The extinction of the Miss Waldron's red colobus monkey is a warning sign of an impending ecological disaster in West Africa. The loss of large-bodied monkeys, including primates and forest antelope, threatens the region's biodiversity, highlighting the need for improved law enforcement, protected areas, and conservation education.
Researchers found that offspring of premature heart attack victims exhibit structural and functional changes in their arteries, including thicker vessel walls and reduced reactivity, even in the absence of other risk factors. This study uses high-resolution ultrasound to detect early signs of atherosclerosis at young ages.
University of Iowa researchers found that injecting angioblasts, precursor cells for endothelial cells, accelerates blood flow restoration in diabetic mice. This breakthrough has implications for treating diabetes-related circulatory problems and improving limb health.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Center for Alcohol Studies is developing an educational program to educate middle-school students about the dangers of maternal alcohol abuse and its effects on unborn babies. The program aims to raise awareness among children and help them make informed decisions about drinking and sex...
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have produced the first direct three-dimensional image of a volcanic system using sound waves. The team used a two-mile long array of hydrophones to record sound signals reflected from a magma chamber beneath the East Pacific Rise, revealing a large and complex magma chamber system.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that interdigital tissue determines the uniqueness of each budding embryonic digit, forcing scientists to revise their theories on how cells organize into patterned tissue. The study reveals that surrounding soft tissue provides information about what it will ultimately become.
A new Ohio University study found that weight training does not increase cholesterol levels in healthy young men and women, but reduces body fat and increases muscle strength. The research counters previous studies and news reports giving weight lifting a bad name.
A team of researchers has discovered two nearly complete fossil skulls from the Dmanisi site in Georgia, which may represent the first hominid species to migrate out of Africa. The fossils show clear signs of African ancestry and are dated to around 1.7 million years old.
Researchers have found nearly complete fossil cranium and skullcap in Dmanisi, Georgia, dating back to 1.7 million years ago. The discovery suggests early human species may have left Africa earlier than previously thought, with the possibility that they were driven by appetite for more protein.
Researchers analyzed X-rays of 180 frogs collected at 16 sites in three states, revealing site-specific and time-dependent influences on malformation development. The study suggests that tadpoles received the same developmental insult at the same stage, contributing to the wide geographic occurrence and variety of deformities.
Researchers found that HIV inactivates a tumor suppressor gene, contributing to Burkitt's lymphoma development. The study suggests a new mechanism linking HIV and the disease.
Scientists have discovered a new fossil snake species, Haasiophis terrasanctus, with advanced anatomy similar to modern boas and pythons. The findings suggest that the evolution of limbs in snakes was more complex than previously thought, possibly representing an evolutionary reversal where advanced snakes regained hindlimbs.
A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that stimulating blood vessel growth with VEGF may help repair stubbornly non-healing fractures. Researchers found that injecting VEGF into broken mouse legs promoted bone growth and increased expression of genes necessary for osteoblast formation.
A new polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), has been shown to rapidly repair damaged nerve membranes in live guinea pigs with severe spinal cord injuries. The treatment can be applied up to eight hours after the injury without losing benefits, offering promise for rescuing substantial portions of damaged spinal cord tissue.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have used gene therapy to replace a damaged Rb2 gene with a healthy version, dramatically shrinking lung cancer tumors in mice. The study provides direct evidence that Rb2 is a tumor suppressor and demonstrates its potential as a target for human gene therapy trials.
Researchers at UCSF and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have found that the protein angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) can restore leaky vessels to normal, block leakage effects of substances, and complement VEGF's growth-promoting action. This discovery holds strong promise for treating chronic inflammatory diseases and promoting healthy blood vessel gr...
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that a tumor suppressor gene, Rb2/p130, can halt rapid cell growth and prevent smooth muscle cells from building up in arteries. This gene may be used as an adjunct to angioplasty to treat clogged coronary arteries and reduce the risk of restenosis.
Researchers found that chronic alcohol abuse in late adulthood damages Purkinje neurons by reducing message traffic between neurons, but the damage is mostly reversible. The study also suggests a connection between alcohol-induced brain changes and abnormal movements seen in alcoholics, such as unsteady gait and tremors.
A new technique allows scientists to introduce desired genes directly into embryonic cells using the baculovirus, enabling the study of gene function in non-model organisms. This method has shown promising results in fruit flies, beetles, and other species, offering a breakthrough for understanding developmental processes.
