The Pfizer/ACMG Foundation has awarded Amanda Freed, M.D. and Kim Ng, M.D., a two-year fellowship to pursue clinical research training in biochemical genetics and genomics. The recipients will receive $75,000 per year for their residency training.
Researchers at Swansea University's Energy Safety Research Institute have found a way to convert CO2 into ethylene, the basis of making plastics, at room temperature. This process has the potential to offset global carbon emissions and utilise half a billion tonnes of emitted CO2 annually.
A new bioinformatics tool, CRISPRdisco, has been developed to identify and classify CRISPR-Cas systems in genome assemblies. The software detects CRISPR repeats and accurately assigns class, type, and subtypes, enabling researchers to distinguish between complete and incomplete CRISPR systems.
Researchers found mice engineered with Huntington's disease have excessive mitochondrial iron accumulation, leading to dysfunction and neuronal death. This study identifies a pathway for the neurodegenerative disease and has implications for related disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
A new Tulane University study using optical dating found that the rate of land building from river diversions will be dwarfed by wetland loss. The study suggests positioning diversions in areas with greatest potential for land-building and protecting population centers.
Scientists confirm the 100th meridian as a real divide between population and agriculture on opposite sides. Climate change is pushing this boundary eastward, expanding aridity into the Midwest, with significant implications for farming and land use.
A new study reveals that tidal wetlands and estuaries bury the majority of carbon in coastal waters, with 80% of it being stored. This finding helps establish how coastal waters influence atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate.
A new Harvard Medical School study published in The BMJ found that a doctor's political affiliation has no bearing on clinical decisions at the end of life. Despite previous research suggesting personal beliefs influence decisions, this analysis of nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries reveals no differences in treatment patterns b...
The study highlights how natural disasters can disrupt industries and regions, causing significant economic losses. Intersectoral and interregional linkages contribute to these losses, which can be up to 50-70% of standard estimates for major metropolitan areas.
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine announced four recipients of the 2018 Shire/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards. These awards provide funding for clinical genetics and genomics residency fellowships as well as medical biochemical genetics specialty fellowships, supporting training in medical genetics.
A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists describes a method using cloud characteristics to quantify snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The research found two distinct cloud types producing snow at Summit Station, with mixed-phase clouds accounting for 51% of snow accumulation.
Scientists are creating a comprehensive evolutionary tree of over 10,000 bird species using cutting-edge technologies and public data release. The OpenWings project will provide unparalleled insights into avian diversity and evolution.
A new 'omniphobic' coating repels liquids, including oil and alcohol, while remaining clear and durable. The coating could be used in various industries, including childcare, refrigeration and power generation, to increase efficiency.
Researchers have discovered three new species of chameleons in Madagascar, showcasing the island's extraordinary biodiversity. The newly found Calumma uetzi features vibrant display colors when males interact with females, while a second species, Calumma juliae, is found only in a protected forest fragment under threat from deforestation.
A study by the Solid State Physics Group at São Paulo State University found that certain materials exhibit exotic behaviors, including a
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a way for plants to 'hedge their bets' by germinating seeds at different times, reducing variability in agriculture. By understanding this process, farmers may be able to increase potential yields and address agronomic challenges.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University and Kazan Quantum Center have developed a multiresonator broadband quantum memory-interface with a record-breaking 16.3% efficiency at room temperature. The innovation has the potential to create universal memory solutions for quantum computers on superconducting qubits.
Scientists have gained insight into how soil bacteria sense oxygen levels, which could help develop new treatments for promoting crop growth and tackling disease. The findings focus on the FixL/FixJ protein system in soybean nodule bacteria, essential for nitrogen supply.
Researchers at Leang Burung 2 rock shelter on Sulawesi island discovered archaic cobble-based cores and flakes indicating human occupation at least 50,000 years ago. The findings provide key insights into early human occupation and cultural evolution in the Indonesian region.
