used a high-intensity X-ray pump/X-ray probe technique to study molecular dynamics, enabling the observation of atomic-level changes in molecules when bombarded with X-rays. This new method has potential applications in understanding light-sensitive molecules and developing novel materials for energy harvesting.