A comprehensive study has cataloged over 70,000 novel noncoding RNAs active in dopamine neurons, implicating them in conditions like Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. The findings suggest that genetic risk variants may affect gene switches in these specialized cells.
Internal GlaxoSmithKline reports suggest a large discrepancy in adverse event reporting for Pandemrix compared to other GSK pandemic influenza vaccines. The BMJ investigation raises questions about the transparency of information surrounding the vaccine's safety, with significant implications for public health.
A recent study by Georgia State University faculty found that commitment to democratic values is the strongest predictor of climate change concern worldwide. In contrast, party identification plays a more significant role in Western democracies, particularly in the US.
Researchers analyzed experiments at major particle accelerators, shedding new insights into the mechanism of cooling and freeze-out of quark-gluon plasma into current constituents. The study found a critical temperature of 156 MeV for the phase transition, confirming theoretical predictions.
Scientists have discovered a neural superhighway that enables rapid communication between the gut and brain, contradicting decades of research on hormonal transmission. This breakthrough has profound implications for our understanding of appetite and other gut-related disorders.
A new cell phone app and lab kit enable a smartphone to identify bacteria from patients anywhere in the world, leading to faster recovery and lower treatment costs for patients. The test uses a smartphone's camera to measure a chemical reaction and determines a diagnosis in about an hour.
A new study provides overwhelming evidence that direct-acting antiviral therapy is effective in curing hepatitis C in people who inject drugs. The research supports the removal of restrictions on accessing hepatitis C therapy based on recent drug use, aiming to improve public health policy globally.
A new study published by the American Heart Association found that adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce the risk of stroke in women over 40. The researchers discovered that this benefit is especially pronounced among women who follow a Mediterranean diet, with a 22% reduced risk compared to those who do not.
A new NIH-funded research project at Ohio University aims to extend human lifespan and improve health in old age. The study, led by Dr. John Kopchick, will investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the remarkable health benefits seen in genetically modified mice.
A new study explores why people keep eating despite feeling full, showing that two tiny clusters of cells battle for control and the opioid system gets involved. Researchers found that stimulating POMC neurons decreases appetite, while AgRP neurons drive eating when both are activated.
Researchers at CWRU School of Medicine are exploring the role of long noncoding RNAs in colon cancer. They have identified potential targets for treatment, including lincDUSP, and found that depleting its levels can slow tumor growth.
Human skeletal stem cells have been isolated from fetal and adult bones, providing a breakthrough in understanding the molecular diagnosis and treatment of skeletal diseases. The discovery enables researchers to create a detailed lineage map of stem-cell-mediated formation of skeletal tissues in humans.
A six-year study of Hadza hunter-gatherer people in Tanzania found that their willingness to share depends on the group they live with, with generosity clustering within residence groups. This suggests that sharing is driven by local group norms and behavior, rather than individual tendencies.
A new study found that over a quarter of HIV medical providers surveyed couldn't say whether their state had expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Providers in states that expanded Medicaid were more likely to believe the law would improve HIV outcomes, but all providers agreed it would improve overall healthcare outcomes.
Adding Arctic weather observations can help predict tropical cyclones' tracks and intensity more accurately, reducing extreme weather event risks. The study used radiosonde data from the Arctic to forecast three tropical cyclones, showing improved predictability with additional observations.
Researchers estimate only 3-4% of recorded fossil locations are documented in published literature, highlighting the need for museums to invest in digital preservation. The EPICC database compiles marine invertebrate fossils from the eastern Pacific, providing a vast resource for scientists.
Researchers have identified a novel gut-brain neural circuit establishing the vagus nerve as essential for regulating reward and motivation. The study reveals that stimulating the right branch of the vagus nerve can excite reward neurons in the brain, offering potential targets for therapy for eating and emotional disorders.
Researchers found that immediate compression therapy significantly reduced the risk of residual vein occlusion and post thrombotic syndrome in patients with DVT. The study suggests that starting compression therapy within 24 hours of diagnosis can prevent debilitating complications.
A new $3 million NIA-funded study is examining the impact of early dementia screening on caregivers of older adults. Researchers aim to determine whether screening prepares family members for a caregiving role or depresses them, and if providing state-of-the-science diagnostic care and management can reduce caregiver burden.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered the molecular structure of CRISPR-Cas13d, a promising enzyme for emerging RNA-editing technology. This breakthrough enables scientists to visualize how the enzyme guides and targets RNA, paving the way for new strategies to treat RNA-based diseases.
