Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a new structural feature of living cells that aids in tidying up defective cellular material, implicated in disorders such as Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases. The discovery could lead to new preventive or therapeutic targets for human disease.
Researchers found that weedy rice has evolved a root growth strategy that minimizes below-ground contact with other plants, allowing it to exploit the nutrient-sharing soil environment of rice fields. This 'cheater' root trait enables weedy rice to outcompete cultivated rice for essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered and characterized oxygen-11, the lightest-ever form of oxygen with three neutrons to its eight protons. This discovery opens a new avenue for studying nuclear symmetry by comparing it to its mirror nucleus lithium-11.
A team of researchers found that cilia's most efficient beating occurs at a natural length of 10-12 microns, but surprisingly lacks synchronization. The study provides insight into human cilia and defects leading to diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Pregnant women who use cannabis may slightly increase the risk their unborn child will develop psychosis later in life. The study's findings raise concerns about prenatal exposure to cannabis and its potential long-term effects on brain development.
Researchers discovered how naturally occurring microbes like Rhodopseudomonas palustris use electrons from conductive substances to fix carbon dioxide. The process is connected to the microbe's ability to store and discharge electrons, similar to a rechargeable battery.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis found that involvement in team sports is related to greater hippocampal volume and reduced depression in boys, but not girls. The study suggests that the social interaction and structure provided by team sports may contribute to these benefits.
A team of researchers detected the Zika virus in feces of nonhuman primates in South America, revealing potential reservoirs. The study used a novel method to collect and test fecal samples, overcoming previous limitations in testing for the virus in other bodily fluids.
A biomedical engineer is developing a therapeutic option that would prevent the opiates from crossing the blood-brain barrier, preventing the high abusers seek. The treatment involves generating an anti-opioid antibody that will arrest the drug in circulation and prevent it from getting to the brain.
Researchers tracked a new RNA pesticide in soils and found it degrades through enzymes and microbes, but also attaches to soil particles, slowing breakdown. The extent of this protection varies by soil type.
Researchers are developing a new material that delivers drugs directly to damaged heart tissue, preserving the structural support network and preventing further damage. The gel will slowly release the drugs over four weeks, promoting blood vessel creation and enzyme inhibition.
Researchers at Washington University have developed a new method for precise drug delivery using cavitation dose painting, which combines focused ultrasound with ultrasound therapy to target specific locations in the body. This technique uses passive cavitation imaging to predict where a drug goes and how much is delivered.
New research shows that rapidly dividing cells fuse their mitochondria, increasing oxygen consumption and producing aspartate for cell replication. This process may have implications for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that honey bees produce distinct cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles based on age, which affects their social recognition and interaction with other bees within the colony. This study sheds light on the complex mechanisms of nestmate recognition in social insects.
A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a high-power fuel cell that operates at double the voltage of commercial fuel cells, powering unmanned underwater vehicles, drones, and eventually electric aircraft at significantly lower cost.
New research finds that triclosan exposure increases bacterial survival rates, making it harder for antibiotics to kill bacteria. The study suggests that widespread use of triclosan in consumer products may contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections.
A team of engineers found that certain defects in lead-halide perovskite semiconductors can improve their performance, increasing efficiency and stability. The discoveries could pave the way for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly solar cells and LEDs.
Researchers found a way to reconstruct these indigenous communication networks, showing how they laid the groundwork for Native American political systems. The analysis utilizes sophisticated social network analysis to map social and political connections between dozens of Native American villages.
Researchers have mapped how ancient cereal crops spread from isolated pockets of first cultivation, driven by peasant farmers' needs rather than cultural choices. The study shows that food globalization in prehistory had an equally dramatic impact on food cultivation as the Columbian Exchange.
Conflict with mothers during early years of elementary school may predict a child's struggle to find purpose as an adult. A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that children who reported conflicted relationships with their mothers were more likely to experience a sense of confusion and uncertainty about their life path.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a process that may prevent antibody-mediated rejection in lung transplants. They found that giving immunosuppressive drugs can help the lungs survive and induce growth of lymph node-like structures within the grafts, which contain cells that dampen immune responses.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a novel membrane technology that purifies water while preventing biofouling using bacterial nanocellulose and reduced graphene oxide. The new membrane can filter water twice as fast as commercially available ultrafiltration membranes and is environmentally friendly.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has made a significant step towards precision medicine for patients with Long QT Syndrome Type 3, a life-threatening form of irregular heartbeat. By analyzing genetic variation and the nanoscale interaction of a commonly used drug treatment, they determined which patients woul...
Researchers have developed a new method to study the flu virus, allowing them to visualize individual proteins and understand how they contribute to the virus's success. The study suggests that variations in protein composition may be beneficial for the virus, enabling it to spread infection more effectively.
The burden of chronic kidney disease is increasing substantially over the past 15 years in all 50 US states, with rates accelerating faster than other noninfectious diseases. The condition is particularly concerning for younger adults, who are experiencing a significant increase in deaths due to kidney disease.
