Researchers at Ohio University and Pennsylvania State University found molecular changes in muscles within 2-4 weeks of weight training. The study suggests that even limited workouts can induce significant changes in hormone production and protein expression.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii report breaking ground in mammalian cloning by creating reproducible clones from adult cells, with implications for pharmaceuticals and disease research. The 'Honolulu technique' has yielded three generations of identical cloned mice, opening doors to new avenues in genetic engineering.
A new laboratory tool has been developed by UNC-CH researchers to study the interaction between normal and abnormal heart cells during heart attacks. The tool, which simulates the conditions of a heart attack, aims to reduce death rates from sudden cardiac deaths in the US.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that a naturally occurring substance in the cell membrane, GM1 ganglioside, improved symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients and slowed progression. The study showed significant differences in motor abilities between those who received the drug and those who did not.
A new study on the fossilized skull of Mr. Ples, a relative of early humans, throws doubt on previous interpretations of brain evolution. The research suggests that some estimates of brain size in early hominids may be too high and that 3-D digital models can provide accurate measurements.
The discovery of Majungatholus atopus sheds new light on the dinosaur family Abelisauridae, which has been found only in South America and India. The fossil's unique structure suggests it was a top predator on Madagascar, feeding on sauropod dinosaurs.
A team of researchers from Duke University found that the hypoglossal canal, which controls tongue movement, is larger in humans and Neanderthals than in apes and proto-humans. This discovery challenges the theory that human speech may not have arisen until around 40,000 years ago.
A team of researchers led by Stephen M. Highstein will study the response of saltwater fish to near-zero gravity conditions on a space shuttle mission. By analyzing signals from the fish's brains, they hope to reveal clues about why astronauts suffer from motion sickness in space.
The event aims to encourage minority students into biomedical research and set them on a career path. The proportion of researchers from minority groups is strikingly lower than their percentage in the overall population.
University of Iowa researchers have shed light on the mysteries of metastasis by studying uveal melanoma, a potentially blinding and fatal form of cancer. They found that abnormal proteins respond to hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, attracting blood vessels and causing cancer cells to spread.
Scientists have identified peptides substance P and neurokinin A as key components in the body's pain responses. The study suggests that these peptides work together to produce moderate-to-severe pain, offering a potential target for new pain treatments.
A UCSF research team has made a striking discovery that mild and intense pain are biologically distinct, involving different neurotransmitters. This knowledge could lead to the development of new drugs targeting these molecules to provide effective pain relief with lower morphine doses.
Scientists have identified eight genes necessary for vertebrate sensory hair cell function in a study of zebrafish mutants with balance problems. These genes are specifically involved in the production of extracellular potential generation, a key measure of hair cell function.
Researchers found that echo-like sounds made by the inner ears of homosexual and bisexual women are weaker than those of heterosexual women, suggesting masculinization of brain structures responsible for sexual preference. The study indicates the potential value of non-invasive windows into brain development and sexual differentiation.
Thomas Jefferson researchers discovered that lower levels of the tumor suppressor gene Rb2/p130 correlate with increased risk of returning disease and higher mortality in women with endometrial cancer. The study suggests a potential diagnostic test to guide treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that dedicated PET scanners are significantly more accurate than dual-head coincidence cameras in detecting cancer. They also showed that PET can diagnose infections in just an hour or less, compared to days with conventional tests.
A new study found that people with dyslexia exhibit lower brain activity in the visual cortex, which may predict their reading speed. The researchers used functional MRI imaging to measure differences in brain activity between dyslexics and non-dyslexics.
A study by UPMC researchers found that serotonin receptors in the brain decline by 55% with age, even after accounting for normal aging changes. This decline may contribute to the development of depression and Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the need for effective treatments.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that E. coli can live inside immune-system cells lining the bladder wall, making it harder to treat bladder infections. The bacteria use sticky appendages to cling to these cells and evade antibiotics.
Researchers found a strong correlation between low levels of the Rb-2/p130 protein and aggressive, metastasizing lung cancer. The study's findings may lead to a new lung cancer tumor-grading test to enable early diagnosis and tailor treatments.
