Articles tagged with Iron
A Purdue University archaeologist has uncovered an ancient iron ore mine in South America, showcasing the importance of hematite to ancient Andean civilizations. The discovery provides valuable information on the Nasca people's use of minerals for ceramic paints and other purposes.
A recent study found that multiple micronutrient supplementation reduced early infant mortality by 18% compared to iron and folic acid alone. The effect was greater in undernourished and anaemic women, with reductions of 25% and 38%, respectively.
Researchers found that a drug originally used to treat iron poisoning triggered the growth of new blood vessels, leading to significant increases in bone density and regeneration. The treatment has broad implications for improving treatment of bone fractures and musculoskeletal disorders.
Researchers from EMBL discovered that proteins regulating iron metabolism play a vital role in ensuring nutrient and water absorption in the intestine. The study found that mice lacking these proteins suffer from weight loss, dehydration, and impaired nutrient absorption.
Researchers aim to develop an instrument that can reveal crucial data about the nature and origin of cosmic rays. Cerenkov radiation, emitted when particles travel faster than light through the atmosphere, holds key to understanding these enigmatic particles.
A team led by Mary Lou Guerinot aims to create rice varieties with enhanced iron and zinc levels, addressing global nutritional deficiencies. The project will analyze over 1,800 rice varieties and identify genes responsible for nutrient uptake and storage.
A novel way to remove iron from ferritin has been discovered by scientists, which could lead to the development of new medications for patients with blood diseases. The study found that a small protein or heptapeptide can bind to ferritin and accelerate its iron removal rate.
A new study has found a strong association between iron deficiency and idiopathic cough in women. Italian researchers evaluated 16 healthy, non-smoking women who suffered from chronic cough and were iron deficient, finding that these symptoms were strongly linked to extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness.
Scientists at MIT have identified a critical blood protein called HRI that plays a pivotal role in the body's iron recycling process. This discovery holds promise for developing new treatments for conditions like beta-thalassemia and erythropoietic protoporphyria.
Researchers will gather to share scientific observations and discuss issues involved in altering the ocean's chemistry. The conference aims to inform policymakers, industrial interests, and environmentalists about the potential efficacy and consequences of iron fertilization.
Researchers at ESRF and CNRS used chemical nano-imaging to visualize iron distribution in dopaminergic neurons. They found that iron is stored within dopamine vesicles, which helps explain the molecular mechanisms involved in Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have located the spin transition zone of iron in Earth's lower mantle, a discovery that could improve our understanding of the planet's structure, composition, and dynamics. The study used advanced techniques to probe the electronic spin state of iron under high pressure-temperature conditions.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that overweight toddlers are at a higher risk of iron deficiency due to exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months without supplementation, early introduction of milk, and excessive cow's milk consumption. The study also highlights the importance of preventing iron deficiency in ear...
Researchers identified GDF15 protein as a key player in iron overload in thalassemia, leading to increased dietary iron absorption and organ damage. The study's findings have implications for therapies and treatment strategies for thalassemia patients.
Researchers have created 'pro-chelators' that can selectively bind to potentially destructive forms of iron in the brain, reducing oxidative stress and cell damage associated with these diseases. The iron-binding agents are designed to target only harmful iron species, allowing benign forms to carry out vital functions.
Twenty-two researchers honored for developing new antipsychotic medication, cost-effective polyester production process, iron-overload treatment, corn-based products, and innovative packaging solutions. The ACS awards recognize industrial chemists whose work has led to significant improvements in human welfare and progress.
Iron deficiency affects an estimated 2 billion people, leading to poor pregnancy outcomes, impaired school performance, and decreased productivity. Genetic engineering can increase iron content in staple crops like rice and improve bioavailability by introducing genes that break down phytate.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have found that copper absorption increases when iron levels decrease, suggesting a crucial role for copper in maintaining iron homeostasis. The study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this relationship and its implications for human health.
A four-year study investigates how dietary iron is used by cells, addressing endemic iron deficiency affecting 80% of the world's population. The researchers aim to understand cellular iron metabolism, a key process impacted in various human diseases.
Researchers at UCSD have identified the relationship between hepcidin and a pair of proteins that monitor hormone levels, potentially leading to new treatments for anemia. The discovery reveals how HIF regulates hepcidin in response to low iron and oxygen levels.
