Articles tagged with Research Organizations
Researchers have identified a key human aging gene in fruit flies, revealing its role in DNA instability and genome rearrangement. This breakthrough enables the use of fruit flies as a powerful model system to study the effects of aging on human health.
Dr. Declan Bates is leading a £1.2m research project to examine how lung injury can be prevented in patients on ventilators and investigate potential targets for cancer treatments. The project will use systems biology and feedback control theory to develop new therapies.
A team of scientists led by Iain Couzin found that cannibalistic interactions are responsible for locusts' collective motion. The behavior, observed in immature locusts, leads to the formation of large mobile groups called bands that devour vegetation and eventually precede flying swarms.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics has identified two new genetic variants associated with fat mass, weight, and risk of obesity. The variants, located near the MC4R gene, act in addition to previously described FTO gene variants, resulting in an average increase of 3.8 kg (or 8.5 lb) in weight.
Researchers describe a new method to uncover the hierarchical organization of complex networks, explaining previously unknown patterns such as node connectivity and triangle formations. The approach achieves up to 80% accuracy in predicting missing connections across disparate fields like biology, terrorism, and ecology.
A recent study by Brown University scientists found that higher plant diversity significantly enhances an ecosystem's productivity, capturing more carbon dioxide and reducing global warming. The researchers also discovered that the number of plant species in a natural environment has a positive correlation with ecosystem productivity.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that carrying infants was unlikely to have driven human evolution towards walking upright. Instead, they suggest that this characteristic may have been an adaptation for other benefits, such as freeing up forelimbs to carry objects.
A new study confirms that black women have less urinary incontinence than white women, but when they do develop it, the condition tends to be more severe. The study also found that black women experience 'urge incontinence' twice as often as white women.
The Gerontological Society of America warns of a looming healthcare crisis as the US population ages. The Institute of Medicine report highlights a shortage of healthcare workers and frontline staff to meet growing demands for care.
Ezra Susser received a $100,000 award to continue his research on the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to maternal famine increases risk of schizophrenia. The study will examine genetic mutations among persons exposed to the 1959-1960 China famine and collect diagnostic data and DNA samples.
Researchers found that birds using sentry duty call out to alert their group-mates to safe foraging areas, leading to increased food capture and improved group survival. This cooperative behavior is a rare example of selflessness in the animal kingdom.
Researchers developed a breakthrough in gene therapy for cancer using microscopic magnets to target tumours, increasing successful cell invasion. The 'magnetic targeting' method uses nanomagnets to attract cells carrying anti-cancer genes, effectively overcoming the problem of insufficient delivery.
Epicentre research has helped improve rapid assessment of population health status, responding to infectious disease outbreaks, treating malnutrition, and developing diagnostic tools. The findings aim to address public health questions and significantly improve the health status of affected populations.
Researchers are investigating whether embryonic stem cell-derived tissues can be accepted by the immune system, paving the way for new treatments. The study suggests that ES cells display an underlying immune privilege, which could be harnessed to promote regulatory T-cell activity and suppress immune activation.
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) presented numerous prestigious awards and recognitions to distinguished scientists, researchers, and students in oral health research. The AADR Distinguished Scientist Award was presented to Kenneth M. Yamada, while the Jack Hein Public Service Award went to Joan Steen Wilentz.
Researchers aim to create bespoke soils with added calcium silicates to capture carbon dioxide and form harmless mineral calcium carbonate. This could contribute 5-10% of the UK's carbon reduction targets in the future.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that positive feedback can actually escalate perceived threats to the ego and increase the need to prove a questionable decision was right. Research participants who received praise for skills unrelated to the decision were less likely to recommit to it.
Dr. John Polanyi is awarded the Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal for his outstanding contributions to science and society over 50 years. The $1 million prize will fund his research for the next five years, supporting breakthroughs in manipulating molecules.
Two researchers, Hildegard Schuller and Albert Baldwin, received funding for studies on sex differences in lung cancer and the regulation of normal cell growth. The grants aim to increase understanding of lung cancer and support scientists pursuing lung cancer research.
The Swiss Systems Biology Initiative has announced eight Flagship Projects involving 79 research groups from 11 universities and institutions. The projects focus on basic biological questions, including lipid roles in cells and decision-making mechanisms in the brain. Funding for these initiatives will be at least CHF90 million.
