Articles tagged with Iron
A new study found that nutritionally enhanced rice can significantly increase total body iron levels in women. The research, led by the International Rice Research Institute, demonstrates the potential of biofortification to combat micronutrient malnutrition.
A Dartmouth study suggests that microbes interacting with iron oxides in landfills contribute to arsenic levels in drinking water. The researchers analyzed data from the Coakley Landfill and found a correlation between organic waste degradation and increased arsenic concentrations.
A nine-month study found that consuming biofortified, iron-rich rice improved the iron status of women, increasing it by 20% compared to traditional rice. Non-anemic women with low body iron reserves and those who consumed more rice showed the greatest improvements.
Researchers at Queen's University have identified a protein that enables E. coli 0157:H7 to obtain iron, a catalyst for bacterial growth. This breakthrough discovery opens the door for studying heme iron and potentially developing therapeutics to isolate and inhibit the protein.
A new study reveals a strong association between prolonged bottle-feeding and iron deficiency among Mexican-American infants, affecting up to 17% of this population. The longer children were bottle-fed, the higher their risk of iron deficiency, with 36.8% of Mexican American children still bottle-fed at 24-48 months.
A new study finds that heme regulates ferritin gene expression, controlling both iron and antioxidant metabolism. This discovery could lead to treatments for various chronic illnesses.
Researchers discover DMT1 protein shields lung cells from toxic particles, including vanadium, by regulating iron transport. The finding offers new insights into lung protection and potential therapeutic applications.
A team of international researchers analyzed the sulphur and iron composition in the wooden timbers of the Mary Rose, an English warship wrecked in 1545. They found high concentrations of organo-sulphur compounds in the lignin-rich areas between the cells, which may have helped preserve the ship while it was submerged in seawater.
Researchers at VCU are developing magnetic nanoparticles that can combine detection and treatment in a single process, promising new hope for breast cancer treatment. The nanoparticles use magnetodynamic therapy to kill tumor cells with minimal damage to healthy cells.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a new screening test, CHr, to detect iron deficiency in infants. The test identified 83% of iron-deficient infants correctly, compared to only 26% with the standard hemoglobin test.
Researchers propose a new magnetic herding technique that manipulates colloidal objects using magnetism, offering flexibility and convenience over existing methods. The technique has potential applications in biosensors, medical diagnostic devices, and microelectronic components.
A new study found that anal cancer precursors are common among HIV-negative, sexually active men who have sex with men, regardless of age. The study also identified risk factors for these precancerous lesions, including HPV infection and having multiple male sex partners.
A recent study found that nearly 40% of research participants expressed concerns about genetic discrimination affecting their insurance coverage. Concerns were higher among certain age groups, ethnicities, and income levels, with some participants expressing fear of being discriminated against due to a genetic predisposition.
Researchers have identified ferroportin 1 as essential for normal iron cycling in zebrafish. This discovery sheds light on the importance of ferroportin 1 in maintaining iron homeostasis in humans. Understanding its function is crucial for developing effective treatments for iron-related disorders.
A study of gene expression in a microbial community found over 2,000 proteins produced by five key species, including unique enzymes that maintain protein structure in acidic conditions. The community thrives in hot, highly acidic environments, with large numbers of proteins not resembling any other known proteins.
Researchers discovered highest blood iron levels among Asians and Pacific Islanders, yet lowest prevalence of associated HFE gene mutations. The study recruited over 100,000 participants to better understand hemochromatosis prevalence in diverse ethnic groups.
A massive study of 100,000 individuals found that Caucasians have the highest prevalence of hemochromatosis/iron overload due to a specific gene mutation. In contrast, Asian and Pacific Islanders have high blood iron levels despite lower genetic mutations, suggesting a different underlying cause.
A study of 11,800 adults found that genetic screening for haemochromatosis was well-received by participants, with low anxiety levels and no discrimination from insurance companies. The authors argue that the benefits of screening outweigh the risks, making it a cost-effective option for preventing iron accumulation.
Researchers discovered two most chemically primitive stars, HE0107-5240 and HE1327-2326, offering insights into the universe's early stages. These unevolved dwarf stars have iron contents significantly lower than previously known stars, providing a glimpse into the elements produced during supernova explosions.
Research reveals that nitrite is a potent inhibitor of ischemia/reperfusion injury in the liver and heart, limiting cell death and preserving organ function. Additionally, adipocyte-derived collagen VI promotes early tumor growth in breast cancer, while EBV proteins drive immune responses in multiple sclerosis.
