Cocaine users exhibit hyperactivation in the ventral striatum, a region critical for reward processing, and display anomalous activation profiles in the prefrontal cortex. Structural differences, including hypertrophy of key brain regions, contribute to the development of compulsive behaviors and difficulties in controlling impulses.
Bacteria use specific mechanisms to avoid toxic substances like antibiotics during colonization, driven by the action of flagella and chemoreceptors. The discovery reveals a crucial molecular balance between RecA and CheW proteins that enables bacteria to stop swarming movement in areas with high antibiotic concentrations.
Researchers discovered a new cellular pathway where activation of TRIB3 gene causes tumour cell death by autophagy. The drug enhances anti-tumour effect of standard chemotherapies with low toxicity and high tolerability.
UAB researchers have identified a protein called IL-37 that suppresses the inflammatory response after spinal cord injuries, minimizing tissue degeneration and functional disabilities. This discovery opens the door to a new treatment for acute spinal cord injuries, which currently has no effective treatment available.
The study found a positive correlation between genetic recombination and adaptation rate, with a threshold recombination value of 2 cM/Mb indicating optimal genomic adaptation. This suggests that recombination facilitates adaptation and that linkage cost disappears beyond this threshold.
Researchers developed a vaccine effective in protecting dromedaries against MERS-CoV, reducing nasal excretion and transmission. Vaccination may also protect humans at high risk of infection, but further studies are needed to determine duration of protection.
Researchers discovered that astrocytes are repelled by amyloid plaques, contrary to previous assumptions. This finding suggests that modifying astrocyte function rather than changing position may be a key response to plaque formation.
Researchers developed a novel isothermal amplification method using gold nanoparticles and magnetic microbeads to detect DNA sequences characteristic of Leishmania infantum kinetoplast. The approach exhibits good reproducibility and sensitivity, outperforming other point-of-care tests.
Researchers have successfully integrated flexoelectric materials into silicon technology, paving the way for more energy-efficient and sustainable electronics. The development could provide an alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials, which pose toxicity concerns.
Scientists have identified a new bacterium, Dehalogenimonas, that can transform toxic organochlorine compounds into harmless products. The discovery opens the door to bioaugmentation, a low-cost technique for eliminating contaminants from contaminated aquifers.
Researchers proposed a multilaminar model explaining chromatin's three-dimensional structure, contradicting previous loop-based models. The model suggests stacked thin layers of chromatin form chromosomes, justifying their elongated cylindrical shape and mechanical properties.
Researchers developed a selective synthesis method using an enzyme from E. coli, assembling simple molecules to form complex carbohydrates with few steps and no waste, replicating prebiotic conditions. The process has great potential in chemistry for obtaining natural molecules and active ingredients.
UAB researchers discovered a triple mechanism that stops chromosome separation in response to DNA injuries, preventing cancerous transformation. The three control pathways, mediated by genes Wee1, Pds1/securina and Rad53/Chk2, must be eliminated simultaneously for damaged chromosomes to be segregated.
Researchers investigated ocean temperature changes over centuries using climate models and fossil records. They found that volcanic eruptions caused progressive cooling until the Industrial Revolution, which marked a shift towards global warming. Understanding past climate patterns can provide insights into future climate changes.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have successfully created a magnetic wormhole connecting two regions of space. This breakthrough technology could lead to more comfortable MRI scans and new medical applications.
Researchers have developed a novel approach using liposomes to prevent the onset of Type 1 Diabetes in mice, offering a promising candidate for human vaccination. The technique avoids damaging insulin-producing pancreatic cells and induces immunological tolerance, providing a potential solution for this incurable disease.
Researchers have created a nanothermometer capable of measuring temperature fluctuations in cells, achieving unprecedented precision. By combining thermodynamic tools with quantum metrology, they established the smallest possible fluctuation in temperature that can be measured.
Researchers developed a new computational method called AGGRESCAN3D to study protein aggregation in 3D. The algorithm surpasses limitations of previous methods and offers improved precision in predicting protein aggregation properties.
Researchers identified a protein called ATM that regulates DNA repair during sperm production, preventing genetic errors that can cause infertility. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms controlling gamete formation and has implications for understanding human fertility.
Scientists discovered that surface oxidation significantly impacts thermal conductivity in silicon nanostructures, allowing for a huge reduction of heat conduction. Removing native oxide improves thermal conductivity, while successive re-oxidation lowers it again.
A new study reveals cannabis consumers have a less active hippocampus and are more susceptible to false memories. Chronic use of cannabis can accentuate age-related memory problems.
Researchers at UAB have created an artificial virus that can self-assemble, surround DNA fragments, and reach the nucleus of cells without biological risk. This innovation provides a promising alternative to traditional viruses in gene therapy, enabling the efficient delivery of therapeutic DNA and drugs directly to target cells.
A new study calculates the magnitude of submarine groundwater discharge into the Mediterranean Sea, revealing it can add as much nutrients as rivers. The annual volume of SGD ranges from 30 to 500 billion cubic meters, with a median nutrient flux comparable to atmospheric deposition and riverine runoff.
