A recent study has found that natural killer cells play an important role in protecting against CMV-induced hearing loss in mice. The interaction between NK cells and the viral protein m157 is crucial in preventing hearing loss, with mice lacking this interaction being more susceptible to hearing loss.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that lethal genetic disorders are more common than expected due to factors such as balancing selection, disease severity, and errors in estimates. This research may help identify overlooked mutations causing these disorders.
Researchers discovered that impairing the partnership between brain cells leads to neurodegeneration. Apolipoprotein APOE4 was found to mediate lipid droplet accumulation, increasing oxidative stress and breaking protective mechanisms. This study provides new insights into Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are developing next-generation computational and bioinformatics tools to quickly assess the risk of synthesized DNA strands posing a threat. Mihai Pop and Todd Treangen are working with Fraunhofer and Signature Science to create a bioinformatics analysis pipeline for identifying potential biological threats.
The Magee Prize will be awarded to a collaborative team of researchers proposing innovative projects in women's health research. The winners will collaborate with MWRI researchers to improve women's health globally, focusing on topics like early human development, reproductive sciences, and gender-based biology.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a vapor deposition method for nano-coating fabric to create sewable, weavable, electrically heated material. The technology has the potential to change personal thermal management, medical heat therapy, joint pain relief, and athletic rehabilitation.
A new study reveals how tuberculosis bacteria evade the immune system by hiding in macrophages. Researchers have found that only well-adapted mycobacteria avoid detection, suggesting a potential target for future treatments.
A new study reveals that tropical forests are now a net source of carbon to the atmosphere, emitting nearly 425 teragrams annually. Despite gains from forest growth, losses due to degradation and disturbance account for most emissions, with Latin America bearing the brunt of loss.
The article explores how automation and innovative screens are influencing the search for inhibitors and activators of protein tyrosine phosphatases, which have been implicated in many human diseases. The resulting compounds are facilitating exploration of fundamental cellular processes controlled by phosphatases in cancers.
A new study reveals that tropical forests act as a net source of carbon dioxide, with most releases caused by deforestation and degradation. The majority of land areas in the tropics showed no significant change in carbon over the 12-year period, but those that did experienced losses mainly due to deforestation.
Researchers analyzed 156 men's basketball games from last four Olympics to identify key factors contributing to success. The winning formula centers on field-goal percentage and defensive rebounds, with the latter providing a 93% probability of victory.
Researchers have engineered smart protein molecules called iSNAPS that can rewire macrophages to ignore a 'don't eat me' signal from cancer cells, allowing them to engulf and destroy cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to a new method of re-engineering immune cells to fight cancer and infectious diseases.
Elementary school children with craniofacial anomalies show highest levels of anxiety, depression and peer interaction difficulties compared to middle and high school peers. Researchers call for education and acceptance to help youngsters thrive.
Researchers have identified a critical four-day period in fetal heart development that may help diagnose miscarriages. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to reveal the rapid organization of muscle tissue and cardiac fibres, shedding light on possible mechanisms behind failed heart formation.
Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Human Rights Science has received a $100,000 grant from Open Society Foundations to explore the positive impact of emerging technologies on human rights. The grant will enable the center to catalog and share developing technologies with the broader human rights community.
New research suggests that male hormones promote infection with the virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer. The study found that androgen receptors in cells are activated by male hormones, leading to increased levels of KSHV genetic material detected in infected men.
A study found that people with an independent self-construal tend to reject public appeals for charitable giving, seeing them as social pressure. In contrast, those who value interdependence are more likely to respond positively, feeling a sense of belonging to a movement.
Researchers from RUDN University analyzed the chemical bonds that shape proteins using sulfur and other elements from the 16th group of the periodic table. They discovered how these atoms form noncovalent chemical bonds, which play a crucial role in protein folding and biological systems.
NASA's Aqua satellite detects coldest cloud top temperatures in thunderstorms south of Hurricane Lee's center, indicating a strong storm with the capability to produce heavy rainfall. The hurricane is expected to continue weakening due to increasing wind shear and cooler waters.
