Researchers have developed a DNA-based test to accurately distinguish great white sharks from other species, even when only dried fins or meat are available. This new test will help conservationists and fisheries managers better regulate and protect great whites, a species that has declined by up to 79% in the northwestern Atlantic.
Dr. Peter Ward, a renowned U-M pathologist, has received the American Thoracic Society's highest honor for his pioneering research on inflammation and lung biology. His work has significantly broadened the understanding of lung health and disease, influencing the career development of many clinicians and scientists worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a gene that protects potatoes from late blight, a fungal pathogen responsible for the Irish potato famine. The discovery holds significant potential to save farmers hundreds of millions of dollars and benefit the environment by reducing toxic chemical applications.
Research suggests that individuals with higher education levels exhibit less cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease due to increased brain adaptability and flexibility. The study, which analyzed autopsied brains of deceased participants, found a significant association between education and reduced AD pathology.
Researchers developed new methods for diagnosing breast cancer based on gene expression signatures, correlating with traditional pathological classifications. The study found that early-stage lesions contain molecular signatures reflecting tumor aggressiveness, potentially changing the course of cancer progression.
A new study has found that a 14-gauge automated tru-cut needle is highly accurate in diagnosing breast cancer, with over 99% accuracy rate. The study also showed that smaller biopsy needles can be just as effective as larger ones, offering a less invasive option for patients.
A study by Physicians for Human Rights and the University of Michigan Health System found that two-thirds of federal forensic doctors reported detainee torture, with nearly half documenting evidence. The incidence of torture may be declining, but monitoring and evidence-gathering are crucial to overcoming the country's history of abuse.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine successfully transdifferentiated rat stem cells into functional new tissue, including platelets, red blood cells, and heart muscle cells. This breakthrough finding may provide clues to the therapeutic potential of human adult stem cells for tissue repair.
Researchers at UT Southwestern and Children's will develop protocols and procedures for a thermocycler called GeneXpert, which rapidly processes and analyzes DNA samples. The new testing methods should allow children to leave the hospital sooner or avoid hospitalization altogether, with results available within hours.
Researchers found three distinct clusters of patients with different memory and brain profile patterns, suggesting multiple disease mechanisms. The 'cortical' subtype showed temporal lobe pathology, while the 'subcortical' subtype featured frontal-striatal region issues.
A study examines the potential of pharmacogenomic testing to help drug-treatment centers select suitable treatment regimens for opiate-addicted patients. The research investigates genetic polymorphisms affecting opioid metabolism, aiming to improve pain management and drug-abuse treatment.
A new study by UB researchers provides the first scientific proof that handwriting is unique to each individual, setting a significant standard for handwriting analysis in forensic applications. The team's software system can distinguish with 96% confidence whether two documents were written by the same person or different people.
Researchers aim to find new targets in the brain to prevent and treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) technology. The $2.75 million funding will support Columbia University's technology transfer and commercialization efforts.
The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology has released comprehensive national consensus guidelines to evaluate women with abnormal Pap tests. The guidelines recommend utilizing new technologies, including liquid-based cytology and HPV testing, to standardize care.
Researchers found late-onset schizophrenia to be a distinct condition characterized by tau protein abnormalities. The study analyzed brain tissue from patients and found that changes in the hippocampus were caused by hyper-phosphorylation of tau.
A new blood test was developed using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, which can detect amyloid plaques and predict dementia risk. The test uses a protein called Ab40, which is not reflective of brain pathology unless an antibody is injected into the animal.
A five-year project aims to create a tool that allows researchers to compare DNA, proteins, and biological factors between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. This database will be built on unidentifiable data from 1.6 million pathology reports and six million tissue blocks from various Indianapolis hospitals.
David Nelson, pioneer of chromatography data systems, recognized for promoting public understanding of analytical chemistry and its role in world economies. His work demonstrated the benefits of personal computers in analytical chemistry, benefiting forensic science, pharmaceutical drug discovery, and environmental remediation.
A University of Toronto study found that women sexually assaulted by their husbands are more likely to inform police sooner than those sexually abused by boyfriends or acquaintances. The study also found that victims of spousal sexual abuse are more likely to seek treatment and consent to forensic evidence collection.
