Scientists have discovered how Yersinia pestis alters cell death pathways to kill host cells and cause pneumonic plague. The study reveals that the bacterium destroys Fas ligand, a molecule that stimulates apoptosis, allowing it to overwhelm the lungs and kill its host.
Researchers from UH and Rice University collaborated to engineer a synthetic gene circuit that compensates for temperature changes. The team used mathematical modeling to design the plasmid and created a genetic clock with a stable period across various temperatures.
A new report promotes REDD+ and Green Economy as a pathway to sustainable development, benefiting all nations. Forests are the foundation of sustainable societies, storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, regulating water flows, and reducing soil erosion.
A new study from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine found that long-term survivors of esophagectomy with gastric pull-up can enjoy a satisfying meal and good quality of life. The study concluded that pessimism about the long-term quality of life after esophagectomy is unwarranted.
Seven large fires are burning in the Southeast, with six located in Oklahoma and one in Louisiana. Prescribed fires account for the majority of these fires, reducing wildfire damage and improving habitat, according to land management officials.
A computer system called SIMULFIS was developed to simulate the behavior of tax evaders, incorporating conditions such as fairness and social influence. The study found that improving tax inspections is a more effective measure against tax evasion than increasing fines.
A new theory proposes that epigenetic modification plays a key role in the development of endometriosis, a chronic disease affecting 1 in 10 women. The research suggests that alterations in the epigenetic landscape, rather than genetic mutations, contribute to the disease's progression.
Research shows that temperate ecosystems consisted of a mosaic of closed and semi-closed forests and parkland created by large grazers. The study also found that woodland beetles were less dominant in the previous interglacial period than in the early Holocene, indicating a shift towards more forested landscapes after human arrival.
Researchers have discovered an infectious form of the cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii in western Arctic Belugas, raising public health concerns. The discovery also highlights the impact of climate change on pathogen circulation, allowing previously isolated parasites to spread to new hosts.
A national poll shows that only 35% of respondents would seek aggressive preventive treatment if they had a family history of cancer and genetic testing indicated a predisposition to cancer. Despite current laws prohibiting discrimination, concerns about employment and insurability remain a major barrier to genetic testing.
Pharmacies sell cigarettes despite being a leading cause of preventable death; CVS Caremark's decision aims to reduce smoking prevalence through eliminating tobacco product sales. The move aligns with efforts to strengthen the role of pharmacies in promoting health and could spark other retailers to follow suit.
Scientists discovered a female-specific hormone in blue crab eyestalks that regulates development of reproductive structures for mating and childcare. This hormone is required for maternal care and triggers development of special receptacles to store sperm, as well as hair-like structures to hold fertilized eggs.
A study found that reducing nitrogen levels and using selected cultivars minimizes environmental impact in greenhouse pepper production. The research demonstrates how the environmental impact of intensive agriculture can be minimized without harming fruit yield or quality.
The Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC) aims to understand the causes of metabolic diseases and develop products to reduce their risks, with a focus on nutrition in women, children, and the elderly. The centre will also conduct research on food and nutrition in Asia, leveraging partnerships with top universities and companies.
A new study reports that most colon polyps referred for surgery can be successfully resected endoscopically. The procedure had low adverse event rates and high recurrence rates, but recurrences were treatable. The findings suggest a shift towards outpatient repeat colonoscopy in patients with polyps without cancer.
Researchers discovered that breast stem cells and their 'daughters' have a much longer lifespan than previously thought, actively maintaining breast tissue throughout life. This finding has implications for identifying the cells of origin of breast cancers and developing new treatment strategies.
A Penn study found that online commentary, both positive and negative, degrades the impact of anti-smoking public service announcements. Viewers who watched PSAs with no commentary had better recall and rated them more effective overall.
A long-running study of nearly 1300 rural children found that parenting deteriorates when families face multiple risk factors, leading to poor intellectual, emotional, and social development. The study's findings highlight the importance of supporting parenting and social context in bolstering child development.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have captured fundamental new insights about the stability of gold nanoparticles, which could enhance or destabilize their properties depending on use. Smaller nanoparticles exhibit better structural integrity than larger ones, making them suitable for applications where stability is crucial.
