Two new planets have been discovered by astronomers, both extremely close to their stars and estimated to be around 3,272 degrees Fahrenheit. The discovery is made possible by the transit method, which detects slight dimming of starlight as planets pass in front of their stars.
Researchers found that increasing leptin production in the hypothalamus helps regulate insulin secretion, keeping blood glucose levels normal. Gene therapy successfully reversed type 2 diabetes in diabetic mice, even after a high-fat diet.
Researchers discovered that viruses can infect cells more efficiently by attaching to different carbohydrates on the cell surface. This finding helps explain how flu and other viruses evade the immune system and may be useful for developing gene therapies for cancer and brain diseases.
A new study by University of Florida researchers links morbid obesity in toddlers to lower IQ scores and cognitive delays. The study found that children with early-onset morbid obesity had an average IQ score of 78, compared to a normal range of 106 for their siblings.
A six-year study at a massive experimental landscape found that wildlife corridors support more plant species, particularly native ones, than isolated areas. The results suggest that corridors are crucial for preserving both wildlife and plant biodiversity.
A University of Florida study reveals that cigarette smoke can turn normal breast cells cancerous by blocking their ability to repair themselves. Cells with damaged DNA may accumulate mutations and lead to tumor formation if they survive long enough to divide.
Scientists from the University of Florida have found that ordinary human brain cells can generate new brain tissue in mice and produce large amounts of new brain cells in culture. This discovery could potentially be used to fight Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other brain disorders.
Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are three times more likely to be bullied than other children, according to a new study. Chronic bullying can exacerbate OCD symptoms, and kids with OCD often face social isolation and loneliness.
A new system, developed by University of Florida engineers, can produce all three essentials - water, electricity, and refrigeration - from a single source. The system, which harnesses the power of gas turbines, achieves this through a heat-operated refrigeration process, making it efficient and compact.
Scientists have discovered evidence of man's environmental impact at an underwater volcano, revealing lead pollution originating from Australia that traveled thousands of miles to the Mediterranean. The study highlights the growing power of using high-precision isotopic measurements as a tracing tool.
Researchers have identified a genetic defect causing some people to feel full despite eating, providing hope for new anti-obesity treatments. The study pinpointed the melanocortin-4 receptor's role in regulating hunger and found potential therapeutic compounds.
Researchers at the University of Florida have successfully tested a new method to detect leukemia cells and believe it can be used to diagnose cancer at the molecular level. The technique uses aptamers, short strands of DNA that can recognize cancerous cells without prior knowledge of molecular changes associated with the disease.
Researchers found that genetic instructions for constructing and positioning human limbs originated from ancient fish ancestors around 100 million years ago. They isolated genes from the spotted catshark and discovered a shared developmental mechanism between median fin development and limb formation.
Researchers used gene therapy to eliminate disabling muscle contractions in a mouse model of the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. The approach corrected myotonia, or muscle hyperexcitability, and eliminated muscle contractions as early as four weeks after injection.
A new University of Florida study suggests that large dinosaurs, such as Sauroposeidon proteles, had body temperatures close to 48 degrees Celsius, comparable to modern-day birds and mammals. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that dinosaurs were cold-blooded reptiles.
Researchers found that cystic fibrosis patients develop unique diabetes due to differences in insulin-producing cell function, rather than pancreas destruction. This discovery may help improve understanding of other forms of diabetes and work towards a cure.
Embryonic stem cells diversify to form various neural structures when cultured on different surfaces, with laminin influencing specific pathways crucial for brain cell generation and survival. Laminin's role in directing stem cells to become specialized neurons sheds light on fundamental mysteries of brain development.
The Florida Shock Anxiety Scale is a new tool developed by University of Florida researchers to identify anxious thoughts and feelings in ICD recipients. The scale evaluates correct underlying anxiety concepts and proved highly reliable, offering a valuable tool for healthcare providers.
Researchers at the University of Florida have found that bone marrow cells can regenerate damaged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which play a crucial role in vision health. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and provide hope for patients with sight-robbing injuries.
A team of astronomers has found nearly 300 new galaxy clusters and groups, including 100 at extreme distances of eight to 10 billion light years. This discovery will allow scientists to study very young galaxies two-thirds of the way back to the Big Bang.
Scientists discover that higher temperatures near the equator speed up metabolism, fueling genetic changes and leading to speciation. This finding helps explain why more living species exist near the equator.
Researchers found that a combination of beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and ACE inhibitors effectively lowers blood pressure in Hispanic patients while reducing their risk of developing diabetes. The study showed a 19% increased risk of diabetes in Hispanic patients but a 15% decreased risk with the verapamil-trandolapril strategy.
Researchers at the University of Florida have successfully restored vision to chickens with a genetic defect causing blindeness. Five out of seven treated chickens displayed near-normal visual behavior and responded to light, offering hope for an eventual vision-restoring therapy for children with inherited childhood blindness.
Scientists used fossil and developmental data to pinpoint the genetic changes that led to whales losing their hind limbs. The gradual shrinkage of hind limbs was caused by slowly accumulated genetic changes, while the actual loss occurred when a drastic change inactivated the Sonic hedgehog gene.
University of Florida scientists develop tiny test tubes that can be easily opened and closed to deliver targeted chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells. By using biodegradable materials and amino-modified nanotubes, the researchers aim to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment while minimizing side effects.