The kiwifruit's ancestors duplicated their DNA in two events to produce extra copies of genes, including those for creating and recycling vitamin C. This allowed the fruit to thrive with increased vitamin C production.
Researchers at GC/CUNY have made a major breakthrough in controlling the 3D structure of molecules, enabling the rapid modification of molecular structures used in drug discovery. This new process offers tremendous promise for developing novel drug molecules with medicinal or industrial applications.
A recent NASA long-duration balloon mission captured high-resolution images of noctilucent clouds, revealing processes leading to turbulence. The mission aims to improve weather forecasting models by understanding the causes and effects of atmospheric gravity waves.
A team of researchers observed an adult male praying mantis catching and devouring guppies in a pond in Karnataka, India. The insect returned five days in a row, catching a total of nine fish with impressive learning abilities.
Researchers found that suppressing a specific area of the prefrontal cortex led to a significant decrease in risk-taking behavior in monkeys. The study suggests that this brain region is critical for controlling attraction to big uncertain rewards.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that patients who received talk therapy shortly after a relative's death had a lower risk of suicide and psychiatric illness. The study, which analyzed health data from over 200,000 Danes, suggests that early intervention can prevent serious psychiatric events.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis found death rates from drug overdoses have been growing exponentially for at least 15 years, suggesting a long-term process driving the epidemic. The study suggests that prevention efforts must address deeper factors beyond specific drugs to be successful.
Scientists studied octopus genome and behavior in response to MDMA, finding similarities with human serotonin binding transporter. Octopuses exhibited pro-social behaviors when exposed to the drug, hugging cages and displaying affectionate tendencies similar to humans.
Lei Cheng, an assistant chemist at Argonne National Laboratory, receives the Midwest Energy News' 40 Under 40 Award for her work on developing next-generation batteries for a cleaner energy future. Her computer simulations allow for efficient selection and synthesis of battery materials.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism behind quinoa's ability to store salt in its bladder cells, allowing it to thrive in saline soils. This unique adaptation enables quinoa to transfer excess salt to final storage sites without harming the plant.
Researchers at UTA have patented a smart seat cushion that uses real-time pressure monitoring and automated pressure modulation capabilities to redistribute body weight and prevent painful ulcers. The same technology can be used to create adaptable prosthetic liners, improving comfort and reducing skin damage in amputees.
A new study has revealed a significant rapid increase in growth across populations in Thailand, China and Vietnam 4,000 years ago. The researchers used human skeletal remains to measure prehistoric population growth and found a second subsequent rise in the Iron Age.
A new study suggests that glacial geoengineering, making changes to glaciers' geometry near the ocean, could limit sea-level rise. The most promising design consists of constructing artificial mounds or columns on the seafloor, which could slow down the rate of sea-level rise giving more time for coastal societies to adapt.
A study by Daniel J. Scott and colleagues found that surgeons spent significantly less time interacting with patients (10.03 minutes) after implementing an electronic medical records system. Despite initial increases in labor costs, the time spent on documentation persisted, leading to a negative trade-off for patient care.
Researchers found that mammal backbones gained distinct regions during evolution, enabling adaptation to various lifestyles such as running, flying, and digging. The study analyzed fossil records and living animals' vertebrae, challenging the notion of specialization in early land animals.
Researchers have identified four children with inherited mutations in NDUFA6, a building block of complex I, leading to mitochondrial diseases. The discovery paves the way for earlier diagnosis and potential prevention of this devastating condition.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center successfully grew human esophageal organoids using pluripotent stem cells, enabling the study of diseases like esophageal cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The bioengineered tissues were compared to patient biopsies and showed striking similarities in composition.
Researchers developed a new suite of tests to simulate scratching processes on automobile clearcoats, providing valuable data on vulnerability, fracture resistance, and resilience. The tests aim to create more scratch-resistant and resilient coatings that meet consumer and industrial demands.
A study found up to 13 galliform species populations have been extirpated outside protected areas in Sundaland, a region with high biodiversity but biologically degraded landscapes. The researchers argue that effective management of protected areas and connectivity between habitats are crucial for long-term conservation.
