News on research labs and their facilities. Covers lunar research sites, national-lab partnerships, obesity classification, and cloud-lab funding.
The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics published a Special Article on laboratory perspective of incidental findings reporting, highlighting the need for increased understanding and transparency of complex genomic testing. The AMP Incidental Findings Working Group recommends laboratories establish clear policies for delivering ancillary i...
A team of researchers at the University of Wyoming found that adding capsaicin from chili peppers to a diet can stimulate energy metabolism and burn stored fat, potentially preventing obesity. The study used mice on high-fat diets and found that dietary capsaicin increased metabolic activity and energy expenditure.
Pablo Tarazaga, a Virginia Tech engineer, has developed a novel approach to manipulate wave propagation in solid materials, enabling the creation of smart structures with diverse capabilities. His work holds promise for improving aircraft aerodynamics performance and creating controlled fluid-structure interactions.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a new quality control mechanism where RNAs proofread themselves, ensuring proteins are made correctly. The CCA-adding enzyme uses a screw-like motion to add CCA groups to tRNAs, and the RNA itself determines whether to allow further additions.
Researchers have developed a method to restore Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) production only in peripheral tissues, allowing them to define the role of the drug both inside and outside of the CNS. The treatment effectively cured mice with spinal muscular atrophy, challenging assumptions about the pathology of the disease.
Researchers have developed a new model system to grow both normal and cancerous pancreatic cells in the laboratory, offering a powerful tool in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The 3D culture system, known as an organoid, can be grown from human patient tissue, providing a path to personalized treatment approaches.
Brown University professors Joseph Hogan and Rami Kantor will use a new $3.5 million grant to develop data-driven methods for improving HIV treatment monitoring decisions, potentially reducing costs and increasing effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries.
Scientists have developed a technique to coat metallic objects with an extremely thin layer of semiconductor, producing vibrant optical effects on paper and other flexible materials. The ultrathin coatings can produce bright, solid colors using the same two metals, applied with only a few atoms' difference in thickness.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and UC San Diego create microfluidic device to rapidly heat and cool biomolecules, allowing for the observation of rapid folding events. This breakthrough enables the study of normal and abnormal biomolecules, including those implicated in human diseases.
A Pitt study published in the American Journal of Political Science found that women are more 'election averse' than men, volunteering to lead groups but less likely to compete in elections. Women's lower willingness to run for office is attributed to factors such as election costs and the potential for negative campaigns.
A JAX research team discovered a link between mistranslation during protein synthesis and misfolded proteins in the heart, contributing to cardiac diseases like desmin-related cardiomyopathy and systemic amyloidosis. Mistranslation can lead to cell death and impaired heart function.
The UK's National Physical Laboratory and the University of Manchester are collaborating to speed up the application of graphene, accelerating its commercialization through accurate metrology and characterisation. This partnership aims to establish a Joint Centre of Excellence and make the UK a leading authority on graphene standards.
Researchers at EPFL successfully recreated the ghost illusion in the laboratory by altering sensorimotor brain signals. This phenomenon is common to many cultures and can be observed in people with neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy.
A new mouse model reveals that genetic factors play a significant role in the severity of Ebola disease. Research suggests that certain genetic lines of mice are more resistant to the virus, while others are highly susceptible to severe illness and death. The findings could lead to rapid development of candidate therapeutics and vaccines.
Researchers found that de novo mutations, including missense and likely gene-disrupting mutations, contribute significantly to autism. The study also identified recurrent gene-disrupting mutations in 27 genes as causal factors in severe cases.
Poorly executed nanosafety experiments have led to a lack of new knowledge, with most projects being irreproducible due to inadequate particle characterization. The 'NanoScreen' programme aims to address this issue by providing pre-validated methods for lab experiments using standardized test materials.
Researchers improved plasma performance by applying lithium coatings, but the mechanism behind this improvement remains unclear. A new laboratory experiment found that temperature affects lithium's ability to retain deuterium particles, with oxygen exposure improving retention at lower temperatures.
Researchers at General Electric and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have collaborated on designing a plasma-based power switch, which could contribute to the US power grid's advancement and reliability. The switch utilizes a compact, low-cost design, potentially reducing utility bills and enhancing grid efficiency.
A recent study found that searching health service pricing websites before receiving care resulted in lower claim payments for clinical services such as laboratory tests and advanced imaging. The study included medical claims from 2010-2013 of over 502,000 patients who used a price transparency platform to find prices.
