Toxic algal blooms in Monterey Bay have been linked to domoic acid accumulation in anchovies, sardines, and krill, posing a threat to endangered whale species. Monitoring programs are in place to ensure seafood safety, but more research is needed to understand the toxin's effects on wildlife.
New satellite-generated rain maps provide more accurate tropical rainfall measurements, helping manage water resources and understand El Niño-La Niña patterns. The TRMM satellite's high-resolution data also enables better weather forecasting and climate projections.
For the first time, scientists have measured nitric acid trihydrate crystals (NAT crystals) in polar stratospheric clouds. These particles contain three molecules of water and one molecule of nitric acid and can exist in the atmosphere up to 7° above the ice point.
A Wisconsin lake study has found that acid rain effects can last for decades, with the chemistry of the lake correcting itself naturally within two years. However, the biological changes took much longer to recover, with some species thriving while others were decimated.
Researchers found that workers with occupational asthma are at higher risk for hospitalization due to respiratory disease and asthma. Clinically silent acid reflux was also discovered in asthma patients, with a high prevalence rate suggesting a potential common association between the two conditions.
A recent survey by the March of Dimes found that only 32% of women between 18-45 take a daily multivitamin containing folic acid, despite being aware of its benefits. This is concerning given the importance of folic acid in preventing serious birth defects of the brain and spine.
A study found that folic acid supplements and fortified breakfast cereals are effective in lowering plasma tHcy, with significant decreases of 24% and 21% respectively. Increased consumption of folate-rich foods had a lesser effect on homocysteine levels.
A new archaeon, Ferroplasma acidarmanus, is found in mining sites and accelerates the production of sulfuric acid, a major environmental pollutant. The microbe's ability to thrive in acidic conditions without a cell wall defies conventional understanding.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that alpha-lipoic acid reduces oxidative stress and blood levels of bad cholesterol. The compound may improve blood-glucose control and has potential implications for aging and heart disease prevention.
Dutch researchers use calculations to show that tubular-shaped vortices can form within areas of air turbulence, causing water droplets to congregate at the edge and leading to rain precipitation. This discovery contradicts previous assumptions about cloud formation and supersaturation.
Increasing folate levels prior to conception could reduce Down syndrome risk, according to a study funded by the FDA. Folate deficiency at conception increases neural tube defect risk, including spina bifida, which is the leading cause of childhood paralysis.
Researchers have found that smoke from forest fires practically shuts off the 'warm rain' processes that create rain in tropical clouds. The cloud tops must grow above the freezing level for an alternative mechanism to start producing rain. This study, based on TRMM data, provides direct evidence of the impact of smoke on rainfall.
A genetically-engineered mouse model helps researchers better understand how folic acid protects against neural tube defects and cleft lip/palate by explaining the transport of folic acid within cells. The study may also shed light on why Hispanic women don't seem to benefit from taking folic acid supplements.
Scientists at Millennium and the Whitehead Institute discovered a novel protein FATP4 that plays a role in transporting fatty acid molecules from the intestine into the body. Inhibiting its function may provide new approaches to treating obesity.
Researchers have found dense clumps of formic acid in three interstellar molecular clouds, providing insights into the formation of complex molecules. The discovery could help identify regions where more biologically important molecules might be located, supporting future searches for glycine sources.
The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed a multi-step process to convert levulinic acid from biomass into an important component for alternative fuels, methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF). The new technology produces MTHF with significantly lower costs than current methods.
A study by Ohio State University researchers reveals that humic acid can trap nitrogen-containing proteins in soil, reducing their availability to plants. The process may be responsible for declining rice yields in Southeast Asia despite increased fertilizer use.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that folic acid effectively lowers homocysteine levels in blood plasma, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study found that folic acid supplementation can also benefit people with normal MTHFR enzymes by protecting them against heat-induced enzyme inactivation.
Researchers discovered that UV radiation blocks the ability of skin cells to recognize retinoic acid, a nutrient made from vitamin A. This triggers a cascade of biochemical changes, causing a functional vitamin A deficiency in human skin. Pretreating skin with retinoic acid before UV exposure can limit the damage.
A new finish for cotton fabric has been developed using citric acid and maleic acid, offering superior durable press performance and good laundering durability. The cost-effective method is a formaldehyde replacement and is now under commercial development.