Researchers are refining technologies to identify active genes in the central nervous system, accelerating understanding of diseases like Alzheimer's, depression, and schizophrenia. Two teams use distinct approaches: one detects proteins or RNA in intact neurons, while the other identifies genes involved in daily rhythms.
A 40 million-year-old fossil from Myanmar, Bahinia pondaungensis, sheds light on the origins of anthropoids, a group that includes monkeys and apes. The discovery suggests that these primates may have originated in Asia, rather than Africa, with similarities to tarsiers found in dental anatomy.
Researchers discovered that high levels of alcohol during late fetal development kill Purkinje cells, which act to filter and synthesize information. Alcohol deprives these cells of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), necessary for their survival.
Researchers found that Australopithecines used less energy while walking than modern humans, thanks to their shorter legs which took less energy to move. The analysis suggests that Lucy's anatomy was well-suited for her environment and not a hindrance.
Researchers identified a new role of fibroblasts in cancer development, showing that epithelial cells engage in a molecular dialogue with surrounding fibroblasts to progress towards cancer. This finding could lead to new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Researchers at the UK College of Medicine are developing a technology to deliver drugs directly into brain tissue to treat Parkinson's disease. The team plans to use a modified Medtronic pump to deliver GDNF, a protein that has shown promise in protecting dopaminergic neurons in preclinical studies.
Scientists have found a possible way to induce new blood vessels without gene therapy, by lowering an individual's heart rate, according to a University of Iowa Health Care study.
Researchers found aggressive cancer cells generate their own vascular networks, potentially changing how cancers are treated. The discovery may lead to new non-invasive imaging tests and targeted therapies.
The new satellite-based tools provide unprecedented insights into tropical cyclones, allowing scientists to break them down into their component parts. This 'data fusion' technique enables the development of advanced hurricane forecasting methods, such as Wavetrak, which sheds light on the origin and intensity of these storms.
A University of Iowa research team has identified two new genes linked to the invasive and metastatic spread of breast cancer. The findings, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, provide important new insights into the complex process of tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
UI researchers found that restoring E-cadherin protein hinders prostate cancer spread and enhances cell adhesion. The study provides a potential new approach to target invasive prostate cancer.
Researchers developed a transgenic mouse model of chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), enabling the study of immune responses and drug development. The model opens opportunities for scientists to test drugs in the liver and understand how HBV causes liver disease.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered the molecular signals that lead to programmed cell death in spinal cord injuries. This breakthrough discovery may lead to the development of drugs to prevent or limit the consequences of spinal cord injury.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that calcium channels help regulate cell movement by opening to admit more calcium ions when cells are stretched. This boost in motility enables cells to move forward again, which could lead to breakthroughs in wound healing and cancer treatment.
A 5-year clinical trial led by Thomas Jefferson University aims to investigate the effects of GM1 ganglioside on improving Parkinson's disease symptoms, delaying disease progression, and restoring damaged brain cells. The study will compare the drug to standard treatments, using advanced imaging techniques to visualize dopamine termina...
Recent dinosaur fossil finds suggest dinosaurs developed new abilities through opportunistic approach, rather than gradual adaptation. The breakup of supercontinent Pangaea led to regional extinctions and replacements by other species, shaping the evolution of new species.
Researchers developed a method to record brain signals onto electrode arrays in rats, enabling them to control a robotic arm without muscle movement. This achievement demonstrates the likelihood of implanting electrodes into human brains to control prosthetic devices.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University has discovered a new species of human ancestor, Australopithecus garhi, in the Afar Desert of Ethiopia. The fossils, dated to 2.5 million years ago, exhibit a unique combination of traits that were unexpected and fill a major gap in our understanding of human evolution.
University of Hawaii scientists have made a breakthrough in cloning technology by creating the first male mouse clone, dubbed Fibro. The achievement uses somatic cells from adult male tails to produce a live offspring, showcasing that animals of either sex can be cloned and non-reproductive cells can be used.
Researchers discovered three-dimensional record of locomotor behavior in Triassic-period dinosaurs preserved in fossil footprints. The tracks showed that both theropod dinosaurs and birds moved their feet in a similar way, with the toes collapsing together below the surface as the entire foot emerged.