A study recommends ongoing assessment of offshore wind farm impacts on marine species, particularly sound emissions and behavioral responses. The researchers suggest targeted data collection to inform regulatory decisions, minimizing negative environmental impacts.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center are working on a five-year contract to discover fundamental immunology, microbial genetics, and protein structure of Staphylococcus aureus. The goal is to identify Sa antigens that are crucial for effective immune defenses.
Researchers will develop the KnowEnG tool, integrating multiple analytical methods for intuitive genome-wide data analysis. The center aims to create a powerful computational tool that offers new functional insights for genes being studied.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists discovered that rats and mice exhibit comparable cognitive abilities, particularly in adaptive decision-making tasks. The study's findings suggest that genetic tools for mice could accelerate research on complex behaviors and learning.
Researchers advocate for massive online laboratories to prevent errors and fraud in life sciences research. These online labs use videogames to engage non-professional investigators and promote transparency, reducing the risk of scientific fraud and cherry-picking.
Four CSHL scientists will conduct research in the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, aiming to map the human brain and understand brain disorders. The initiative seeks to develop transformative tools for studying the brain's structure and function.
Scientists from China and the US report results from the first stage of the PandaX-I experiment, a dark matter search in an underground lab. The data from this experiment place strong constraints on previously reported dark matter-like signals.
Researchers identified a compound called dequalinium chloride (DECA) that can prevent a metabolic enzyme from going to the wrong location within a cell. This prevents primary hyperoxaluria 1 (PH1), a rare and deadly genetic kidney disease, by ensuring the enzyme goes to its proper destination.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified a brain region in rats responsible for their confidence in decisions. The study used rats to test decision-making and found that a specific region of the orbitofrontal cortex plays a crucial role in measuring confidence.
Researchers confirmed earlier findings of verbal overshadowing, where witnesses' descriptions impair their ability to select a suspect. The study found smaller effects in replications, suggesting sample sizes may have been too small to detect the effect reliably.
A comprehensive study led by Mayo Clinic in 12 countries validates the accuracy of RNA genomic sequencing techniques and laboratories. The research establishes best practices for laboratories to ensure reproducible results, enabling clinicians to make informed decisions based on genomic data.
Researchers at Nova Southeastern University will investigate biological indicators in men with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The four-year study aims to develop more effective treatment plans using existing drugs.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a molecule that conducts electricity in one direction, paving the way for shrinking chip components down to the size of molecules. The hybrid molecule, known as buckydiamondoid, was made by combining carbon spheres (buckyballs) with tiny diamond cages (diamondoids).
A novel mutant mouse model, NRV2, has been developed to study retinal neovascularization, a condition characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. The researchers found that NRV2 mice show spontaneous retinal depigmentation and neovascularization, which mimic the early clinical stages of RAP disease in humans.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that people with more yellow pigment in their eyes can see better in hazy conditions. The study suggests that eating leafy green vegetables can help maintain healthy vision.
Researchers confirm lithium-6 production in Big Bang energy range, contradicting observed lithium concentrations in stars. The study resolves the 'lithium problem,' a stubborn issue in astrophysics.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University found that elite sprinters use a unique gait feature to maximize speed, delivering a firm and rapid punch to the ground upon contact. The study, which compared data from competitive sprinters to other fast-running athletes, suggests that there is only one way to achieve high speeds.
A team of researchers found significant security vulnerabilities in full-body backscatter X-ray scanners used at US airports between 2009 and 2013. They demonstrated how attackers could conceal firearms and explosives using low-tech techniques, showcasing the need for rigorous testing and independent evaluation.
Researchers discovered a subset of microRNAs that regulate sex differences in fruit flies, with implications for understanding human developmental defects and disease. The study found that these small RNA molecules orchestrate complex genetic programs that shape the structures distinguishing males and females.
Researchers discovered graphene devices have different electronic properties at edges and centers. Edge conduction was found to be p-type, while the center exhibited n-type electron conduction. These findings offer insights into developing graphene nanoribbon devices and studying edge photocurrents.
Scientists have created a new mouse strain that restores the ability of wild-derived mice to exhibit normal aggression and maternal instinct towards pups. This breakthrough allows researchers to explore the biological roots of aggressive behavior in females, including their reaction to pheromone signals.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to study bonding failures in materials, revealing the crucial role of moisture in setting the stage for failure. The findings could lead to the design of more durable composites and prediction of their strength under specific conditions.
