A new study published in The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that non-invasive magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can effectively manage vascular malformations. The imaging techniques showed the growths' connections to surrounding tissues, allowing for better treatment planning.
Researchers found state-level media more likely to affiliate with the Democratic party, particularly in the South. However, a study published by Dr. Thad Beyle and colleagues found that partisan bias does not appear to affect coverage of governors.
Yale University has granted an exclusive license to ArQule Inc. for the development of patent-pending discoveries that could help fight various diseases, including AIDS and emphysema. The Yale chemists' method allows rapid synthesis of alpha-ketoamide-based compounds, which have shown potential in blocking key enzymes called proteases.
Researchers investigate how climate change affects vulnerable populations, including access to public water supply and education levels. The study aims to understand the potential regional-scale effects of climate change on social groups in specific regions.
A recent clinical study found that people with knee osteoarthritis who exercise in moderation experience reduced pain, improved physical performance, and less disability. The Fitness Arthritis and Seniors Trial (FAST) results compared improvement measurements in aerobic and resistance training programs to a health education program.
Scientists at UC Berkeley designed a protein that toggles between two structures upon binding a small molecule, enabling detection of carcinogens like benzene. The newly designed protein could also be used as a molecular switch or zipper to join proteins together.
A new study predicts prostate cancer up to six years earlier than current methods by analyzing the ratio of free to total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man's blood. The research, published in 1996, showed that men with high total PSA levels may have prostate cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that publicly released performance reports on quality have a neutral impact on referrals, but may discourage cardiac surgeons from taking on high-risk cases. The report's authors argue that closing the credibility gap between clinicians and public data is vital for improving quality.
Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute investigated how moderate and low doses of alcohol impact brain function. They found that c-Fos protein levels were stimulated in regions involved in emotions, motivation, and sensory processing, while selectively decreased in the hippocampus.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully transplanted nervous system cells into dogs with diseased spinal cords, achieving significant myelination and growth. This breakthrough finding offers new hope for multiple sclerosis treatment and may be applicable to other demyelinating disorders.
A study by Wake Forest University psychologists found that adolescents are adept at adjusting to joint custody, with minimal impact on their well-being. Parents can help their children cope with divorce by avoiding asking kids to carry messages between parents and denigrating the other parent in front of the child.
A CWRU study reveals that blaming people for mental illness can impair family functioning, leading to decreased cohesiveness, communication, and problem-solving ability. The research highlights the importance of understanding causal attributions about mental illness in promoting healthy family dynamics.
Researchers at University of Rochester and NIH discover new HAT that plays critical role in transcription, providing strong evidence for chromatin-unfolding mechanism of gene activation. The finding has significant implications for understanding cell survival, proper development, and evolution.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in the TIE-2 gene responsible for venous malformations, the most common type of birthmark. The mutation disrupts the normal molecular dialog between endothelial cells and their environment, leading to abnormal blood vessel formation.
Copolymer-1 has been approved by the FDA for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, demonstrating its ability to reduce attack frequency and minimize negative side effects. The drug works by blocking the immune system's attack on myelin coatings and triggering immune suppressor cells.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created a gene control technology that allows for permanent gene modification in adult mice. This breakthrough enables scientists to study nearly any gene in the nervous system with unprecedented control and precision.
A major seven-year national study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lung volume reduction surgery for people with severe emphysema. Patients selected for the surgery will undergo evaluation and medical therapy at either University of Maryland Medical Center or Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The Virginia Tech project aims to develop a National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, increasing accessibility of graduate research results. With federal funding, over 40 institutions will benefit from electronic thesis submission and retrieval, enhancing knowledge transfer.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that Evangelicals are the most active Christian group in donating money to candidates and demonstrating for their beliefs. They feel threatened by current trends in US culture and strongly identify with Republican values.
A large-scale study found that infant screening for neuroblastoma fails to detect the most severe form of the disease in nearly 500,000 Canadian infants. The researchers conclude that some cases of neuroblastoma detected by screening may resolve spontaneously or fail to progress.
Researchers have found a new technique to reduce organic and halogenated solvents used in industries, replacing them with environmentally benign carbon dioxide. This breakthrough could decrease waste by up to 100-fold and has implications for society.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School Medicine discovered that mature B cells can re-activate V(D)J recombination, allowing them to produce different antibodies and adapt to new antigens. This finding may help scientists better understand and control the immune system's response to infections.
