Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new multicolor MRI method that enables simultaneous detection of two different contrast agents, allowing for immediate comparisons of diseased and healthy tissue. This breakthrough has the potential to transform molecular imaging and aid disease diagnosis.
A five-year federal research grant will fund studies on the gut microbiome's role in MS, led by Yanjiao Zhou. The research aims to investigate how intermittent fasting alters the gut microbiome and may reduce MS symptoms.
A new analysis of national public opinion polls reveals that Republican divisions on health care issues hindered major legislation. The study also finds growing support for a federal role in ensuring universal coverage, with six in ten Americans now believing it is the government's responsibility.
A new critically endangered tree species, Melicope stonei, has been discovered on Kaua'i, with unique habitat features and limited distribution. Threats to its survival include habitat degradation, predation by invasive species, and environmental events.
A study published in JAMA Network found that acupuncture and electrotherapy can potentially reduce and delay opioid use after total knee replacement. The analysis of drug-free interventions revealed moderate evidence supporting the effectiveness of these non-pharmacological treatments.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) will capture an image of the Moon's shadow on Earth during a solar eclipse on Aug. 21. The public can participate by waving at the Moon, with the camera resolution able to see continents and large surface features.
A Brazilian company's device uses low-field NMR to analyze food products in a few seconds, measuring sugar content, fat content, moisture, tenderness, flavor, and succulence. The technology has been used to analyze beef and palm oil without dehydrating samples.
Research links elemental sulfur use to poorer respiratory health in children living near farms that apply the pesticide, with significant associations found between sulfur use and asthma-related symptoms. The study suggests urgent need for more research and possible changes to regulations and application methods.
The Sungazer lizard is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss, with its population declining by over a third in the last decade. A conservation assessment found that only half of the species' habitat has been irreversibly transformed by humans.
Accelerated growth rates in farmed salmon are linked to a common inner ear deformity causing up to 50% hearing loss. Reducing growth rate can reduce the incidence of the deformity by three times.
Researchers have created a biocompatible fertilizer from carbon dots derived from rapeseed pollen, increasing plant biomass by 50% in treated plants. The process was found to be relatively inexpensive, costing just 3 cents per gram.
A novel lineage-restricted stem cell was identified in the mammary gland, maintaining ER+ lineage expansion during pubertal development and long-term renewing capacities in adult mice. This finding challenges the current model of cellular hierarchy governing tissue development and maintenance.
Researchers found that impaired DNA replication can lead to genome-wide epigenetic changes, resulting in the inheritance of new gene expression states for up to five generations. These epigenetic alterations establish new gene expression patterns that can be passed down through multiple generations.
A new type of plant, 'Shetland's monkeyflower', has been discovered in the Shetland Isles, resulting from the doubling of its chromosomes. The plant, a descendant of a non-native species, produces larger flowers and changes in leaf size and flowering time.
Researchers found that volcanic eruptions can cause ozone depletion until 2070, despite declining levels of human-made CFCs. Natural sources of halogen gases from marine plankton and microalgae become important in the lower stratosphere after CFC concentrations decline.
A study found that more than half of heart patients are admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) for noncardiac conditions such as sepsis or renal failure. This shift in patient composition requires providers to reassess training and staffing models, with implications for care and outcomes.
The Mars 2020 mission utilizes advanced techniques developed from studying early life on Earth to detect biosignatures in ancient Martian rocks. By mapping elemental and organic composition at high spatial resolution, scientists aim to determine if these features were formed by life.
A UTSA professor has received a $1.5 million grant to study spermatogonial stem cells in a cutting-edge way. The goal is to understand how these cells form and support sperm production, leading to earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for male infertility.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that smoking significantly increases the chance of brain aneurysm recurrence. Former and current smokers had a higher rate of recurrence compared to never smokers, emphasizing the importance of quitting smoking after endovascular treatment.
A team of international archaeologists has re-examined a c. 8,500-year-old by-product from metal smelting and found conclusive evidence of an incidental copper firing event. The discovery provides new insights into the origins of metallurgy in the Near East.
Research in mice suggests that eating at abnormal times can weaken the daytime potency of an enzyme protecting against UV radiation, leading to increased risk of sunburn and long-term effects like skin cancer. A normal eating schedule may provide better protection from UV rays during the day.