A team of UCSF scientists has identified a key role for the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in regulating palate closure during fetal development. Disruption of EGFR function is linked to the formation of cleft palates, which occur when the palate fails to properly fuse.
Researchers discovered a deep-sea octopus that produces light in its suckers, challenging the understanding of bioluminescence among cephalopods. The study sheds new light on evolutionary transition and the potential role of light organs in attracting prey.
Researchers found that changes in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer's disease begin years before clinical symptoms like memory loss. The study used brain tissue from over 60 subjects, including healthy individuals and those with dementia, to identify amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Researchers found that brief exposure to high temperatures reduces potassium outflow from locust neurons, allowing them to fly normally after recovery. This discovery may have adaptive significance for heat-shocked animals.
Researchers have identified a new area for spatial working memory in the human brain, challenging current theories and revealing expanded frontal cortex development. Functional MRI allowed for real-time observation of neural activity, providing new insights into human brain function and evolution.
Researchers believe studying dreams from multiple perspectives can provide a more comprehensive understanding of their role in emotional adaptation. Integrating physiological and psychological findings may shed new light on therapeutic approaches to working with dreams.
A UK study found that decreasing food intake can help ward off age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The research team led by Mark Mattson discovered that eating less made nerve cells in the brain more resistant to deterioration and death.
Researchers found strong neurological activity in zebra finch brain region involved in singing during sleep, suggesting a role in consolidating learned songs. The finding runs counter to the motor theory, proposing that birds subconsciously mimic sounds they hear while awake.
Human sperm contain receptors for cannabinoids, which can inhibit the acrosome reaction, regulate swimming patterns, and prevent sperm binding to the egg. The study found that marijuana-like compounds can significantly alter these processes, with implications for diagnosis of infertility and understanding human biology.
Paleontologists have unearthed the first complete fossil of a gorgonopsid, a fearsome reptilian-mammalian creature that roamed Earth 250 million years ago. The discovery provides valuable insights into the gorgon's torso and limbs, resolving a long-standing debate about its anatomy.
Pat Shipman's book Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight has received the 1998 Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science. The book explores the enigmatic fossil Archaeopteryx, whose anatomy combines birdlike and reptilian features, and its role in understanding how birds evolved flight.
Purdue researchers successfully restored electrical nerve impulses in severed spinal cords by applying a non-toxic polymer, PEG. The technique, called fusion technology, repairs damaged nerve cells and enables some impulses to reach the other end of the cord in up to 58% of cases.
Dan Lowenstein, MD, and Philip R. Lee, MD, receive prestigious awards for their contributions to medical education and improving healthcare in the US. The Association of American Medical Colleges recognizes their efforts in developing innovative curricula and promoting diversity in medicine.
Research finds that people with inherited depression have fewer glia cells in the brain's subgenual prefrontal cortex, a region involved in stress responses. This difference is not seen in those without a family history of depression.
Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University have demonstrated that a normally protective anticancer gene can block tumors from growing. Led by Dr. Antonio Giordano, they found that the damaged version of the gene, pRb2/p130, suppresses tumor growth in animal models, paving the way for gene therapy to treat lung cancer and other cancers.
Researchers suggest Tyrannosaurus rex lacked lips and Triceratops didn't have cheeks, contradicting long-held beliefs. The study's findings have implications for scientists studying these dinosaurs and those recreating them in art and media.
Researchers have successfully used gene therapy to slow down neurodegeneration in an animal model, offering hope for treatments of autosomal dominant disorders. The approach involves using ribozymes to destroy faulty messenger RNA, potentially treating conditions like Huntington's disease and ALS.
A single gene is responsible for the social behavior of roundworms, which may hold clues to understanding human social behaviors. The gene variation affects how nematodes respond to environmental stimuli and recognize pheromones.
Researchers have discovered a new method to deliver drugs directly to the brain using nose drops, potentially treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. The treatment uses nerve growth factor and has shown promising results in animal studies.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have created microbubbles that can be used to suspend helium gas, allowing for detailed magnetic resonance images of blood vessels. The technique combines strengths of several imaging technologies and could lead to non-invasive studies on vascular health, perfusion, and anatomy.
Researchers found distinct patterns of gene expression linking cognitive control regions to stress control regions in laboratory animals. The study suggests that the brain controls stress responses through inhibition, rather than excitation, and may lead to the development of future stress intervention strategies.