A 35-year study by Cardiff University found that regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The study identified five healthy behaviors as key to a disease-free lifestyle, with exercise being the strongest mitigating factor.
Researchers measured sound levels at a Formula 1 track and found that without protection, spectators could reach 234% or 85.85 dB of their daily allowed noise dosage going by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The study suggests wearing good hearing protection is essential to avoid permanent damage.
Researchers found that human periodontal ligament stem cells exhibit similar therapeutic effects to autologous Schwann cells in repairing peripheral nerve injuries. The study suggests a potential value for the use of human periodontal ligament stem cells in the repair of mental nerve injury.
A multi-university project aims to create inclusive user experiences on the internet, developing methods for software modification, authentication schemes, and crowdsourcing to increase accessibility for all. Researchers will explore ways to make web pages more accessible for people with disabilities.
Researchers identify lateral habenula as crucial in cost-benefit decisions, clarifying its role in daily choices and shedding light on depression treatment.
Researchers have identified FOX01 as a critical molecule in the wound-healing process, providing a possible new target for pharmaceuticals. The study found that FOX01 plays an integral role in activating key growth factor TGF-β1 and protecting cells against oxidative stress.
Researchers found that Cul4 modifies histone proteins to weaken their interaction with chaperones, leading to genomic instability and tumor formation. The study suggests that cancer cells may have evolved mechanisms to disrupt proper nucleosome assembly, affecting genome stability.
Researchers found that only 66% of participants experienced complications after undergoing bariatric surgery, with most being minor and temporary. The study's findings provide encouragement to adolescents and their families considering weight loss surgery as a treatment option for severe obesity-related health issues.
Professor Alan Cowman has been recognized for his substantial contributions to understanding malaria development and drug resistance. His work has led to the development of two potential malaria vaccines, one in clinical trials and the other in preclinical development.
Professor Speed has developed tools to help biologists analyze and explain their results, making it possible to look at hundreds of genes in a DNA sequence at once to understand genetic changes involved in complicated diseases. He is also working on determining the genetic traits that make normal and cancerous cells different.
New research shows glial cells and neurons work together to protect the brain from oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and other dangers. The study reveals a precise calibration system between neurons and astrocytes that ensures protective measures are only taken when needed.
Scientists discovered that cellular projections are initiated by a network of message-relaying proteins inside the cell, even in random movement. The findings have implications for understanding and manipulating biological processes, including cancer metastasis.
A Mayo Clinic psychiatrist argues that mass shootings are carefully planned and can be executed within a short time frame, making it difficult to restrict access to firearms for the mentally ill. The expert suggests that gun restriction among suicidal people works, but not necessarily in cases of mass shootings.
A landmark report identifies critical knowledge gaps in nutrition science, calling for research on environmental trends, lifecycle issues, and intervention gaps. The report aims to accelerate global commitment to solving malnutrition through evidence-based solutions.
A study on effective leadership in Wikipedia found that shared leadership behaviors increase commenting and editing behaviors among users. The researchers analyzed over 4 million messages, using machine-learning coding to identify patterns.
Researchers using Van Allen Probes discovered ultra-fast particles driving a previously unknown configuration of three bands in the Earth's radiation belts. Computer simulations show that one common acceleration method doesn't apply to these particles.
The Sangre por Salud Biobank is a collaboration among Mayo Clinic, Mountain Park Health Center, and Arizona State University to support studies in obesity, metabolism and diabetes in the Latino population. The biobank aims to enroll 2,000 participants over four years, with a special emphasis on cardiometabolic risk and obesity.
A new study found that living close to a major road is associated with a higher risk of death in people with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The study showed a significant decrease in mortality risk as distance from the road increased.
Monash University researchers discovered a safety mechanism that regulates the activation of marginal zone B cells, which can turn against the body. The study found that MZ B cells have a short life span and are triggered by bacteria to express a protein called TACI.
The report identifies substantial opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving scarce water resources by generating renewable energy. It highlights the potential for water sector innovation to increase renewable energy capacity, particularly in states like California.