Researchers identified the detailed structure of a GABA receptor type implicated in conditions like epilepsy and pre-menstrual tension. The discovery provides hope for developing drugs to block or stimulate the receptors, potentially leading to new treatments for these conditions.
Researchers found that tiny fluctuations in car-road density cause a chain reaction leading to traffic jams. A critical density threshold exists, and once exceeded, gentle braking causes a standstill.
A team of scientists at the University of Essex has discovered a new mechanism that regulates carbon dioxide fixation in plants by slowing down sugar production when energy from sunlight is limited. This discovery increases our understanding of this process and may lead to the development of 'fourth generation' biofuels.
A RAND Corporation study found that deportable immigrants released from the Los Angeles County jail system had a similar recidivism rate as non-deportable immigrants, with 43% being rearrested within a year compared to 35%. The study controlled for factors such as age and criminal history.
A new £7M research initiative aims to improve crop yields and alleviate poverty in developing countries. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is funding 12 projects to develop crops that can survive in harsh environmental conditions, reducing the impact of pests, diseases, and climate change.
Research at the University of Leeds shows that humans follow crowds without realizing it, with just 5% of individuals influencing the group's direction. This study has major implications for directing large crowds in disaster scenarios and organizing pedestrian flow in busy areas.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have made a breakthrough in diagnosing pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects up to 15% of pregnancies. A user-friendly diagnostic kit is being developed to test pregnant women, with potential savings estimated at £500m for the NHS.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has announced six finalists competing for the 2008 Franz Edelman Award, recognizing outstanding operations research-based projects that transform companies, industries, and lives. The finalists include teams from Western Europe, federal agencies, and a Fortune 500 company.
Researchers have created a novel process for catching gas from the environment and holding it indefinitely in molecular-sized containers, promising improvements to greenhouse gas management and fuel cell development. The 'molecular nanovalves' system is highly controllable and recyclable, allowing for safe and efficient storage of gases.
Dental amalgam's use is being restricted due to mercury concerns, but scientific evidence suggests a link between the two is unclear. The move may remove a viable treatment option for dentists and patients worldwide.
A new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that foreign retailers can provide workers with opportunities to prosper and improve their skills in Chinese subsidiaries. Contrary to expectations, job satisfaction was high among employees in apparently menial jobs, such as checkout staff and warehouse workers.
The department has received grants totaling over $1.6 million in the past 11 years, with a focus on identifying causes and treatments for blinding diseases such as corneal cataracts and macular degeneration. The grant will support research into diabetic retinopathy, ocular inflammation, and genetic eye diseases.
New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that community ecology principles affect parasite species interacting within a single host, impacting treatment effectiveness. The study suggests using ecological thinking to understand and control multiple infections like malaria.
A international study of 20,000 people identified seven new genes associated with good cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides, while confirming the role of bad cholesterol (LDL) in heart disease. The findings suggest that genetic variants influencing HDL levels are not directly linked to lower risk of coronary artery disease.
A study published in Nature found that when individuals are choosy about their partners, cooperativeness increases and becomes more stable. This is because individuals with low cooperativeness are penalized by being left by their current partner for a more cooperative one.
Researchers aim to identify effective ways to disseminate research-based treatments and foster dialogue between treatment providers and innovators. The grants will examine barriers to adoption of promising practices and support partnerships between treatment organizations and states.
Hebrew University researchers received prestigious EU research grants to advance their careers and tackle groundbreaking projects. The five winners will focus on innovative fields such as dormant bacterial spores, group theory, neurophysiological changes, planetary formation, and protein-modulating drugs for cancer and AIDS.
The recently published book 'Conservation of Rare or Little-Known Species' by Island Press offers alternative approaches to conserving rare species. It synthesizes scientific information to apply to real-world problems, making it an excellent resource for land managers, policymakers, and scientists.
Researchers at UT-ORNL have made progress toward understanding high-temperature superconductivity by studying the behavior of electrons in materials like PLCCO. They found evidence suggesting that magnetism plays a role in creating pairs of electrons, which are crucial for this phenomenon.
A recent study on the burying beetle found that parents instinctively favor older offspring, leading to unequal growth rates among siblings. The researchers believe this bias is due to both increased survival value and dominance in younger siblings.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully captured and measured the statistical properties of optical rogue waves, which are brief pulses of intense light. The study's findings may help develop mathematical models that can identify conditions leading to rare but extreme events in various fields.
