Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood. Their study is published today in the journal Nature Genetics. AIS is the most common pediatric skeletal disease, affecting approximately 2% of school-age children. The causes of scoliosis remain largely unknown and brace treatment and surgery are the only treatment options. ...

ANN ARBOR---Leading nanoscientists created beautiful, tiled patterns with flat nanocrystals, but they were left with a mystery: Why did some sets of crystals arrange themselves in an alternating, herringbone style? To find out, they turned to experts in computer simulation at the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The result gives nanotechnology researchers a new tool for controlling how objects one-millionth the size of a grain of sand arrange themselves into useful materials---and a means to discover the rest of the tool chest. A ...

PHILADELPHIA—A new study looking at the genomes of more than 13,000 men identified four new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer, the most commonly diagnosed type in young men today. The findings from this first-of-its-kind meta-analysis were reported online May 12 in Nature Genetics by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The discovery of these genetic variations—chromosomal "typos," so to speak—could ultimately help researchers better understand which men are at high risk and allow for early ...

Almost two thirds of common plants and half the animals could see a dramatic decline this century due to climate change – according to research from the University of East Anglia. Research published today in the journal Nature Climate Change looked at 50,000 globally widespread and common species and found that two thirds of the plants and half of the animals will lose more than half of their climatic range by 2080 if nothing is done to reduce the amount of global warming and slow it down. This means that geographic ranges of common plants and animals will shrink globally ...

New mutations that are absent in parents but appear in their offspring account for at least 10% of severe congenital heart disease, reveals a massive genomics study led, in part, by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine. The analysis of all the genes of more than 1800 individuals found hundreds of mutations that can cause congenital heart disease, the most common form of birth defect that afflicts nearly 1% of all newborns. In particular, the study found frequent mutations in genes that modify histones, proteins that package DNA in the nucleus and orchestrate the ...

IRAPUATO, MEXICO/BUFFALO, N.Y. — Genes make up about 2 percent of the human genome. The rest consists of a genetic material known as noncoding DNA, and scientists have spent years puzzling over why this material exists in such voluminous quantities. Now, a new study offers an unexpected insight: The large majority of noncoding DNA, which is abundant in many living things, may not actually be needed for complex life, according to research set to appear in the journal Nature. The clues lie in the genome of the carnivorous bladderwort plant, Utricularia gibba. The U. ...

Experiments at Johns Hopkins have unearthed clues about which protein signaling molecules are allowed into hollow, hair-like "antennae," called cilia, that alert cells to critical changes in their environments. Researchers found that the size limit for entry is much greater than previously thought, allowing most of a cell's proteins into cilia. The researchers believe that the specific collection of proteins in each cilium, customized to the needs of each cell type, is determined by whether and how cilia keep proteins inside once they enter –– not which ones they allow ...

A new joint innovation by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the University of Cambridge could pave the way for redefining the ampere in terms of fundamental constants of physics. The world's first graphene single-electron pump (SEP), described in a paper today in Nature Nanotechnology, provides the speed of electron flow needed to create a new standard for electrical current based on electron charge. The international system of units (SI) comprises seven base units (the metre, kilogram, second, Kelvin, ampere, mole and candela). Ideally these should be stable ...

The gardener's best friend, the earthworm, is great at protecting leaves from being chomped by slugs, suggests research in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Ecology. Although they lurk in the soil, they seem to protect the plants above ground. Increasing plant diversity also decreases the amount of damage slugs do to individual plants. Spanish slugs (Arion vulgaris) are among the top 100 worst alien species in Europe and are considered a pest almost everywhere. A team of scientists from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna investigated what ...

VIDEO: An example of a mouse with TAPVC as seen by microCT. The movie starts off looking from the left side. As the specimen spins you can see the pulmonary veins... Click here for more information. PHILADELPHIA - Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), one type of "blue baby" syndrome, is a potentially deadly congenital disorder that occurs when pulmonary veins don't connect normally to the left atrium of the heart. This results in poorly oxygenated blood throughout ...

Every year, thousands of babies are born with severely malformed hearts, disorders known collectively as congenital heart disease. Many of these defects can be repaired though surgery, but researchers don't understand what causes them or how to prevent them. New research shows that about 10 percent of these defects are caused by genetic mutations that are absent in the parents of affected children. Although genetic factors contribute to congenital heart disease, many children born with heart defects have healthy parents and siblings, suggesting that new mutations that ...

VIDEO: Jonathan R. Kaltman, M.D., of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, and Richard Lifton, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Genetics at Yale University,... Click here for more information. Findings from the first large-scale sequencing analysis of congenital heart disease bring us closer to understanding this most common type of birth defect. The analysis found that spontaneous, or de novo, mutations affect a specific ...

As leadership of the Arctic Council passes from Sweden to Canada May 15, experts say it is crucial that northern nations strengthen response capabilities to shipping-related accidents foreseen in newly-opened northern waters, as well as to more-common local emergencies such as floods, forest fires and rescue situations. And Canada needs to lead by example. Despite having the world's longest Arctic coastline and second-largest territory in the region, its far northern marine and aviation infrastructure badly lags by international comparison, according to experts with the ...

