E. coli bacteria hijack trace amounts of copper in the body to fuel growth and reproduce, a finding that could lead to new treatments for hard-to-treat UTIs. The 'nutritional passivation' strategy involves binding to metals like nickel, cobalt, and chromium to bring in controlled amounts of essential nutrients.
A new map of brain protein interactions could lead to more effective treatments for complex brain disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The map, created by USC researcher Marcelo P. Coba, highlights problematic pathways that current drugs are not targeting.
Typhoon Noru rages near Minami Tori Shima Atoll, with sustained winds of 92 mph and powerful thunderstorms. The storm is forecast to approach Japan's Iwo To island by July 29.
A new method developed by an international research team uses yeast cells to speed up drug discovery by linking compounds to cellular processes they target. The study found that natural compounds derived from soil microbes hold promise as potential medicines against various diseases, including infections and cancer.
Physicists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have modeled how recycled neutral atoms enhance turbulence driven by the ion temperature gradient, cooling plasma and reducing rotation rates. The results could lead to improved understanding of plasma performance in future tokamaks and international fusion facilities like ITER.
A recent study published in Nursing Outlook found that home care nurses working in better work environments are less likely to miss required care, report burnout, or intend to leave their jobs. The researchers suggest that improving work environments can lead to improved care quality and reduced turnover.
Researchers at Utah State University have developed a new math formula that accurately predicts the onset of cavitation in fluids accelerated over short periods. This breakthrough can improve the durability of water pipes and ship propellers, reducing damage from cavitation.
Researchers have developed a new method to generate specific human antibodies in the laboratory using nanoparticles. This technique can produce high-affinity antibodies within days, offering potential for rapid therapeutic antibody production and accelerated vaccine development.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that tai chi significantly reduced the rate of falls by 43% compared to other interventions. Tai chi also showed promise in reducing injurious falls risk, with a 50% reduction over short-term follow-up.
A study found that 7% of healthy Santa Barbara residents tested positive for raccoon roundworm antibodies, highlighting a previously undetected human infection risk. The parasite can survive over a year in the environment and cause severe health effects, including blindness or brain damage.
Researchers have identified a new way for brain cells to become fated to die during Alzheimer's disease, linked to the activation of a biological pathway called necroptosis. The study found that necroptosis is closely linked with Alzheimer's severity, cognitive decline and extreme loss of tissue and brain weight.
Researchers used data from the intergalactic medium to narrow down what dark matter could be, casting doubt on 'fuzzy dark matter' and lending credence to 'cold dark matter.' The findings could inform ongoing efforts to detect dark matter directly.
A new study found that dog walking increases physical activity levels in older adults, even on cold and wet days. Dog owners were sedentary for 30 minutes less per day, on average.
A Florida State University researcher has found a strong connection between an unstable childhood and a higher risk of obesity in adulthood. By applying the Life History Theory perspective, Jon Maner discovered that people with unpredictable childhoods tend to adopt a fast-life-history strategy, prioritizing short-term gratification ov...
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Kulap, revealing a spiral of thunderstorms forming a clenched fist shape. The storm was moving west-northwest at 17.2 mph with maximum sustained winds near 51.7 mph.
The second Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS2) reveals significant progress in combating the HIV epidemic, with a doubling of population viral load suppression since 2011. The survey found nearly half fewer new HIV infections among adults aged 18-49 years compared to 2011.
Researchers found that using a true non-industrially influenced baseline could reduce the available carbon budget for meeting the 2°C warming limit. The study suggests that assuming a late 19th-century baseline may be underestimating the warming already taken place.
Child mortality rates in Iraq were not unusually high between 1991 and 2003, contrary to claims made by Saddam Hussein's government. A major national household survey conducted in 1999 was found to be 'a remarkable fiction' cooked up to stir international condemnation and get sanctions lifted.
Researchers captured three-dimensional snapshots of the AMPA-subtype glutamate receptor in action, shedding light on its role in memory and learning. The study's findings provide new insights into the fundamental process involved in brain function.
A new species of non-photosynthesizing parasitic plant, Sciaphila sugimotoi, has been discovered on Ishigaki island in Okinawa, Japan. The plant, which stands 5-10cm above ground, feeds off the roots of host fungi and is named after Mr. Takaomi Sugimoto, one of its discoverers.
