A new species of neotropical treefrog has been discovered that can reproduce both aquatic and terrestrial ways. Researchers found that this frog makes a behavioral decision to lay egg masses aquatically in a pond or terrestrially on overhanging plants, allowing it to avoid predators and extreme temperatures.
Researchers found that 10.1% of US children use cough and cold medications in a given week, with decongestants and antihistamines being the most commonly used active ingredients.
A collaborative effort by Boston University researchers has discovered the TFAP2A gene is linked to Branchio-Oculo-Facial syndrome (BOFS), a disorder marked by clefting, skin anomalies, and eye abnormalities. The study's findings may lead to more precise diagnostic testing and suggest new research directions.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have developed a clinicogenomic model to test for lung cancer with increased sensitivity and specificity. The model combines gene expression and clinical risk factors, offering improved accuracy in identifying patients who would benefit from further invasive testing.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Medicine found that decreased sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women is not clearly associated with cardiovascular disease. However, dissatisfaction was linked to peripheral arterial disease and angina, while sexual satisfaction was inversely related to these conditions.
Researchers found PTSD associated with increased mental healthcare utilization and hospitalizations in urban primary care patients. Trauma exposure was also linked to substance dependence and depression, but not necessarily to increased healthcare use apart from mental health visits.
Researchers estimated that one in six women and one in ten men will develop Alzheimer's disease in their lifetime, with a higher lifetime risk for women due to greater lifespan expectancy. The study also found that more than one in three people will experience stroke or dementia by age 80.
Researchers have discovered a link between the bacteria Oxalobacter formigenes and a reduced risk of recurrent kidney stones. The study found that O. formigenes can metabolize oxalate, reducing the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation by up to 70%.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered that diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, disrupts the connection between dopamine and glutamate in the brain, driving cocaine cravings. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of cocaine addiction and potential strategies for developing effective treatments.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that previtamin D3 production varies depending on skin type and weather conditions. Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide, with increased risk of cancers and autoimmune diseases associated with higher altitudes.
A multidisciplinary symposium will address evidence of paternal exposure to toxins affecting fetal development, producing deficits in offspring, and expressing in subsequent generations. The event aims to raise awareness and stimulate research on the significant impact of male parents on reproductive success.
Researchers found that a delay in disabling conditions was crucial for centenarian survival, with male and female centenarians exhibiting different resilience levels. The study highlights the importance of understanding mechanisms for delaying disability to improve health outcomes and therapies.
Researchers at Boston University found that increasing type II muscle mass reduces body fat and improves metabolic parameters in genetically engineered mice. This study suggests that strength training may be beneficial for overweight individuals and could lead to new treatments for obesity and diabetes.
The team used four telescopes to capture the length and breadth of Mercury's tail, which can extend up to 1.5 million miles from the planet. This new record sets a new domain for understanding Mercury's influence within the Solar System.
Researchers found that children from food-insecure households are two-thirds more likely to experience developmental risks compared to those from food-secure households. The study suggests providing nutritional interventions to young children and their families can decrease the need for later interventions.
Researchers found that vitamin D2 is equally effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D status, especially in people with vitamin D deficiency. The study showed similar increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels for both vitamin D2 and D3.
David Farb's abstract details how antioxidants affect dopamine release from synaptosomes, suggesting potential for treating oxidative damage in neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants like glutathione and NAC may rapidly stabilize dopamine release, raising their therapeutic potential.
Researchers found that TP10 significantly reduced complement levels during surgery, but there was no significant difference in mortality between groups. The study suggests that female patients may have special mechanisms protecting them from complement activation during open-heart surgery.
Researchers from Boston University and NHLBI analyzed genetic differences associated with cardiovascular disease and other disorders using Framingham Heart Study data. The study found associations between specific genomic regions and characteristics such as blood pressure, lipids, and diabetes.
Researchers at Boston University have found a previously unknown chain of events in bacteria that opens the door to new avenues of research. The team discovered a common process triggered by all three types of antibiotics, resulting in excessive free radical production that can be amplified or weakened to enhance lethality.
Researchers are developing robotic instruments that can navigate the chambers of the heart through needle-sized incisions and deploy tools to remove blockages, repair faulty valves and close leaks while the heart is still beating.
Researchers found that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with lower CD4 cell counts and faster HIV disease progression in HIV-infected persons who are not on antiretroviral therapy. The study suggests that abstaining from alcohol use may decrease the risk of disease progression for these individuals.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center are developing a computerized workstation called Louise to electronically prepare discharge plans for patients. Preliminary research shows that interventions using this technology can reduce inappropriate readmissions and increase patient satisfaction.
Researchers found that high-dose chemotherapy and blood stem cell transplantation can result in long-term survival for patients with primary systemic light chain (AL) Amyloidosis. The median survival for all 80 patients was 57 months, with 18 still alive 10+ years after treatment.
Researchers created a tunable genetic switch to regulate gene expression, overcoming limitations of existing technologies. The switch enables precise control over gene function, offering potential applications in basic research, gene therapy, and cell and gene therapy.
