Research suggests promise of cell therapy for bowel disease
New research shows that a special population of stem cells found in cord blood has the innate ability to migrate to the intestine and contribute to the cell population there, suggesting the cells' potential to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers find sudden cardiac death is associated with a thin placenta at birth
Researchers studying the origins of sudden cardiac death have found that in both men and women a thin placenta at birth was associated with sudden cardiac death. A thin placenta may result in a reduced flow of nutrients from the mother to the fetus. The authors suggest that sudden cardiac death may be initiated by impaired development of the autonomic nervous system in the womb, as a result of...
Researchers identify possible key to slow progression toward AIDS
Research has shown that HIV-positive people who progress to full blown AIDS slower than others carry a rare immune gene variant. Even among these people the speed of disease progression can vary widely. Researchers may have found a possible key to that variation -- a killer T-cell immune response that occurs early on in HIV infection and targets a section -- or epitope -- of the HIV protein called...
Researchers propose new way to save Africa's beleaguered soils
A Washington State University researcher and colleagues make a case in the journal Nature for a new type of agriculture that could restore the beleaguered soils of Africa and help the continent feed itself in the coming decades. Their system, which they call "perenniation," mixes food crops with trees and perennial plants, which live for two years or more.
Revolutionary ultrathin, flat lens: Smart phones as thin as a credit card?
Scientists are reporting development of a revolutionary new lens -- flat, distortion-free, so small that more than 1,500 would fit across the width of a human hair -- capable in the future of replacing lenses in applications ranging from cell phones to cameras to fiber-optic communication systems. The advance, which could lead to smart phones as thin as a credit card, appears in ACS' journal Nano...
Robotic tuna is built by Homeland Security
Homeland Security's BIOSwimmer is a unmanned underwater vehicle designed for high maneuverability in harsh environments and hard-to-reach underwater places where inspection and security is necessary.
Satellite sees post-Tropical Cyclone Lane fizzle in a blanket of low clouds
Former Hurricane Lane has fizzled and its remnant circulation was spotted in a blanket of low clouds in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Scientists show biological mechanism can trigger epileptic seizures
Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence that a biological mechanism long suspected in epilepsy is capable of triggering the brain seizures - opening the door for studies to seek improved treatments or even preventative therapies. The researchers report Sept. 19 in Neuron that molecular disruptions in small neurons called granule cells - located in the dentate gyrus region of the brain...
Seaside publishes research supporting disease-modifying potential of STX209 for fragile X syndrome
Seaside Therapeutics today announced the publication of two papers in Science Translational Medicine, supporting its lead candidate, STX209 (arbaclofen), for the treatment of fragile X syndrome (FXS). The works presented highlight STX209 as a potential disease-modifying drug in preclinical studies, with improvement in social function in a clinical trial of patients with FXS.
Selective grazing and aversion to olive and grape leaves achieved in goats and sheep
Researchers from the Research Group on Ruminants led by Elena Albanell, lecturer in Animal and Food Science at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, have successfully achieved to prevent sheep and goats from chewing on the young leaves of olive trees and grapevines when grazing. By using the natural mechanism of conditioned taste aversion, researchers redirected the food preferences of ruminants,...
Self-forming biological scaffolding
A new model system of the cellular skeletons of living cells is akin to a mini-laboratory designed to explore how the cells' functional structures assemble. A paper about to be published in EPJ E by physicist Volker Schaller and his colleagues from the Technical University Munich, Germany, presents one hypothesis concerning self-organization. It hinges on the findings that a homogeneous protein...
Sesame and rice bran oil lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol
A blend of sesame and rice bran oil reduced blood pressure almost as well as a common medication. Those who used a combination of both the oil and medication had more than twice the drop in blood pressure compared to either the group taking medication alone, or those only supplementing their diet with the oil blend.
Simple routine could help athletes avoid choking under pressure
Some athletes may improve their performance under pressure simply by squeezing a ball or clenching their left hand before competition to activate certain parts of the brain, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Single-atom writer a landmark for quantum computing
A research team led by Australian engineers has created the first working quantum bit based on a single atom in silicon, opening the way to ultra-powerful quantum computers of the future.In a landmark paper published today in the journal Nature, the team describes how it was able to both read and write information using the spin, or magnetic orientation, of an electron bound to a single phosphorus...
Specialist urologists should handle vasectomy reversal cases says 10-year study
Vasectomy reversals should be carried out by urology specialists with access to appropriate micro-surgical training and assisted reproductive technologies and not general urology surgeons. The findings are based on a series of surveys carried out among consultant members of the British Association of Urological Surgeons over a ten-year period.
Split-dose preparation for colonoscopy increases precancerous polyp detection rates
A new study from researchers at the Mayo Clinic Arizona showed that system-wide implementation of a split-dose preparation as the primary choice for colonoscopy significantly improved both polyp detection rates and adenoma (precancerous polyp) detection rates, overall quality of the preparation, and colonoscopy completion rates. The study appears in the September issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal...
Stop diabetes with insulin tablets
Could a capsule of insulin crystals a day stop the development of type 1 diabetes? There are indications that this could be the case. In the international TrialNet study, which follows relatives of individuals with type 1 diabetes, researchers are investigating whether oral insulin could prevent or delay the disease.
Study shows how consumers shift expectations and goals
A new study shows how consumers shift expectations and goals.
Study unveils clue to the origin of dyslexia
Even though dyslexia is defined as a reading disorder, it also affects how a person perceives spoken language. It is widely known that individuals with dyslexia exhibit subtle difficulties in speech perception. In fact, these problems are even seen among infants from dyslexic families, well before reading is acquired. A new study by Northeastern University professor Iris Berent has uncovered a...
Study: DNA barcoding can ID natural health products
DNA barcoding developed by University of Guelph researchers has proven up to 88 percent effective in authenticating natural health products, according to a new U of G study.
Team GB only likely to clock up 46 medals in Olympic Games in Rio 2016
Team GB is only likely to clock up 46 medals in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, say researchers who used a mathematical formula three years ago to predict performance for London 2012, and came up with a medal haul of 63.
The 'slippery slope to slime': Overgrown algae causing coral reef declines
Researchers for the first time have confirmed some of the mechanisms by which overfishing and nitrate pollution can help destroy coral reefs -- it appears they allow an overgrowth of algae that can bring with it unwanted pathogens, choke off oxygen and disrupt helpful bacteria.
The key to cooperation? Think fast
A team of researchers trying to answer an age-old question about human goodness have found evidence for a "cooperation reflex." They show that when self-interest goes up against the common good, our intuitions favor cooperation, while stopping to think leads to selfishness.
Tips from the journals of the American Society for Microbiology
Titles in this release include: New Insights Into How Certain Slow Progressers Control HIV Infection,Researchers Map Molecular Details That Encourage H1N1 Transmission To HumansProbiotics to Decontaminate Your Gut?,Wild Boars Are Reservoir of Hepatitis E Virus: High Prevalence Among Forestry Workers in Eastern France.
Tissue around tumor holds key to fighting triple negative breast cancer
A preclinical study published in PLOS ONE September 19 by Thomas Jefferson University researchers found that decorin, a well-studied protein known to help halt tumor growth, induces a series of tumor suppressor genes in the surrounding tissue of triple negative breast cancer tumors that help stop metastasis.