The Gerontological Society of America has released a white paper making six recommendations to promote oral health in older adults, including education, integrated interprofessional programs, and improving access to dental care. The recommendations aim to create a culture of oral health champions across all professions.
Researchers used models to simulate the effectiveness of a combined set of geoengineering tools in reducing warming and precipitation changes. The study found that deploying both methods in concert could decrease global warming to pre-industrial levels, but with substantial regional variations in rainfall.
A new study suggests that an eye test could be a useful tool in diagnosing Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by assessing the ability of individuals to adapt saccade amplitudes. This test may indicate deficits in the brain's emotional and social development areas, which are often impaired in individuals with ASD.
Researchers are using imaging capabilities to explore how copper affects plant fertility, which could provide insights into breeding plants for better performance in marginal soils. The study aims to characterize plant proteins controlling copper uptake and distribution to develop plant cultivars adapted to low-copper soils.
Researchers found a molecular link between obesity, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. Targeting thrombin with dabigatran protected mice from diet-induced obesity-related disease.
New research shows that Obamacare significantly improved health insurance coverage and access to care for US youth, with over half a million Latino children gaining insurance. However, disparities remain, with Latino children still more than twice as likely to lack insurance compared to white and black youth.
A study found that mice exhibit hyperalgesia when housed with withdrawal mice, and inhibiting a specific brain region reverses this effect. The findings suggest a neural overlap between physically-induced and socially-transferred hyperalgesia.
Scientists have discovered water in ancient volcanic deposits on the Moon's surface, finding that nearly all large pyroclastic deposits contain high amounts of trapped water. This bolsters the idea that the lunar mantle may be more water-rich than previously thought, with implications for future lunar exploration.
A new study reveals glutamate receptor-like proteins in plants control sperm navigation and fertilization, highlighting potential conserved functions between plant and human systems. The research suggests that these proteins may regulate cell-to-cell communication in sexual reproduction.
A nine-year-old South African child has suppressed HIV virus without anti-HIV drugs for eight and a half years, according to the NIH-funded study. The child received early limited anti-HIV treatment in infancy and was found to have maintained undetectable levels of HIV despite not receiving ongoing therapy.
A new community-based program using patient navigators in barbershops has been shown to increase early detection of colorectal cancer among black men. The study found that participants who received help were twice as likely to get screened, compared to those who did not receive extra support.
A 5% drop in MMR vaccinations among children ages 2-11 could triple annual measles cases and increase public health expenditures by $2.1 million per case. The study predicts sharp rises in measles cases if vaccination rates further decline, with potential outbreaks in previously well-vaccinated communities.
Hurricane Hilary strengthened into a hurricane on July 24, with organized winds extending up to 10 miles from the center and higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center expects Hilary to become a major hurricane on Tuesday, July 25.
Research at the University of Cincinnati reveals that stimuli inducing lung cell division increase the spread of influenza to the alveoli, making these cells a vulnerable target. Interventions preventing alveolar cell division reduce mortality in animal models, offering potential prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for influenza pn...
A longitudinal study of over 500,000 UK participants found that higher neuroticism reduces the risk of death for those in fair or poor health. A specific aspect of neuroticism related to worry and vulnerability was associated with lower mortality, regardless of self-reported health.
The GSA-developed KAER model provides a four-step process for primary care providers to assess, evaluate, and refer older adults with cognitive impairment. The toolkit offers practical guidance, measurement instruments, and community resources to aid in earlier diagnosis and better care.
A study estimates a three-fold increase in national measles cases in children ages 2 to 11 with just a 5% decline in MMR vaccine coverage, resulting in 150 cases and significant economic losses. Removing non-medical personal belief exemptions for childhood vaccination may mitigate these consequences.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that urban food demand in the Amazon can impact wildlife as far as 1,000 km away from the city. Researchers found a 50% reduction in fish size and catch rate near Manaus due to overfishing by city-based boats, which also led to larger fish being more common and easier to catch further away.
An investigational HIV vaccine regimen was well-tolerated and generated immune responses against HIV in healthy adults, according to the APPROACH trial. The results support further development of candidate vaccines and plans for a larger trial in southern Africa to evaluate safety and efficacy.
New narrative review calls for additional research to better understand cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors in transgender individuals receiving long-term cross-sex hormone therapy. Studies suggest worsening cardiovascular risk factors in transgender men and increased thromboembolic risk in transgender women.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood sugar, hypertension, and obesity, to identify overweight or obese children at highest risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Pediatricians should target youth with multiple component risk factors for more...
