A new global portrait taken from space details Earth's land cover with a resolution never before obtained. Earth's land cover has been charted from space before, but this map, which will be made available to the public upon its completion in July, has a resolution 10 times sharper than any of its predecessors.
In large-scale field trials, scientists have shown that silencing a specific gene in burley tobacco plants significantly reduces harmful carcinogens in cured tobacco leaves. The finding could lead to tobacco products -- especially smokeless products -- with reduced amounts of cancer-causing agents. Researchers stress that the best way for people to avoid the risks associated with tobacco use is to avoid using tobacco products.
Brown bears from the Iberian Peninsula are not as genetically different from other brown bears in Europe as was previously thought. A new study shows that, to the contrary, the Spanish bear was only recently isolated from other European strains. These findings shed new light on the discussion of how to save the population of Spanish bears.
A new study finds that lithium chloride, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, can slow the development of inclusion body myositis, a skeletal muscle disease that affects the elderly. In the study, mice genetically engineered to have IBM demonstrated markedly better motor function six months after receiving daily doses of lithium chloride, compared with non-treated mice.
Gene therapy is a promising experimental technique for the prevention and treatment of disease. Now a research team reports that a counterintuitive approach also holds promise. The targeted removal of genes can restore cellular function in cells with genetic defects, such as mutations. The results have ramifications for medical research as well as for optimizing certain metabolic processes used in the production of biofuels, such as ethanol.
Emotions play an important role in the lives of humans, and influence our behavior, thoughts, decisions, and interactions. The ability to regulate emotions is essential to both mental and physical well-being.
A team of chemists and physicists has developed a tiny, inexpensive sensor chip capable of detecting trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical used in the most common form of homemade explosives.
New research holds promise for developing innovative therapies against cystic fibrosis and may also serve as a model for future therapies against the HIV virus. Past studies have shown it is possible to prevent or delay the onset of certain chronic or deadly infections in cystic fibrosis patients with early antibiotic treatment.
One aquarium fish's uncanny ability to regenerate essentially any cell type has given scientists a way to mimic cell loss that occurs in diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes then watch how the fish make more of them.
Overweight but active men responded dramatically better compared to their inactive counterparts in a first-of-its kind study that examined the vascular response to exercise in overweight men. Vascular function is important because of its relationship to cardiovascular disease.
The major egg yolk genes, those that express vitellogenins, appear to have progressively lost their functionality during mammalian evolution, probably due to the emergence of the mammalian-specific developmental nourishment resources, lactation, and placentation.
A random telephone survey of adults' opinions about whether the HPV vaccine should be mandatory for middle school students reveals an "ambivalence about sexuality in our culture," similar to debates surrounding contraception and sex education. Parents face a real dilemma. They want to protect their children, but they're fearful of the protective methods, note the researchers.
Using data from an environmental satellite, scientists have for the first time detected regionally elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide -- the most important greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming -- originating from manmade emissions.
Children with an inherited blood disorder called alpha thalassemia make unusually small red blood cells thatmostly cause a mild form of anemia. Now, researchers have discovered that this disorder has a benefit -- it can protect children against one of the world's greatest killers, malaria, according to a new study.