A study by Dr. Michael Holick reveals that vitamin D deficiency is common and problematic, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. The author suggests increasing recommended Adequate Intakes for vitamin D to 800-1000 IU/d.
Researchers developed a predictive model using Bayesian network modeling to estimate sickle cell disease severity and predict mortality risk. The model identified laboratory markers and clinical events contributing to the risk of death, providing a personalized disease severity score for therapeutic decisions.
Researchers found that prenatal cocaine exposure in zebrafish altered neuronal development and acutely dysregulated the expression of circadian genes, including melatonin. Circadian factors may provide new therapeutic strategies to counteract developmental effects of prenatal cocaine exposure.
Researchers from Boston University Medical Center successfully treat patients with immunoglobulin-light chain amyloidosis who did not respond to initial treatment. A tandem approach of high-dose chemotherapy and blood stem cell transplantation shows improved overall survival and quality of life for these patients.
The Cryogenic MALDI-FTMS technology enables unbiased view of disease by identifying proteins and biomarkers. This will aid in disease diagnosis, identification, and treatment options.
New research reveals that sharks rely on both olfactory systems and lateral lines to track odor sources, particularly in dark waters. This discovery sheds light on animal navigation underwater and has implications for the development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
Researchers found a 27% increase in GABA levels after one hour of yoga practice. Yoga has shown promise in improving symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and epilepsy.
Researchers found no association between hair relaxer use and increased breast cancer incidence among African American women. The study, which followed over 59,000 women from 1997 to 2003, provides empirical evidence that hair relaxers are not carcinogenic to the breast.
Researchers from Boston University used satellite topographic data to discover an ancient mega-lake in the Darfur province of northwestern Sudan. The lake, which existed for a long period when rainfall was plentiful, holds significant implications for improving knowledge of continental climate change and regional palaeohydrology.
Researchers found that spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and American toads employ various defense strategies to avoid water mold infections, including protective jelly layers and early hatching. These mechanisms help reduce mortality rates and increase survival chances for the amphibian species.
Researchers aim to reduce genome sequencing cost to $1,000 using novel methods and computational tools. Meller's 'Opti-Pore' method uses electrons to decode DNA strands, while Weng focuses on bioinformatics to analyze data.
The Radiation Belt Storm Probes – Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma (RBSP-ECT) project will measure the behavior of charged particles causing space radiation. The study aims to achieve a better understanding of the physical processes controlling the shape and intensity of Earth's radiation belts.
Scientists from Boston University created a mouse model with reduced inflammation, which may lead to new treatments for conditions like arthritis and Crohn's disease. The study found that the LITAF transcription factor controls inflammation through a different pathway than the NF-kB regulator.
Researchers found that multi-sensory training programs significantly improve low-level perceptual tasks in adults. Engaging both vision and hearing can produce speedier learning and suggest modifications to adult perceptual systems.
A new brain model, iSTART, describes how imbalanced brain mechanisms underlie autistic behaviors. Individuals with autism exhibit hyperspecific learning, under-aroused emotional responses, and breakdowns in adaptive timing, leading to symptoms like reduced emotional expression and emotional outbursts.
A new model proposes that the Antarctic ice sheet is more dynamic and capable of change than previously believed. This contradicts the traditional Milankovitch theory, which suggests a stronger influence from Earth's orbit on climate patterns.
The year-long project aims to examine the impact of changes to scheduling of elective surgeries on hospital patient census and nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. The study will shed light on how variations in patient census affect nurse workload, direct care time, and overall quality of care.
Researchers aim to understand the transition experience and policy responses for youth leaving foster care at 18, analyzing administrative data and conducting interviews with key stakeholders. The study seeks to inform policies and programs that improve long-term outcomes for this vulnerable population in Massachusetts.
Dr. Elliott's CAREER award supports his work in developing cross-cutting curricula and high-risk investigations of biological electron transfer reactions in microbes.
A team of astronomers produced the clearest map to-date of star-forming clouds in the Milky Way, enabling deeper insights into the origin of stars. The new illustration reveals similar lumpy structures in molecular clouds, suggesting that all clouds form stars in roughly the same proportion.
A new study shows that D-cycloserine, an antibiotic, significantly reduces social anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing exposure therapy. The research suggests that adding DCS to therapy can lead to strong gains with relatively limited treatment.
Researchers have developed a new application called spectral self-interference fluorescence microscopy (SSFM) that characterizes the structure of DNA molecules with sub-nanometer accuracy. Using this technique, the team estimated the shape of coiled single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA of different lengths.
Researchers at Boston University found that X-ray bursts from the Sun cause dramatic alterations to Mars' ionosphere, as detected by NASA's MGS spacecraft. The team used measurements on Earth to confirm the findings and gain a better understanding of the phenomenon.
A new theory published in Geophysical Research Letters explains the energization of anomalous cosmic rays by including a realistic termination shock shape. The model shows that particles are accelerated on the flanks of the termination shock, contradicting previous assumptions.
Research found a link between high blood homocysteine levels and decreased cognitive performance in individuals over 60. Taking vitamin B12, B6, and folate supplements may help prevent mild cognitive deficit in older adults.