Scientists at Purdue University have uncovered the mechanism by which disease-resistant plants recognize disease-causing microbes. The discovery reveals that a protein-protein interaction between an enzyme called Pto kinase and a protein produced by the bacterium alerts the plant's defense mechanisms, leading to effective resistance.
Researchers examine obstacles to international technology diffusion, including funding limitations, investment distortions, and intellectual property issues. They also investigate strengthening economic incentives for mutually-beneficial technology adoption.
The Piping Plover population has shown a significant increase of 7% since the last census in 1991, primarily attributed to conservation efforts along the Atlantic coast. However, midcontinent bird populations have declined due to massive nest flooding on the Missouri River and lack of habitat improvement in prairie potholes.
The primary visual cortex, V1, is found to process optical illusions and complex images, contrary to previous beliefs. This discovery provides insights into how the brain cooperates to process different aspects of vision.
Scientists have discovered a basic gene-for-gene resistance mechanism in plants, triggered by the interaction of proteins produced by both a resistance gene and an avirulence gene in the disease-causing microorganism. This finding has wide application for understanding how plants identify and resist diverse pathogens.
Researchers studied genetic mutations in patients with congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, a devastating disorder affecting steroid hormone production. The study revealed that StAR protein plays a central role in steroid hormone synthesis, with mutant proteins blocking cholesterol conversion and causing cellular damage.
Researchers investigated urbanized watersheds in four US regions over 50 years, comparing stream flow data with population growth. They found that higher population densities led to increased stream flow despite lower precipitation levels.
The NHLBI and HCFA have announced a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for patients with emphysema. The study aims to determine whether LVRS is a viable treatment option for this population, which currently has limited treatment options.
A new company, Xanthon Inc., will develop and market a genetic detection diagnostic kit using advanced electrochemistry. The kit aims to improve the efficiency, speed, and accuracy of cancer and infectious disease diagnoses.
The latest survey from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals a slowdown in the World Wide Web's expansion, with minor changes in demographics and a significant decrease in new internet users. The study highlights growing concerns over cyberspace privacy, falsification of information, and censorship among web users.
A new study finds that obese Blacks are more likely to experience physical disabilities due to their weight, with a 30% greater risk than Whites. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined functional differences between Blacks and Whites in rural Johnston County.
A Duke University study found that elderly patients treated for a heart attack by a cardiologist had a 12% lower chance of dying compared to those treated by a primary care physician. The researchers suggest that this difference in outcomes is due to the specialized training and focus on heart disease of cardiologists.
The report summarizes findings of a workshop on robotics and computer-assisted medical interventions, highlighting advancements in surgical simulations, image-guided therapies, robotics, and teleinterventions. Researchers aim to improve patient care and reduce treatment costs with more precise tools that leverage human skills.
The USGS has released 30 years of Christmas Bird Count data, showing significant increases in eastern bluebirds, American crows, and American goldfinches, while declines are noted for bobwhites, loggerhead shrikes, field sparrows, and mockingbirds. The data provides valuable insights into bird population trends and patterns over time.
Scientists confirmed decades-old notion that plant disease resistance is linked to protein interaction between a plant's resistance gene and a pathogen's avirulence gene. The discovery may lead to genetically engineered disease-resistant crops, as researchers suspect the mechanism occurs in many other plants.
Experts from around the world have agreed on a standard for locating environmental information, enabling easy access to a virtual library of data and information. The initiative aims to make use of base standards like ISO 10163 to provide a universal service for searching and accessing environmental information.
Geologists have discovered that the Ontong Java Plateau, a 40km-thick oceanic feature, formed from eruptions over just three million years, defying current geologic theories. The rocks' unique geochemical characteristics suggest they were created in high-pressure environments, with pressures potentially exceeding eight kilobars.
Treatment with low-dose diuretic cuts strokes and heart attacks in older patients with diabetes, with a significant reduction in cardiovascular events. The study shows diuretic therapy as a first-choice treatment for this population, alongside lifestyle changes.