A new study reveals that subsea permafrost in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) degrades at a rate of 18 cm/year, exceeding previous estimates. This suggests that massive methane emissions into the atmosphere may occur due to the destruction of hydrates, contradicting IPCC climate model predictions.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a substrate-specific method to detect electron transfer in photovoltaic devices. The new approach uses deep-ultraviolet continuum pulses to probe the excitonic transitions of transition-metal oxide substrates, providing a route to studying solid-state-sensitized solar cells.
The school has awarded over $3.5 million in grants since its opening in 2014, with the latest grant targeting breast cancer treatment. Dr. Kamaljit Kaur's research aims to develop peptides that target specific receptors on cancer cells, reducing toxic side effects and improving patient survival.
Researchers will investigate regulatory mechanisms and biomarkers of healthy aging, aiming to understand why the immune system weakens with age. The study may lead to new treatments for age-related health issues, such as increased vulnerability to infections and cancers.
Researchers developed a new inlet design for Hall thrusters that significantly increases thrust by creating a vortex in the discharge channel. The design improvement resulted in higher gas density and uniformity, leading to improved performance and increased specific impulse of up to 53.5%.
Researchers in the Netherlands have created efficient green solar panels using soft imprint lithography, which scatter green light and maintain a 10% power reduction. The technology has potential to widen solar panel use as an architectural design element.
A meta-analysis of randomized-clinical trials found that full-dose bivalirudin infusion post-PCI for four hours is associated with improved net adverse clinical events and all-cause mortality. Bivalirudin exhibits a lower risk of bleeding compared to unfractionated heparin, but also increases the risk of acute stent thrombosis.
A new study reveals that thriving in elite sports requires a combination of internal and external factors, including optimism, focus, and high motivation. The research found that athletes who are highly motivated, develop holistically, and have a sense of belonging tend to thrive at the highest level.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that adult brains can produce new cells in the amygdala, a region important for processing emotional memories. This finding has significant implications for understanding the brain's ability to adapt and regenerate.
Typhoon Banyan's eye became visible again in satellite imagery from NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite, showing a tight concentration of strong thunderstorms around its center. The storm is expected to become a strong extra-tropical storm in the open waters of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean by August 17.
The Biophysical Society has announced its 2018 Society Fellows, recognizing distinguished members who have made significant contributions to the field of biophysics. The 2018 Fellows include Patricia Bassereau, James Bowie, Astrid Graslund, Roderick MacKinnon, and others.
University of Nevada, Reno researchers are developing mosquitoes that can detect and avoid human odors, potentially breaking the transmission cycle of mosquito-borne diseases. The goal is to create genetically modified mosquitoes that feed on other animals, reducing resistance development.
The new data resource center will accelerate novel treatments for childhood tumors by making genetic sequences available on the cloud. Researchers expect to identify beneficial mutations that allow some children to survive longer than others.
A University of Kansas researcher found that well owners in Kansas use more water during droughts due to their ability to irrigate crops. Unlike non-well owners, who cut back on water usage, well owners tap into the aquifer to sustain crops during dry years.
Researchers sequenced and compared apple genomes to reveal a two-way journey for domesticated apples along the Silk Road. The study pinpointed the origin of domesticated apples in Kazakhstan and discovered that they hybridized with local wild apples, yielding modern dessert apples.
A recent study found that gaining distribution in small retail formats, such as Save-A-Lot and Aldi, can lead to significantly higher sales increases compared to larger assortment stores. The study, published in Marketing Science, analyzed data from Systembolaget, a Swedish state-owned monopoly, and found that a 10% widening in retail ...
Clinical studies supporting FDA approval of high-risk medical device modifications were found to be methodologically poor, with many lacking randomization and blinding.
Research finds that human activities such as urbanization and forest fragmentation alter fruit bat habitats, increasing the risk of Hendra virus transmission to humans. The study highlights the importance of preserving ecosystem integrity and habitat suitability to mitigate this risk.
Researchers identified pheromone receptors in a primitive moth species that also respond to plant volatiles, suggesting an evolutionary link between sex pheromones and plant odor detection.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that children whose parents provide them with learning materials and engage in meaningful conversations develop early cognitive skills that cascade into later academic success. The study tracked the influence of early home learning environments on...
