The American College of Physicians recommends treating acute and subacute low back pain with non-pharmaceutical therapies like heat, massage, and spinal manipulation. For chronic low back pain, exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and acupuncture are shown to improve symptoms.
Telomeres are protective caps on chromosomes that protect DNA ends from damage. Brian Luke's research focuses on the non-coding RNA TERRA, which plays a crucial role in telomere function. His lab will also investigate telomere looping, a mechanism that protects chromosome ends from degradation.
Scientists have discovered a sulfide-responsive protein, SqrR, in purple bacteria that regulates photosynthetic electron transfer to survive sulfide stress. This finding sheds light on the early evolution of photosynthesis and has potential applications in synthetic biology.
A team of researchers has identified a common regulatory grammar in islet cells that affects the activity of Regulatory Factor X, a master regulator involved in gene expression. Many Type 2 diabetes-linked DNA changes disrupt this grammar, leading to a range of health problems.
Researchers have discovered that quantum devices can process information more efficiently than classical devices by harnessing quantum theory. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Researchers at Nagoya University identified two peptides, CIF1 and CIF2, that regulate Casparian strip assembly in response to developmental and environmental cues. The study found that these peptides are necessary for the formation and maintenance of the barrier, which helps maintain ion homeostasis and adapt to harsh soil conditions.
The 2011 Norway attacks highlighted the limitations of traditional emergency work, which emphasizes fixed procedures and strong leadership. Experts now argue that local decision-making power could help limit the scale of disasters.
Researchers designed a novel genetic switch that shuts down competing metabolic pathways in bacteria, allowing for increased production of glucaric acid and other chemicals. The switch uses quorum sensing to autonomously control the cells' growth, enabling efficient production without adding new chemicals or changing process conditions.
A new RNAi treatment has shown significant improvement in mouse models of acute uveitis and chronic diabetic inflammation without apparent side effects. The therapy targets the receptor-associated prorenin system, involved in uveitis pathogenesis.
A new study found that access to basic amenities like electricity and clean energy improves with income growth, but not uniformly or quickly enough. The poorest members of society, especially women, bear the brunt of health risks from cooking with solid fuels and lack of sanitation.
The international team released a large dataset of exoplanet-detecting observations using the radial velocity method, identifying over 100 potential planets, including one orbiting the fourth-closest star to our Solar System. The data will enable astronomers around the globe to search for new planets and follow up on existing signals.
Research at Boston Medical Center found that stronger alcohol policies in states reduce the number of young people who die in crashes caused by drunk driving. The study used an alcohol policy scale to assess 29 policies across the US, correlating them with the number of underage deaths in alcohol-related crashes.
A team of scientists at the University of Alberta has successfully applied atomic force microscopy to pattern and image electronic circuits at the atomic level. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-fast and ultra-low-power silicon-based circuits, potentially revolutionizing the technology industry.
A breakthrough trial at the University of Minnesota found that a new UMN-developed drug, eBAT, significantly improved the six-month survival rate for dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) to approximately 70%. The study's results suggest potential for translation into human clinical trials.
A study by Duke Health researchers has identified a shared root cause of Huntington's disease with Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The team found that a biochemical explanation for the breakdown of quality control processes in Huntington's disease, which can be restored by chemically inhibiting CK2, holds promise for ...
A blood test can detect bladder cancer patients' prognoses by analyzing circulating tumour cells in their blood. The presence of these cells is a predictor of cancer recurrence and death.
A custom-made software package called Identifin has been developed to standardize data collection for great white sharks. The software uses image recognition technology to match dorsal fin images and provides a user-friendly database for researchers to access.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) project is completing final testing on a new satellite that will extend NASA's Space Network capabilities. The addition of TDRS-M will provide nearly continuous coverage for an additional 15 years.
Ding-Shyue Yang, a UH assistant professor of chemistry, has been awarded a $570,332 NSF CAREER grant to further his research on the movement of energy and charge across material interfaces. He aims to improve imaging tools for ultrafast molecular studies using new technologies and experimental methods.
Researchers have developed a new tool to accurately identify enzymes present in microbiomes and quantify their relative abundances. This breakthrough may uncover novel chemistry in the gut microbiome and provide insights into its impact on human health.