A new study found that combining recommendations for health behaviors in a homogeneous way, such as increasing exercise and eating more vegetables, is more effective than mixing positive and negative instructions. This approach can lead to better behavioral outcomes and reduced confusion among individuals trying to change their habits.
Biologists detected nearly 300 coastal species crossing the ocean on makeshift rafts after Japan's 2011 tsunami. The species, including mollusks and crustaceans, likely survived due to slower ocean currents and durable debris like plastic.
A KAIST-UC Irvine team developed an ultra-fast hydrogen gas sensor using a palladium nanowire array with a metal-organic framework, detecting hydrogen levels under 1% in under 7 seconds. The sensor also detects hundreds of parts per million levels within 60 seconds at room temperature.
The Cleveland Clinic research team will conduct the first head-to-head trial comparing two treatment approaches for relapsing-remitting MS. The study aims to determine which approach is better at slowing brain volume loss, is safer, and more effective.
The study estimates that 3% of the US population and 15% of African-American males have served time in prison. Felony convictions account for 8% of the overall population and 33% of African-American males.
A genomic analysis of ancient human remains from KwaZulu-Natal reveals that southern Africa played a significant role in the history of humankind. The study estimates the divergence among modern humans to have occurred between 350,000 and 260,000 years ago.
A study published in Nature reveals how the nervous system communicates with the immune system in allergic asthma, identifying NMU signaling as a key amplifier of allergic inflammation. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic insights for preventing or treating allergic asthma.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have successfully triggered clathrin-mediated endocytosis in lab cells using a chemical rapamycin. This breakthrough enables precise control over when and where vesicles form, allowing scientists to study timing and protein requirements with accuracy.
A study by Dr Alastair Harry found that nearly a third of shark populations had underestimated ages, with an average underestimation of 18 years. This could lead to inefficient management and research priorities, affecting the many disciplines relying on baseline life history data.
A comprehensive review by Dr. Rubin Naiman reveals that dream loss is a significant contributor to various health issues, including depression and illness. The study recommends restoring healthy dreaming through lifestyle changes and behavioral interventions.
Tropical Storm Maria weakened to a tropical storm on Sept. 28, with NASA monitoring its trajectory. The storm showed signs of strength in infrared light, but its cloud top temperatures indicated a capacity for heavy rainfall.
Researchers have developed a wireless sensor and smartphone app that can detect amphetamines in human urine in seconds, with unprecedented sensitivity and low risk of false-positive results. The prototype device is portable enough to be worn as a bracelet and costs around $50 to produce.
Researchers at Utah State University are improving the HydroShare online system for storing and sharing hydrological data. The system, which will also be used to archive flooding and precipitation data from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, aims to facilitate collaboration among scientists.
Researchers found that soluble surfactants destabilize nanobubbles when adsorbed to substrates, while insoluble surfactants cause a liquid-to-vapor transition model of bubble rupture. This understanding is crucial for optimizing nanobubble applications in medicine, food science, and environmental advancements.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University engineered GM mosquitoes with altered microbiota that suppresses human malaria-causing parasites. The trait was successfully passed along to multiple generations of offspring, even when combined with wild mosquitoes, and maintained for 7 years.
A new study maps the mysterious loss of the Tasmanian tiger from mainland Australia, tracing its history over 30,000 years. Climate change and increased human activity are found to be key causes of extinction, with a large population of thylacines living in western regions until around 3000 years ago.
Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered a new way to label exosomes, which can be used as mini-shuttles to deliver drugs to specific sites in the human body. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
Research shows carbidopa, an FDA-approved Parkinson's disease drug, has anticancer properties. The study found that carbidopa significantly inhibits cancer cell growth in both human pancreatic cancer cells and mouse models, suggesting potential as an anticancer medication.
A new phase 2b trial of the Vi-conjugate typhoid vaccine shows high efficacy rates and reduced symptoms of typhoid disease. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic, with a potential to halve typhoid infections in children under 2 years old.
Researchers found Parkinson's disease reduces olfactory bulb glomerular volume by over half and alters their distribution, suggesting a key role for Lewy bodies in triggering the disease. The study provides new insights into the anatomical link between Parkinson's disease and impaired sense of smell.
