Research suggests that commercially marketed raisin bran cereal causes significantly higher levels of acid in dental plaque than plain bran flakes or unsweetened raisins. Conversely, unsweetened raisins do not increase plaque acidity when added to bran flakes.
A Norwegian study found that folic acid and vitamin B12 treatment was associated with a 21% increased risk of cancer diagnosis and a 38% increased risk of cancer-related death in patients with ischemic heart disease. The treatment also showed an increased risk of lung cancer incidence.
A University of Adelaide study found a link between late pregnancy folic acid supplements and increased risk of asthma in children. The study suggests that the timing of supplementation is crucial in minimizing potential adverse effects.
A common type of chronic diarrhoea, affecting one in 100 people in the UK, may be caused by a hormone deficiency. The study suggests that bile acid production is linked to decreased levels of Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF19) in people with the condition.
A University of Pittsburgh-led team creates a nanoparticle-based coating that thwarts the buildup of ice on solid surfaces, offering a potential solution to prevent freezing rain damage. The coating, inspired by water-resistant lotus leaves, uses microscopic ridges to reduce surface area for ice adhesion.
Researchers found that iron-folic acid supplementation significantly reduced childhood mortality and low birth weight, but other supplement combinations did not provide the same benefit. The study suggests that antenatal iron-folic acid supplementation is a critical intervention for maternal and child health in developing countries.
A new study suggests that some minerals beneath the Earth's surface could be of extraterrestrial origin. Researchers propose that a 'rain' of comets and meteorites may have deposited precious metals such as platinum and rhodium in the rock portion of the Earth, challenging internal geological processes.
A new study suggests that China's efforts to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions may not mitigate the effects of acid rain if nitrogen emissions are not addressed. The research highlights the importance of integrating measures to reduce sulfur, nitrogen, and particulate matter in order to effectively control pollution.
A study of 84,832 babies found that folic acid antagonists in early pregnancy more than doubled the risk of congenital malformations. Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, increased by six-fold after exposure to these medications.
A new study found that exposure to folic acid antagonists in the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube, cardiovascular, and urinary tract defects. The risk more than doubles, with neural tube defects increasing by six-fold after exposure.
Researchers found that acid refluxing at night results in sleep arousal 89 percent of the time in participants with and without GERD. GERD patients experience longer acid reflux events, leading to increased risk for complicated disease and esophageal cancer. This association suggests a bi-directional link between sleep problems and GERD.
A new scrubbing process developed by PNNL uses acid gas-binding organic liquids to capture sulfur dioxide, CO2, and other acid gases. This process requires less energy than current methods and can capture double the amount of harmful gases.
A study found that persistently present levels of unmetabolized folic acid in the population indicate that mandatory fortification may result in an excessive effect. Most Irish people already get enough folic acid from voluntarily fortified foods, suggesting mandatory policies may be unnecessary.
Air pollution in eastern China has reduced the amount of light rainfall and decreased days of light rain by 23 percent, affecting crop growth and health. Researchers found that smaller water droplets created by aerosols impede rain cloud formation.
Typhoon Morakot brought catastrophic rainfall to Taiwan and China, with over 40 inches of rain recorded in central and northern Taiwan. The NASA TRMM satellite provided critical data on the storm's impact, allowing researchers to map areas of potential flooding and track its movement around the globe.
Carnegie Mellon researchers, led by Jean VanBriesen, will study water quality in the Monongahela River using a $100,000 grant. The team will collect data on bromide and sulfate levels associated with Marcellus Shale gas production and acid mine drainage.
Scientists are presenting research on coupled biogeochemical cycles, which study the interactions between Earth's biology, chemistry, and geology. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interconnected processes in addressing human impacts such as global warming and acid rain.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new 25,000-acre experimental forest in the Tongass National Forest to investigate how climate change affects various forest resources such as timber and salmon habitat. The research aims to understand the impact of climate change on temperate rain forest ecosystems nationwide.
A new study found that healthy volunteers who took proton pump inhibitors for eight weeks developed acid-related symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia when the medication was stopped. The study suggests that long-term use of PPIs may lead to dependency due to rebound acid hypersecretion.