A new study identifies a gene, DONSON, responsible for microcephalic dwarfism by revealing its crucial role in DNA replication. Cells with faulty DONSON genes struggle to replicate DNA correctly, leading to growth defects typical of the disorder.
Researchers used high-intensity X-ray pulses to determine the structure of a viral cocoon down to a scale of 0.2 nanometres, approaching atom-scale resolution. The tiny viruses with their crystal casing are by far the smallest protein crystals ever analyzed using X-ray crystallography.
Researchers have successfully reprogrammed liver cells to behave like precursor cells that give rise to the pancreas, paving the way for potential cell therapies for type I diabetes. By altering a single gene, the team induced an identity crisis in liver cells, which then developed into cells with pancreatic properties.
A team of researchers led by Yinzhi Cao has developed a novel method for tracking web users across browsers using operating system and hardware level factors. The technique identifies 99.24% of users compared to 90.84% for top single-browser fingerprinting techniques.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new portable technology called Seq-Well, which enables rapid analysis of large numbers of cells for single-cell RNA sequencing. This breakthrough allows scientists to easily identify different cell types found in tissue samples, facilitating the study of immune cell responses and cancer treatment.
A study found that seniors taking three or more brain-affecting medications increased by over 100% between 2004 and 2013, with falls and driving problems being major concerns. The combination of opioids, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics carries special risks for older adults.
Two new studies on ACO payment models report significant reductions in postacute care spending, with no apparent decrease in quality. The Medicare Shared Savings Program saw a 9% reduction in spending by 2014, driven by decreases in hospital admissions and facility stays.
A study published in Epidemiology found that people on a gluten-free diet had higher concentrations of arsenic and mercury in their urine and blood compared to those who did not eat gluten-free. The study's findings suggest that a gluten-free diet may pose health risks due to increased exposure to toxic metals.
Researchers from UT Institute of Agriculture won the Outstanding Paper Award in Weed Technology for their study on cover crops and herbicides. The study found that combinations of grass and legume cover crops provided effective control over glyphosate-resistant Palmer Amaranth, with cereal rye and wheat showing the best results.
Researchers found that manipulating the fkbp5 gene, affected by dexamethasone, can prevent fearful memories and hyperarousal associated with PTSD. The study suggests using dexamethasone as a preventative treatment to reduce PTSD risk in traumatic events.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that women cardiologists are less likely to be full professors than their male counterparts, even after adjusting for factors such as age and research productivity. The disparity persists across different medical schools and specialties.
Researchers identified candidate molecular signatures in the blood of vaccinated subjects that predict the likelihood of success from vaccination. The study found that these signatures can discern whether volunteers were protected when exposed to mosquitoes carrying the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
The paper provides a detailed protocol for building muscle-powered biological machines, enabling the creation of complex behaviors like self-assembly and adaptation. Researchers designed flexible 3D printed hydrogels and living cells to power 'walking' bio-bots, paving the way for applications in health, medicine, and environment.
A fossilized skull of Euchambersia revealed the first evidence of an ancient venomous vertebrate. The reptile's unique anatomy allowed its venom to flow directly into its mouth and prey through specialized teeth. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of venom in mammals.
Scientists have identified a new mechanism by which the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes cancer, involving a viral protein that leads to chromosomal instability. The discovery has significant implications for vaccine development and cancer prevention.
Tropical Cyclone Dineo formed on February 13 in the Southern Indian Ocean, as captured by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm is expected to strengthen and make landfall along Mozambique's east coast on February 16.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found a significant link between elevated depressive symptoms and the initiation of e-cigarette use among college students. The research suggests that depression may lead to e-cigarette use as a means of self-medication or stress relief.
Researchers developed Nanobodies targeting RSV's fusion protein, neutralizing the virus and providing anti-viral activity in laboratory assays and animal models. The approach holds promise for developing a new therapy against RSV, a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children.
A new chip designed by MIT researchers has the potential to make voice control ubiquitous in electronics, offering significant power savings. The chip's ability to minimize memory bandwidth and compress weights associated with each node enables efficient speech recognition, making it practical for relatively simple electronic devices.
A new study found that Ebola superspreaders were responsible for infecting 61% of all cases in the 2014-15 outbreak. These superspreaders often fit into certain age groups and continue to spread disease after being placed in care facilities.
