Researchers at UVA Health System have identified promising drugs that could lead to the first antidote for radiation exposure from dirty bombs or nuclear accidents. The study suggests that these compounds, including rapamycin, might alleviate the effects of ionizing radiation.
A national study led by Michigan State University sociologist Zhenmei Zhang found that blacks are 2.52 times more likely to develop cognitive impairment than whites due to childhood disadvantages and lower socioeconomic status in adulthood. Reducing racial gaps in socioeconomic resources is crucial to addressing this issue.
Researchers discovered that people are more likely to act on and resist changing their moral opinions compared to non-moral ones. The 'moral' label instantly makes an opinion stronger and more resistant to counterarguments.
A new study published by Concordia University researchers confirms that cool roofs provide net energy and monetary savings in colder climates. Using modelling software, they found annual energy expenditure savings of $4-14 per 100 square meters in four cold-climate cities.
A whole-person perspective is needed to accurately assess obesity severity, considering factors like muscle mass and ethnicity. The review article suggests staging obesity treatment from stage 0 to stage 4, with intensive lifestyle modification being crucial for preventing disease progression.
Researchers at Cornell University have created an 'on-the-fly' 3-D print system that allows designers to make changes while printing, improving the overall quality of the design process. The system uses a WirePrint technique and has five degrees of freedom, enabling rapid prototyping and modification.
Researchers capture pressure, temperature and chemical species maps for each explosion, reducing the need for multiple shots. The technique uses pyrometry and high-speed cameras to achieve spatial resolution of 1 mm for a 1 kg explosive charge.
Researchers have discovered a new type of weak topological insulator, made from bismuth combined with iodine or bromine, which could lead to significant advances in technology. The material's unique properties make it an attractive option for creating new transistor-like technologies and powering quantum computers.
Researchers found that treatment with an anti-platelet drug reduces amyloid plaques in cerebral vessels, improving brain perfusion. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the formation of protein agglutination and deposits of amyloid in the brain, leading to progressive cognitive decline.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that recently developed hepatitis C medicines have a wide range of prices globally, with the US having the highest nominal price. The researchers also calculated that treating the entire HCV infected population in some countries could be as expensive as 190% of the total pharmaceutical expenditure.
Researchers create simulation model to account for sphere roughness in experiments, enabling accurate measurements and electrical conductivity. The model predicts a sweet spot for optimal contact area, reducing friction and minimizing damage.
Researchers found that female atrial fibrillation patients are less likely than men to receive blood thinning therapies. The study used a computerized decision support tool to review medical therapies for over 1,500 patients and found significant sex differences in treatment.
A new study from CHOP and CDC found that 82% of concussions among 0-17 year olds were diagnosed at primary care sites, while only 12% were in the emergency department. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for concussion recovery, and targeted training can help primary care providers diagnose and treat most cases.
Researchers discovered that stick insects can produce microbial enzymes, including pectinases, which degrade plant cell walls. This 'horizontal gene transfer' occurred between 110 to 60 million years ago, allowing the insects to break free from their microbiome's digestive capabilities.
Researchers used RNA simulations to understand how viruses fold into specific shapes, offering potential targets for treating retroviral diseases. The study's findings provide valuable information on the thermodynamic stability of RNA molecules and their behavior in different environments.
A UTSA professor's top-tier research shows that clearly stated company values and vivid vision statements have a profound effect on overall success. The study reveals organizations with well-coordinated employees operating under consistent, easily imagined visions outperform those without such focus.
Microglial cells have been found to be 'blind' and incapable of eliminating dead neurons during epilepsy seizures, leading to inflammation and further brain damage. The study opens up new avenues for exploring therapies to encourage phagocytosis and alleviate the effects of brain diseases.
A UM researcher is leading an international campaign to study the impact of smoke particles on regional climate warming. The experiment will investigate how smoke affects marine low clouds in the southeast Atlantic Ocean. By understanding this interaction, scientists can improve global aerosol models and climate change forecasts.
A novel type 2 diabetes risk model has been developed to better understand disease progression, revealing people on atypical trajectories face significantly increased or decreased risks of developing T2D. The new model has overcome challenges associated with estimating T2D onset based on comorbid conditions.
The Yale University-led PROSPECT experiment will explore key questions about neutrinos and potentially improve nuclear reactor safety. It aims to detect and measure the energy distribution of neutrinos near a research reactor with unparalleled sensitivity.