Researchers discovered a potential broad-spectrum antiviral by inhibiting the EZH2/1 complex, which suppressed HSV infection and reactivation in mice. The treatment also showed promise against other viruses, including human cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and Zika virus.
Biomedical engineers have grown miniature human blood vessels exhibiting symptoms of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disease. The technology will help doctors screen potential therapeutics more rapidly, with the goal of creating a personalized screening platform.
Researchers at Caltech simulated earthquakes in a lab to measure dynamic friction and its impact on seismic events. They found that slip velocity is the key factor in dynamic friction, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers project a significant increase in harmful algal blooms in US freshwater reservoirs and lakes due to climate change. The study predicts that the biggest impact will be felt by recreation areas in the Southeast, with more rural regions also affected.
Researchers developed a nanosensor to detect herbicides and their target enzymes, crucial for environmental monitoring. The Atomic Force Microscope cantilever proved suitable for precise detection of environmental contaminants.
Researchers have developed a more precise way of diagnosing suicide risk by identifying biomarkers in blood that change in concert with changes in suicidal thoughts. A refined set of biomarkers applies universally to predict risk of suicide among both male and female patients, while others are specific to diagnoses and genders.
The University of Nevada, Reno is starting a drilling campaign to test its geothermal exploration strategies in the Great Basin region. The project aims to identify new, economically viable geothermal systems and reduce risks for commercial electricity production.
A study using liquid biopsies found distinct genomic profiles in 99.7% of patients with CUP, harboring potentially targetable alterations. These findings suggest that liquid biopsies can guide treatment response in this patient population.
A new species of damselfly, Mesosticta davidattenboroughi, has been discovered in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and named after Sir David Attenborough. The fossil is extremely well-preserved, showing a complete set of wings, and provides new insights into the past appearance of a rare group of damselflies.
Research by University of Kansas sociologist Ruth Stamper finds that local food systems in Kansas and Missouri help disparate groups build relationships, bridging moral orders and environmental ideologies. Through shared sustainable farming knowledge and education, farmers from diverse backgrounds find common ground.
Researchers found that plants growing in dry climates have higher concentrations of leaf wax, a natural protective barrier. The team bred winter wheat cultivars with increased wax production, which enabled them to tolerate drought and produce high yields.
A meta-analysis published in PLOS Medicine found that gabapentinoids have no significant improvement in pain relief for chronic low back pain, and may even worsen symptoms. The study analyzed findings from 8 randomized controlled trials and identified significant risks of adverse events such as dizziness and visual disturbances.
Muller Fabbri's research focuses on targeting immune cells contributing to disease progression in neuroblastoma. He aims to identify new molecular targets to prevent and overcome cancer resistance to treatment.
The PCORI Board approved $10 million for two studies to compare strategies for reducing unsafe opioid prescribing and improving pain management. The studies will focus on Medicaid payer strategies and healthcare provider interventions to expand non-opioid approaches, with the goal of providing evidence-based information to improve pati...
Scientists at the John Innes Centre have produced a new vaccine against poliovirus using virus-like particles grown in plants. The vaccine uses a method that employs virus-like particles (VLPs) - non-pathogenic mimics of poliovirus which are grown in plants.
Researchers discovered that targeting arginase 2, an enzyme involved in nitrogen metabolism, can curb the growth of pancreatic tumors, especially in obese individuals. The study suggests a novel approach to treating this deadly cancer, with potential for improved survival rates and therapeutic windows.
Researchers found that compounds from the desert creosote bush exhibit powerful anti-parasitic effects, particularly against Giardia and Naegleria fowleri. The study offers a promising lead for developing new antimicrobial agents to combat deadly parasitic infections.
Researchers developed a genome sequencing method that can detect clinically relevant mutations using just 5 circulating tumor cells. The technique, known as long fragment read (LFR), is more comprehensive than gene panels and can analyze the entire genomic content of small numbers of cells.
A new study finds that same-sex couples do not influence their adopted children's gender identity development, with typical behavior emerging from early childhood. The research suggests that family structure has little impact on gender conformity or nonconformity.