News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of COX-2 with arachidonic acid bound, gaining insights into its interaction with inhibitors. The study's findings may help guide future drug development for pain, inflammation, and cancer treatment.
Celiac disease patients have higher zonulin levels, which contribute to intestinal permeability and immune system modulation. Increased zonulin is also linked to other autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at National Jewish Health discovered how proteins IL-15 and IL-2 work together to control the immune response against viruses. The proteins balance the production and division of memory killer T cells, allowing the immune system to battle antigens with a controlled response.
Researchers at ZymoGenetics developed a novel immunosuppressive agent that inhibits disease symptoms in mouse models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The treatment works by capturing a cytokine that stimulates B cells to make antibodies, reducing their destructive impact on the body.
A Northwestern University research team has discovered the first enzyme to play a role in the mammalian circadian clock, contributing significantly to understanding of circadian rhythm-related problems. The identified casein kinase I epsilon (CKIe) enzyme interacts with PERIOD proteins, affecting the timing of the circadian cycle.
A study of 42 breast cancer patients found that those who chose experimental treatments had higher levels of psychological distress, despite similar physical abilities. Researchers suggest that these women may feel a greater need to feel in control and desperate for effective treatment options.
A new study published in the journal Science suggests that low-mass stars called red supergiants may die explosively rather than fade away quietly. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of nucleosynthesis, stellar structure, and the evolution of stars.
Scientists have discovered a potential drug target for treating African sleeping sickness by identifying a unique metabolic pathway in the parasite. The discovery offers hope for developing effective treatments for the estimated 500,000 people affected by the disease.
Researchers discovered that adding carbonate to cow manure can effectively kill dangerous microbes, such as E. coli O157:H7. The treatment is estimated to cost less than $10 per year per cow and could help prevent water contamination.
The NIH has awarded nine grants totaling $12.8 million to investigate the role of genetics in determining how medicines work in the human body and what side effects people may experience. These studies aim to develop more personalized medicine approaches through pharmacogenetics research.
A $11-million grant will support a research team in understanding how genetic variation affects the response to anti-cancer drugs. The team aims to develop personalized dosing strategies to increase treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.
A new iceberg has broken from Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf, just east of one discovered on March 17. The new iceberg is approximately 130 km by 20 km and was detected using high-resolution satellite data provided by the Antarctic Meteorological Research Center.
A North Carolina State University professor argues that a greater understanding of ancient medicine could provide modern doctors with new ways to treat diseases and identify potential dangers. He cites examples such as St. John's wort, which was initially used as an antiseptic but later found to have abortifacient effects.
Researchers identify epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin-gallate as key compounds responsible for flavor changes in commercial processing, and suggest adding vitamin C to preserve their stability. This discovery could lead to improved bottled or canned green-tea taste and enhanced health benefits.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression have lower levels of a certain brain protein, leading to less 'plastic' brains. Researchers hope to improve current therapeutics by targeting the cascade of events responsible for phosphorylating this protein.
Researchers have found that CD8 cells can stop human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in its tracks even when added to infected CD4 cells. This finding suggests a new approach to controlling the spread of HIV and could lead to potential therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have identified a complex of proteins that activate cell growth and division protein E2F, leading to excessive cell division and cancer. This breakthrough provides an opportunity to develop small molecule drugs that can arrest E2F activity and prevent tumour cell proliferation.
Alex S. Kandel, a post-doctoral chemistry student at Pennsylvania State University, has been recognized for his outstanding research on fundamental molecular behavior and reactions. He discovered that making chlorine react with methane requires energy, while the reaction of chlorine and ethane releases energy.
Chemist F. Ann Walker received the Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal for her research on heme proteins, including nitrophorin, a molecule found in kissing bugs that releases nitric oxide to facilitate feeding. Her work provides insight into the function of heme proteins and their role in the immune system.
Hoffman's groundbreaking work led to the discovery of primordial plutonium and seaborgium, with a focus on symmetrical mass division in spontaneous fission. Her ongoing research continues to advance our understanding of nuclear chemistry and its applications.
Researchers at OHSU's Casey Eye Institute have developed a new method to diagnose rare eye infections caused by the Acanthamoeba organism. Using a confocal microscope, they can now detect the early stages of infection, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing vision loss.