University of Notre Dame paleontologist J. Keith Rigby discovered the largest Tyrannosaur skeleton on record, but it was found to be seriously damaged by poachers on a northeastern Montana cattle ranch. The damage includes two-thirds of the left side of the skull missing and both lower jaws also destroyed.
A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil was discovered in northeastern Montana, measuring over 52 inches. The fossil exceeds all known measurements of the dinosaur and is believed to be one of the largest carnivores on the planet.
Researchers have created a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, allowing for study of both skeletal muscle and heart disease. The double mutant mouse develops severe symptoms, including muscle wasting and heart disease, similar to humans with the disorder.
A team of researchers from Bowman Gray School of Medicine used sonography to analyze the anatomy of healthy subjects and define normal spinal and paraspinal structures. The study aims to improve the interpretation of sonographic images in patients with back pain.
Scientists have found genetic switches that underlie the evolution of novel body structures, including distinctive feeding limbs called maxillipeds. In crustaceans, variations in the pattern of activity of two Hox genes correspond with anatomic changes tracing ancestral relationships and evolution.
Researchers have discovered cellular and biochemical mechanisms that could lead to the development of new drugs to prevent or treat Huntington's disease. The study identifies neuronal intranuclear inclusions as aggregates of huntingtin protein, which interacts with brain cells.
Researchers found a direct evidence of simian virus 40's potential mechanism in the development of mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure. The study suggests that SV40 targets key proteins preventing tumors from forming, rendering them ineffective.
Astronomers have found evidence that small, evaporating ice particles in the tail and surrounding the nucleus of comet Hyakutake are responsible for most of the water and other gases seen from Earth. The discovery provides new insights into how comets survive orbits around the sun without being wasted away by solar radiation.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have found that PC4 plays a vital role in male fertility and early embryonic development in mice. The study revealed that PC4-deficient testicular germ cells fail to properly process precursor proteins, rendering them incompetent for fertilization.
The 1996-1997 Human Genome Lecture Series featured nine speakers who discussed various aspects of the human genome, including genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and genetic research in specific populations. The series aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human genome and its implications for genetics research.
The discovery of a 130-million-year-old fossilized bird hatchling provides significant insight into the early evolution of birds. The hatchling's primitive skull contains teeth, while its advanced features suggest that flight took precedence in early bird development.
A new study at Ohio University found that changes in muscle cells with aging limit muscle growth, and the number of special cells required for muscle growth decreases as people age. This reduction limits how much a muscle can grow.
A new vaccine targeting the E. coli adhesin protein has shown promise in preventing urinary tract infections and bladder infections in mice. The vaccine works by blocking attachment of bacteria to bladder cells, preventing infection and reducing bacterial load.
Researchers at UT-Houston Medical School discovered that growth factor TGF-Beta plays a key role in forming long-term memories. The study found that TGF-Beta produces stronger electrical nerve cell connections, similar to those observed in animals with enhanced withdrawal response triggered by behavioral training.
A team of researchers has solved a centuries-old puzzle in eye development by discovering that the embryo has a single eye field that normally separates into two. The study found that an inhibitory signal shuts off gene expression in the middle of the eye field, leading to cyclopia if this fails to happen.
David Van Essen suggests that mechanical tension from axon connections creates brain folds. His hypothesis explains why human cortex is convoluted while others are smooth, and supports observations from transgenic mice studies. The theory could also account for individual differences in brain shapes.
Researchers found that muscle fibers strengthen their relationship with one nerve and ignore the rest, a finding that could help explain how memories are soldered into the brain. The study suggests that synapse elimination may be a step-wise process where the muscle fiber decides which healthy axon to keep.
Engineering Animation, Inc. develops software to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) using 3D visualization technology, reducing morbidity rates and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in the TIE-2 gene responsible for venous malformations, the most common type of birthmark. The mutation disrupts the normal molecular dialog between endothelial cells and their environment, leading to abnormal blood vessel formation.
The study reveals that higher brain structures directly control the abstract information in a bird's song, while lower brain centers manage individual notes. Researchers hope to gain insight into how learning influences brain activity patterns.