The tropical rain band is shifting north at an average rate of 1.4 kilometers per year, which could lead to droughts in Pacific islands and reduced freshwater supplies by mid-century or sooner. The shift is attributed to the warming world, with greenhouse gases potentially accelerating this process.
A new embryology study clarifies the role of retinoic acid in limb development and finds that it controls forelimb budding but not hindlimb patterning. The research may lead to new therapeutic measures for congenital limb defects such as Holt-Oram syndrome.
A study found that hospital-acquired pneumonia is associated with a 30% increased odds of receiving acid-suppressive medications. The study analyzed data from 63,878 hospital admissions and found that proton-pump inhibitors were more strongly linked to the risk.
Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre found that folic acid fortification in grain products led to a significant decrease in congenital heart defects. The rate of these defects decreased by 6.2% per year after 1999, according to provincial databases.
A study of over 8,000 people found that higher blood levels of folic acid were associated with fewer reported allergies, less wheezing, and a lower likelihood of asthma. The researchers recommend further studies to confirm their results and establish safe doses.
Researchers discovered an antioxidant, ellagic acid, which prevents collagen destruction and inflammatory response in human skin cells and mice exposed to UV-B. The study found that ellagic acid reduces MMP secretion and inflammation, demonstrating its potential to prevent wrinkle formation and photo-aging.
The NASA TRMM satellite shows Cyclone Bijli's intense rainfall, peaking at 129 millimeters (5.07 inches) in Bangladesh, causing heavy flooding and tropical storm-force winds. The animation tracks the storm's development from birth to landfall on April 17, 2009.
A new study from the University of Washington found that people's understanding of rainy weather forecasts is hindered by misconceptions about probability and uncertainty. Researchers tested over 450 college students and found that many incorrectly assumed deterministic forecasts, leading to unnecessary precautions.
A randomised controlled trial found that a single annual infusion of zoledronic acid improved bone mineral density by 4.1% compared to daily risedronate's 2.7%. This increase in BMD is associated with reduced fracture risk and acceptable safety and tolerability profiles.
Researchers discover that beta-arrestin1 mediates the flushing response but not the antilipolytic effect of nicotinic acid in mice. A drug design approach is proposed to retain therapeutic benefits without causing skin flushing.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a signaling pathway that initiates the flushing response associated with nicotinic acid. Analysis of human cell lines revealed that beta-arrestin proteins play a key role in this process, which may be targeted to prevent side effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits. I...
New research using African frogs reveals that alcohol 'hijacks' a molecule needed to produce retinoic acid, which is crucial for embryonic development. This leads to cellular disorientation and malformations in babies.
Researchers found a naturally occurring compound, azelaic acid, that primes plants' immune systems, allowing them to mount faster and stronger defense responses. The compound, already tested in humans for skin conditions, could lead to an inexpensive and environmentally safe way to improve crop resistance.
Research suggests that folate intake can have dual positive and negative effects, with adequate intake offering protection against cancer but excessive amounts facilitating tumor growth. The optimal level of folate intake varies depending on the individual's specific circumstances, highlighting the need for tailored guidelines.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered a tiny protein called HdeA that protects disease-causing bacteria from stomach acid. This protein unfolds and becomes more flexible in response to acid, but unlike other proteins, it activates when unfolded, allowing it to bind and adapt to damaged proteins.
A daily folic acid supplement increased prostate cancer risk by more than two-fold compared to placebo, according to a USC-led study. The findings contradict previous observations suggesting folate might lower prostate cancer risk.
Researchers at Yale and the University of Tokyo demonstrated how pyrrolysine (Pyl), a rare amino acid, was incorporated into proteins. This discovery opens the door to engineering the genetic code and understanding the functions of modifications found in human diseases.
Researchers have shown that maslinic acid significantly inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in colon-cancer cells. The compound may provide a cheap and effective way to control colon cancer and is being investigated as a potential chemotherapeutic agent.
A new approach, High-fidelity Imaging Spectroscopy (HiFIS), can determine the chemical and structural properties of rain forests in unprecedented detail over broad swaths. The technology has received a $5.2-million grant to advance its development, enabling detailed chemical mapping of species.
A recent survey by March of Dimes found that only 17% of Spanish-speaking women of childbearing age take a multivitamin containing folic acid daily. Folic acid is crucial in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs), which are more prevalent in the Hispanic population.
