A Duke University study suggests that plants may shunt excess atmospheric carbon dioxide into groundwater to remain stored away for thousands of years. This could help solve the mystery of missing CO2 in the atmosphere and potentially lower predicted impacts of global warming.
Studies using high-resolution MRI scans show that long-term stress can cause a crucial part of the human brain to shrink. Research has found links between stress hormones and atrophy in regions responsible for memory and learning, such as the hippocampus.
Newborns exposed to crack cocaine in the womb display excitability, lethargy, stress, and delayed motor skills, but may not require special care. Cocaine exposure may also impact parenting styles and lead to negative outcomes for babies.
Researchers find nitric oxide controls genes, influencing myriad body functions. The discovery offers a new approach to developing antibiotic drugs to disarm invasive bacteria.
Duke University professors Orrin Pilkey and David Bush will lead a media tour and briefing to highlight the risks of building on beaches prone to hurricane damage. The tour will show better and worse places to build along the Grand Strand, with tips for minimizing storm damage.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed compounds that reduce wear and friction for ceramics and steel, saving up to 99% of wear and 40-50% of friction. The technology has been licensed for further development by Triad Investors Corp.
A Cornell University team found no overt response from humpback whales to the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) simulation sounds in Hawaiian waters. The whales swam normally near the underwater speakers, with some even singing close to the speaker.
The Zare lab's Microprobe Two-Step Laser Microscopy technique detects organic molecules in meteorites, revealing interplanetary and interstellar origins. The method eliminates contamination sources, enabling precise analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other compounds.
A four-year study reveals that winter rainfall is crucial for desert plant growth, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery sheds light on the complex factors causing desertification and emphasizes the need for further research on desert ecology.
Researchers are exploring a system to buy and sell cycles of time on idle machines, offering an alternative to buying new hardware. This metacomputing concept enables people to rent out their computers' unused power for tasks that require extra computing horsepower or specialized equipment.
Two possible source craters for the Martian meteorite ALH84001 have been identified through a search of impact craters on Mars. The craters are located in the southern highlands and display characteristics such as pristine ejecta blankets and sharp crater rims.
Researchers are investigating the history of forests, fire incidence, and signs of early settlers in the Lake Tahoe Basin due to a bark beetle infestation. The study aims to reconstruct the forest structure before logging, the history of fire in the area, and the age of trees.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that public support for the death penalty is ambivalent, with many opponents emerging when alternatives to capital punishment are presented. The survey showed that 83% of Virginians initially supported the death penalty, but this number dropped significantly when respondents were given a life ...
Researchers have developed a rapid virus detection technology for drinking water, recreational waters, and groundwater. The test detects the presence or absence of viruses using a specific enzyme released from cells, providing a more accurate indicator of human health risk.
The FDA has approved fexofenadine, a new antihistamine that effectively relieves seasonal allergy symptoms without the risk of fatal heart conditions. Developed by Georgetown pharmacologist Raymond Woosley, fexofenadine was discovered through research on Seldane's cardiac side effects.
Professors Fraser Stoddart and David Williams successfully link complex synthetic molecules, enabling the creation of molecular chains with various applications in information storage systems and molecular computing. The achievement represents a significant step towards storing data within molecules smaller than a grain of salt.
A new study by the National Science Foundation reveals that basic college science courses primarily serve as a filter for promising students, leaving the majority without a deep understanding of science. This has significant implications for the quality of teacher education and the nation's pursuit of world-class research.
A new set of curriculum guides, developed with NSF support, helps teachers stimulate students' curiosity about life in the universe. The guides provide tools for elementary school teachers to explore topics like planetary systems and extraterrestrial life.
The ACE spacecraft, a NASA mission to study the nature and origin of energetic particles from the sun and beyond our solar system, is nearing completion at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The spacecraft will provide advance warning of powerful geomagnetic storms that can disrupt power grids and communications o...
Researchers at NIAID have determined the entire genetic sequence of molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), which causes persistent and sometimes disfiguring skin lesions in HIV-infected individuals. The complete DNA sequence will enable testing of drugs against MCV genes and studying how the virus evades immune responses.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have made a surprising discovery about the movement of proteins within the Golgi apparatus. The enzymes, which are crucial for various cellular processes, were found to be mysteriously retained in the organelle despite their rapid movement, contradicting long-held assumptions about their function.