Researchers at Institut Gustave Roussy found that a combination of radiation and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome HIF-1–dependent tumor radioresistance in mice. This breakthrough suggests a new approach to treating cancer by shifting tumor resistance towards apoptosis, according to the study published online on June 7.
Researchers found that fortification of staple cereal flours with high-dose NaFeEDTA significantly reduces anaemia and iron-deficiency in children. The supplement improved three major iron status indicators, including haemoglobin and plasma ferritin concentrations. In contrast, electrolytic iron had little effect on these indicators.
Researchers have developed an approach using dense arrays of aligned nanotubes as a thin-film semiconductor material for integration into electronic devices. The arrays can be transferred to unusual substrates and enhance the performance of conventional silicon-based chip technology.
A new study has developed an antimicrobial approach using gallium to defeat drug-resistant bacteria. The researchers interfered with a key bacterial nutrient, killing microbes in laboratory experiments and eliminating life-threatening infections in mice.
A team at the University of Cincinnati discovered a new way to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by substituting gallium for iron, preventing bacterial growth and biofilm formation. This method shows promise in treating lung infections, particularly in cystic fibrosis patients.
A recent study published in JAMA found that reducing body iron stores through phlebotomy in patients with peripheral artery disease did not significantly decrease the risk of death or nonfatal cardiovascular events. However, younger patients and those without diabetes showed apparent improvement with iron reduction.
Scientists have found that nifedipine, commonly used for high blood pressure, can reverse iron overload in mouse models and may treat similar conditions in humans. The compound helps mobilize iron from stores in the liver and enhances its excretion into the urine.
Researchers discovered that New World arenaviruses enter cells through the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), a well-known protein involved in iron uptake. Inhibiting this receptor may help reduce infection severity and develop a treatment strategy.
Scientists analyzed ancient rocks from Hudson Bay in Quebec to confirm that high concentrations of greenhouse gases could have sustained surface temperatures above freezing 3.75 billion years ago. The study suggests that carbon dioxide played a crucial role as the Earth's 'thermostat' to support life on the planet.
Researchers created a compound that can switch between magnetic states upon light exposure, enabling binary information storage on an atomic scale. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-small data storage devices for future computers.
A team of astronomers has solved the long-standing mystery of Kepler's supernova remnant using Chandra's latest image, revealing it as a Type Ia supernova. The discovery sheds light on how stars can end catastrophically and expands our understanding of the universe.
Researchers at UC Berkeley used shotgun sequencing to identify new microbes living in mine slime, including three previously unknown Archaea that are the smallest organisms ever found. These nanoorganisms have the potential to thrive on other planets, such as Mars.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have solved the structure of the iron regulatory protein-RNA complex, which regulates iron transport and storage in cells. The complex has two forms with distinct functions, and its unique arrangement allows it to bind RNA with high affinity.
A long-term study of Costa Rican children found that iron deficiency in infancy was linked to lower cognitive test scores at age 19. The gap in cognitive scores between iron-deficient and non-iron deficient teens widened to 25 points by age 19, with a wider disparity in lower socioeconomic levels.
A Dartmouth study found that iron is stored in the developing vascular system of plant seeds, particularly in the vacuole, a central storage site. The researchers' discovery suggests that targeting iron storage in the vacuole could increase the iron content of seeds, benefiting both human health and agricultural productivity.
Researchers discovered how and where plant seeds store iron, a valuable finding to address global iron deficiency and malnutrition. Iron is stored in the vacuole of Arabidopsis seeds, with protein VIT1 playing a key role in its localization.
Researchers discover that iron exposure causes a distinct metallic smell in humans, linked to skin oil and blood decomposition. The key compound responsible for this 'metallic' odor is identified as 1-octen-2-one, produced when oils on skin are oxidized by certain enzymes.
A research team led by Virginia Tech professor Andrea Dietrich aims to identify the cause of metallic flavors in chemotherapy patients and develop preventive methods. The study will also explore the role of antioxidants and investigate the relationship between metal ions and health outcomes.
Researchers discover that bacteria prefer larger nanoparticles to smaller ones for efficient metal reduction. The study reveals a 10-fold difference in bioreduction rates among particles of similar shape but different sizes, with larger particles being reduced faster than smaller ones.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new, eco-friendly way to produce iron by molten oxide electrolysis (MOE), which eliminates greenhouse gases and generates only oxygen. The process has the potential to increase iron productivities up to 10 times that of aluminum production.