A new study by Cardiff University found that climate change is hindering the long-term recovery of rivers from the effects of acid rain. The research, which took place over a 25-year period, showed that up to 40% of improvements made in reducing acid rain have been canceled out due to climatic effects.
The Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology has received a $1.6-million grant to improve and expand CLASLite, a user-friendly method for mapping tropical forests from desktops. The technology will help rainforest nations monitor their changing carbon budgets and advance deforestation and degradation mapping in Latin America.
A 25-year study on Welsh streams found that climate change hampers long-term recovery from acid rain effects. Despite improvements in acid levels, only four new insect species colonized the improving rivers, falling short of expected numbers.
A recent study found that biofuel plantations in tropical forests release more carbon into the atmosphere than they save, harming both climate change and biodiversity. The study suggests that preserving existing forests is a better way to combat climate change.
A retrospective cohort study found maternal exposure to folic acid antagonists during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The study recommends re-classifying some folic acid antagonists and increasing folic acid supplements for women taking these medications during pregnancy.
A genetic mutation in Dalmatians causes high uric acid levels leading to bladder stones, a problem also affecting humans. Researchers identified the SLC2A9 gene responsible and plan to offer DNA testing for breeders to eliminate the trait.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation in Dalmatians that causes high uric acid levels and bladder stones, which can be eliminated through breeding programs. The SLC2A9 gene, also found in humans and great apes, is responsible for the elevated uric acid levels in Dalmatians.
A study found that daily folic acid and B vitamin supplements had no impact on cancer risk in high-risk women. The results suggest a lack of benefit for total invasive cancer and breast cancer, with age modifying the effect.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discovered a gene that helps control stomach acid production, which could lead to new therapies for overproduction. The study found that eliminating the Slc26a9 transporter gene stops acid secretion in the stomach.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found no association between ineffective esophageal motility and gastropharyngeal reflux disease. Patients with IEM had similar acid clearance times as those with normal esophageal motility, suggesting that conventional manometry may not be able to evaluate true esophageal effe...
Researchers found that ellagic acid increases programmed cell death and decreases proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. The compound also reduces the activity of the pro-survival transcription factor NF-kB, which may help overcome resistance to radio and chemotherapies.
A study found that healthy individuals with elevated uric acid levels have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, particularly in women and those with hypertension. The researchers recommend initiating clinical trials to assess the potential of uric acid-lowering drugs for preventing kidney disease.
A team of scientists has developed a new framework to better account for the impact of aerosols on precipitation in climate models. The study suggests that increased aerosol loading may lead to changes in precipitation patterns, affecting regional water resources and global climate systems.
The atomic structure of mammalian fatty acid synthase has been determined, revealing the details of its catalytic active sites. This breakthrough holds promise for the development of new anti-cancer and obesity treatments by targeting this complex molecular synthetic machine.
A new study suggests that allopurinol can reduce blood pressure in adolescents with newly diagnosed hypertension by lowering uric acid levels. The trial found significant decreases in casual and ambulatory systolic and diastolic BP in patients treated with allopurinol.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine found that reducing uric acid levels in teens with high blood pressure lowered blood pressure to normal in most cases. Allopurinol, a medication typically used for gout, showed promise as a potential treatment for high blood pressure.
Researchers at UNC are developing a unique way to deliver a nucleic acid derived from bacteria to tumors, allowing the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancerous cells. The goal is to create a reliable delivery method for immunotherapy, which has shown promise but faces challenges in consistency.
Concomitant zoledronic acid prevents bone loss and improves bone-mineral density in premenopausal women with breast cancer during adjuvant endocrine therapy. After treatment, zoledronic acid even increases bone-mineral density.
Researchers have identified a unique molecule essential to breaking down pollutants in the atmosphere, including acid rain. This breakthrough discovery will help scientists model pollutant reactions and predict potential outcomes.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed self-moisturizing contact lenses using hyaluronic acid, a natural polymer found in the human body. This innovative approach reduces eye dryness and increases wearer comfort, offering a greener alternative to existing synthetic materials.
Researchers found a general link between increased acidity and decreased bacterial diversity, but most dominant species were not directly impacted. Some rarer types of bacteria were strongly correlated to acidity and might be used as indicators of lake recovery.