Scientists at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, in collaboration with researchers at University of Oslo, Norway, have demonstrated the most accurate distance between densely packed antigens in order to get the strongest bond to antibodies in the immune system. The study, which is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, may be of significance to the development of … Read more
New research from North Carolina State University and the University of South Florida finds significant flaws in recently released forensic software designed to assess the age of individuals based on their skeletal remains. The researchers report that, on average, the software’s age estimates are off by more than 14 years. “Estimating someone’s age at death, … Read more
The metabolic protein AMPK has been described as a kind of magic bullet for health. Studies in animal models have shown that compounds that activate the protein have health-promoting effects to reverse diabetes, improve cardiovascular health, treat mitochondrial disease—even extend life span. However, how much of the effects of these compounds can be fully attributed … Read more
Couples considering medically assisted reproduction (MAR) because they have difficulty conceiving naturally have feared the possibility of preterm birth (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy) and low birth weight (less than 2.5 kilograms). Doctors often warn prospective parents about these risks. It’s a hard decision for couples with an unmet desire for children. Low birth … Read more
Researchers at the University of Wollongong, Deakin University, Monash University and Kyushu University have developed a framework that could be used to build a smart, AI-powered agile project management assistant. Their paper, pre-published on arXiv, has been accepted at the 41st International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) 2019, in the New Ideas and Emerging Results … Read more
Shooting stars may fill you with child-like wonder, but these celestial showstoppers are also reminders that Earth is hardly alone in space, and some of those cosmic objects can be downright dangerous. The Perseid meteor shower, which appears every year in mid-August, occurs when Earth passes through a trail of debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. … Read more
What Are Comets? Comets are small, fragile, irregularly shaped bodies composed of a mixture of grains and frozen gases. They have highly elliptical orbits that repeatedly bring them very close to the Sun and then swing them deeply into space, often beyond the orbit of Pluto. Comet structures are diverse and very dynamic, but they … Read more
Sun allergy is a term often used to describe a number of conditions in which an itchy red rash occurs on skin that’s been exposed to sunlight. The most common form of sun allergy is polymorphic light eruption, also known as sun poisoning. Some people have a hereditary type of sun allergy, while others develop … Read more
Earth’s Axis Is Imaginary In astronomy, an axis refers to the imaginary line that an object, usually a planet, rotates around. Earth’s rotational axis is an imaginary straight line that runs through the North and South Pole. In our illustrations, Earth’s axis is drawn as a straight red line. When an object the size of … Read more
For many decades, Aboriginal Australians have campaigned for the return of ancestral remains that continue to be stored in museums worldwide. But in many instances these remains cannot be repatriated – as their geographic origin, tribal affiliation or language group was never identified. Without this information it is impossible for museums to determine appropriate custodians, … Read more
A unique collaboration between University of British Columbia (UBC) zoologists and U of T Engineering’s aviation expert Professor Philippe Lavoie provides new insights into how gulls configure their wing shape—known as wing morphing—to stabilize their flight. The findings could be used to design more efficient flying vehicles, including soaring drones for farming or environmental monitoring. … Read more
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder which is characterized by substantially increased Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Timely reduction of LDL-C is of paramount importance to ameliorate the risk for CV disease as patients with FH have a significantly higher risk for Cardiovascular (CV) events. Pro-protein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors … Read more
In a small trial, brain scans revealed who was most at risk of relapsing after being treated for addiction to stimulants like amphetamines or cocaine. The finding could identify people who need help staying drug-free. Predicting who will remain drug-free and who will relapse following treatment for drug addiction has been impossible – so far. … Read more
A research team led by scientists at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health report on a new method to help health officials control outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, a life-threatening antibiotic-resistant infection often seen in hospitals. The researchers are the first to reveal the invisible dynamics governing the spread of these … Read more
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure that affects women in their last month of pregnancy and up to five months after giving birth. PPCM can be difficult to detect because its symptoms—swelling in the feet and legs and shortness of breath—mimic many of those of third trimester pregnancy. The disease, which … Read more