Composer Samuel Hertz has been announced as the winner of the inaugural £15,000 DARE Art Prize. He will spend the next year collaborating with researchers at the University of Leeds and Opera North staff to create a groundbreaking new work exploring the effects of infrasound on wellbeing and mood.
Researchers found that beta-carotene supplementation increased overall yellowness and redness of the skin, making faces more attractive and perceived as healthier. However, the treatment did not affect any health functions or actual health outcomes.
Researchers develop plant-based therapy to prevent antibodies from forming against clotting factor VIII, a common cause of hemophilia reactions. The treatment showed promising results in dog trials, with significantly lower antibody levels and no negative side effects.
Research suggests that supplementing mice with quercetin improves biomedical outcomes, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The study also found that quercetin-fed mice were more active than control groups, which could be beneficial for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients.
TSRI researchers found that overactive CRF signaling in the amygdala produces a range of effects that override anandamide's stress-reducing capabilities, turning chronic stress into unchecked anxiety. Inhibiting FAAH could blunt CRF's effects and reduce signs of anxiety.
A team of scientists has released the largest collection of observations made with radial velocity to be used for hunting exoplanets. The dataset includes almost 61,000 measurements of more than 1,600 nearby stars and has detected over 100 potential exoplanets, including one orbiting GJ 411.
Researchers discovered a strong behavioural rule, the rule of random attraction, that explains how complex patterns of collective movement emerge in zebrafish as they develop from larvae to adults. Younger fish spend less time applying this rule, resulting in fewer schools, while adults do more, leading to group formation.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that Importin-11 protects the anti-cancer protein PTEN from degradation by transporting it into the cell nucleus. This discovery suggests that the loss of Importin-11 may destabilize PTEN, leading to cancer development in lung, prostate, and other cancers.
Researchers used live cell time-lapse imaging to investigate maize mutant growth, finding that delays in cell division can lead to growth defects when paired with improper division plane orientation. This study provides crucial details for understanding plant growth and may have long-term implications for developing short-stature maize...
Researchers used an STM to study changes in single-molecule shape and found that the tip's position impacts energy requirements and entropy. The team observed changes in energy barriers and attempt rates at low temperatures, linking entropy to fundamental physical parameters.
New research by University of Bristol physicists shows that protein molecules can be understood using virtual knots, a branch of knot theory previously considered abstract. This approach captures the essential ambiguity of where protein curve ends are, providing a more detailed understanding of their three-dimensional structure.
A study by Laurie de Grace found that the culture of sport, particularly team sports like hockey, can increase the risk of substance addiction in elite athletes. The study revealed patterns of social acceptance, normalization of drugs and alcohol, and pressure to perform, which contribute to the development of addiction.
Researchers developed a model simulating the motion of floating debris, revealing how ocean currents transport and accumulate marine debris. The study found that undrogued drifters accumulate in gyre centers, while anchored drifters take longer to reach the center.
A pivotal trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system in home use, reducing HbA1c levels and preventing severe hypoglycemic events. The system showed significant improvements in glucose control for both adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes.
Cyst nematodes hijack vascular stem cell pathways to attack their hosts, causing billions of dollars in global crop losses. Understanding the molecular basis of these interactions could lead to new strategies for controlling agricultural pests.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that career military women were happier and had better physical and mental health than the general population. They also reported positive experiences, such as satisfaction with their work with wounded troops and civilians in Vietnam.
Researchers found that downregulation of the interferon receptor IFNAR1 creates an environment where cancer cells can survive and reproduce unchecked. Modifying immunotherapies by stabilizing IFNAR1 may improve treatment outcomes for solid tumor cancers.
Researchers have witnessed Organo-Osmium FY26 targeting and destroying cancer cells from the inside by attacking their weakest part. The compound is 50x more active than current cancer drugs like cisplatin.
A team at Salk Institute developed REPTILE algorithm to predict regulatory elements in noncoding regions of the genome. The method combines histone modification and methylation data for more accurate predictions, paving the way for targeted searches for disease-causing genetic variants.
A new study finds that small bird species in the US desert Southwest are at higher risk of lethal dehydration during heat waves, with some regions becoming uninhabitable for many species. Conservation efforts may focus on thermal refugia and water sources to mitigate this threat.