Scientists from the University of Florida's Institute on Aging found that reducing calories by 8% and exercising moderately extended lifespan and improved liver function in rats. This discovery suggests that even slight calorie moderation can have significant effects on health, with potential implications for human aging.
Research found that mothers with prenatal cocaine exposure reported high symptoms of depression and behavioral problems in children. However, these issues were more closely linked to maternal depression than the prenatal exposure itself.
Researchers used neodymium isotopes in tiny fish teeth to date the Drake Passage opening and confirm it was earlier than previously thought, potentially contributing to Antarctica's cooling. The circumpolar current isolated the continent from warm waters, leading to upwelling of cold water and growth of algae that consumed carbon dioxide.
A new study by University of Florida researchers found that bullying among overweight children is linked to lower rates of physical activity and depression. The study suggests that positive support from family and friends can help mitigate the negative effects of bullying on exercise habits.
Scientists used RNA interference to block a mineralocorticoid receptor, which signals the body to absorb sodium and water into the bloodstream. The treatment kept blood pressure from worsening but did not eliminate it, and significantly reduced kidney damage in rats.
TB researchers hope to find novel ways of killing the organism using a protective protein called heme oxygenase 1. The project aims to pinpoint the role of alcoholism in the global epidemic by studying HIV- and tuberculosis-infected patients in India.
A recent study found that many sodas and energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, posing health risks for certain individuals. The FDA recommends a maximum of 65 milligrams per serving, but some energy drinks have up to 141 milligrams, more than double the limit.
Researchers found that a third of patients without signs of reduced blood flow during exercise testing had temporary changes in heart rhythm or restricted blood flow when role-playing stressful situations. This phenomenon may indicate more severe coronary artery disease in these patients.
Researchers replaced a faulty gene responsible for hemophilia with a transposon from fish, preventing profuse bleeding in neonatal mice. The approach holds promise for treating the most common form of hemophilia, affecting nearly 18,000 Americans.
Researchers found that lampreys, long thought to be evolutionary outliers, use the same essential protein to build cartilage as all other vertebrates, including humans. The discovery sheds light on the early origins of vertebrate skeletal development and challenges traditional views on vertebrate evolution.
A new study by UF researchers reveals that children living in the South are up to three times more likely to experience poor health outcomes, including obesity, teen pregnancy, and death. The study attributes these risks to complex social, economic, and public policies in the region.
A University of Florida engineer has designed a tiny, easy-to-manufacture motion sensor with potential applications in personal electronics, medical devices, and athletic monitoring. The sensor measures 3 square millimeters and is extremely sensitive, drawing minimal power.
Researchers at UF identified neural crest cells as the source of sharks' electrical ESP, a previously unknown function. This discovery fortifies the idea that early ancestors may have had the ability to detect electric fields.
UF researchers identified a gene called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) that produces an enzyme creating a protective barrier for cancer cells. Blocking this interaction with protein VEGFR-3 kills malignant cells. The findings open new avenues for improved cancer therapies.
Astronomers have found a small planet with a mass about five times that of Earth, orbiting a small star near the center of the galaxy. The discovery suggests there are many other small planets in habitable zones, where temperatures are moderate enough for liquid water to appear on their surfaces.
A study by UF researchers reveals that diabetic patients' cells have difficulty repairing damaged blood vessels due to low nitric oxide levels. The team found a way to improve the cells' movement and repair ability using nitric oxide, opening up possibilities for new treatments.
Researchers found that growth hormone treatment can worsen or trigger sleep apnea in obese children exposed to colds, potentially leading to death. Doctors are urged to perform sleep studies on these patients before and during treatment to monitor their health.
Astronomers have discovered a planet orbiting a 600-million-year-old star using the Exoplanet Tracker, a faster and cheaper instrument. The new method allows for more efficient search of distant stars, potentially uncovering planets capable of supporting life.
Researchers analyzed data from over 5,000 premature births and found that black baby girls were twice as likely to survive compared to white baby boys. Baby girls also had a significant survival advantage when born weighing less than 1,000 grams.
Researchers found that treated wood continues to leach arsenic into soil and rainwater runoff, posing significant environmental risks. The study's conclusions highlight the need for proper disposal methods for CCA-treated wood to prevent long-term contamination.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that preimplantation genetic diagnosis is highly reliable, but a small margin of error exists due to chromosomal mosaicism. This phenomenon can lead to inaccurate diagnoses, with up to 50% of embryos showing mosaic cells.
Researchers found that periwinkle snails, normally harmless, played a significant role in killing off thousands of acres of salt marsh in the Southeast during intense droughts. The study reveals that extreme climatic events can trigger formation of grazer fronts, leading to habitat die-off in stable ecosystems.
Scientists have discovered that Streptococcus mutans, a decay-causing organism, can survive without the SRP pathway. The bacteria altered to lack SRP components were able to adapt and survive gradual increases in acid resulting from their own metabolism.
Researchers have identified a specific microRNA - miR 196 - playing a protective role in hindlimb development, but not forelimb development, suggesting a fail-safe mechanism to regulate gene expression. This finding may be useful in understanding birth defects and has implications for the regulation of protein expression in limbs.
Researchers introduce molecularly engineered DNA strands into cell cultures to detect biomarkers in complex samples. The technique could help identify cancers at earlier stages and monitor residual cancer after treatment.