The EJOLT project has re-launched the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice with a new platform that integrates geo-spatial data to present conflicts in context. The updated website expands its coverage, featuring almost 1400 cases of environmental conflicts across all continents.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a technology to recover energy from wastewater using MEC, producing hydrogen with high efficiency and low voltage. The system demonstrated excellent results in hydrogen production and energy recovery, opening up potential for industrial-scale development.
Researchers develop new method to measure glass viscosity in just minutes, challenging current theories on glass formation. The discovery has practical implications for pharmaceuticals and OLED devices, offering greater thermal stability and longevity.
A recent study published in Nature found that carbon stored in an isolated reservoir deep in the Southern Ocean re-connected with the atmosphere, driving a rise in atmospheric CO2 and global temperatures. This process is crucial in understanding how the ocean affects the carbon cycle and climate change.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona analyzed the use of information and communication technologies among secondary school students, revealing links between school failure and an elevated use of computers at home. The study also found correlations between intensive ICTS use and substance consumption.
A study of 600 teenage boys found that up to 28% were inaccurate in estimating their weight status. The majority had a normal weight, but some underestimating or overestimating, leading to unhealthy behaviors like dieting and skipping meals.
Researchers have sequenced an ancient Iberian pig genome from the 16th century, finding it closely related to today's Iberian pig breed. The study suggests no significant changes in the genome over the past five centuries.
Researchers have successfully reproduced morphological changes in mice teeth that occurred over millions of years, mirroring those found in fossil records. The study used genetic modifications to induce changes in tooth development, providing insight into the mechanisms driving evolutionary transitions.
Researchers Neus Isern and Joaquim Fort developed a model to estimate the impact of language substitution and predict the speed of language expansion. Their study applies this tool to languages such as Welsh, Quechua, and Scottish Gaelic, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
The magnetic hose, made of a ferromagnetic cylinder covered by a superconductor material, efficiently transports magnetic fields. The device has potential applications in quantum computing, enabling individual control over quantum systems.
The Mediterranean Sea's iconic ecosystems, such as sea grass meadows and coral reefs, are facing rapid decline due to acidification and warming. Research suggests that human society worldwide must reduce fossil fuel emissions to save these ecosystems from extinction.
The study provides a new framework to interpret previous research on European Neolithic populations, suggesting that the expansion took place through pioneer seafaring colonization. Genetic affinities between the mitochondrial DNA of first Neolithic farmers and those of Catalan and German farmers support this hypothesis.
A study reveals that bottom trawling causes intensive biological desertification of sedimentary seabed ecosystems, leading to a 50% decrease in meiofauna abundance and 25% decline in nematode species. The practice also depletes organic matter and carbon content, threatening ecosystem functioning.
Using lead ammunition in shooting sports poses a significant environmental risk, with thousands of tonnes of lead released annually. Replacing it with steel-based ammunition could mitigate this issue and reduce the impact on wildlife.
Researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have achieved a groundbreaking quantum entanglement with a minimum of 103 dimensions using only two particles. This breakthrough enables the creation of highly complex states that can facilitate experimental development of quantum computers and enhance cryptography security.
A study by Pere Ortín Ángel and Ferran Vendrell Herrero found that university spin-offs exhibit higher dynamic capacities, leading to increased long-term productivity. Academic entrepreneurs' learning capacity is a key factor contributing to this advantage.
Researchers found that up to 1,750 euros in income has a positive correlation with happiness, but after this amount, the co-relation becomes negative. Maintaining work stability and reducing working hours can have a positive impact on wellbeing.
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.
Chromosomes' characteristic shape is explained by self-organizing supramolecular structures formed by stacked layers of chromatin. The symmetry breaking due to different surface energies in telomeres and lateral surfaces justifies the elongated structure.
Scientists have reproduced antiferromagnetic coupling between layers in nanoscopic materials, allowing for easy adjustment of properties without shape or composition manipulation. This discovery paves the way for miniaturization of magnetic storage and applications.
Researchers have developed a method to drastically reduce the dose of Amphotericin B used to treat leishmaniasis, a disease affecting over 12 million people worldwide. The new approach improves efficacy by 83%, reduces toxicity, and significantly shortens treatment duration.
Researchers at UAB designed an antibody fragment that cleared Aβ peptide oligomers from the cerebral cortex, reversing anxiety and learning memory deficits in mice. The treatment also improved apolipoprotein levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that Neanderthals used toothpicks to alleviate periodontal disease pain, revealing a unique example of ancient palliative medicine. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed toothpicking marks on a Neanderthal fossil and found evidence of maxillary porosity, characteristic of the disease.
Researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that over half of the European population exhibits heteroplasmy, a condition where multiple types of mitochondrial DNA coexist. The study sheds light on mutation patterns and selection forces acting on mitochondrial DNA in mammals.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique detect deviations in B meson decay consistent with New Physics predictions. The findings suggest the existence of a new particle, Zprima, which could explain dark matter and gravitational interactions.
A new gene therapy treatment has been developed to cure Sanfilippo Syndrome type A in animal models by introducing the sulfamidase enzyme into cells, eliminating glycosaminoglican accumulation and associated neuroinflammation. The treatment has shown promising results in mice and dogs, with improved behavior and life expectancy.
Researchers link climate changes to bursts of technological innovation and population growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The study suggests that sudden climate shifts led to the emergence of modern human culture, symbol expression, and agriculture.