Scientists at KU Leuven successfully converted cellulose in sawdust into hydrocarbon chains, which can be used as an additive in gasoline or component in plastics. The conversion process is a new type of bio-refining and has potential economic benefits, offering an alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
A new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that e-cigarettes significantly reduced tobacco cravings. In an 8-month study, participants who used e-cigs showed a significant decrease in tobacco cigarette use, with 21% quitting smoking altogether.
Researchers at KU Leuven discovered that HIV's integration site determines disease progression. The team found that manipulating the integration site can lead to faster disease progression in some cases, but also opens up possibilities for developing new therapies by targeting safer regions of host DNA.
A new drug combination for rheumatoid arthritis treats the disease just as well as other intensive treatment strategies but with less medication and fewer side effects. The COBRA Slim strategy, which calls for the least amount of medication, had half as many side effects as the two other strategies and was just as effective.
A new five-year project aims to dramatically upscale banana breeding efforts in Uganda and Tanzania, developing high-yielding, disease-resistant hybrids with a 30% higher yield and 50% resistance. The effort is being funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve the region's $4.3 billion yearly banana crop.
A new study confirms that achalasia is an autoimmune disease, with a specific genetic variant linked to the condition. The researchers identified 33 genetic variants associated with achalasia, all located in the MHC region of chromosome 6.
A new drug, naloxegol, has shown promising results in relieving constipation caused by opioid painkillers. The once-a-day pill maintains opioids' pain-killing effect and blocks their effects in the bowels without diminishing pain relief, offering relief to millions of patients experiencing chronic severe pain.
Astronomers have developed a method to distinguish between infant and adolescent stars based on their sound waves, with 'young' stars vibrating slower. This technique uses ultrasound technology similar to medical applications, offering new insights into star formation and evolution.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a metal-free chemical reaction to produce fully functional 1,2,3-triazoles, a key compound for pharmaceutical drugs. The new method expands the possibilities for creating complex compounds without relying on harmful heavy metals.
A study found that metformin causes an increase in toxic oxygen molecules, which surprisingly increases cell robustness and longevity. Cells use these particles to their advantage, extending healthy lifespan.
Researchers at KU Leuven have discovered a causal link between brain activity in the ventral tegmental area and choice behavior in primates. By stimulating this area with electrical pulses, macaques were able to change their preference for images, highlighting the importance of dopamine in regulating learning and reinforcement.
Researchers at KU Leuven found that the Pyrenean rocket, a plant from southern Europe, genetically adapted rapidly to its new environment in Belgium, allowing it to spread quickly. This study provides evidence that rapid evolution can aid the spread of non-native plant species.
Scientists at KU Leuven developed a new technique to study HIV proteins at the level of a single viral particle. This allows for quicker screening of anti-HIV drugs and potential to study other diseases.
A recent KU Leuven study reveals that suppressing positive emotions plays a significant role in the development of postpartum depression. The study found that women who downplayed or suppressed happy feelings were more likely to experience depressive symptoms postpartum.
Researchers have sequenced the tsetse fly's genome, providing insights into its biology and potentially leading to new ways to prevent trypanosomiasis. The study's findings could also help develop environmentally-safe insecticides targeting the fly's neuropeptide systems.
A study by researchers at KU Leuven predicts that deforestation in the Congo Basin could increase temperatures by 1.4 °C by 2050, with an additional 0.7 °C from deforestation-induced warming. This could lead to drastic temperature increases, threatening plant and animal species with extinction.
The Yangambi km5 banana variety produces toxic metabolites that kill the nematode Radopholus similis, a major roundworm pest. This discovery could lead to the development of edible and pest-resistant banana varieties, as well as new pesticides against nematodes.
Researchers discovered that bacterial LPS components directly activate pain sensors, triggering immediate pain and inflammatory responses. This finding reveals a new target for drugs designed to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and meningitis.
The discovery sheds light on how SecA pushes proteins out of the cell through a series of mechanical steps. This understanding is crucial for developing specific antibiotics and optimizing biotechnological production of human biopharmaceuticals.
A study found a positive correlation between healthy white matter quality and addition and multiplication proficiency in 12-year-olds. The researchers also suggest that this link may explain why some children with dyslexia or dyscalculia struggle with arithmetic problems.
A new study found that queen pheromones in wasps, ants, and some bees have a strikingly similar chemical structure, despite millions of years of evolution. The researchers suggest that these signals evolved from conserved cues used by solitary ancestors.
A study published in Nature Chemical Biology found that a molecular switch in the nerves responsible for detecting pain can 'short-circuit', intensifying pain. This alternative pathway activates the pain nerves, increasing the sensation of pain.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed a new protein fusion that combines HIV and MLV replication proteins to create a safer viral vector for gene therapy. This fusion protein reduces the risk of cancer-causing mutations when integrated into human cells, paving the way for more effective treatments for blood diseases.
Researchers at KU Leuven discover a previously unknown ligament in the human knee called the anterolateral ligament (ALL), present in 97% of human knees. The ALL ligament is implicated in pivot shift episodes, a common issue for patients with ACL tears.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed eXtasy software that uses advanced AI to analyze genetic data and identify disease-causing mutations. The breakthrough promises faster and more accurate diagnoses for millions of people with hereditary diseases.
Engineers have created a biological nanopore that acts as a selective door for DNA molecules to enter cells, potentially revolutionizing gene therapy and targeted drug delivery. The nanopore can be controlled to allow specific genetic information in specific cells, opening new possibilities for precision medicine.
Researchers found 145 top websites use hidden scripts to extract user devices' fingerprints, evading cookie restrictions and ignoring Do Not Track headers. The study highlights secret tracking's widespread nature.
A team of forensic experts found no genetic link between the mummified head and three Bourbon descendants of King Henry IV. The analysis ruled out a maternal connection as well, making it highly unlikely that the head belonged to the French king.
Researchers from KU Leuven discovered how a bacterium produces substances that counteract the coffee ring effect at the microscopic level. The findings reveal that adding surfactants to materials can create a more uniform distribution of particles during evaporation.
Researchers discovered that a reward linked to an image can activate the visual cortex in rhesus monkeys, indicating that rewards influence visual processing. The study used fMRI scans and found that dopamine signaling plays a key role in this process.
Research by David Alexander and Cees van Leeuwen reveals that brain activity is not limited to specific areas, but rather follows a wave-like pattern across the entire cortex. This challenges traditional views of brain function and highlights the complex, dynamic nature of brain activity.
A new study finds that mindfulness training significantly reduces depression symptoms in adolescents, with a decrease of 12% compared to control group. After six months, the reduction persists, suggesting that mindfulness protects against the later development of depression-like symptoms.
Researchers have identified two proteins, Sip1 and Unc5b, crucial for interneuron development and migration to the cerebral cortex. Disruption of these proteins can lead to brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia.