A study of cocoa varieties grown in Bahia for over 200 years found that they are genetically similar and vulnerable to disease. Researchers identified resistant trees with greater genetic diversity, offering hope for combating witch's broom.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 19, 2017
A recent study found that mutations in blood cells of elderly humans may contribute to atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death. The research suggests that hematopoietic mutations could be an age-dependent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers discovered that Mycobacterium tuberculosis reprograms infected cells to feed on lipids and membranes, leading to new treatment opportunities. The study provides a promising lead in tackling the disease by starving the bacterium of its preferred high-fat food source.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 19, 2017
A new screening method combining CRISPR genome editing with single-cell RNA sequencing enables the simultaneous analysis of thousands of genes in individual cells. This approach, called CROP-seq, allows researchers to study complex biological mechanisms and identify novel drug targets more efficiently than traditional methods.
SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Methods·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers propose a new class of topological metals with unique electronic properties, including relativistic behavior and perfect compensation. This classification could help scientists find other materials with similar properties.
SourcePrinceton University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJan 19, 2017
A study of 1,308 U.S. adult Facebook users found that 24% had accessed their friends' accounts without permission, often out of curiosity or jealousy. This widespread practice highlights the ineffectiveness of passwords and device PINs in stopping insider threats.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that blinking prompts the brain to reposition eyeballs, keeping vision in line. This mechanism allows our brains to adapt to changes and compensate for errors in our bodies' own hardware.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 19, 2017
A new study finds that despite a 2011 pledge by US chain restaurants to improve the nutritional value of children's menu options, little progress has been made. Many restaurants have replaced soda as the default beverage but offer similar amounts of sugar in other drinks.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 19, 2017
A study published in eLife reveals that a single nerve cell named ALA coordinates an organism-wide response to sickness, causing sleepiness by releasing FLP-13 and other neuropeptides. Researchers found that FLP-13 triggers sleep by turning down activity in nervous system cells that help keep organisms awake.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the human immune system's response to the bird flu vaccine. They found that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, play a previously unobserved role in vaccine response and may function as antigen-presenting cells.
SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers found that inhibiting PLSCR1 controls the infected cell's antiviral response, providing long-term protection from immune attack and excessive inflammation. This discovery holds promise for virally delivered treatments, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Women from low socioeconomic backgrounds are 25% more likely to suffer a heart attack than disadvantaged men, according to a major new study. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide, with an estimated 8.6 million deaths per year.
SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 19, 2017
A simple technique produces oxide nanowires from bulk materials at ambient temperature and pressure without catalysts or toxic chemicals. The process enables the production of low-cost 1D nanomaterials in large quantities for various applications, including thermally-stable battery membranes.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2017
Engineers at the University of Nottingham are developing lightweight automotive components using selective laser melting (SLM), a disruptive AM technology. This process enables significant weight reductions in mass (40-80 per cent) while optimizing thermo-mechanical performance, leading to increased vehicle efficiency and reduced costs.
Researchers have identified an endogenous peptide that reduces cholesterol levels in mice, inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis. The protein, human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP1), binds to LDL in the bloodstream and induces rapid uptake by the liver, reducing hypercholesterolemia.
SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJan 19, 2017
Surgical site infections affect up to 300,000 patients annually, with an estimated annual cost of $3.5 billion to $10 billion. The new guidelines recommend measures such as quitting smoking, controlling blood sugar, and using antibiotic sutures to reduce the risk of SSIs.
SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at Rice University and Kazan Federal University have found a way to extract radioactivity from water using oxidatively modified carbon (OMC) material. The OMC is highly efficient at absorbing radioactive metal cations, including cesium and strontium, making it a promising solution for purifying contaminated water.
A study found that decreased blood levels of soluble klotho were linked to an increased likelihood of experiencing kidney function decline in elderly adults. Higher klotho levels may help preserve kidney function.
SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a piglet model to study nutrition's effects on infant brain development and behavior. The new review article highlights several studies on pediatric nutrition, including those that assess brain development outcomes using advanced MRI methods.
SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAdvances in Nutrition·DateJan 19, 2017
A new study reveals that sea-surface temperatures during the last interglaciation period were comparable to those of today. The analysis of 104 marine sediment core sites suggests that global ocean SSTs simulated by most climate models are too low, and that oceans may respond differently to modern warming.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at Mayo Clinic identified Ect2 as a genetic promoter of lung cancer, driving tumor formation through increased ribosome production. The study found that Ect2 supports tumor cell growth by stimulating ribosome biogenesis.