Research funded by ESRC suggests that UK businesses are under-investing in intangible assets, which could be the reason for stagnant productivity. Investing in intangibles such as software, research, and branding can increase productivity, making traditional measurement techniques inadequate.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has established a collaborative Cardiovascular Research Network, tapping into Kaiser Permanente's rich electronic data systems to better understand cardiovascular diseases. The network will conduct three core research projects over the next five years.
A £1.7 million project led by the University of Leeds seeks to fully sequence the DNA of G. pallida, a parasitic worm attacking potato crops worldwide. The research aims to understand its mechanisms and lead to sustainable management methods.
A recent study by the University of Leeds reveals that porous sandstone can react quickly with injected fluids, making it a potential safe reservoir for carbon dioxide. This reaction is essential if the captured CO2 is not to leak back to the surface, and could provide a long-term solution for tackling climate change.
Research explores how social, cultural, and historical contexts hinder Israeli children's understanding of the Palestinian perspective. Dr Asi Sharabi's study reveals contradictory feelings of racism and compassion among Israeli children, highlighting the need to overcome prejudices in conflict situations.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that attractiveness is hereditary in fruitflies, passed on from father to son. Attractive males are more likely to mate quickly and produce successful offspring, benefiting females who can pass these traits to their sons.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified a genetic variant on chromosome 6 associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery may influence the behavior of a nearby gene, tumour necrosis factor associated protein (TNFAIP3), which is involved in inflammatory processes.
Mice rely on a highly specialised set of proteins in their urine to recognise different individuals, suggesting this may also be true for other animals. The team found that female mice distinguish between dominant and weaker males by the freshness of male scent-marks.
The US government is facing criticism for its lack of oversight on nanotechnology products, with expert Andrew Maynard warning of potential risks to the environment, health and workers. Maynard recommends establishing a clear risk research strategy and allocating funding for safety research and oversight.
Scientists observe molecular-level observation of self-selection, demonstrating fundamental step in biological evolution. The study reveals promising nanostructures for catalysts and nanotechnologies.
Researchers present studies evaluating percutaneous procedures to repair and replace defective heart valves, demonstrating clinical improvements for high-risk patients. The devices have been shown to provide sustained symptom improvement for at least 6-12 months in these patients.
The AMIHOT II trial found that infusing oxygen-saturated blood into the previously blocked artery after an angioplasty procedure significantly reduced the size of the 'infarct zone', or damaged heart tissue. The study showed a 6.5% reduction in infarct zone size and no significant increase in Major Adverse Cardiac Events at 30 days.
The SPIRIT III trial found that the Xience V everolimus-eluting coronary stent significantly reduced major adverse cardiac events, including heart attacks and deaths from cardiac causes, by 50% after 12 months compared to the Taxus paclitaxel-eluting stent. This reduction in events is an important finding for patients with heart disease.
A RAND Corporation study found that many schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas struggled to provide ongoing mental health support to students displaced by the hurricanes. Despite initial efforts, schools often returned to academics-only focus within six months, citing barriers such as lack of resources and staff training.
The New Dynamics of Ageing Programme has funded 12 research projects, totaling £3million, to investigate various aspects of ageing. These studies aim to enhance the quality of life, productivity, and self-sufficiency of older adults, with a focus on improving their health, social engagement, and community support.
Research suggests that early intervention with angioplasty improves survival and reduces the risk of heart attack in women. Women are at higher risk of bleeding complications, but this does not justify withholding life-saving procedures.
The HORIZONS AMI trial enrolled over 3600 patients with a heart attack, examining the safety and effectiveness of stents and anticoagulants in heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty. The study aims to determine whether using bivalirudin provides the same benefit as standard anticoagulant therapy without causing excess bleeding.
The Regenstrief Institute will participate in a trial implementation of the Nationwide Health Information Network, testing secure health information exchange among providers, patients, and stakeholders. The project aims to improve quality of care, increase efficiencies, and prevent diseases.
Researchers have discovered a key difference in the way gastrulation occurs between higher vertebrate species and less evolutionarily advanced animals. The study reveals that higher vertebrates acquire a new mechanism of 'cell intercalation' to position their axis at the midline, distinguishing them from fish and other lower vertebrates.