Articles tagged with Laboratories
A new test has been developed to differentiate between Lyme disease and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) with an accuracy of up to 98 percent. This breakthrough offers improved early detection and diagnosis for Lyme disease, a vector-borne illness affecting the US.
The development of enhanced single cell genomics techniques by Bigelow Laboratory has revolutionized the study of microbes and their impact on the environment. These advancements have also led to increased accessibility and affordability for research and industrial communities.
A new version of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique has been developed to correct molecular mistakes that lead to microsatellite repeat expansion diseases. The approach eliminated 95% or more of RNA foci linked to myotonic dystrophy and other diseases in laboratory models and patient-derived cells.
The Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) is partnering with Merck to develop a comprehensive plan to bring a promising antifungal agent from the laboratory to clinical practice. The compound has potential to reduce the burden of opportunistic infections in people living with HIV in developing countries.
The Jackson Laboratory will investigate a new mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a $3.2 million federal research grant. The study aims to link genetic mutations in the mouse models to human ALS or other neuromuscular diseases.
A team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery about the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery, revealing that it can multiply its effect on repressing gene expression. This process is essential for cell survival and regulation of genetic activity.
The Penn Center for Precision Medicine has awarded $565,000 in funding to eight research teams for their personalized medicine projects. The projects aim to improve treatment outcomes for various diseases, including idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
A new library of CRISPR targeting sequences enhances precision and efficacy, reducing off-target effects. The tool facilitates multiplexing and combinatorial targeting, improving gene editing outcomes.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified the specific hormone receptors and brain regions responsible for masculinization in mice. The study found that estrogen receptor alpha is essential in inhibitory neurons for male sexual and aggressive behaviors to emerge, while deleting it had no impact on excitatory neurons.
By adding polydopamine, a material isolated from shellfish, scientists can increase the sensitivity of common bioassays by 100-1,000 times, enabling more accurate diagnoses and reducing uncertainty in laboratory research.
A new era in human genomic variation interpretation is underway, driven by the need for standardized and accurate clinical care. Data sharing has become increasingly important, with payers requiring labs that share data to be reimbursed.
Researchers generate high-energy shock waves in a laboratory setting, simulating the formation of supersonic shock waves that propel cosmic rays and particles. This breakthrough enables new studies on the acceleration of astrophysical particles and complements present remote sensing observations.
A new machine learning technique can help identify plasma behavior that precedes disruptions in tokamaks, allowing scientists to steer the plasma towards stability. By analyzing past experiments and predicting disruption precursors, researchers can implement a system to monitor the plasma for signs of instability.
A team led by Northwestern University's Erik Luijten and Steve Granick discovered a non-equilibrium system that quantitatively behaves like an equilibrium system. The finding could lead to a set of rules making it possible to predict the properties of non-equilibrium systems.
Salk scientists discovered that mathematical rules governing plant growth are similar to brain cell connections. The team used 3D laser scanning to analyze plant architecture and found a Gaussian branch density function, suggesting universal rules of logic governing branching growth across biological systems.
Scientists have successfully observed a spatial transition between two plasma states, where the magnetic field is stretched into space while maintaining thrust generation. This finding provides significant insights into overcoming the problem of detaching plasma from the MN in plasma thrusters.
Researchers at Linköping University have successfully applied a thin layer of a ferroelectric material to control electronic nonlinearity in ion-doped conducting polymers. This breakthrough enables precise switching of transistors and color changes in displays, opening up new possibilities for applications in printed electronics.
Research sheds light on how conserved mechanism regulates development and cancer; implications for new cancer therapies. TUTase enzymes interact with let-7, a small RNA molecule important in development and cancer.
A new study found that EPO blood doping has little effect on high-intensity laboratory cycling tests and endurance road-race performances. However, the drug was associated with increased risk of thrombosis due to elevated haemoglobin and adhesion molecule levels.
A streamlined method of tracking medical records reduced racial disparities in HIV care, with blacks and Latinos showing significant improvements in viral suppression rates. The study found that integrated medical records improved use of anti-retroviral therapy and reduced gaps between whites and minorities in HIV health outcomes.