A major US study has found that probiotics have no effect on symptoms in young children with gastroenteritis. The study, involving nearly 1,000 children ages 3 months to 4 years, provides evidence against the popular use of probiotics as a treatment for acute gastroenteritis.
Researchers have discovered a universal power law describing black carbon's light absorption, which could help climate scientists build more accurate models. The findings suggest that warming due to black carbon may have been underestimated by current climate models.
Researchers mapped the regions of the brain in electric fish, finding that the cerebellum is bigger than expected and associated with their use of weak electric discharges. The study challenges the idea that big brains always mean big cerebellums, suggesting alternative explanations for brain evolution
A new photoacoustic imaging technique may help diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage, improving survival rates. The technology uses transvaginal ultrasound and co-registered photoacoustic tomography to reveal information about tumor angiogenesis and blood oxygen saturation.
A new seismic study reveals that subduction zones drag about three times more water down into the deep Earth than previously estimated. The observations from the Mariana Trench have important implications for the global water cycle, suggesting that much of the Earth's water is being recycled through volcanic activity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends light physical activity and allows electronic device use during concussion recovery. Young athletes should stop playing immediately after a suspected concussion but can engage in brisk walking and academic workloads with reduced intensity.
A review explores the complexity of evolution's predictability, revealing a mix of contingency and determinism in evolutionary change. The study analyzed various empirical studies to characterize repeatability and contingency in evolution, finding that there is no easy answer to whether history affects the repeatability of evolution.
Scientists have discovered three distinct growth modes in lithium metal anodes: whiskers, surface growth, and dendrites. These growths are influenced by competing reactions between the electrolyte and metal deposits. The study's findings suggest that controlling these growth modes is crucial for building reliable batteries.
A survey found that many white Americans assume immigrants from certain countries are 'illegal' due to stereotypes and lack of documentation, leading to discriminatory treatment. The study highlights the impact of social perceptions on immigrant standing in American society, revealing a new source of ethnic-based inequalities.
A multicenter study involving over 2,400 first-time pregnant women found that delaying pushing during labor increases the risk of severe postpartum bleeding, infections, and sepsis. In contrast, immediate pushing is associated with lower rates of infection and excessive bleeding.
Researchers recommend creating simple formats with limited answer options to enhance learning and recall. The study also advises engaging 'real-world' cognitive processes in test questions and avoiding 'none of the above' and 'all of the above' answer choices.
A team of scientists, led by Dr. Shen, is working on developing a two-photon controlled-phase logic gate, an essential building block for optical quantum information. The team aims to overcome the difficulty in manipulating photons and create a fundamental component for photonic quantum computation.
Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered the activation energy and kinetic factors of calcium carbonate's nucleation, key to predicting and controlling the process. This research can help create nanomaterials, control nanoparticle properties, and aid in designing larger-scale engineering processes.
A recent study suggests that researchers may be overlooking intricate social relationships among chimpanzees and macaques. The study found that existing dominance-based methods are too simplistic to capture the complex dynamics of these primates' social interactions.
A new study confirms that three viable explanations exist for detection dogs collecting non-target scat, including natural behaviors of non-target species altering the genetic profile of target scat. This finding has important implications for conservation projects using scat-detection dogs to track animal populations.
A team of researchers successfully recorded environmental data using a wireless photonic sensor resonator with a whispering-gallery-mode architecture, mapping temperature distribution on a drone and recording real-time air temperature data. The findings demonstrate the potential applications of miniature sensors in IoT.
A novel technique developed by Hong Chen uses focused ultrasound to target drug delivery to the brainstem, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This approach has shown promise in treating diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), a childhood brain cancer with a five-year survival rate of less than three percent.
Organic matter sulfurization can occur on the timescale of just hours to days, according to new research published in Nature Communications. This process may have sizable implications for understanding the past and future of the Earth's climate.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis create 'blink' method to image amyloids, allowing for non-invasive visualization of these problematic proteins. The technique uses temporary fluorescence, causing amyloids to flash and enabling researchers to better understand their structure and behavior.
Research reveals that ancient herders' livestock dung created fertile environmental niches for diverse wildlife over three millennia. Fertile sites attracted wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and carnivores, influencing migration patterns.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have created an algorithm to reveal connections between cells over time, potentially impacting circadian rhythms. The approach, called ICON, shows the strength of these connections, which could lead to a better understanding of brain disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
A study by Washington University researchers found that community outreach and educational support led to a higher enrollment rate in ACA plans among Missourians in 2018. The initiative also developed an online decision support tool, Show Me Health Plans, which reported higher health insurance knowledge and confidence among users.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis engineer bacteria to produce biosynthetic spider silk with improved tensile strength and toughness, exceeding previous records. The new silk's molecular weight positively correlates with its strength, suggesting potential for further increases.
A multicenter study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that inducing labor in healthy first-time mothers at 39 weeks reduced cesarean sections compared to waiting for labor naturally. Infants born to induced mothers did not experience more stillbirths or newborn deaths.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis reveals that the Earth shifted its volatile transport regime around 2.5 billion years ago, with a significant increase in regassing potentially enabled by subduction. This change had a profound impact on the internal churning of the mantle and plate motions at the surface.