A new NASA web site features women who are making history with their contributions to microgravity research. The site profiles women from diverse backgrounds and expertise, including astronauts, scientists, engineers, and more.
Stephen L. Buchwald receives American Chemical Society Award in Organometallic Chemistry for developing more efficient methods to create complex chemical bonds, with applications in plastics, drug discovery, and manufacturing. His work has been recognized for its breadth and unique interest, spanning multiple fields.
Glaucoma is now understood as a neurodegenerative disease affecting the entire visual system, including brain cells. Researchers found that forty percent of nerve cells in both eye and brain are destroyed by the disease.
Scientists identify a feature common to the immune systems of long-term nonprogressors that enables them to resist disease. The discovery links HLA B*5701 gene to immune resistance in HIV-infected individuals, offering new insights into mechanisms of immune defense.
A study found that metallothionein levels increase in the brain in response to alcohol consumption, suggesting a potential protective role. Higher MT levels may explain different levels of alcohol-related toxicity in individuals.
Researchers found that aberrant cytosine methylation and chromatin condensation can silence maspin gene expression, allowing tumors to grow and spread. The discovery provides critical information on the regulatory mechanisms of maspin, paving the way for potential cancer therapies.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that levels of two blood factors associated with heart disease risk vary during a woman's menstrual cycle. Levels of PAI-1 decreased steadily as the cycle progressed, while vWF peaked at days 2 and 23, potentially increasing heart attack risk for postmenopausal women.
Researchers have confirmed a new, genetically distinct species of Pfiesteria that thrives in waters with high levels of nitrogen, posing risks to fish and potentially human health. The discovery brings the total number of toxic Pfiesteria species to two, shedding light on their life cycles and behaviors.
A study by Emory University researchers found that Wernicke's area, a region of the brain known for language processing, also monitors nonverbal predictability. This suggests that our ability to acquire language may stem from our subconscious recognition of predictable events.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered a gene called Mgat5 that affects cancer growth. By knocking out this gene in mice, they found a significant reduction in breast and lung cancer growth, suggesting that sugar structures play a role in promoting tumor development.
Researchers have discovered chemical deposits from 1815 Tambora and 1883 Krakatau eruptions in a Wyoming ice core, providing a unique insight into past climatic changes. The analysis indicates that major shifts in climate can occur on a 10-year scale, raising concerns about potential future climatic changes.
Researchers discovered that the PTTG1 gene is highly expressed in colorectal tumors, pre-cancerous polyps, and invasive cancer. The gene appears to play an early role in cancer development, acting as a marker for malignant activity.
Archaeologists have found that Roman wall painting declined in quality after Emperor Nero took power, as evidenced by the Domus Aurea complex. The imperial apartments were decorated with marble, while courtiers' rooms had less marble and more paintings.
Researchers have discovered a way to harness nature's own tool, photosynthesis, to produce hydrogen gas from sunlight and water, offering a promising alternative fuel source.
Recent research by Dr. Endel Tulving suggests that episodic memory is essential for human cultural advancement, enabling awareness of the future. Functional neuroimaging studies have identified regions in the frontal lobes linked to past and future awareness.
Researchers created light-emitting materials combining fluorescence and phosphorescence, increasing efficiency production of light. This breakthrough allows developers to choose from a wider range of materials, adding flexibility and reducing costs for products such as laptops and cell phones.
The Cornell University-led Comet Nucleus Tour mission aims to conduct close-proximity comet flybys, studying the comets' geology and composition. The spacecraft will be launched in July 2002 and explore Comets Encke, Schwassmann-Wachmann-3, and potentially others.
A study of genetically obese rats revealed that an overabundance of fat can collect in heart cells and cause them to die, leading to heart failure. The researchers found that a diabetes drug prevents this damage by oxidizing the fat so it burns up rather than accumulating and causing heart-cell death.
A new thermoelectric material has been discovered with the potential to significantly improve cooling efficiency in electronic systems. The material can drop temperatures by as low as 100 degrees when stimulated with an electrical current.