A specific protein called prokineticin 2 plays a critical role in setting the correct balance between sleep and wakefulness in response to light and darkness. The study found that Prok2 suppresses the awakening effect of light and the sedating effect of darkness, suggesting a new mechanism for regulating sleep behavior.
A recent study found that pyrethroid pesticides can persist in homes for up to a year, with 70% of one common ingredient still present in dust after a year. This persistence increases the risk of exposure for young children and household pets who spend more time on surfaces where the pesticides are present.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded funding to ten Latin American postdoctoral scientists conducting innovative research in the US. The program aims to foster global collaboration and address regional health challenges.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory studied various parameters of health in C. elegans to develop an empirical definition of old age and predict healthy lifespan. They found movement speed as a key marker for assessing the effect of anti-aging interventions.
Researchers at UC Berkeley created a robot called DexNet 2.0 that can pick up and move unfamiliar objects with high accuracy, using deep learning to learn grasps for 6.7 million 3D shapes.
Researchers identify the developmental pathway of human vasculature and discover cell markers to distinguish between different types of vascular cells. This breakthrough provides a blueprint for engineering blood vessels in the lab for disease modeling, drug screening, and therapeutic purposes.
Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed a new system called Catena that uses Bitcoin's security machinery to defend against online identity theft and equivocation. The system requires the download of only about 40 megabytes of data, making it suitable for smartphones.
A team of MIT researchers created a system that allows directors to specify a shot's framing and generate control signals for a camera-equipped autonomous drone, preserving the framing as actors move. The system guarantees safe collision avoidance with obstacles.
Researchers successfully synthesized Zika virus from a viral sequence detected in infected tissue, allowing them to induce microcephaly in pregnant mice and study its transmission by mosquitoes. This breakthrough helps advance research into the mysterious emergence of Zika virus, which causes devastating foetal brain infections.
JAX researcher Catherine Kaczorowski will receive a $2.7M federal grant to investigate the complex processes involved in both healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease through genomic studies. The goal is to identify genetic factors, mechanisms underlying normal aging, and potential targets for intervention against Alzheimer's.
Wild mice have highly-activated immune systems due to exposure to infections, with more activated myeloid cells compared to laboratory mice. The study's findings emphasize the importance of considering natural variability when interpreting research results.
Dr. Xiao-Ming Yin's pioneering research has significantly impacted our understanding of cellular degradation pathways, leading to novel cancer treatment approaches and potential therapeutic strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A team of international researchers has found that a 80-year-old 'viable' anthrax strain was, in reality, a much younger standard laboratory strain due to contamination. Advanced genomic sequencing technology enabled precise tracking of bacterial strains used in biological warfare and terrorist attacks.
Scientists from Linköping University successfully applied an ion pump device to a small flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, allowing them to control root growth and auxin response. This breakthrough enables localized application of hormones to study their impact on plant growth and development at tissue and cellular resolution.
Researchers from MIT CSAIL create an app called WaitSuite that tests users on vocabulary words during wait times, such as WiFi connectivity and email updates. The system, called "wait-learning," helps users make the most of small moments, enabling them to focus on primary tasks and learn new words simultaneously.
Researchers grew stem cells from children with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease to understand the genetic causes of common symptoms. The study identified defects in brain cell function linked to patient genetics, suggesting distinct subgroups requiring different clinical approaches.
Researchers from MIT's CSAIL develop a new system called Flowtune that allocates network bandwidth more fairly in data centers, reducing lag and improving page load speeds. In tests, Flowtune completed the slowest 1% of data requests nine to 11 times as rapidly as existing systems.
The ACMG Foundation/Shire Laboratory Geneticist Fellowship Awards and Clinical Genetics Residency Program supports the training of future medical geneticists. The program provides funding for three specialties: Clinical Genetics Residencies, Clinical Laboratory Fellowships, and Medical Biochemical Genetics Subspecialty Fellowships.
The Association for Molecular Pathology published consensus recommendations to validate next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based oncology panels. The guidelines address NGS test development, optimization and familiarization, and best practices for establishing test performance characteristics.
The Human Frontier Science Program has awarded $30 million in grants to the top 3% of research applications, supporting innovative and collaborative projects globally. The 2017 HFSP Research Grants will fund cutting-edge research in various fields, including engineering, biology, and medicine.