Researchers found a mutant gene in C. elegans that doubles adult lifespan when mutated, suggesting its role in regulating aging. The gene encodes a PI(3)K enzyme, which may trigger a biochemical program leading to decreased aging and senescence.
A new study by the NHLBI shows that bone marrow transplantation can provide a cure for young patients with sickle cell disease who have a matched sibling. The procedure has an overall survival rate of 90% and successfully transplanted 73% of participants, free from sickle cell disease.
Researchers have discovered complex organic molecules and mineralogical evidence of past life in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. The study suggests that these findings could be indicative of primitive life on early Mars.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein glitch as an early problem in inherited Alzheimer's disease. Presenilin normally cleaves in two, but a disease-causing mutation can prevent this crucial change. This study may lead to new treatments by targeting the point of cleavage with drugs or other interventions.
Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new method called photometric-redshift astronomy, which allows for rapid distance measurements to distant galaxies. This technique resolves a long-standing dilemma in cosmology research by enabling the study of galaxy evolution and dark matter.
A new vehicle has been found to carry therapeutic proteins into living cells, overcoming a major hurdle in the delivery of protein-based drugs. The discovery uses small peptides to substitute for bulky components of bacterial toxins and deliver therapeutic proteins into cells.
Researchers challenge conventional wisdom that scraping off bee stings is more effective than pinching them out. Immediate removal of the sting, rather than its method of removal, reduces the amount of venom injected. Delaying removal increases welt size and envenomization.
NeXstar Pharmaceuticals has created an aptamer-based diagnostic assay for its VEGF inhibitor, enhancing cancer treatment possibilities. The ELONA system uses an aptamer to detect small amounts of clinically important substances, overcoming limitations of traditional antibodies in diagnostic assays.
A study found that aerobic exercise programs improve cardiovascular function in sedentary older people, even those with less reserve mechanisms to augment their heart function. The results suggest that it's never too late to benefit from exercise and improve cardiac fitness, regardless of age or prior physical conditioning.
Duke University researchers identify a new target for stopping drug resistance in cancer cells by targeting the cellular pump that expels chemotherapy drugs. The study found that certain immunosuppressive drugs can block this pump by removing a vital activator, FKBP12, allowing chemotherapy drugs to be effective.
Researchers are finding ways to repurpose old tires by using them in the construction of roads and retaining walls. Tire chips have been used successfully in three major new bridges in southern Maine and sections of three Maine roads, showing significantly less frost heave than conventionally built sections.
Researchers have developed a new technique to predict earthquake magnitude based on rock structure, providing more accurate assessments of seismic risk. By analyzing data from 37,000 earthquakes in southern California, the team created 3D images of subsurface rock formations that reveal varying maximum depths along and across faults.
The study recommends that foldaway powered wheelchairs have a maximum weight of 14.19kg to ensure safe handling and portability. This is below the current average weight of commercially available wheelchairs, allowing for more accessible designs that cater to users with limited exercise endurance.
A European research project will develop high-tech sensors for cars to detect air pollution and enforce EU regulations. The sensors will be capable of detecting a range of gases, including CO, in real-time, allowing drivers to take action to reduce their impact on the environment.
Researchers developed CLOTSIM, a computer model simulating blood clot dissolution, to provide critical information on thrombolytic agents. The program helps predict clinical outcomes and tailor therapies to reduce patient risks.
A rare lung disease thought to affect only people from Japan, China, and Korea has been diagnosed in five US patients with no Asian ancestry. Long-term antibiotic use can effectively treat the condition, but mortality rates remain high if left untreated.
A study demonstrates that the common cat flea is a competent vector for Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat scratch disease. Flea infestation control may reduce transmission between cats, and thus humans via scratches. Direct transmission from cat to cat cannot be demonstrated without fleas.
Scientists at the University of Chicago's Howard Hughes Medical Institute have discovered that an improperly folded protein in yeast cells can corrupt other proteins, leading to heritable changes. This finding supports the 'prion hypothesis' and provides direct evidence for protein-based inheritance.
University of Washington researchers have made significant advances in a new MRI technique called magnetic resonance (MR) neurography. This breakthrough allows for clear images of nerve compressions, injuries, and normal nerve function, enabling diagnoses and treatment with unprecedented precision.