A new test standard developed by NIST increases the accuracy of paternity testing through the use of 20 markers on the Y chromosome. The test helps simplify and validate DNA identification processes in forensic and human ID tests.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have successfully bred mice with both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the key pathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The double transgenic mouse model provides a more complete representation of human AD and will enable researchers to test therapies aimed at preventing or halting progression.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health successfully immunized mice against Alzheimer's disease using a new vaccine that reduces amyloid plaque and soluble beta levels. The vaccine, modeled on a modified peptide, appears to be non-toxic and shows great promise for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
A study by Dr. David Bennett found that many people with mild cognitive impairment exhibit Alzheimer's disease pathology, indicating a larger public health problem than previously thought. The research suggests increased funding for clinical care and research is needed to combat the disease effectively.
Experts recommend changing guidelines for collecting forensic evidence from young children, citing discomfort and low yields from body swabs. Instead, clothing and household linens are a more promising source of evidence.
Researchers have developed a new technique that can detect explosive residues 10 times lower than existing methods, making it easier for authorities to identify the source of suspicious explosions. The technique may also help track the origin of explosives and manufacturer companies.
Researchers applied modern forensic DNA techniques to a 30,000-year-old Neanderthal infant, resolving the debate on human evolution. The study revealed that modern humans diverged from Neanderthals around 500,000 years ago, supporting the out-of-Africa model.
Charlottesville chemist Donald F. Hunt has developed a technique to identify fragments of proteins that stimulate the immune system to attack and kill melanoma, or skin cancer. His method uses mass spectrometry to analyze amino acid chains and could lead to the development of cancer vaccines.
A study of over 6,000 patients found that one in every 100 people misdiagnosed due to a single pathologist's report. This can lead to incorrect treatment, surgery, or chemotherapy, causing psychological trauma and financial burden.
UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators have developed a rare case of familial filicide in which twin sisters tried to kill their own children. A new classification system, identifying 16 subtypes of filicide, aims to aid understanding and strategies for prevention.
Astrophysicists use 'forensic science' to study gamma-ray bursts, seeking clues about their causes. Observations suggest that many bursts are linked to star formation and blue galaxies.
A leading forensic toxicologist suggests that cocaine abuse may be behind some deaths in custody, rather than police brutality. The expert's neurochemical test detects a unique brain signature associated with excited delirium (ED), which can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrest.
The 'Edge of Light' scanner uses light reflection to create a high-resolution map of surface topography, detecting deformation between rivets caused by corrosion. This technology has the advantage over existing NDI technology, allowing for non-destructive inspection and potential applications in forensic studies and forgery detection.
Researchers in UB's Center of Excellence for Document Analysis and Recognition aim to establish a scientific basis for whether handwriting is unique to each individual. The new tools will enable law-enforcement investigators to analyze handwriting in documents, potentially identifying writers and suspects in criminal cases.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have linked specific patterns of cognitive decline to specific brain abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease patients. The study found that certain brain sectors are associated with specific cognitive problems, such as memory loss and visual-spatial skills impairment.
Researchers found ultrasound can accurately diagnose disc bulges and herniations, as well as detect soft tissue abnormalities. This non-invasive technique may help document clinical problems and reduce healthcare costs compared to MRI.
The American Phytopathological Society recognizes distinguished members with the Fellows designation for their contributions to plant pathology. The Society also presents several awards, including the Excellence in Extension Award and the Ruth Allen Award, to honor outstanding research and teaching achievements in the field.
A new screening procedure developed at Cornell University Medical College reliably identified persons with personality pathology using a self-administered true-false questionnaire. The test was then confirmed or discounted through a follow-up interview with a professional clinician.
Forensic entomologist Gail Anderson's work helps secure conviction for two Canadian bear poachers. Insect egg samples from the victims' bodies were analyzed to determine the time of death, tying the suspects to the crime scene.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new gene called KiSS-1 that suppresses the metastasis of melanoma in laboratory mice. The gene, located on chromosome 1, reduces the spread of melanoma by at least 50 percent of the time and may be the most potent gene to block or suppress metastasis in human cancer.
A University of Wyoming professor and specialist in forensic anthropology is leading an effort to study the Kennewick Man skeleton, believed to be over 9,300 years old, before its reburial. The team of scientists hopes to gain insights into human evolution and population change in North America, which could shed light on the bone struc...