A study conducted in South Africa found that mild iron deficiency in mothers can disrupt healthy mother/infant interactions. The research showed that mildly iron-deficient mothers were less sensitive to their baby's cues and appeared bored or distant more frequently, leading to changes in child behavior.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School found that ferroportin is the major iron exporter in key sites of absorption and release. This protein's loss of control may lead to excessive iron accumulation in tissues, causing hereditary disease hemochromatosis.
Researchers investigate iron's impact on phytoplankton growth in the sub-Arctic Pacific, a crucial nutrient for ocean life. The findings could inform strategies to mitigate global warming by addressing the ocean's ecological dynamics.
Researchers found that air pollution can convert insoluble iron into a soluble form, making it available to phytoplankton. This process is important for ocean fertility and carbon dioxide absorption, with small dust storms producing enough soluble iron to fertilize the ocean.
A new study has created a cancer-killing compound that selectively targets leukemia cells, while sparing normal cells. The compound, derived from the wormwood plant, works by exploiting the unique iron needs of cancer cells.
Sprinkles, a powder containing microencapsulated iron and micronutrients, has been found to be as effective as ferrous sulphate in treating anemia in children. The treatment has been shown to have fewer side effects and is more acceptable to caregivers. Sprinkles have been distributed to over 15,000 children in developing countries, re...
A new study by OHSU researchers suggests that two types of iron nanoparticles can effectively degrade carbon tetrachloride, a toxic contaminant in groundwater. The study found that one type of nanoparticle quickly and effectively broke down carbon tetrachloride into harmless products.
A Mayo Clinic study found that children with restless legs syndrome have a higher risk of family history and iron deficiency, which may be linked to the condition. The study examined 538 children and found that 72% had a family history of restless legs syndrome, with mothers being three times more likely to be affected.
A study suggests that nutrient declines in garden crops have increased over the past 50 years, with notable decreases in protein, calcium, and riboflavin. The researchers attribute these declines to changes in cultivated varieties used today, which prioritize higher yields over nutrient content.
Scientists at UCLA and Univ. of Utah have discovered that the hormone hepcidin regulates ferroportin, an iron-transporting molecule, controlling iron release in the bloodstream. This finding may lead to treatments for hemochromatosis and anemia of chronic disease, affecting millions worldwide.
A new study reveals that iron deficiency in the brain's substantia nigra region may contribute to restless legs syndrome. Elevated levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were found in individuals with RLS, suggesting a link between cellular iron deficiency and dopamine regulation.
Research by FSU scientist Cathy Levenson reveals that dietary iron imbalances trigger a chain of cellular events increasing the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Excessive iron levels precipitate symptoms in healthy mice, while low levels delay onset and slow disease progression in those already infected.
Researchers found a 10% higher concentration of iron in lava samples from Hawaii compared to other volcanic regions, providing new insights into the Earth's mantle. The discovery could help scientists study the iron-rich core below the mantle using this method.
A study by Dr. Namanjeet Ahluwalia found that iron deficiency in older women can impair immune function, affecting T-cell and granulocyte responses to infection. The study included 72 healthy women over 60 living in rural Pennsylvania counties.
Researchers at Penn State are part of a multi-institutional project studying restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition characterized by creepy-crawly sensations in the legs. The study aims to explore treatment options and causes of RLS, including iron deficiency and FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.
Preschoolers' diets have improved with increased servings of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, but also saw a rise in added sugar and juice intake over the past 21 years. Children with healthier diets are less likely to be sick or overweight.
Research reveals high charges in cloud drops may influence precipitation and study suggests Arctic clouds' structure affects global warming. A new model also proposes ancient snowfall as a source of water for Mars' channels near Tharsis.
Computer models show Io's volcanic eruptions vaporize sodium, potassium, silicon, and iron gases into its atmosphere. Researchers found single-atom and molecular forms of these elements, which could lead to unusual gas formations.
Researchers have developed an iron oxide nanoparticle that can outline brain tumors and other lesions for up to five days under MRI, providing a new imaging marker. This contrast agent has the potential to assist in image-guided brain surgery and improve diagnosis of neurological disorders.
A study by Cornell University found that iron supplements improve exercise performance in non-anemic women, but only those with tissue-iron deficiency. Women with low liver iron but no anemia showed no functional impairments.
