Geologists find a ‘blob’ of material beneath the US West Great Basin. There are very few places in the world where dynamic activity taking place beneath Earth’s surface goes undetected. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and even the sudden uplifting or sinking of the ground are all visible results of restlessness far below, but according to seismologists, dynamic [...]
Of central importance for viruses is the ability to commandeer cellular gene expression machinery. Several human herpes viruses put the breaks on normal cellular gene expression to divert the associated enzymes and resources towards their own viral genes. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus, which causes several AIDS-associated cancers, has now been shown to do this in [...]
As climate change causes temperatures to increase in Hawaii’s mountains, deadly non-native bird diseases will likely also creep up the mountains, invading most of the last disease-free refuges for honeycreepers — a group of endangered and remarkable birds.
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Although a test for gene mutations known to significantly increase the risk of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer has been available for more than a decade, a new study finds that few women with family histories of these cancers are even discussing genetic testing with their physicians or other health care providers.
By combining the best of two different distance measurement approaches with a super-accurate technology called an optical frequency comb, researchers have built a laser ranging system that can pinpoint multiple objects with nanometer precision over distances up to 100 km.
In the rat race of life, one thing is certain: there’s no place like home. Now, a study finds the same is true for rats. Although inner city rodents appear to roam freely, most form distinct neighborhoods where they spend the majority of their lives.
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Anthropologists have recently reported on the analysis of a 4000-year-old skeleton from India bearing evidence of leprosy. This skeleton represents both the earliest archaeological evidence for human infection with Mycobacterium leprae in the world and the first evidence for the disease in prehistoric India.
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There are several risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Based on an increasing number of studies linking these risk factors with Vitamin D deficiency, a new article suggests that further investigation of possible direct or indirect linkages between vitamin D and these dementias is needed.
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Scientists are reporting development of a new dental filling material that substitutes natural ingredients from the human body for controversial ingredients in existing “composite,” or plastic, fillings. The new material appears stronger and longer lasting as well, with the potential for reducing painful filling cracks and emergency visits to the dentist, the scientists say.
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New findings are accelerating efforts to eradicate worm infections that afflict a third of the world’s population.
Continue reading about Researchers Gain Ground In Efforts To Fight Parasitic Worm Infections