Who would have thought that the secrets to long life might exist in the naked, wrinkled body of one of the world's ugliest animals? Probably not many, but current research may be leading seekers of the Fountain of Youth to a strange little beast -- the naked mole rat. The naked mole rat is certainly not one of nature's cuddliest species. These small rodents are hairless, wrinkled, blind and buck-toothed.
Scientists used functional brain imaging to assess resting-state brain activity in chimpanzees as a potential window into their mental world and to compare chimpanzee brain activity to that of humans. Results suggest chimpanzees may engage in thought processes similar to those of humans at rest as well as thought processes that are quite different. The findings are significant because they show the uniqueness of humans as well as our similarity to our closest living primate relative.
Searching for digital photographs could become easier with a new software system that not only automatically tags images as they are uploaded, but also improves those tags by 'learning'from users'interactions with the system.
Acid reflux into the esophagus can present as other symptoms such as chronic cough or chest pain. Two new studies highlight the little-known connection between acid reflux and seemingly unrelated problems.
Glue is the latest product to go green. Researchers have developed a new, environmentally friendly adhesive made with renewable natural resources. The glue, which replaces current adhesives that release cancer-causing chemicals into the air, will improve the environment and human health, as well as provide new markets for U.S. soybean farmers. Since the 1940s, adhesive products used to make wood products, such as plywood, particleboard and fiberboard, contained cancer causing-chemicals, such as phenol--formaldehyde and urea--formaldehyde resins.
Patients have on average a 71 percent lower chance of dying at the nation's top-rated hospitals compared with the lowest-rated hospitals across 18 procedures and conditions analyzed in the 10th annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study.
The next time you think about throwing out those aging strawberries or very ripe grapes, consider this: Belgian scientists report that fruits and vegetables do not lose any antioxidant content in the days after purchase, even as tell-tale signs of spoilage appear. In some cases, antioxidant levels actually rise.
Determining the structure of a protein called hemagglutinin on the surface of influenza B is giving researchers clues as to what kinds of mutations could spark the next flu pandemic.
By adding features to commonly used chemical-engineering software packages, researchers have developed adaptive technology that allows blind or visually impaired students and working professionals to perform the essential functions of chemical-engineering process design.
New studies highlight the risks and significant health care costs of GI injury and bleeding from the use of NSAIDs. According to a new survey 22 percent of respondents did not think NSAIDs were important to mention to their doctor, revealing a common misperception about these over-the-counter remedies.
Experts warn that an unseemly race to report organic solar cells with world record efficiencies is leading to a significant number of published papers claiming unrealistic and scientifically questionable results and performances.
Traditional Chinese medicine is world renowned. It has effects on some diseases, but some of the reasons are still unknown. Human hepatocellular carcinoma is a challenging disease worldwide and researchers have long sought an effective cure. A research group in China has found that a Chinese medicinal compound, delisheng, had satisfactory anti-cancer effects on HCC with one exceptive.
The ability to ramp up testosterone production appears to drive male dark-eyed juncos to find and win mates, but it comes with an evolutionary cost. Big fluctuations in testosterone may also cause males to lose interest in parenting their own young, scientists have learned.
The enzyme WIP1 becomes cancer-causing when there is too much of it, preventing the p53 gene from protecting the genome against dangerous DNA mutations, according to new research. The gene p53 prevents a damaged or stressed cell from dividing. When these damaged cells cannot reproduce, they cannot repeat the genetic changes that have led to their damage.