NASA's GOES-West satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Irwin on July 24, revealing a better-organized tropical cyclone. The storm is expected to become a hurricane within the next 48 hours.
A US study of the dapivirine ring among lactating women found that the drug is absorbed in very low concentrations into breastmilk. The results support further studies on the safety of the ring during breastfeeding and pregnancy, which are planned to be conducted in Africa.
Researchers at UCR discovered that infected insects emit an odor called prenol that repels nematodes looking for a new host. This finding supports the use of nematodes as a tool for controlling crop pests.
Researchers discovered a novel molecular mechanism that maintains glioma stem cells, which are responsible for tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence in glioblastoma. A small molecule inhibitor CMP3a selectively inhibits NEK2 kinase activity to promote tumor growth and radiation resistance.
Researchers discover moss sperm uses glutamate receptors to navigate towards female organs, fertilize eggs and develop spores. The study also shows that glutamate receptors play a crucial role in controlling gene expression essential for spore development.
The Indian summer monsoons have strengthened in the last 15 years over north central India, reversing a 50-year drying period. This increase in monsoon rainfall is attributed to a shift in India's land and sea temperatures, with higher land temperatures combining with lower ocean temperatures.
Researchers found that Medicaid expansion under the ACA reduced total emergency department visits in Maryland by nearly 36,000, with a 6% increase in Medicaid-covered visits and a 6% decrease in uninsured patient visits. The study suggests that while the ACA did not immediately reduce emergency department utilization, it provides incre...
A hospital implemented a water intake improvement project to increase patient hydration, resulting in increased water intake among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The study found that standardizing the intake process led to significant improvements in hydration and reduced variability in postoperative fluid progression.
Researchers at UMD developed a new battery type that produces ionic electrical energy used by humans, powering brain functions and muscle movements. The battery uses grass to store energy and can be run at any voltage, making it suitable for medical devices and potential applications in neuroscience.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a potential new therapeutic strategy for ovarian clear cell carcinoma, a difficult-to-treat form of ovarian cancer. By targeting the activity of histone deacetylase 6, a protein that suppresses tumor suppressive functions, they were able to increase apoptosis in tumor cells and reduce...
Researchers identified a cellular signaling pathway blocking immune cell infiltration into bladder tumors, explaining the limited success of checkpoint immunotherapy. The finding suggests targeting this pathway could enhance treatment effectiveness when combined with checkpoint immunotherapy.
A new study has found a link between adolescent obesity and an increased risk of developing colon and rectal cancer in adulthood. The study analyzed data from over 1.7 million Israeli males and females, finding that being overweight or obese at age 17 was associated with a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Researchers have revised the understanding of a large group of Neotropical 'club-tailed' scorpions, revealing two new genera and three new species. The findings provide insight into the evolution and classification of these ancient arthropods, which are among the oldest living terrestrial species on Earth.
Childhood dementia, an inherited disorder affecting brain metabolism, shows promise in treating with immunomodulators. Inflammation of the brain is a key feature, and drugs like fingolimod and teriflunomide have shown therapeutic effects in mouse models.
A study published in PNAS found that exposure to violent episodes hinders short-term memory and cognitive control, with significant impacts on school performance, job prospects, and overall life success. Researchers examined civilians in Colombia, finding long-lasting effects of violence on cognition and memory recall.
A new American College of Surgeons quality improvement program linked to a two-thirds decrease in smoking rates in patients undergoing cervical and lumbar spine procedures. The program, Strong for Surgery, helps patients prepare for surgery by identifying and evaluating evidence-based practices to optimize their health.
A new phylogenetic tree resolves key relationships among vertebrates, including the identification of lungfishes as closest living relatives of land vertebrates. The study uses a novel set of analyses for building large-scale genomic datasets.
Researchers found that rats partially recovered hind limb movement using cycling, semi-load bearing treadmill training, and serotonin treatment without healing the spinal cord break. The body re-routes nerve cell outputs to control muscles and stiffens back muscles to support weight and independent steps.
A new study synthesizes research on coastal armoring and its ecological effects, revealing gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for more studies. The study evaluates a conceptual model that predicts ecological responses to armoring across various soft sediment ecosystems.