Researchers have identified three genes connected to stroke in hypertensive rats, with two protecting against the disease and one predisposing it. The study sheds light on the complex nature of stroke, which is influenced by multiple genetic factors beyond well-known risk factors.
Researchers investigated nausea in a study of 1,695 Penn State students, discovering 17 descriptors that define the feelings associated with nausea. These descriptors were clustered into three groups: somatic, gastrointestinal, and emotional distress, highlighting the variability in nausea experiences among individuals.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a method to recover fossil iron meteorites from coal using tramp iron magnets. The method involves examining magnetic materials pulled out of coal by these electromagnets, which could potentially yield up to 5 pounds of iron meteorites per year.
An international team of scientists has identified the gene responsible for anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (EDA), a condition affecting the development of skin, hair, and teeth. The discovery provides a molecular marker to identify female carriers and is a step towards developing therapeutic interventions.
A two-year study on wild baboons found that environmental factors such as social status and seasonal conditions significantly impact reproduction. The research suggests that understanding these natural processes can inform the development of new treatments for human infertility.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed an experimental system to match inlet and engine components, addressing a critical issue in aircraft design. The system combines a small jet engine with a special inlet to improve stability and predictability, enabling safer and more efficient flight.
Scientists have developed a powerful new way to visualize the full set of human chromosomes using spectral karyotyping, which translates computer-gathered light waves into a full-color palette. This technique enables easy examination of chromosome changes that could lead to disease, such as missing or extra pieces.
Microgravity researchers Michael Paulaitis and Kathleen Stebe are developing stable suspensions to create polymers in Earth-based labs. Their findings could shape space station materials, fuel pumping systems, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Researchers find that parents' management of their children's emerging autonomy during the Terrible Twos significantly impacts future behavioral problems. The study reveals that families with less income, negative emotions, social isolation, and authoritarian parenting styles are more likely to experience troubled interactions.
Scientists have discovered how p27 blocks cell growth in virtually all human cancers, providing new hope for developing drugs to halt uncontrolled cell division. The discovery uses X-ray crystallography to reveal the molecular structure of p27 and its interaction with cyclin-CDK complexes.
The implant is a button-sized polymer that releases hydromorphone over one to three months, providing steady pain medication. It could be used in developing nations where cancer rates are high but limited treatment options exist, and potentially as an alternative to oral methadone treatment for heroin addicts.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have extracted a range of natural chemical compounds from the green ash tree that can repel or poison gypsy moth larvae. The chemicals work at very low concentrations and offer an environmentally benign alternative to existing control methods.
Researchers are investigating alternative methods to stabilize seemingly chaotic oscillations in experimental nerve cell and heart preparations. They aim to improve treatments for arrhythmia by controlling chaos in the heart's upper chambers, which can lead to conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Researchers found that native aquatic plants hyperaccumulate contaminants in their tissue, transforming toxic metal forms into benign ones. Turtle shell fragments serve as sensitive biomonitors of uranium, nickel, selenium, and arsenic contamination, enabling environmental risk assessment and remediation project evaluation.
Thyroid screening can prevent mild problem from becoming severe and reverse undiagnosed symptoms, according to a Johns Hopkins study. Screening costs are comparable to other preventative tests, with greatest savings from lowering cholesterol and heart disease risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University created a scale model of Jupiter that simulates the banding pattern, lending support to the idea that the atmospheric bands have deep roots. The model's findings are backed by data from the Galileo spacecraft, which shows that wind speeds persist deep into the atmosphere.
A recent study using pocket gophers found that individuals with low genetic variation accepted skin grafts from each other, while those with higher genetic diversity rejected them. This suggests that cheetahs and other genetically impoverished species may be more vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
A team of researchers has identified a gene responsible for hair growth, tooth development, and sweat gland function. The gene, located on the X chromosome, is associated with a rare genetic disorder called anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED), which affects approximately 125,000 Americans.
A study from Ohio University predicts which donors are more sensitive to medical procedures, enabling stress-reducing techniques to be applied. The 10-question form identifies high-risk donors, who can benefit from shorter questionnaires and targeted interventions.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a hormonal link between nutrition and reproduction, with leptin serving as a metabolic signal to the reproductive system. The study provides an explanation for how the body's energy stores determine reproductive readiness.