Researchers at Brown University have discovered that the stiffness, viscosity, and other mechanical properties of adult stem cells can foretell what they will become, enabling a filter to extract needed cells from larger tissue samples. This breakthrough could lead to better healing outcomes in tissue engineering.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered how flowers achieve industrial precision in pollination. The team found that flowers use a safeguard system to prevent too many pollen tubes from delivering too many sperm, and that fertilization can be salvaged if the first sperm is ineffective.
Researchers at Brown University have made significant advances in brain-computer interfaces, allowing people with paralysis to control robotic arms in three-dimensional space. Participants were able to perform tasks such as reaching for foam targets, picking up objects, and even serving themselves coffee using only their brain signals.
A new paper by Brown University researchers finds that African-American clergy are willing to join the fight against HIV by promoting testing, treatment, and social justice. The study highlights the importance of engaging clergy in HIV prevention efforts, particularly in addressing racial disparities in infection rates.
A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine reports that gastric feeding tubes may not prevent but rather increase the risk of pressure ulcers in people with advanced dementia. The analysis of thousands of nursing home patients found that those with a feeding tube were 2.27 times more likely to develop a stage II ulcer, and ...
Despite lacking a brain, brittle stars exhibit coordinated movement by designating a central arm and two rowing arms to propel it along. They can also change direction by choosing a new central arm and moving its accompanying limbs.
A new prototype technology demonstrates all three primary laser colors coming from one material. This breakthrough could lead to making products such as high-performance digital displays that employ a variety of laser colors.
Brown University researchers found that RNA editing enzyme activity varies with temperature, affecting fly behavior in mating and daily routines. High or low self-editing levels can create different personalities, such as wallflowers or pick-up artists, highlighting the significance of this process in animal behavior.
A team of scientists proposes that early four-legged creatures used dermal bones to neutralize acid buildup from breathing carbon dioxide on land. The bones, featuring complex ridges and furrows, may have helped these ancient animals buy more time on land by storing antacids.
Researchers uncover two distinct cell types in the inferior temporal cortex that respond differently to familiar and novel objects. Excitatory neurons fire rapidly at initial encounters, while inhibitory neurons maintain activity over a wider timeframe, driving learning and reorganization.
A new study by Brown University researchers reveals that Medicare spends significantly more on hospitalizations before patients enter a nursing home, with an average cost of $29,743 per patient. Once the patient becomes a permanent resident, costs drop to under $19,000. The study suggests that reducing hospitalizations before nursing h...
Researchers at Brown University found that bats use a unique wing motion to reduce energy expenditure, drawing their wings inward on the upstroke. By flexing their heavy, muscular wings, bats conserve up to 65% of inertial energy, a significant advantage in flight.
A study by Brown University psychologist Fiery Cushman found that 44% of baseball fans approved of a pitcher targeting an innocent player to avenge a teammate. The researchers suggest this 'vicarious punishment' may be driven by honor or deterrence, rather than moral responsibility.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a new signaling molecule, Gbb38, that plays a crucial role in tissue formation in flies. The study suggests possible links to human developmental disorders, such as cleft lip and palate, and may lead to improved therapeutics for bone repair and reconstruction.
A study published in Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that protein survivin can prevent normal cell death when located outside the nucleus, but not inside. Researchers suggest measuring overall levels and locations of proteins like HDAC6 could provide new leads for investigating breast cancer.
Researchers have developed a breast implant with a 'bed-of-nails' surface at the nanoscale that reduces cancer cell growth and promotes healthy endothelial breast cells. The implant's unique surface features deter cancerous cells from dwelling and thriving, offering a promising alternative to traditional treatments.
Researchers found that female mice exposed to very high doses of phthalates develop significant reproductive alterations and precancerous lesions as they grow up. The study provides new insights into how these chemicals affect developing female reproductive systems, with the potential for long-term health effects.
Researchers at Brown University created a triple-headed metallic nanoparticle that generates higher current per unit of mass than any other nanoparticle catalyst tested, with good durability as well as good activity. The FePtAu nanoparticle removes carbon monoxide from the reaction, improving performance and stability.
A study by Brown University researchers found that voter identification requirements have a negative impact on voting participation among Blacks and Hispanics, but boost turnout among Asians. The authors suggest that attention should be focused on the contexts of participation faced by each group.
A new web-based program called Spliceman predicts whether genetic mutations will disrupt mRNA splicing, a process crucial for gene expression. The software uses research to show that many disease-causing mutations occur due to faulty splicing instructions.
Research reveals that childhood maltreatment and parental loss can lead to epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor gene, increasing stress sensitivity and blunted cortisol responses. This association has significant public health implications, suggesting potential treatments to reverse epigenetic effects of childhood adversity.
Kenneth Miller, a biologist and practicing Catholic, teaches evolution by tracing its development rather than presenting it as doctrine. He aims to help students understand the evidence and logic behind scientific theories. By taking a pragmatic approach, Miller has found that religious students can accept science more effectively.
Researchers discover genes passed from plant to plant between species with distant kinship, contributing to the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. This 'lateral gene transfer' allows plants to adapt to new environments by taking genes from others.
Researchers developed a three-dimensional living tissue model to study brain tumors and therapeutics, confirming iron-oxide nanoparticles can deliver tumstatin to blood vessels surrounding gliomas. The model allows for testing of agent characteristics in a realistic environment.
A protein called biglycan is essential for stabilizing synapses at the neuromuscular junction, a process crucial for muscle control and long-term health. Research suggests that biglycan could be a potential therapy for motor neuron diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and ALS.