The article introduces a proof-of-concept figure that generates data 'on the fly' when an online article is viewed. Readers can select parameters to alter the generated figure, allowing for self-evaluation of the data. This innovation aims to improve transparency and reproducibility in scientific publishing.
The Jackson Laboratory will establish a new Neurobehavioral Biometry Center with a $1 million pledge from the Cornelia Cogswell Rossi Foundation. The Center aims to accelerate research in neurological and neurobehavioral disorders by assessing behavior related to disease characteristics and therapy responses.
Researchers at Jackson Laboratory pinpoint a new mechanism behind neurodegeneration in mice, linked to a mutation in the tRNA gene n-Tr20. The study reveals that individual tRNA genes can be tissue-specifically expressed, leading to disease or modifying phenotypes.
A researcher from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology has developed a reliable mathematical model of Titan's atmosphere, which matches the latest data surprisingly well. The model takes into account various chemical reactions between neutral molecules and ions in the upper layers of Titan's atmosphere.
Researchers at China's PandaX facility aim to detect direct evidence of dark matter interactions with xenon nuclei and observe double-beta decay. The new detector is designed to distinguish between nuclear recoils and electron recoils, with promising results from previous experiments like XENON100.
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified a gene called LIN-42 that controls the timing of events during development, governing a broad range of events throughout growth and behavior. The study provides insight into how species evolve without creating new genes.
Researchers used an ultrafast optical laser and X-ray pulses to study the movement of electrons between atoms in exploding molecules. They observed that electrons can jump over surprisingly long distances, up to 10 times the length of the original molecule, shedding new light on microscopic dynamics.
Researchers analyzed clinical samples from suspected Lassa fever cases in Sierra Leone and found nearly 9% tested positive for Ebola virus. The study demonstrates that Ebola has been circulating in the region since at least 2006.
Researchers used physical analog models to simulate Ganymede's geologic structures, finding that stretching forces created characteristic patterns of ridges and troughs. The study suggests that a process involving crustal breaks due to large amounts of extension is the primary mechanism for forming these features.
Researchers found that advances in parasite purification and culture methodologies significantly increased publication rates by 3-10 fold, leading to new molecular tools and resources. This study provides a side-by-side comparison of the publication records for four major genera of protozoan parasites affecting mollusks.
A study by UC Riverside researchers reveals that certain cells in the intestinal and respiratory systems have an electrostatic repulsion field, protecting against bacterial and viral infections. This finding could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of certain infections.
Physicists create quantum dots with identical, deterministic sizes using a scanning tunneling microscope. This achievement opens the door to quantum dot architectures free from uncontrolled variations.
Scientists have discovered that Lassa virus uses a two-step process to enter cells, involving the transport of the virus to a lysosome and the binding to an interior cell receptor called LAMP1. This finding could lead to new approaches for preventing the disease.
A study found that lab monitoring tests are not always ordered as recommended, with factors such as specialist status, age, and general health influencing the use of these tests. The research suggests that interventions to improve laboratory monitoring should focus on areas with the greatest potential for improvement.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded research funding to 10 Latin American scientists through its Biomedical Sciences program. The fellowship provides flexible funding and networking opportunities to help early-career scientists develop skills and connections that will aid them in becoming scientific leaders in their home countries.
Researchers have made the first structural observations of liquid water at temperatures as low as minus 51 degrees Fahrenheit, revealing new insights into its molecular structure and behavior. This study opens a new window for exploring liquid water in extreme conditions, which is relevant to global ocean currents, climate, and biology.
Research at Granada finds that alcohol consumption markedly impairs night-vision and deteriorates the optical quality of images seen. The study concludes that ethanol from alcoholic drinks disturbs the tear-film, facilitating evaporation of the aqueous part, which in turn degrades image quality.
A new study by MIT researchers shows that commuting times are generally independent of distance traveled, as long as commuters have access to various transportation options. This is demonstrated through the use of mobile phone data across five locations on four continents.
A 14-year-old boy's rapid recovery from brain-inflaming encephalitis thanks to next-generation sequencing techniques. The innovative approach, developed at UCSF, enables quick diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, revolutionizing clinical laboratory practices.