A new analysis has found a link between exposure to Agent Orange and lethal forms of prostate cancer among US Veterans. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings suggest that Agent Orange exposure history should be incorporated into prostate screening decisions for Veterans. The herbicide Agent Orange was heavily used during the Vietnam War era and was often contaminated with dioxin, a dangerous toxin and potential carcinogen. Prior research suggests that exposure to Agent Orange may increase men's risk of developing ...

Recent public health efforts have focused extensively on reducing the amount of formula babies are given in the hospital after birth. But in the first randomized trial of its kind, researchers at UC San Francisco have found that giving small amounts of formula in the first few days of life to infants experiencing high levels of early weight loss actually can increase the length of time their mothers end up breastfeeding. "Until now, we haven't explored if it is possible to identify babies who might benefit from early formula use. This study provides the first evidence ...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When trouble approaches, what do you do? Run for the hills? Hide? Pretend it isn't there? Or do you focus on the promise of rain in those looming dark clouds? New research suggests that the way you regulate your emotions, in bad times and in good, can influence whether – or how much – you suffer from anxiety. The study appears in the journal Emotion. In a series of questionnaires, researchers asked 179 healthy men and women how they managed their emotions and how anxious they felt in various situations. The team analyzed the results to see if different ...

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of North America's most endangered ecosystems. The research found that overgrazed land loses the mechanisms that can resist invasion. This includes degradation of once-abundant native bunchgrasses and trampling that disturbs biological soil crusts. The work was published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology by researchers from Oregon State University, Augustana College and the U.S. Geological Survey. "We think there are ways ...

According to the U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the five to seven years after menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures. In a recent study from the British Medical Journal, it was confirmed that taking both calcium and vitamin D together on a daily basis significantly reduces the risk of bone fractures. The research was based on a review of seven controlled trials comprising almost 70,000 people throughout the U.S. and Europe. These findings are important because this is one of the few ...

When appearing at an event for the first time, the goal is to make a big impression - to tantalize and leave guests wanting more. Impressions don't come much bigger, nor aromas more tantalizing, than the Ultimate Smoker & Grill, making its debutat Wildflower! Richardson's Arts and Music FestivalMay 17-19, 2013. Visitors can enjoy two Texas traditions this year - great bands and barbeque. Trace Arnold of Justin, Texas- dubbed "the rib whisperer" by his wife - is in charge of the 80-foot rig that boasts of "the Ultimate Grilling Experience." Arnold ...

Today, Cleanicity LLC, the leading manufacturer of pet products inspired by clean freaks, announced it is launching a campaign with Indiegogo, the world's largest funding platform for creative projects, to fund the development of a stylish base for its award-winning product, the Stikitty. "By combining the new Stikitty Base with the existing Stikitty Refill, we are creating one of the world's most innovative cat litter mat systems on the market today—one that is effective at stopping cat litter tracking and stylish at the same time," explained Carol O'Brien, ...

Integral USA Magazine announces the casting of Mrs. Integral USA 2013, The Diva Within You. Mrs. Integral USA was born thinking of those women that for decades have been the architect of their homes. Those women that have left behind what they wanted to be to dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of others. Integral USA Magazine takes this opportunity to honor and transform these women into the beautiful divas they had hidden within themselves for decades. During this contest, the magazine will aim to showcase their talents to the world and select one diva among ...

UpperCurve's newest sales rep, Andrew Magnani states, "I am extremely excited to be working with UpperCurve covering the New York Metro and North New Jersey territory. I have seen many great products come into the dental industry over the last 30 years and the automated dental instrument dryer is a must have for all dental practices." UpperCurve offers the only "stand alone" dental instrument dryer available to dental offices today. Drying instruments prior to wrapping is an essential step in the cleaning process to prevent rust and corrosion. Instrument ...

Tourists visiting the nation's capital will soon be able to book tailored tours to popular hiking destinations in picturesque areas of neighboring states. The tour company, called ESQUAGAMA - meaning "the last water" in Ojibwe - will offer several tours in 2013 to small groups of travelers looking for an alternative to traditional museum tours in the District. Tours include the Billy Goat Trail in Maryland, Harpers Ferry in West Virginia, and Old Rag Mountain in Virginia. Travelers will be guided every step of the way from hotel pick-up to drop-off, according ...

Building on the strong performance of its Precision GetFit Body Fat Bathroom Scale, EatSmart Products has expanded its product line to include the GetFit in opalescent white. This color option was added in response to customer requests for a light colored scale that complements a modern bathroom decor. The GetFit will still be available in black tempered glass. The EatSmart Precision GetFit is an innovative health management tool that can measure weight, % body fat, % total body water, % body muscle and bone mass using new ITO BIA technology. Offering its customers the ...

TITUS, a leading provider of information classification and data governance software, is pleased to be presenting with G4S Bulgaria at the KuppingerCole European Identity Conference taking place in Munich, Germany from May 14 to 17. When: Wednesday, May 15 - 11:30pm CET Where: KuppingerCole European Identity Conference, Dolce BallhausForum, Munich, Germany What: Session Presented by G4S and TITUS entitled: Identify and Protect Critical Information and Prevent Data Leaks Who: Boris Goncharov, G4S Security Solutions Bulgaria Stephane Charbonneau, TITUS Session ...