A recent study confirms that asteroids can be the source of Earth's meteorites due to space weathering. The process of high-energy ion bombardment and particle vaporization changes an asteroid's optical properties, making them similar to common meteorite samples.
Researchers have developed a new sunscreen ingredient that repairs sunburned skin and prevents skin cancer. The ingredient releases an active chelator that mops up free iron released when the skin burns, reducing inflammation and pain.
Scientists determined that nitrogen is the primary element missing for algae growth in the northern tropical Pacific, while iron was lacking everywhere else. The 'iron-effect' decreases carbon ocean plant photosynthesis estimates by two billion tons, allowing for more accurate carbon movement modeling and resource management.
A new study found that large segments of the Pacific Ocean lack sufficient iron to trigger healthy phytoplankton growth, leading to overestimated ocean productivity. The researchers estimate a 2-4% reduction in global ocean carbon uptake due to this oversight.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding plant metal uptake, distribution, and regulation. The discovery of new IRT1 alleles enables plants to take up iron while resisting cadmium contamination. This could lead to increased crop yields, improved human nutrition, and reduced disease susceptibility.
A recent study discovered the PLA2G6 gene, linked to neuroaxonal dystrophies, may shed light on nerve cell degeneration in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The discovery has implications for understanding brain iron accumulation and potential treatments.
A study published in The Lancet found that delaying umbilical cord clamping for two minutes at birth significantly increases a child's iron status, particularly among those with low birth weights or iron-deficient mothers. This efficient and low-cost method can help prevent iron deficiency before 6 months of age.
Chemists have synthesized a new species of iron, designated as iron VI, which has two valence electrons and is highly reactive. This discovery adds to our understanding of fundamental iron chemistry and its catalytic properties, potentially leading to novel compounds for industry and biomedicine.
A recent study by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute found that pregnant women who are not anemic should take iron supplements weekly, rather than daily. This approach reduces the risk of iron overload and birth complications, while still providing benefits for iron supplementation.
Researchers have discovered a new property of the very deep Earth, which challenges the prevailing thought that ultralow velocity zones contain liquid. The study found that iron-rich post-perosvkite can explain these zones' properties, suggesting an alternative explanation to partial melting.
A recent study by MIT chemist Catherine L. Drennan has discovered the simple secret behind how organisms create self-medications like antibiotics and anti-tumor agents. The enzyme SyrB2, which uses a smaller amino acid to bind halides, reveals an elegant simplicity in its mechanism.
Deferasirox proved equally as effective as deferoxamine in reducing iron overload levels in patients with beta-thalassemia. The new drug was well-tolerated, with common side effects including skin rash and gastrointestinal issues.
Research papers in Geophysical Research Letters and Paleoceanography reveal the connection between terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and intracloud lightning, as well as the potential of dinoflagellate microfossils to document past climate changes. The findings suggest that these marine organisms can provide valuable information on ocean c...
A study found that teenage mothers with iron deficiency during pregnancy had children who were less active and responded slower to their environment. The researchers suggest that a mother's nutritional status in pregnancy affects the behavior and personality of the child.
A new MRI study found a nearly perfect correlation between iron levels in brain regions and those reported by past post-mortem studies. The study suggests that age-related brain iron accumulation is a modifiable risk factor for degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered four genes in tuberculosis bacteria that enable it to capture iron from the environment, a crucial step in its survival. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs by targeting these genes.
Research suggests that iron and folic acid supplementation may not benefit all children, particularly those without iron deficiency. However, it may still be beneficial for young children in low-malaria transmission areas due to its role in motor and cognitive development.
Ferriprox has been shown to provide significantly better cardio-protection compared to deferoxamine, reducing heart iron concentrations and improving cardiac function in thalassemia patients. The study findings suggest that Ferriprox's small structure provides a greater potential to chelate intracellular iron in the heart.
Researchers found that artemisinin reduced breast tumors by 39% and inhibited tumor growth. The study suggests artemisinin's anti-malarial properties may also target cancer cells due to their high iron uptake.
Research reveals that mice lacking SMAD4 gene in the liver exhibit dramatic iron accumulation, similar to human hemochromatosis. The liver plays a central role in iron regulation, and boosting TGF-ß signaling pathway holds promise for treatment.