A multicenter study of 21 laboratories demonstrated digital PCR's high reproducibility in quantifying cancer mutations across different locations. The method showed greater reproducibility and reduced variability compared to real-time quantitative PCR.
A study investigating laboratory rats' behavioral needs has won the 2016 International 3Rs Prize. The research, led by Drs Joanna Makowska and Daniel Weary, found that providing rats with simple and natural behaviors like burrowing and standing upright improves their welfare.
A seven-year experiment has confirmed that two photons are indeed exchanged during electron-proton interactions, contradicting theoretical predictions. The OLYMPUS study, led by MIT researchers, used polarized electron beams to measure the intensity of scattered electrons at different angles.
UKCRIC will enable academia, industry, government and end users to collaborate on upgrading UK's infrastructure, reducing its cost and increasing resilience. The initiative will focus on developing new materials, techniques and technologies, as well as research into smart sensors and systems.
Researchers demonstrated a chiral metamaterial that exhibits significant spectral shift with milliwatt-level power modulation, outperforming current records by a factor of 100,000. The material's properties make it suitable for applications in data processing, sensing, and communications.
Researchers used Google Street View to map street tree canopy coverage in Singapore, finding that increasing cover can reduce ground surface and air temperatures. The study's method could help urban planners prioritize tree planting and create greener environments.
Scientists have successfully created plant-based wires and supercapacitors that can store energy, opening up new possibilities for renewable energy sources. The innovative technology enables plants to absorb conducting polymer solutions, forming functional transistors and storing electrical charge.
A new study by Vladimir Dinets of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville shows that broad-footed moles feed on the ground frequently during cool, wet nights with fog or rain. This nocturnal foraging behavior makes surface-active moles difficult to observe, and contradicts long-held assumptions about their fossorial lifestyle.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a key to increasing crop diversity by manipulating plant sex through the HEI10 gene. This breakthrough has significant implications for introducing novel disease resistance genes into elite crop varieties, addressing a major limitation in crop improvement.
A team of experts has developed a set of diagnostic criteria for idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease, a life-threatening condition often misdiagnosed as other illnesses. The new criteria will help doctors diagnose the disease more accurately, leading to timely treatment and improved patient outcomes.
A new bioinformatics tool called IMP has been developed to increase the transparency and reproducibility of biological experiments. It preserves computer programs in a frozen state, allowing for easy reprocessing and analysis of complex data.
A recent study suggests the Ventura-Pitas Point fault in southern California has a 'ramp-flat geometry' with a flat section between two tilting sections, similar to a staircase. This structure would result in stronger shaking and more damage during an earthquake.
A $2 million Gates Foundation grant will support the development of novel test protocols to accelerate the creation and deployment of next-generation vector control products. The project aims to improve the understanding of vector control approaches and produce better-informed products to combat malaria in Africa.
A new assay has been developed to detect genetic mutations in tumors, showing high sensitivity and specificity in detecting actionable genomic variants. The NCI-MATCH trial aims to evaluate tumor biopsy specimens from 6,000 patients using this technology.
Researchers at Linköping University developed the world's first heat-driven transistor, opening up new possibilities for temperature detection and medical applications. The transistor converts a 100 times greater temperature gradient to electric voltage than traditional thermoelectric materials.
A new program, Early Check, offers free genetic testing for up to 120,000 families annually, aiming to improve health outcomes and scientific knowledge. The testing can help detect conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome, providing peace of mind for parents while also enabling research on potential treatments.
Researchers have created a new detection test for Zika that is faster and more accurate than existing tests. The new test can identify the virus in a tiny blood sample in under four hours, marking a significant improvement over current options.
A team of researchers has identified a novel regulatory mechanism that controls how plants defend themselves against pathogens. The study reveals how endogenous plant peptides regulate the formation of immune receptor complexes, leading to appropriate initiation of plant immune responses.
Researchers found that advanced wood-burning cookstoves reduce fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions by 45% and 47%, respectively. However, field measurements showed significantly higher emissions compared to laboratory testing.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics advocates for extensive sharing of genomic data to improve patient care. Responsible data sharing will provide critical information for clinical laboratories and treating physicians, leading to advancements in personalized medicine.