Researchers at Universities of Bonn and Tübingen demonstrate that human neurons fire mainly for specific quantities, such as three or four points. The study also shows how we learn to handle number symbols in comparison to quantities, with digit neurons responding differently from quantity neurons.
Researchers have identified a naturally occurring antibiotic called kanglemycin A that is effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains. The compound maintains its activity by binding to bacterial RNA polymerase and preventing RNA production.
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey's Mid-Atlantic Resource Imaging Experiment (MATRIX) provides new insights into gas hydrate features and structures below the seafloor. The research cruise acquires over 2,000 kilometers of marine seismic data, revealing shallow gas deposits and structural features beneath methane seeps.
A new study identifies 360 proteins in human reticulocyte exosomes that may work as a vaccine against vivax malaria. The findings support further studies on using reticulocyte exosomes and HuRex as a potential vaccine delivery platform.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that smaller sample sizes can greatly exaggerate the magnitude of group differences in multisensory integration studies. Studies with sample sizes of 20 or less are more likely to produce inflated results, which can lead to incorrect conclusions and potential failures in therapy development.
Researchers found that rapidly thawing permafrost in the western Canadian Arctic is enhancing mineral weathering, driven by sulfuric acid. This process releases substantial CO2 into surrounding water and air, contributing to climate warming.
A recent study published in the Geological Society of America Bulletin suggests that the end-Permian mass extinction may have occurred in only 31,000 years, making it an instantaneous event by geological standards. The sudden extinction was likely caused by Siberian flood-basalt eruptions and local intensive explosive volcanism.
A new study has mapped areas across Africa with high concentrations of child deaths from diarrhea, revealing uneven progress over 15 years. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions in local communities to mitigate the problem, as national strategies may be less effective due to regional inequalities.
A UC Davis researcher found that people behave similarly to others in simple reasoning games, driven by 'flocking' dynamics rather than rational thinking. The study used different games with varying levels of complexity, but all showed the same flocking behavior.
A new brain imaging method can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease by detecting specific tau protein depositions. The method has shown great sensitivity and specificity in detecting 90-95% of all cases of Alzheimer's, outperforming existing diagnostic methods.
Experts warn that Public Health England's partnership with the drinks industry may undermine efforts to reduce alcohol consumption. A new campaign encouraging middle-aged people to have more alcohol-free days per week has been criticized for its modest target and lack of clarity.
A new Oxford University study finds that parenting interventions are just as effective in school-age children as they are in younger children. The research, published in Child Development, analyzed data from over 15,000 families worldwide and found no evidence to support the common belief that earlier intervention is more powerful.
Researchers have designed a novel photoluminescent material that emits blue light when excited and is stable under ambient conditions. The material, Cs3Cu2I5, has potential applications in optical and electronic devices, including white luminescent films and blue LEDs.
A color-coded map reveals diverse age distributions across Europe, with some countries having high concentrations of elderly people and others with young populations. The map highlights factors influencing demographic changes, including immigration and urbanization.
Research suggests that even low levels of physical activity, such as walking at least four hours a week, may reduce the severity of a stroke. The study found that people who engaged in light to moderate physical activity were twice as likely to have a mild stroke than those who were physically inactive.
Encouraging strength-based exercises like squats and lunges could play a key role in tackling child obesity by reducing body fat percentage. The findings also suggest an increase in muscle mass gained from strength training can help boost children's metabolism and energy levels.
The Gaia satellite has detected substructures in the Milky Way's star disk, indicating a 300-million-year-old gravitational disturbance caused by the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy. Researchers used precise data to analyze shapes and twisting patterns, leading to new findings on galactic archaeology
A new psychology study suggests that using verbs to talk about actions with children can lead to more resilience following setbacks. In contrast, asking children to be helpers or readers may hinder their perseverance.
Cancer Research UK has partnered with Italian and Spanish charities to invest in six international collaborations worth approximately £30 million. The projects aim to accelerate progress in translational research by investigating immunotherapies, CAR-T cell production, and developing blood tests for advanced prostate cancer.
Scientists have created a nanosized sensing probe for RNA molecules using DNA origami and gold nanorods. The probe can detect concentrations as low as 100 picomolar of the target RNA, making it a promising diagnostic tool for viral infections.
Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered the activation energy and kinetic factors of calcium carbonate's nucleation, key to predicting and controlling the process. This research can help create nanomaterials, control nanoparticle properties, and aid in designing larger-scale engineering processes.