Researchers have found that viral protein sequences matching a consensus sequence are more likely to be transmitted than those that deviate from the consensus. This 'fitness bottleneck' effect allows for a window of opportunity to prevent or limit infection using drugs or vaccines. The study suggests that targeting infected cells for k...
Scientists at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have identified a new drug target for preventing PTSD. Osanetant, which targets the Tac2 gene, has been shown to reduce fear memory consolidation in mice.
Researchers discovered that increased VMAT2 levels led to enhanced dopamine neurotransmission and protection from a neurotoxin. The study found improved outcomes on anxiety, depressive behaviors, movement, and protection from MPTP, a chemical causing Parkinson's disease-related damage.
Researchers found chimpanzees cooperated 3,565 times over 94 sessions, increasing success rate and efficiency as they learned the need for a partner. The study demonstrates that chimpanzees are more cooperative than previously thought.
Researchers have found that disturbed blood flow leads to epigenetic changes in genes lining blood vessels, contributing to atherosclerosis. The study suggests that good blood flow patterns can persist over time due to these lasting changes.
A brain imaging study reveals differences in basal ganglia activity and similarity to inflammation-induced fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome. Reduced basal ganglia activity is associated with the severity of fatigue symptoms.
Researchers found that galectins recognize and kill bacteria with similar carbohydrate coatings, filling gaps in immune defenses. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics for treating certain bacterial infections.
Scientists discovered a surge of heart muscle cell division in young mice, increasing cardiac muscle cells by 40% and suggesting thyroid hormone could aid in children's treatment, offering an alternative to focusing on stem cells.
A new study reveals that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The research highlights the need for standardized screening instruments and clinical guidelines to detect and address GI symptoms in ASD patients.
Researchers at Emory University and the University of Queensland have found a framework for the celebrated Rogers-Ramanujan identities, revealing a treasure trove of algebraic numbers and formulas. The breakthrough solves a century-old mystery surrounding Indian math genius Srinivasa Ramanujan's work.
A new study using MRI analysis found that patients who responded to subcallosal cingulate (SCC) deep brain stimulation showed a common pattern of three distinct white matter bundles passing through the SCC. Non-responders did not show this pattern, suggesting that precise mapping is crucial for successful treatment.
The proposed guidelines focus on study design, gene-variant implication, and database implications, emphasizing the need for detailed statistical analysis and evidence-based claims. Researchers highlight the importance of sharing genetic and clinical data to accelerate research and infrastructure development.
Scientists have discovered the atomic-scale mechanism of action for NpmA, an enzyme that imparts chemical changes to bacterial ribosomes, making them resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics. This finding poses a significant threat to public health, but also reveals potential targets for developing new drugs.
A recent study using brain imaging found that dogs have a stronger response to the scents of familiar humans than other humans or even familiar dogs. The research suggests that dogs' brains have mental representations of their human companions that persist even when they're not present.
Researchers Matthew Campbell and Frans de Waal found chimpanzees display contagious yawning to familiar and unfamiliar humans, but not to unfamiliar chimpanzees or gelada baboons. This flexibility in empathy may help explain how humans choose to engage with others and offer flexibility.
Research finds that chemotherapy induces epigenetic changes in breast cancer patients' blood cells, leading to inflammation and symptoms like fatigue. The study identifies eight sites of methylation altered by chemotherapy, correlating with increased inflammatory signaling proteins.
Researchers observed captive Asian elephants showing signs of consolation towards distressed peers through physical contact and vocalizations. These behaviors resemble empathy and emotional contagion, suggesting a complex cognitive ability in elephants.
Researchers found that moderate aerobic exercise helps preserve retina structure and function after damage. Exercise was shown to have a direct effect on retinal health and vision, potentially leading to tailored exercise regimens or combination therapies for retinal degenerative diseases.
Researchers found that two-thirds of chimpanzees are missing a genetic element linked to social bonding, leading to improved joint attention. The study suggests that this element may also play a role in autism spectrum disorders, potentially informing new diagnosis and treatment strategies.
A recent study by Emory researchers found that kindergarten weight is a strong indicator of childhood obesity. Overweight kindergartners were four times more likely to become obese by the 8th grade, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Researchers found significantly higher levels of DDE, a long-lasting metabolite of DDT, in Alzheimer's patients compared to healthy controls. Elevated DDE levels increased the risk of Alzheimer's by a factor of four.
Researchers found that children's earliest memories tend to fade at age 7, a phenomenon known as childhood amnesia. The study, published in the journal Memory, tracked children's recall of past events from ages 3-9 and found that five-year-olds remembered about 63% of events, while nine-year-olds recalled only about 35%.
Researchers discovered that dopamine-restoring drugs can improve visual function in animal models of diabetes. The study found that L-DOPA and dopamine receptor agonists improved acuity and contrast sensitivity, offering new avenues for treating diabetic retinopathy.
A unique study of white-throated sparrows found a genetic pathway connecting aggression and parenting behaviors to specific genes, specifically the estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) gene. The research showed that variation in ER-alpha expression predicted behavior in territorial aggression and parenting.
Researchers have discovered a new drug delivery system that uses nanotechnology to effectively inhibit the growth of lung and head and neck cancer cells. The study found that nano-luteolin, a water-soluble polymer encapsulated form of the antioxidant luteolin, is highly effective in chemoprevention.
Researchers found that reading a novel can cause changes in the brain's resting-state connectivity that persist for days after reading. The study, published in Brain Connectivity, used fMRI to examine the neural effects of reading a narrative.
Researchers have determined the molecular structure of a Tet family member from Naegleria gruberi, providing insights into its role in regulating gene expression and potential therapeutic targets for cancer. The study sheds light on how Tet enzymes interact with DNA, enabling scientists to design drugs that manipulate them.
A study found that a single change in the oxytocin receptor gene structure affects face memory skills, suggesting an important role of oxytocin in social information processing. This discovery may lead to new strategies for improving social cognition in disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Scientists at Emory and Georgia Tech have developed a potential treatment for atherosclerosis by targeting a micro RNA molecule that regulates inflammation in blood vessels. In animal models, a drug blocking the micro RNA can halt artery blockages despite high-fat diets.
Researchers at Emory Vaccine Center compared the molecular signatures induced by five different vaccines to predict vaccine effectiveness and stimulate immune responses. The study suggests that gene expression predictors are dependent on vaccine type, rather than universal.
Scientists at Emory Vaccine Center identified a key immune cell response to yellow fever vaccine that involves the gene GCN2, which regulates autophagy in cells. This finding could lead to more effective vaccines against challenging viruses like HIV or dengue.
Researchers at Emory University have confirmed their methods and results by replicating a previous study involving 13 dogs. The experiment showed that most dogs exhibited a positive response in the caudate region when given a hand signal indicating a treat, suggesting similarities with human brain function.
Scientists have discovered that mice can pass on learned sensitivity to a specific odor to their offspring via epigenetic alterations in the sperm or eggs. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding psychiatric disorders and developing therapeutic strategies for intergenerational trauma effects.
Researchers found that women younger than 50 with a recent heart attack experience restricted blood flow to the heart in response to psychological stress. This may explain why younger women who are hospitalized after a heart attack face a greater risk of complications and dying compared to men of the same age.
A clinical study found that exercise with GM-CSF boosts mobility in patients with peripheral artery disease. Participants who responded strongly to GM-CSF treatment showed significant improvements in maximum walking time.
Researchers found that grandiose narcissism in US presidents is linked to high ratings for public persuasiveness and crisis management, as well as impeachment resolutions. Lyndon B. Johnson scored highest on markers of grandiose narcissism, followed by Theodore Roosevelt.
Researchers identified declining attention to others' eyes in infants later diagnosed with autism, starting from 2 months old. This finding has profound implications for early intervention strategies and suggests that interventions could build on existing levels of eye contact.
Fossilized footprints found at Dinosaur Cove in Victoria, Australia, reveal the oldest known bird tracks in the country, dating back to the Early Cretaceous period. The analysis, led by paleontologist Anthony Martin, sheds light on the evolution of flight and the connection between birds and non-avian dinosaurs.
Researchers found young bonobos exhibit human-like emotional regulation and empathy, regulating their own emotions and reacting to others' with comfort. This study suggests fundamental similarities between human and ape emotion regulation, shedding light on the evolution of human socio-emotional development.
Cardiology researchers at Emory have developed a solution to improve the impact of stem cell therapy on heart function. By packaging mesenchymal stem cells in alginate capsules, they can increase cell retention and survival, promoting healing factors that encourage regeneration of blood vessels.
A recent clinical study found that arginine therapy significantly reduces the need for pain medication and lowers pain scores in children with sickle cell disease. The treatment also shows promise as a potential cure for acute pain episodes, with no safety concerns reported.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered a previously unrecognized type of pathology in Alzheimer's brains that sequesters proteins involved in RNA splicing. This finding could lead to new biomarkers, diagnostic approaches, and therapies by explaining how genes contribute their effects in the disease.
A new study by Emory University researchers found that men with smaller testes tend to be more involved in hands-on childcare, while those with larger testes are less involved. The study suggests that the biology of human males reflects a trade-off between investments in mating and parenting effort.
Cardiac muscle cells can be purified using molecular beacons, enabling their use in treating heart diseases. The technique has broad applications across regenerative medicine.
Two neurology researchers propose that prion-like protein aggregates drive multiple brain diseases associated with aging. These seeds disrupt nervous system function and can stimulate the aggregation of other proteins, suggesting therapeutic strategies to combat these diseases.
Researchers have identified a type of white blood cell in lampreys that resembles gamma delta T cells found in mammals and birds. The discovery suggests that distinct cells with similar functions may have existed in the last common vertebrate ancestor, providing insights into the evolutionary past.
The Yerkes National Primate Research Center will explore how oxytocin affects brain communication and mental processing of social experiences in humans with autism and schizophrenia. The team aims to develop novel treatment strategies for improving social cognition in these disorders.
The study found that removing one bumblebee species from an ecosystem reduces floral fidelity among remaining bees, leading to fewer seeds produced by larkspur wildflowers. This suggests global declines in pollinators could have a significant impact on food crops and flowering plants.
Scientists at Emory Health Sciences have developed a method to steer mesenchymal stem cells using magnets, which could potentially be used to treat cardiovascular diseases. The nanoparticles used in this study are FDA-approved for MRI purposes and protect the cell from damage.
AIDSVu, a detailed publicly available view of HIV prevalence in the US, has released updated maps displaying 2010 data and recent national HIV prevalence data. The new maps highlight urban cores with higher HIV rates and show disparities among black and Hispanic/Latino Americans.