Steelhead trout that spawn multiple times have higher lifetime reproductive success, but at the cost of increased mortality and energy expenditure. The study found that single spawners die after reproduction, while repeat spawners save energy for later migrations.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will study the ocean's twilight zone using next-generation robotic vehicles and sensors. The project aims to understand the region's ecosystem, its potential benefits for humanity, and its impact on climate regulation.
A study published in The BMJ found that increasing cigarette prices by 50% would lead to significant gains in life years gained, treatment costs averted, and financial protection for low-income individuals. Men in the bottom income group would gain an average of five times more life years than those in the top income group.
A new personalized vaccine has shown promise in boosting immune responses and increasing survival rates in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The vaccine combines different immunotherapies to better tackle the disease, which is often diagnosed at later stages and lacks curative treatment options.
Researchers have developed a technique to analyze old proteins on historical artifacts, providing insight into past lifestyles and medical conditions. This method, using chromatography resins, can identify biomarkers like morphine and kidney disease indicators, shedding light on the lives of those who created or used these items.
Researchers have found two new subglacial lakes in the Canadian Arctic, which are thought to be similar to potential habitats for microbial life on other moons in our solar system. The discovery could help scientists prepare for future missions, such as NASA's Europa Clipper mission.
A new method prioritizes species for conservation efforts in the face of uncertainty. The approach overcomes data limitations to identify phylogenetic conservation priorities, producing accurate estimates of evolutionary distinctness scores.
Research found droughts halve overall flower numbers, reducing food for bees and other pollinators in chalk grasslands.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new bed net coated with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and pyrethroid insecticide reduced malaria prevalence in children by 44%, compared to standard nets, over one year. The WHO recommends increasing coverage of PBO bed nets in areas where resistance to pyrethroids is developing.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have identified a hormone imbalance as the underlying cause of treatment-resistant hypertension in around 10% of patients. The discovery highlights the potential benefits of spironolactone and amiloride in managing resistant hypertension.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a new type of membrane that can withstand harsh conditions and is resistant to chlorine degradation. The multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyamide nanocomposite membrane has the potential to revolutionize water desalination, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Dr. Nishitha Pillai, a second-year medical genetics resident at Baylor College of Medicine, has been awarded the 2018-2019 Sanofi Genzyme/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Award for her work in Medical Biochemical Genetics. The award will provide clinical and research experience to support her training.
Scientists successfully assembled and annotated the genome of California Yellowtail fish, a high-value species in the sashimi industry. The study improves understanding of sex determination and provides insights into developing more palatable farmed fish and optimizing aquaculture practices.
Researchers from MIPT have created biosensor chips based on copper and graphene oxide, achieving unmatched sensitivity. The innovative design enables compact devices compatible with microelectronics technology, opening up new avenues for bio-sensing applications.
A study published in Science reveals that some Central American frog species are recovering from a deadly fungal pathogen, with skin secretions showing improved antimicrobial defenses. The research suggests that the pathogen remains lethal, but frogs' natural defenses appear to be more effective than before the epidemic.
Researchers found a simple patterning cascade model that accounts for shifts in molar evolution during hominin origins, predicting variations in molar configuration based on embryonic signaling cells. The study suggests small, subtle tweaks to developmental toolkit can result in complex anatomy.
Researchers have found a newly identified subset of a known genetic variant associated with an increased risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in individuals of South Asian descent. The study suggests that this genetic variant and its subset may be better markers for carriers of heart dysfunction in this population.
A study of a billion Twitter posts found that users with darker skin tones modified emojis more often to express their identity, while users with light skin were less likely to make changes. The results also showed that darker skin tones were underrepresented globally, but still widely used.
Tropical Cyclone Keni is being battered by vertical wind shear, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite revealing clouds and storms pushed southeast of the center. Sea surface temperatures are too cool to support a tropical cyclone, making Keni an asymmetric and elongated storm.
The remnant low pressure area of Tropical Cyclone Iris appears more circular and organized, with a consolidating banding of thunderstorms. The storm's remnants are forecast to turn southwest and may regenerate in the next few days, potentially regaining tropical cyclone status.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has slowed down by about 15 percent since the 1950s, with recent years showing a record low. This weakening is linked to rising carbon dioxide levels and impacts fish distributions, ocean temperatures, and fisheries in the Northeast U.S. Shelf.