The approved draft proclaims the set of genes determining heredity as a 'common heritage of humanity' based on recognition of inherent dignity and equal rights. The seven-chapter declaration covers research in the human genome, rights of persons concerned, and international cooperation between developed and developing countries.
Researchers have developed a prototype electronic house call system that enables patients with chronic diseases to receive regular care from nurses at home. The system, tested in 25 patient homes and a nursing facility, uses videoconferencing and medical devices to monitor vital signs and perform exams.
A new study reveals that media reports of vaccine injuries can cause fear, lead to costly litigation, and prevent infants from being immunized. The authors urge journalists to report on rare adverse events without distorting the facts, highlighting the importance of accurate information in protecting public health.
Researchers found the ancient Sahara was much wetter 12,000 to 5,000 years ago, with stronger summer monsoons producing more vegetation and increased water content in the soil. The vegetation and soil changes enhanced the effects of orbital shifts, leading to a 10% increase in annual precipitation.
A new species of frog, Eleutherodactylus iberia, has been discovered by scientists funded by the US National Science Foundation. The one-centimeter-long frog is the smallest of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere and part of a group that includes all animals with backbones except fishes.
A new USGS report explores the environmental consequences of dams, including erosion, waterfowl habitat changes, and loss of river sand bars. The report emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary scientific approaches to minimize negative impacts and promote informed decisions about dam management.
Researchers discover large areas of non-volcanic carbon dioxide vents in Italy, contributing significantly to atmospheric CO2 levels. The 200-mile area between Florence and Naples produces an enormous amount of carbon dioxide, but its measurement has never been attempted before.
Researchers used SOHO spacecraft to track solar dynamo's position and conditions. They found turbulence and shear flows indicative of dynamo presence at a layer 38,000 miles thick.
New HIV treatments and basic research advances offered new weapons against the virus, potentially making it a chronic disease. Other breakthroughs included discoveries about the origin of life, online publishing, and genetic sequencing of yeast.
Researchers identified a carbohydrate structure that Chlamydia trachomatis uses to infect cells, leading to the development of a potential preventive agent. The study found that similar carbohydrates can prevent chlamydial infection, paving the way for the creation of anti-adhesive therapies.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Project MATCH trial found one confirmed match between low psychiatric severity patients and 12-step facilitation therapy, showing improved abstinent days and decreased drinks per day
A prospective study found that people who have suffered major depression may have up to a four-fold increased risk for heart attack. Researchers suggest treating the depression might be crucial not only for quality of life but also for heart health, as it was depression itself causing the risk, not medications.
The monsoon's peculiar ocean currents increase nutrients, boosting plankton productivity. This boost converts carbon dioxide to organic forms, storing it in deeper layers and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Lee Marshall, a Penn State graduate student, captures electromagnetic signals of sprites and elves, which are optical phenomena caused by ionized nitrogen above thunderheads. The project uses automatic alert systems to detect these signals, which last only milliseconds and microseconds.
A Kansas State University researcher has invented a method for preparing a pre-formed emulsifier that reduces the calorie count of cakes by up to 50%. The emulsifier allows bakers to create low-calorie cake batter with high-quality cakes. By controlling ingredient proportions, bakers can achieve a desired structure and texture.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the structure of the Earth's mantle beneath Tibet, finding that it is not horizontal but oriented in three dimensions. This new understanding could improve models of plate tectonics and provide insights into the evolution of continents.
Researchers measured steady, imperceptible movements of faults since the 1994 Northridge earthquake using GPS data from over a dozen receivers. The force of 'after-slip' has added about six inches to nearby Granada Hills, highlighting the difficulty in fully accounting for strain leading up to earthquakes.
Astronomers use BATSE to detect four rare cosmic gamma-ray bursts, sparking debate about their origin and distance. The events appeared in rapid succession over two days from the same general position in the sky.
Scientists at Boston University have captured high-resolution images of the Earth's outer atmosphere using the POLAR ENA Imaging Proton Spectrometer. These images allow for the tracking of magnetic storms in space and provide new insights into the relationship between the Sun and Earth.
Sandia's achievement of the one-teraflops mark demonstrates its expertise in advanced software applications and high-fidelity 3-D simulation. This breakthrough enables scientists to simulate complex nuclear-weapon performance and predict safety against accidental nuclear explosions, marking a new era in computing.