A study published in the journal Neuron reveals that individuals with strategic decision-making skills, known as 'explorers,' use a specific region of the prefrontal cortex to calculate relative uncertainty. This brain area is not active in non-explorers, suggesting a specialized cognitive process for making uncertain decisions.
A new analysis of hundreds of doctor-patient visits found that physicians and nurse practitioners frequently use lecturing and ordering instead of engaging in open-ended discussions to address medication non-adherence. Problem-solving conversations were rare, even among patients who acknowledged lapses in adherence.
Researchers found that Pannexin1 helps closely pack together tumor cells, forming large multicellular tissues. The protein sets off a chain reaction involving ATP and receptors, ultimately remodeling the actin network to increase forces between cells, driving them to bind more tightly.
A team of researchers discovered a well-preserved feather on Archaeopteryx's wing was black, indicating the presence of melanosomes that provided structural support. The feather structure is identical to that of modern birds, showing early evolution of wing feathers as early as 150 million years ago.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a biochip that can measure glucose levels in saliva, providing a potential solution for non-invasive diabetes monitoring. The biochip uses surface plasmonics to detect glucose molecules in water, with results showing concentrations similar to those found in human saliva.
A study by Brown University researchers found that tens of thousands of people in the US contract hepatitis B every year due to missed vaccination opportunities. Despite high-risk adults having access to healthcare providers, thousands went unvaccinated, particularly among those with limited health insurance and older adults.
A study by Brown University researchers found that offering fitness club memberships as a covered benefit attracts healthier patients. This strategy is effective in reducing costs and improving quality for Medicare Advantage plans. The trend of increasing plans offering fitness benefits suggests it may be an attractive business strategy.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that exposure to a common cosmetic chemical, methylisothiazolinone (MIT), can disrupt the fine wiring of the nervous system in tadpoles, even at very low concentrations. The study suggests that lower concentrations of MIT may be detrimental to brain development.
Researchers identified six consecutive waves of mammal species diversity in North America, linked to climate change and temperature fluctuations. The study found correlations between species diversity and global paleotemperatures, shedding light on the impact of climate change on mammal evolution over millions of years.
Biologists have developed a fluorescent reporter to track ADAR's RNA editing activity in living animals, showing surprising individual variation in fruit flies. The tool reveals ADAR's role in gene expression and disease, offering new insights into RNA editing errors.
The cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) system removes heavy metals from water by increasing their concentration, making it possible for a proven metal-removal technique to take over. The automated CEP system can remove up to 99% of copper, cadmium, and nickel, returning the contaminated water to federally accepted standards.
Material chemists and engineers at Brown University developed algorithms to identify optimal 2-D planar nets for self-folding polyhedra. Experiments confirmed the design principles, allowing for the creation of complex 3-D structures with high yields.
A research group at Brown University has sequenced the entire transcriptome of the mouse neural retina, finding that disease genes are disproportionately highly expressed and have unique sequences. This study provides new insights into the genetic nature of neural diseases.
Research suggests that surprising good or bad outcomes drive learning, with neurons in the lateral prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus processing unexpected rewards and disappointments similarly. This finding may inform future therapies to accelerate re-learning in patients with brain damage.
Health care coverage in rural China increased dramatically between 1997 and 2006, driven by government interventions. Rural-urban inequality in insurance access decreased significantly during this period, benefiting millions of rural Chinese residents.
New research reveals that Candida tropicalis can mate sexually, contrary to its long-held reputation as an asexual organism. This discovery may allow the species to evolve faster and develop increased virulence or drug resistance.
Researchers used fMRI scans to investigate moral judgments, finding that people make automatic distinctions between active and passive harms. The study suggests that allowing harm by failing to act requires more deliberate thinking, unlike actively causing harm which triggers an immediate response.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a new compound that can defeat drug-resistant bacteria by blocking their efflux pumps. The compound, called BU-005, was found to inhibit the activity of two different families of drug-efflux pumps, one associated with Gram-positive bacteria and the other with Gram-negative bacteria.
Jones and Moore's model suggests that neurons in the cortex experience beta oscillations when receiving a combination of two input signals at the right time and strength. The researchers aim to prove their hypothesis using optogenetics and expand their computational model to incorporate upstream brain regions.
Researchers from Brown University report that dark matter must have a mass greater than 40 GeV to explain the universe's accelerated expansion. This limits potential weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) candidates, which were previously suggested by other experiments.
Researchers at Brown University have found unusual properties in wrinkles and folds at the nanoscale, including hidden long waves and closed nanochannels. These discoveries hold promise for developing new technologies like fluid-carrying nanochannels and printable cell phones.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that frogs' stretchy tendons are the key to their impressive jumping abilities. The study shows how the leg muscle shortens and loads energy into the tendon before releasing it to propel the frog forward, enabling them to jump much farther than expected.
Scientists engineer mice to express human enzyme IKKbeta in fat tissue, significantly slowing weight gain and improving metabolism. The study suggests obesity is worse than inflammation for insulin resistance, offering new clues about the connections among obesity, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Brown University have created an unprecedentedly detailed description of a kinase complex, which could lead to new therapeutic drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer. The team discovered a unique binding site, called KIS, that plays a crucial role in the complex's formation.
Skin detects UVA radiation using a light-sensitive receptor found in eyes, leading to melanin production within hours. Researchers find that long-wavelength UVA light stimulates rhodopsin in melanocytes, triggering calcium signals and melanin accumulation.