Scientists have overturned previous notions of how the sun's writhing insides move from equator to pole and back again. The team found a double-layered circulation system with two cycles on top of each other, providing new opportunities for studying solar magnetism and cycles.
Research from Monell Center reveals that carbonation's bite comes from the conversion of free carbon dioxide into carbonic acid in the mouth. Bubbles enhance this sensation through stimulation of the sense of touch.
A new study has found that two forms of iron are needed to control cystic fibrosis lung infections. Targeting both ferrous iron (Fe(II)) and ferric iron (Fe(III)) was more effective in preventing biofilm formation than targeting only one form.
Researchers develop bioengineered peptide to distinguish tumors from healthy tissue, demonstrating promising results in imaging medulloblastomas in lab mice. The new approach offers real-time imaging and potential for targeted drug delivery to cranial tumors.
A University of Oregon study reveals how librarians adapted to the Internet by redefining their occupational identity from expert knowledge to interpreting and connecting patrons with relevant information
The Louisiana Tumor Registry has been awarded a contract to continue its work as a SEER Program-designated cancer registry, collecting cancer incidence and survival data from 28% of the US population. The funding will support cancer research, including prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship studies.
A new study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that consumers who prefer dark chocolate in solid form can tolerate twice as much bitter ingredients in chocolate ice cream. Researchers developed a method to predict rejection thresholds for added bitterness based on individual preferences for milk or dark chocolate.
A new study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine found that a hospital program, Project BOOST, reduced avoidable rehospitalizations by an average of 2 percent over 12 months. The program focuses on identifying high-risk patients, effective discharge planning, and close follow-up through phone calls and timely appointments.
Researchers identify TSLP and basophils as key players in promoting esophageal inflammation in response to food allergens. This discovery suggests novel therapeutic targets for treating eosinophilic esophagitis, a debilitating food allergy-associated disease affecting millions.
Astronomers observe VLT's real-time data of a gas cloud accelerating towards the Milky Way's supermassive black hole. The cloud is being grossly stretched by the black hole's extreme gravitational field, with its light becoming harder to see.
Researchers have identified microRNA-22 as a driver of both cancer onset and metastasis, particularly in breast cancer and blood cancers. The study suggests that inhibiting miR-22 through a 'decoy' method could offer a novel therapeutic option for treating these diseases.
Researchers found that winning sounds on slot machines make gambling more exciting and cause players to overestimate their number of wins. Sounds also contribute to the 'disguise' in losses disguised as wins, causing players to think they have won more often than they actually have.
A recent study by the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station reveals that female fishers living near areas with high concentrations of illegal marijuana sites have higher exposure to rodenticides and lower survival rates. The study's findings underscore the urgent need for regulating pesticide use in these areas.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new method to mature human heart cells by applying electrical pulses and simulating fetal heart rates. This discovery offers a fast and reliable way to create mature human cardiac patches for various applications, including drug screening and transplantation.
Researchers have released a unique dataset based on 32 nights of repeated observations of SN 2011fe, providing unprecedented detail and a solid point of reference for Type Ia physics. The data reveals that the supernova is remarkably normal, passing important tests but not matching leading computational models.
Lexing Ying, a professor of mathematics at Stanford University, will receive the SIAM's James H. Wilkinson Prize for his outstanding contributions to numerical analysis and scientific computing. His research focuses on designing fast and accurate algorithms for fundamental problems in scientific computing.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have created elementary magnetic moments in graphene and controlled their switching. This breakthrough has significant implications for spintronics, enabling active devices with improved performance.
People in India who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese, have diabetes or high blood pressure. The study found similar patterns for rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, highlighting the importance of active modes of transport.
A study of over 4,000 participants found that people who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese compared to those using public or private transport. The findings suggest active travel could reduce rates of chronic diseases in India.
Research suggests that fragmented pine stands hinder seed production, reducing regeneration. Whitebark pines' viability depends on pollen release, wind, and proximity, making their future uncertain with dwindling gene pools.
A new EBI study concludes that biofuels from plant biomass and purpose-grown crops can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California. The report highlights the importance of judicious use of feedstocks and implementation of low-carbon technologies to meet the state's ambitious energy goals.