A Princeton University researcher has discovered a bacterium that can break down toxic metal pollutants in the absence of oxygen. This microbe, Acidimicrobiaceae bacterium A6, can perform chemical conversion in anaerobic conditions, potentially providing an efficient alternative to costly oxygen-dependent methods.
Researchers at the University of Delaware created a biodegradable shoe using mushrooms, chicken feathers, and textile waste. The shoe's sole is made from a bio-composite material that can be composted, reducing waste in the fashion industry.
A new paper challenges the concept of 'healthy obesity,' arguing that it is flawed and misleading. Researchers propose further investigation into factors such as early life events, smoking, and obesity duration to understand why some obese individuals are healthy while others develop diseases.
Fossil insects from Jurassic and mid-Cretaceous periods exhibit structural colors due to wavelength-selective scattering of light. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of lepidopteran scales and their optical properties.
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will survey nearly the entire sky for signs of passing planets. The spacecraft aims to detect thousands of stars hosting transiting planets and measure the masses of at least 50 small planets less than four times that of Earth.
Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.
A biologically inspired membrane, called memzyme, can capture 90% of carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants with a low cost of $40 per ton. The membrane uses an enzyme to rapidly and selectively dissolve carbon dioxide molecules.
Research found that a genetic variation in FGF21 is associated with lower body fat percentage and increased blood pressure. The study of over 450,000 individuals suggests that people with this genetic predisposition tend to consume more sugar than others.
A new study found that wildfire smoke exposure is associated with increased rates of ER visits for heart-related complaints, including ischemic heart disease, irregular heart rhythm, and pulmonary embolism, among adults aged 65 and older. The risk was greatest on dense smoke days.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technology that uses manganese instead of cobalt to increase lithium-ion battery capacity. This breakthrough could reduce the world's reliance on cobalt, which is mined by hand and has raised concerns about child labor.
Researchers found that participants saw a neutral face as smiling more when paired with an unseen positive image. The study suggests that our emotional experiences shape our perception of the world.
Global rates of mental disorders among children remain stable, with prevalence high and constant across emerging regions. Mental disorders surpassed infectious diseases as main causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in children, according to a new study.
Dr. Judith G. Hall, a pioneering geneticist, has been awarded the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award for her groundbreaking research and teaching on human growth and connective tissue disorders. She is recognized for helping establish medical genetics as an accredited clinical specialty.
The 2018 Medscape Physician Compensation Report shows modest increases in physician pay, with psychiatrists experiencing a 16% jump, while the gender pay gap remains unchanged. Specialty salaries vary widely, with plastic surgeons ranking highest at $501,000.
Researchers identified PDE5 inhibitors, like Viagra, as potential treatments for glioblastoma multiforme and other rare cancers. The study suggests these drugs may increase permeability to improve drug delivery to brain tumors.
Researchers discovered that patients with Primary Progressive Aphasia use different brain regions to process language, compensating for damaged areas. This finding holds hope for targeted treatments and earlier disease assessments.
A two-year trial showed that a long-lasting insecticidal net treated with piperonyl butoxide reduced malaria prevalence by 44% and 33% compared to standard nets. The study also demonstrated unprecedented control through indoor residual spraying, reducing infection by 48%. WHO has revised its recommendations for the use of these novel n...
Physicists and chemists at the University of Münster have developed a microscopic method to image organic molecules with exceptional resolution. The technique uses an atomically defined probe tip that greatly increases imaging resolution by reducing undesired interaction between atoms.
Researchers develop SyMAPS technique to study self-assembling virus shells, which can be used for disease detection, drug delivery and vaccinations. The technique allows testing of nearly 2,600 versions of the protein, providing insight into how mutations change the scaffolding.
Research found rock ants with slightly better vision in one eye tend to turn left, contradicting previous thinking on human lateralization. This suggests physical indicators of lateralization can be externally observable.