Scientists have developed a new sensor that can detect minute concentrations of methamphetamine and amphetamine in urine, allowing for real-time drug screening. The sensor uses a pumpkin-shaped molecule to bind with the drugs, triggering an electrical signal that appears on a smartphone screen.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a way to protect T-cells that are normally blocked from attacking melanoma cells, allowing them to go on to attack cancer. By combining this strategy with an existing immunotherapy treatment, they found that it can shrink melanoma tumors and prolong survival in p...
The UK's first nationwide PhD training program to tackle antimicrobial resistance has been launched, with the University of Bristol leading delivery. The program aims to train a new generation of researchers to develop innovative solutions to this major global health challenge.
A team of UC Santa Barbara geologists used ground-penetrating radar to study the effects of a massive tsunami that hit Northern California 900 years ago. The researchers found that the wave removed three to five times more sand than any historical El Niño storm, with erosion extending up to 360 feet inland.
Researchers identified a single genetic change, S139N, that enabled the Zika virus to cause microcephaly in mouse models of fetal infection. This mutation made the virus more lethal to human neuron precursor cells and substantially more severe in cases of microcephaly.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed artificial peptide molecules that neutralize a broad range of influenza virus strains. The peptides show high binding affinity and potent ability to neutralize infections with these viruses.
Researchers discovered a chemical tag added to RNA during embryonic development regulates the early brain's growth. The study found that m6A-tagging is essential for proper brain cell development, with dysregulation linked to psychiatric disorders.
A study found nearly a quarter of dialysis patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, often for a diagnosis different from their initial hospitalization. Patient characteristics such as female gender, younger age, and certain medical conditions were linked to a high likelihood of readmission.
Ancient African genomes show human populations diverged around 350,000-260,000 years ago. The study analyzed 7 ancient genomes, including a Stone Age hunter-gatherer and Iron Age farmers, finding correlations with fossil records.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that specific neurons in the retina specialize in detecting different ranges of light intensity, allowing the brain to infer overall illumination levels. This complex system involves 'non-image' vision cells that function even in people with blindness.
Researchers argue that traditional Western theories on creativity are not applicable in resource-scarce environments. Instead, 'jugaad' – a Hindi word for 'hack' – allows people to find low-cost solutions through constructive thinking and experiential learning.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new financial product to attract long-term private investors to emerging energy technologies. The goal is to address the 'valley of death' – the gap between seed investment and later rounds of financing when startups have scaled up and are profitable.
Scientists have identified 10 distinct diseases in deadly childhood brain tumours, each with unique genetic faults. The study found that some types can be treated using existing drugs or those under development, offering hope for more effective care.
A study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found that elevated kynurenine levels disrupt sleep, leading to cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. The discovery could lead to new treatments targeting kynurenine's role in the disease.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores the contextual social and structural factors that drive disparate HIV/AIDS rates. The study found nuanced differences by gender and race/ethnicity in modes of transmission profiles across different geographic locations.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified the brain circuitry behind social reward, pinpointing oxytocin as a key player. The study suggests that oxytocin promotes sociability by binding to receptors on dopamine-secreting neurons, enhancing their firing and fostering positive social interactions.
New research suggests that residual human odour on soiled clothes acts as an elicitor of host-seeking behaviour in bed bugs. This could lead to the dispersal of bed bugs through dirty laundry, particularly when left exposed in sleeping areas.
Researchers discovered mushroom bodies in mantis shrimp brains, a structure previously only found in insects. The findings suggest that these complex structures may have evolved early in the evolution of all arthropods.
A multi-institutional research center has been awarded by the NIH to study ME/CFS, a debilitating disease affecting millions of Americans. The research aims to understand and develop treatments for this complex condition by analyzing patient data and microbiome changes.
The team demonstrated that direct atomistic simulations can predict metal strength, revealing crystal defects and twinning mechanisms. This research provides a wealth of observations on fundamental mechanisms of dynamic response and quantitative parameters needed for strength models.
Almost half of global abortions (45.1%) were estimated to be unsafe between 2010 and 2014, with higher rates in developing countries. The researchers urge increased efforts to ensure access to safe abortion, particularly in developing nations.