Body

Specialized test detects bacterial infections in youngest infants with fever

Physicians from Children's Hospital of Michigan, UC Davis Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital, in collaboration with 19 other pediatric emergency departments around the country, have established a "proof of principle" for measuring patterns of ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression in the bloodstream that can enable clinicians to distinguish bacterial infections from other causes of fever

Some youth football drills riskier than others

Nearly three quarters of the football players in the U.S. are less than 14 years old. But amid growing concern about concussion risk in football, the majority of the head-impact research has focused on college and professional players.

Coral conservation efforts aided by computer simulations

Contrary to a prevailing theory, coral larvae could not survive the five-thousand-kilometer trip across the Pacific Ocean to replenish endangered corals in the eastern Pacific, according to new research. Researchers used a supercomputer to simulate billions of coral larvae traveling on ocean currents over a 14.5-year period.

Medical scientists discover potent method for improving drug-free fertility treatment

For those facing infertility, IVF has long been the established option to have a baby. Now Australian and Belgian medical scientists have discovered how to improve a woman's chances of becoming pregnant using a less invasive and cheaper alternative.

The innovation, which has already undergone pre-clinical testing, uses growth factors to enhance an existing fertility treatment known as in-vitro maturation (IVM). The result is improved egg quality and a 50% increase in embryos, with the use of minimal drugs.

Reef castaways: Can coral make it across Darwin's 'impassable' barrier?

An international team of researchers have shown that vulnerable coral populations in the eastern tropical Pacific have been completely isolated from the rest of the Pacific Ocean for at least the past two decades.

Ocean currents can change speed and even direction depending on the season or climatic events like El Nino.

The new study led by University of Bristol researchers has used a state-of-the-art computer model to trace the journeys of coral larvae transported at the whim of these currents.

Potential new test to detect serious bacterial infections including meningitis and sepsis

Scientists have identified two genes that are switched on only when a child is suffering from a bacterial infection. This could allow doctors to quickly distinguish between a viral or bacterial illness, and identify early cases of potentially deadly infections.

The international team of scientists, led by researchers at Imperial College London, hope to now use the findings to develop a rapid test for use in hospitals and doctors' surgeries.

New study provides important insight into how tumors metastasize

Research has shown that the growth of cancerous tumours is affected by transforming growth factor (TGFβ) in the body's cells; TGFβ both suppresses and stimulates tumour development. But it has not been understood how this happens. A new study being published in the journal Science Signaling reveals important details behind this process.

Chemicals banned decades ago linked to increased autism risk today

Chemicals used in certain pesticides and as insulating material banned in the 1970s may still be haunting us, according to new research that suggests links between higher levels of exposure during pregnancy and significantly increased odds of autism spectrum disorder in children.

Global forecast assesses countries' invasive species risk, response capacity

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A global forecast of how invasive species could travel and spread in the 21st century shows that areas in most critical need of proactive management strategies are those with high poverty levels, rich biodiversity and low historical levels of invasion.

Invasive species - non-native animals, plants or microbes that spread quickly - can dramatically alter landscapes, ecosystems and human livelihoods, often with harmful consequences.

Human footprint surprisingly outpaced by population and economic growth

Analysis in Journal Nature Communications says humanity's impact on terrestrial environment has fallen behind population and economic growth Urbanization and good government contribute to slow-down Environmental impacts are still "frighteningly extensive," scientists warn Three quarters of the planet are significantly altered; 97 percent of species-rich regions are seriously altered Findings come days before kick-off of IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii

New Zika clone could be new model for developing vaccine

Washington, DC - August 23, 2016 - Stopping the explosive spread of Zika virus - which can lead to birth defects in babies born to infected mothers - depends on genetic insights gleaned through new tools and models. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health recently cloned an epidemic strain of the virus, creating a model that can help biologists develop and test strategies for stopping the pandemic.

Cybersecurity researchers design a chip that checks for sabotage

BROOKLYN, New York -- With the outsourcing of microchip design and fabrication worldwide, a $350 billion business, bad actors along the supply chain have many opportunities to install malicious circuitry in chips. These "Trojan horses" look harmless but can allow attackers to sabotage healthcare devices; public infrastructure; and financial, military, or government electronics.

'Putting prevention in their pockets'

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Would people living with HIV be willing to self-report on daily substance use and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence using a smartphone app?

That was a question researchers from the University at Buffalo set out to answer in a recent study. They were pleased to find that participants not only found the app easy and convenient to use -- they were also willing to provide honest responses.

Drinking green tea to prevent artery explosion

Kyoto, Japan -- Japan's favorite beverage might be offering more than just a relaxing tea break.

According to new research, green tea could prevent a deadly condition in the body's main artery. A Kyoto University team has found that abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a condition in which the main artery becomes overstretched and bloated -- developed less frequently in rats that drank green tea polyphenol, a major component of green tea.

Without treatment, abdominal aortic aneurysms eventually rupture and lead to death 50% of the time.

New tiny species of extinct Australian marsupial lion named after Sir David Attenborough

The fossil remains of a new tiny species of marsupial lion which prowled the lush rainforests of northern Australia about 18 million years ago have been unearthed in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area of remote north-western Queensland.

The UNSW discovery team has named the new species Microleo attenboroughi for its small size and to honour the famous broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, in recognition of his support for the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, which he has described as one of the four most important fossil areas in the world.