Both humans and mice that manage to live to a ripe, old age show a clear change in their glucose metabolism, but it's unclear whether this change alone can increase lifespan. Using amouse model of longevity scientists report that changes in metabolism can indeed increase longevity. They demonstrated that long-lived Snell dwarf mice burn less glucose and more fatty acids during periods of fasting, and as a result produce fewer free radicals.
Investigators have discovered a new signaling molecule that prevents immune responses from running amok and damaging the body. The finding could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer, using vaccines; for autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes; and for inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and asthma.
Over the last 20 years lakes and streams in remote parts of the UK, southern Scandinavia and eastern North America have been increasingly stained brown by dissolved organic matter. Now researchers demonstrates that the color change is indicative of a return to a more natural, pre-industrial state following a decline in the level of acid rain.
Problems with memory and social function in patients with schizophrenia may result from an imbalance in the brain's nitric oxide system. A new dissertation shows that rats with characteristics of schizophrenia regain normal brain function if they receive drugs that reduce the production of nitric oxide in the brain.
In light of the importance of virus monitoring for pandemic influenza preparedness and response, Indonesia's refusal to share samples of avian flu virus with the WHO for most of 2007 is "distressing and potentially dangerous for global public health,"say two leading global health experts.
New research has found evidence of tremors along non-subduction zone faults in seven California locations immediately following the magnitude 7.8 Denali earthquake in Alaska on Nov. 3, 2002. The scientists commented that their findings were the opposite of what they had expected.
People with a devastating brain injury that has wiped out many of their personal memories may still be able to understand other people's feelings and intentions, according to a new study.
The formation of stars and planets in the universe is a delicate process. Clouds of gas and matter rotate and draw together under the influence of gravity. Pressure and temperature then rise, which eventually leads to the kindling of a new star with planets potentially orbiting it. Yet why does this happen at some locations in the universe and not at others? What are the conditions for star and planet formation? How does this process start and when does it stop?
Scientists have tested cellular therapy for ischemic stroke on rats. Intravenous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells was found to restore cerebrum blood supply and protect nerve cells from death.
A new study provides direct evidence that biological clocks can influence the activity of a large number of different genes in an ingenious fashion, simply by causing chromosomes to coil more tightly during the day and to relax at night.
Lung transplantation, the therapy almost every cystic fibrosis patient considers at some point to prolong survival, rarely helps children with the disease live longer and, in fact, often increases their risk of dying, researchers conclude in the most extensive study of the issue to date. The findings argue strongly for a comprehensive look at determining which children with CF are the best candidates for lung transplants.
Researchers have found that the children of mothers whose water supplies were contaminated with arsenic during their pregnancies harbored gene expression changes that may lead to cancer and other diseases later in life. In addition to establishing the potential harmful effects of these prenatal exposures, the new study also provides a possible method for screening populations to detect signs of arsenic contamination.
The feelings an individual has on receiving his paycheck depend critically on how much his colleague earns. Hard evidence for this comes from a brain scanner experiment conducted by economists and brain scientists.
Scientists have discovered some unexpected forms of liquid crystals of ultrashort DNA molecules immersed in water, providing a new scenario for a key step in the emergence of life on Earth.