Children with iron deficiency in infancy show persistent delays in both motor skills and cognitive abilities, even after treatment. These effects are most pronounced in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, suggesting that addressing iron deficiency is crucial to mitigating long-term impacts on brain development.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that teens eating lean beef maintained higher levels of iron and lower LDL cholesterol. The researchers also aimed to establish healthy eating habits among young adults, as they are more likely to pass them down to their own children.
A study found that moderate iron deficiency negatively impacts cognitive functioning in women aged 18-35, while iron supplementation reverses this effect. The study's findings have significant implications for the prevalence of iron deficiency, which affects over two billion people worldwide.
Researchers have found that blocking the action of the HFE gene can reduce anemia caused by chronic inflammation, providing a potential new treatment for patients. This breakthrough aims to alleviate the negative effects of withholding iron while preserving the body's natural defense mechanisms.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have unraveled the biology behind chronic inflammatory anemia and propose new drug targets. They found a key regulator of hepcidin, a hormone controlling iron levels, and suggest that inhibiting it may improve treatment for patients with anemia of chronic disease.
Scientists have quantified the transport of carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean in response to iron fertilization. The study found that while iron fertilization can enhance carbon flux and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the quantities removed are no greater than natural plankton blooms, making it a limited solution.
Robotic Carbon Explorers tracked fertilized waters with over four-fold plankton growth, contrary to expectations that lack of silicates would limit growth. The study suggests a significant role for iron in fixing carbon dioxide in the ocean.
Polar mesospheric clouds have been found to remove nearly all meteoric iron, a process similar to the depletion of the ozone layer. Laboratory experiments and computer modeling revealed that ice particles on the surfaces of these clouds efficiently uptake iron atoms, causing a local depletion in the metal layer.
Phytoplankton, tiny aquatic plants that convert carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, may play a crucial role in regulating Earth's atmosphere. A new study finds that iron fertilization can enhance the uptake of CO2 by phytoplankton, potentially making them more efficient carbon sinks.
Research highlights the potential risks of high-protein diets, parental happiness impacting birth weight, and frequent medical errors in family physician offices. Simple dietary restrictions may reduce mortality risk associated with high transferrin saturation, while maternal report of partner happiness can predict birth weight.
A team of scientists discovered microbes that produce nanometer-scale crystals of extraordinary length, using polymer fibers as templates. The discovery may provide key insight into biomineralization, the process that produces bone, teeth, and shell.
Researchers watched the inner regions of an accretion disk, just miles from a neutron star's surface, change its structure in real-time. The observation provides new insight into the flow of a neutron star's accretion disk and could help study black holes and distant quasars.
Elevated iron stores, particularly plasma ferritin concentration, may predict type 2 diabetes risk in healthy individuals. Healthy women with moderately elevated iron levels were found to have higher baseline intake of heme iron and lower fiber and magnesium consumption.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have sequenced the genomes of the most abundant members of a community of organisms in an abandoned mine, revealing four previously unknown genomes. This breakthrough in environmental genomics opens up new avenues for understanding microbial interactions and has significant implications for addressing acid mi...
Purdue University scientists have discovered that mussels use iron to create their natural adhesive, which could have applications in medicine and industry. The discovery, led by Jonathan Wilker, has the potential to develop new surgical adhesives, rustproof coatings and antifouling paints.
Scientists have discovered that radioactive potassium can form an alloy with iron at high pressures and temperatures, potentially providing a significant heat source in the Earth's core. This finding could explain the missing potassium in the Earth's crust and mantle, and may help to power convection in the core.
Bacteria use iron oxide to breathe in anaerobic environments, allowing them to degrade toxic waste. Genetic manipulation enables tailored targeting of specific contaminants.
A new study published in Analytical Chemistry challenges the idea that the Vinland Map is a medieval forgery, instead suggesting that its ink composition supports its authenticity. The research finds that the map's ink contains elements consistent with medieval production methods, raising doubts about the possibility of forgery.
Researchers found a polymorphism in the SCL40A1 gene that increases iron storage protein levels, leading to primary iron overload. The mutation is more common in African populations and may explain the high incidence of the disease among African-Americans.
Researchers used computer-assisted MRI technology to visualize gray matter structures in the brain of MS patients, finding T2 hypointensity associated with iron deposits. The study found correlations between T2 hypointensity and impaired walking ability and cognitive impairment, suggesting a new potential target for treatment.