Researchers from top universities issue an agenda for action on gun safety, promoting discourse around gun safety rather than control. They propose collaborations with opponents, engaging private industry in evidence-based initiatives to reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 19, 2017
A new UCSF study reveals that binge drinking can cause fatty liver, inflammation and enzyme changes within seven weeks. The researchers found that even a short period of excessive drinking resulted in liver dysfunction.
SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateJan 19, 2017
Two specific proteins recognize defective mRNAs and trigger their destruction, maintaining cell survival. The study reveals a direct competition-based approach for targeting aberrant ribosomes.
SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2017
A group of UK and US respiratory doctors argue that President Trump should follow Margaret Thatcher's lead on ozone layer protection to reduce the impact of climate change. They suggest a series of policy actions, including investing in clean energy and green transport, to protect public health and prosperity.
Matthew McGill, a NASA Goddard researcher, has made significant contributions to understanding climate change impacts through the application of lidar technology. His work on the Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument has been successfully operating on the International Space Station for two years.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that genetic abnormalities can guide patients' treatment for pediatric brain tumors. The study analyzed over 200 tumor samples, revealing clinically relevant genetic changes in 56% of cases, which can impact diagnosis and treatment with approved drugs or agents.
SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNeuro-Oncology·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers found that advanced wood-burning cookstoves reduce fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions by 45% and 47%, respectively. However, field measurements showed significantly higher emissions compared to laboratory testing.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 19, 2017
A new computational method, FishTaco, integrates taxonomic and functional approaches to identify bacterial species responsible for functional imbalances in the microbiome. Researchers found that diverse combinations of species drive functional imbalances in diseases like type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJan 19, 2017
Public health experts praise the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's new rule mandating smoke-free policies in federally funded public housing authorities. The authors highlight challenges, such as infrastructure and community support, and suggest strategies to ease the transition and encourage compliance.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 19, 2017
A Norwegian study finds that women regret casual sex encounters more frequently than men, contradicting earlier American research. Women are also less likely to be happy with the experience and more concerned about potential consequences such as pregnancy or STD infections. The researchers suggest that evolutionary differences in repro...
SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateJan 19, 2017
A recent study demonstrates the integration of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (APGNRs) onto nonmetallic silicon substrates, overcoming a significant challenge in chip manufacturing. The 'bottom-up' approach allows for atomic-level control and uniform electronic properties.
SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 19, 2017
A new study found that high-aneuploidy tumors have increased expression of genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle, but decreased expression of genes characteristic of immune cells. This suggests that jumbled chromosomes in tumors may limit the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at MIT found no evidence of dematerialization in 56 materials and goods, despite technological improvements. Despite increased efficiency, consumer demand for products continues to outpace material usage.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a 500-year cycle of flooding in central China, which can be used to predict broad precipitation patterns in the future. The findings provide insight into climate change over time and improve understanding of monsoon regions.
SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 19, 2017
A new theory suggests that termite engineering and vegetation self-organisation jointly create the distinctive patterns, leading to a more nuanced understanding of ecosystem interactions. The findings provide insights into regular vegetation patterns observed globally.
SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers used social media and internet reports to analyze exposure patterns during the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic and 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. The study found that alternative data streams can provide reliable information on disease dynamics in the early stages of an outbreak.
SourceGeorgia State University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 19, 2017
Researchers will develop a mechanical model to explain the behavior of dike swarms using 'swarm theory' from biology. This new approach aims to improve oil and gas stimulation methods, benefiting industry and society with lower energy costs and reduced environmental impact.
Scientists have identified a 'molecular barcode' in blood samples from Ebola patients that can predict survival or death. The analysis provides data on the underlying causes of Ebola virus infection and suggests a potential diagnostic tool to guide treatment strategies.
SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalGenome Biology·DateJan 19, 2017
The BASE collaboration has set a new benchmark in measuring the antiproton's g-factor, a quantity characterizing its magnetic moment, with unprecedented precision. The result is consistent with the predictions of the Standard Model and indicates that protons and antiprotons appear to be mirror images of each other.
SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 19, 2017
Research at the University of York found that high-performing co-workers raise an individual's wage by almost one percent in low-skilled occupations. The effect is driven by increased productivity due to peer pressure. In contrast, high-skilled occupations such as lawyers and doctors do not exhibit this phenomenon.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateJan 19, 2017
Research from the University of Bath found that companies using 'creative accounting techniques' will increase in Republican-governed states and decrease in Democrat-governed states under Trump's presidency. This is due to the political alignment of the federal government, which affects earnings management.
SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Accounting and Public Policy·DateJan 19, 2017
A new study reveals that catheter ablation significantly reduces symptoms in over half of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that increases the risk of stroke and death. The procedure's success rate is higher than expected, but monitoring after treatment is often inadequate.
SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateJan 19, 2017
Research suggests that exposure to insecticides like carbamates can disrupt melatonin receptor signaling, leading to a higher risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The study highlights the need to assess environmental chemicals for their ability to disrupt circadian activity.
SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalChemical Research in Toxicology·DateJan 19, 2017
A study published in JAMA found that Texas women with no nearby abortion facilities face longer distances to access care, leading to a decline in abortions. In counties without an open facility, the decline in abortions increased as distance changed, with counties over 100 miles away seeing a 50% decrease.
Scientists have found the mechanisms behind a genetic change causing related diseases like Pearson's syndrome and Kearns-Sayre syndrome. The study reveals how errors in DNA replication result in large deletions of genetic material, leading to damage and mismanaged repair attempts.
SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 19, 2017
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health estimates that nearly 80% of adolescents living in Cambodia's orphanages have one or more living parents. The research aimed to generate inclusive data to guide policy makers and service providers in recognizing and protecting these children.
SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalBMJ Open·DateJan 19, 2017
A team of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Bari proposes a new control scheme that improves dynamic performance and disturbance rejection. They also introduce an improved pre-filter to assist the system in maintaining attention on relevant data, enabling quicker integration and acceptance.
SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJan 19, 2017
A study by Princeton and Stanford universities reveals that anonymous web browsing histories can be linked to social media profiles, raising concerns about internet privacy. Researchers created an algorithm that compared anonymous web browsing histories with public social media feeds to identify users with high accuracy.
SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·DateJan 19, 2017
Scientists at Northwestern University used non-invasive brain stimulation to target specific memory networks, enhancing spatial precision and retention. The treatment showed lasting benefits of up to 24 hours, outperforming previous studies on short-lived effects.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 19, 2017
New study reveals large oceanic features that enable warm water to reach glacier undersides, fueling rapid retreat. The findings highlight the importance of ocean heat access in controlling glacier behavior.
SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 18, 2017
Mothers of socially anxious children exhibit overinvolvement, leading to limited self-efficacy and constant fear; this behavior restricts coping strategies and opportunities for new situations
SourceSpringer·JournalCognitive Therapy and Research·DateJan 18, 2017
Université Laval researchers have discovered two unique molecules and several antibacterial compounds in a species of lichen growing in northern Quebec. The lichen, Stereocaulon paschale, has been found to contain compounds with potential applications in medicine and industry.
SourceUniversité Laval·JournalJournal of Natural Products·DateJan 18, 2017
A team of scientists has designed a new display made from natural elements, including luminescent proteins. This technology enables the creation of energy-efficient Bio-displays with low production costs and high image quality, offering an ecological solution to traditional displays' limitations.
SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified a molecular signal that maintains adult neuron structure in the hippocampus, a region crucial for learning and memory. The study found that reintroducing this protein restored nerve cell structures to some extent, suggesting potential avenues for studying neurodegenerative diseases.
SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2017
Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that modern top-class football features more high-intensity sprints, requiring individualized training to manage fatigue and recovery. Central defenders are found to be less affected by this pattern, highlighting the need for tailored training methods.
SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScience and Medicine in Football·DateJan 18, 2017
A report by PSE Healthy Energy projects that new Marcellus development will nearly double natural gas production and increase greenhouse gas emissions by tripling. The report forecasts thousands of new natural gas wells, which will drive a second drilling boom in Pennsylvania.
Three-spine stickleback fish in Alaska's Bristol Bay region are altering their breeding patterns in response to climate change, spawning earlier and more often. This shift could have wider ecological effects on the ecosystem, particularly for species like juvenile sockeye salmon.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers improve climate models by incorporating industrial ecology approaches, including metal recycling, to consider a wider spectrum of mitigation options. This could enable IAMs to predict more realistic scenarios and inform policymakers about the potential impact of different strategies.
SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new way to protect personal electronic health records using a patient's heartbeat. The ECG signal is reused as the key for data encryption, providing enhanced security and privacy while minimizing costs. This innovative solution has the potential to significantly improve secure, per...