Researchers have discovered a naturally occurring animal model of subretinal neovascularization, a component of age-related macular degeneration in humans. The Bst mouse develops abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina, similar to human ARMD, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at UC Irvine have developed a method to study the function of genes necessary for limb regeneration in salamanders, a finding that may provide key information for treating ailments like spinal cord injury and deep wounds. By understanding the process of regeneration, researchers may find new approaches and therapies for rep...
Researchers at Queen's University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the cause of sudden heart failure after open-heart surgery. They found that a specific protein called troponin I is damaged, leading to cardiac stunning. This new understanding could lead to new ways of preventing and treating this specific heart problem.
Researchers found that honeybees rely on image motion to monitor flight distances of hundreds of meters in natural environments. Bees were also affected by visual cues such as tunnel decorations and walls, with some patterns amplifying their perception of distance.
University of Pittsburgh researchers discovered a link between a genetic defect in mitochondria and the development of hereditary paraganglioma tumors. The study found that a defective gene on chromosome 11q23 causes cells to incorrectly sense oxygen levels, leading to chronic stimulation and tumor growth.
Researchers uncover evidence of advanced textile production in Ice Age women, revealing intricately woven clothing and accessories made from plant fibers. The findings challenge traditional images of our ancestors, highlighting the important role that women played in late Pleistocene societies.
The new phenomenon, called the quantum mirage effect, enables data transfer within future nanoscale electronic circuits too small to use wires. The IBM scientists used a quantum state that concentrated large electron densities at each focus point of the elliptical corral.
The Carnegie Mellon University's Nomad robot successfully completed its mission to find meteorites in Antarctica, classifying seven specimens as meteorites. The robot achieved this feat autonomously and without prior knowledge of the samples, marking a significant milestone in robotics and scientific inquiry.
Researchers have discovered the cause of enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS), a disorder that affects sensitivity to blue light and development of night blindness. Mutations in the photoreceptor gene NR2E3 were found in 94% of DNA samples from ESCS-affected individuals.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that protein gelsolin plays a crucial role in disassembling the inner skeleton of cells, which can lead to cancer development. By understanding how gelsolin works, scientists hope to develop new cancer-fighting drugs by stimulating or blocking its activation.
Scientists at Human Genome Sciences and the CRC Beatson Institute discovered a new protein that blocks a key receptor on eosinophils, cells that induce allergic reactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new drug to treat asthma and allergies.
Researchers use oxygen isotope fingerprinting to uncover evidence of lost Asian emerald sources in antiquity, tracing gems from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Colombia. The study reveals a significant role for the Spanish in introducing New World emeralds into Old World trade.
Researchers at Yale have discovered new insights into the development of polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a life-threatening genetic disorder affecting millions. The study reveals crucial information about the PKD2 gene's role in normal development and its impact when mutated.
Butterflies have developed ultrasound-sensitive ears on their wings to detect bat calls and exhibit evasive flight manoeuvres. The study found that rare nocturnal butterfly species in Panama possess this unique adaptation, protecting them from bat predators.
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected nearly a thousand faint X-ray-emitting stars in the young star-forming region of the Orion Nebula. The discovery will help unravel the astrophysical principles underlying violent magnetic activity in young stars.
A Yale researcher has recalculated the number of near-Earth asteroids, estimating fewer than initially thought, with a smaller potential impact risk. The study found that only 500 to 1,000 such asteroids exist, each carrying a 0.5% chance of colliding with Earth in the next million years.
Scientists at National Jewish Health have identified a key protein that regulates fat cell development, which could lead to new strategies for treating obesity and related conditions. By inserting a negative version of CREB into fat cells, researchers can inhibit the growth of new fat cells.
Scientists discovered a PAX9 gene mutation causing congenitally absent molars in a Houston family, revealing insights into the genetics of human tooth development. The study, published in Nature Genetics, used molecular epidemiology and DNA analysis to identify the responsible gene, which is activated early in tooth development.
The medical school will recruit four researchers in structural biology, including Michael Weiss, to study molecular processes leading to disease. The HHMI grant aims to enhance the medical school's research enterprise and develop scientific breakthroughs.
Researchers compare gene order on X and Y chromosomes of humans, cats, and mice, finding that cats and humans have similar gene orders on both chromosomes. A small block of genes with preserved order and spacing was discovered in mouse, cat, and human, suggesting an important function in male reproductive fitness.