A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that doctors and non-doctors in the US experience similar levels of hospital care and intensive care unit stays at the end of life. More than 46% of doctors enrolled in hospice care compared to 43.2% of non-doctors, suggesting a shift towards more palliative care.
A recent study published in Nuclear Fusion indicates that coaxial helicity injection can improve the efficiency of doughnut-shaped fusion machines. The simulation results show that narrowing the magnetic loop's extension into the tokamak vessel can close up to 70% of field lines, increasing current flow and magnetic fields.
Researchers developed a method to assess and compare the environmental impact of green products, allowing purchasers to maximize environmental benefits under budget constraints. The Hotspot Scenario Analysis-Procurement Portfolio Optimization (HSA-PPO) method estimates savings of up to 54% in greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution identifies ultraconserved elements (UCEs) essential for animal development. Researchers found that UCEs act as hubs to allow genome access for multiple proteins, contributing to the extreme DNA sequence conservation observed.
Researchers found that Alaskan brown bears migrate between shallow spawning grounds to exploit varying salmon spawn times, allowing them to access the resource over a longer period. This 'surfing the salmon red wave' behavior showcases sophisticated foraging behaviors in wildlife.
Researchers found that a three-year absence of fire is the tipping point for the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and increasing burning frequency can help prevent it from transitioning to woodland. The study suggests that land managers in the Flint Hills need to increase burning to more than once every three years.
Engineers successfully created a hydrogen-producing enzyme that works as efficiently as the natural version, without needing platinum. The artificial variant replaces sulphur with selenium and retains its biochemical properties.
Physicists at Lomonosov Moscow State University propose a theoretical model for analyzing the conformational behavior of hydrophobically modified polymer gels in solution. The model explains experimentally observed phenomena and reveals new ways to control gel susceptibility, promising applications in drug delivery systems.
Scientists have developed a new method to assemble technologically relevant, non-polymorphic crystals through computer simulations. By tuning the size of polymer additives, researchers can stabilize desired crystal structures against competing polymorphs.
Researchers found that human activities drive disease distributions at local scales for diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, while climate change impacts regional scales. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple spatial scales to understand human ecological impacts on biodiversity and disease emergence.
Dr. Andrea Ferrante is studying the molecular processes governing vaccine efficacy with a $1.6 million grant. Her goal is to create safer and more effective vaccines by understanding the role of dendritic cells in triggering an immune response.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that bumblebees' tiny hairs deflect in response to electric fields, but only the hairs alert the bee's nervous system. This finding suggests that electroreception in insects may be more common than previously thought.
Geophysicist Professor Boris Kaus of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has received a EUR 150,000 ERC Proof of Concept Grant to test new methods for locating oil and gas reserves in sedimentary basins with salt deposits. The grant aims to demonstrate the economic feasibility and cost-reducing potential of these methods.
The study reveals that mutations in the enzyme DHHC9 lead to reduced neuron growth, branching, and excitability, while affecting inhibitory synapse formation. This understanding can help identify novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.
Researchers discovered that a molecule involved in fish reproduction, PGF2α, activates the brain via the nose, synchronizing reproductive behaviors between male and female zebrafish. The molecule binds to specific olfactory receptors, activating a dedicated neural pathway to areas of the brain responsible for courtship behavior.
Researchers developed a new contrast agent to monitor stem cell treatments inside the body using MRI scans. The agent addresses technical challenges such as toxicity and accumulation in cells, offering improved resolution and sensitivity.
New research suggests that next-generation gene sequencing can rapidly diagnose rare diseases in newborns, providing timely molecular diagnoses and potentially life-saving interventions. The technique has shown diagnostic success rates of up to 40% in a pilot study of 20 infants with complex medical issues.
Researchers successfully treated a patient with metastatic melanoma using a combined approach of immunotherapy, including IL-21-primed polyclonal CTL plus CTLA4 blockade. The treatment led to the complete disappearance of tumors and sustained disease-free status for five years.
Researchers analyzed crop remains from ancient sites in Madagascar and found a stark contrast between Eastern African and Asian crops. The findings suggest that Southeast Asians brought crops from their homeland to Madagascar, providing insights into the colonization process.