A study of 42 women found that maternal folate status during extended lactation was sustained by supplementing with 1 mg folic acid per day. This supplementation helped maintain plasma and milk folate levels as well as hematocrit, but had no effect on unsupplemented women.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory report a natural process that removes nearly all toxic metals and uranium from polluted soil, successfully cleaning incinerator ash. The patented process uses citric acid and sunlight to separate metal contaminants from radioactive elements, producing a concentrated and stable form.
A sensor measuring raindrop energy may soon warn farmers of potential crop disease outbreaks. Early results show that the sensor can explain how rain spreads fungal spores causing some crop diseases.
A Guatemalan forest has been identified as the world's most diverse home of slime molds, with over 1,000 species collected by Ohio University researcher James Cavender. The discovery highlights the importance of these ancient organisms in maintaining soil health and fertility.
The study found that dietary DHA and EPA supplementation significantly influenced heart rate, with improved left ventricular diastolic filling observed in the marine oil groups. The fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids may affect cardiac mechanics in humans.
Cornell University researchers found that retinoic acid reverses the growth-promoting effects of oncogenes, which induce cancer. The study suggests enhanced therapies for leukemia and highlights the cancer-prevention role of carotenes in a diet rich in yellow-orange vegetables.
USC chemists have discovered a new generation of superacids that can break down hydrocarbons into positively charged carbocations. The breakthrough, led by Professor Christopher A. Reed, has potential applications in fuel cell technology and the chemical industry.
Researchers found Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is a more important contributor to mine pollution than previously thought. The study could provide the mining industry with a new predictive technology to estimate acid mine drainage from a given site.
Researchers discovered that a genetic translocation between chromosomes is responsible for the deadly uncontrolled cell growth in APL. The hormone retinoic acid plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and overcoming this translocation, making it a promising treatment for most cases.
Researchers found that 100 micrograms of folic acid can prevent up to 22% of neural tube defects, while 200 micrograms can prevent most NTDs. The study suggests that increasing folic acid levels in grains could help reduce birth defect risks.
A diet rich in seafood, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid, has been shown to reduce the production of leukotriene B4, a molecule that promotes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This reduction leads to less inflammatory effects and a decrease in neutrophil migration and release of damaging molecules.
A study found that folic acid fortification in cereal grains effectively increases folate intake and reduces homocysteine levels in adults. The research, conducted by the University of Florida, showed consistent good absorption of folic acid from fortified white and whole wheat bread, rice, and pasta.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found a way to increase vitamin C levels in the brain by crossing the blood brain barrier. They achieved this by injecting dehydroascorbic acid, which is converted to ascorbic acid in the brain.
A new biodiversity theory suggests that protecting ecotones along rainforest periphery is crucial for preserving biodiversity. Ecotones, the transition zones between rainforests and savannas, may be integral to generating biodiversity in tropical rain forests.
A comprehensive 23-year study of the Kibale rain forest in Uganda reveals that heavy logging severely reduces species diversity and hinders forest recovery. Sustainable logging is only viable if tree falls are spaced far apart, limited to large trees, and harvested with minimal machinery.
A new software developed by Ohio University researchers reduces amino acid sequence misidentification rates by at least twice, combining human intelligence with automated systems. The software aims to minimize time spent on identifying protein sequences, improving accuracy and efficiency in biochemistry research.
Researchers at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and Sandia National Laboratories have created an inorganic coating that increases powdered calcite's longevity by a factor of ten when exposed to mildly acidic rain. The coating, chemically similar to glass, strengthens masonry without repelling water.
A high-tech radar system developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) successfully distinguished between heavy rain and hail in Colorado. The experimental dual-polarimetric radar proved its precision on July 12th, 1996, providing accurate measurements of raindrop size and shape that can help predict flash floods.
A new bait made of natural substances has been discovered that kills cockroaches by disrupting their uric acid production, a crucial resource for survival. The bait, developed by Dr. Heather Wren, is effective against both resistant and susceptible strains and shows promise in controlling large populations of German cockroaches.
Researchers found that a glass of orange juice boosts stomach acid levels and increases the absorption of delavirdine, a promising new AIDS drug. The study, funded by NIH and Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, suggests that orange juice may help patients with low stomach acid achieve adequate therapeutic benefits.