Researchers found that Australian small carpenter bee populations flourished in the wake of global warming following the last Ice Age. The study's findings suggest that bees have responded similarly to climate change globally, which could be a positive sign for their survival.
Researchers found that organic compounds from trees in pre-industrial times formed aerosols that counteracted greenhouse gas effects. The CLOUD experiment discovered a process where these low-volatility substances efficiently form new particles under atmospheric conditions, even without sulphuric acid.
A new CU-Boulder study found that morphine treatment can cause chronic pain by exacerbating the release of pain signals from specific immune cells in the spinal cord. This could have far-reaching implications for humans, as opioids are already linked to thousands of fatal overdoses annually.
Researchers identified Asian crop remains in Madagascar, providing archaeological evidence of Southeast Asian colonization over 1,000 years ago. Genetic research confirms the connection between Malagasy speakers and Austronesian language families.
A high-resolution structure of spinach PSII-LHCII supercomplex reveals the arrangement of individual subunits and their interactions. The study clarifies energy-transfer pathways between LHCII and the core complex, shedding light on the light-harvesting process in plants.
A University of Michigan-led study analyzing Google Trends data found a significant reduction in chickenpox searches following vaccination implementation in countries like Germany. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of immunization in reducing seasonal outbreaks and offers a novel way to track global childhood disease burdens.
The BRCA1 gene's ubiquitin ligase activity is crucial for error-free DNA repair through homologous recombination. Cells lacking this function are sensitive to DNA damaging agents and may develop cancer.
A study published in Acta Neuropathologica shows that abnormal protein from Huntington's disease (HD) can spread to the brain of normal animals, leading to behavioral abnormalities. The findings provide new insights into how HD develops and may lead to novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
A University of Adelaide study found that males with large claws on one side are more gregarious and attractive to females. The left-clawed males tend to disperse more rapidly and occupy more habitats, increasing their chances of encountering a female.
Research from RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan identifies the brain clock that keeps memories organized across time. Without CA3 input, the neural orchestra loses its conductor, leading to errors in representing space and impairing accurate prediction of spatial location.
Researchers at Kyoto University have observed artificial nanofibers sorting themselves into organized structures under artificial conditions, a phenomenon similar to that seen in living cells. This achievement elucidates the mechanism of self-sorting and has potential applications in developing intelligent biomimics.
A study by NYU sociologist Dalton Conley found that while spouses are sorting themselves by education, it has no significant impact on the genetic makeup of subsequent generations. The research analyzed data from over 2,000 spousal pairs and found no notable trends in spousal similarity or fertility related to education-associated gene...
A new study found that one-third of children with a strong family history of CVD and/or type 2 diabetes have higher total cholesterol and unfavorable cardiometabolic markers. This group is at a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes in adulthood.
Researchers estimate that implementing the '90-90-90' program in South Africa would avert over 2 million new HIV infections, reduce deaths by 2.4 million, and save an additional 13 million patient-years of life compared to current strategies.
Researchers discovered that heart muscle cell chromosomes rapidly erode after birth, limiting their ability to proliferate and replace damaged heart tissue. Maintaining telomere length may boost regenerative capacity, improving cardiac tissue recovery after a heart attack.
A new study found that early exposure to nicotine can trigger genetic changes affecting brain cell connections, leading to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other behavioral problems. Maternal smoking has been linked to these conditions, and the study provides a possible explanation for its long-term effects.
The Science Walden Pavillion at UNIST converts human waste into biodiesel and heat energy using a waterless toilet system and microbial energy production system. The project aims to establish an ecosystem that supports technology innovation and drives economic diversification.
Researchers have identified a type of wild sorghum, known as Arun, which yields significantly more bioethanol than other varieties. The plant's stems contain high levels of a component thought to inhibit bioethanol production, but a high level of easily fermentable sugar negates this effect.
For the first known time, researchers have tracked heme movement inside cells, revealing it is not always static. Labile heme serves as a nutrient and needs to be carefully trafficked through the cell to stay available.
New research reveals ocean currents explain why Antarctic Ocean has stayed at roughly the same temperature as most of the planet. Deep, centuries-old water is continually pulled up to the surface by constant westerly winds and great depths.
Cretaceous fossils provide insights into the early diversification of ants, with some species exhibiting advanced social behavior. The discovery of Ceratomyrmex ellenbergeri highlights the importance of morphological specializations in ant evolution.