A Johns Hopkins study found that fires occur in 17% of commuter and air taxi crashes, resulting in 536 deaths and 744 injuries. The researchers emphasize the need for adoption of latest fire safety technology to minimize risk of fire in these aircraft.
Researchers study sound waves traveling through the sun to probe its structure and improve solar models. The GONG data show that the sun's core spins at the same rate as its surface, a problem for understanding the solar system's formation.
Researchers have identified a second gene linked to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a bleeding disorder that affects 1 in 40,000 people. The discovery provides new understanding of how the body's vascular system operates and may offer hope for families affected by the disease.
A University at Buffalo study finds that certain genetic variants near the human obesity gene are associated with obesity in young women, as well as depression and anxiety. The study also suggests that these genes may contribute to the development of behavioral disorders in young women.
Researchers have shown that different abdominal muscle fibers answer to different tasks, such as breathing and movement. This discovery highlights the need for specific therapies tailored to each task to maximize rehabilitation.
The excavation, led by CU-Boulder and the Southwest Heritage Foundation, aims to answer questions about how the Chacoan system operated and how these sites were established. The Bluff Great House appears to be architecturally similar to great houses at Chaco Canyon.
A new study led by a University of Colorado astrophysicist suggests that dust grains dominating Jupiter's peculiar ring may have lifetimes of just hours or days. The study indicates the swelling of the inner ring is caused by positive electrical charges on the dust grains resulting from solar radiation.
Research by Oregon State University's John Gillis suggests that drug treatment programs don't work, and instead, motivation for getting clean must come from within. The professor notes that relapses are inevitable unless underlying causes of addiction are addressed in the long term.
Researchers found that weakened diaphragm muscles may contribute to sleep apnea in obese individuals, particularly as they age. The study used rats as an animal model and found that diaphragm response was compromised in older obese animals, but not in younger ones.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to gene therapy that uses enzymes to edit faulty genetic messages in living cells. The study, published in Nature Medicine, demonstrates the potential for correcting genetic defects and may lead to treatments for diseases such as sickle cell anemia and AIDS.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that students from divorced families are less likely to apply to and attend selective colleges. After controlling for factors such as income and parent education, the study found that only 28% of students living with two biological parents were likely to apply to a selective college, ...
Scientists found that brains of patients with Lesch-Nyhan disease have fewer nerve endings containing dopamine, a chemical messenger controlling movement. This discovery is crucial in developing future treatments for the disorder.
Researchers at Cornell University are working on two projects, COBRA and FIREX, to create a new approach to fusion energy production. COBRA aims to investigate the use of ion beams as an alternative to laser beams for inertial fusion, while FIREX focuses on magnetic fusion and its potential to replace Tokamaks.
Researchers are using neutron radiography to study the behavior of corn rootworms, analyze artwork, and investigate environmental issues such as oil spills. The technology also enables non-invasive observation of root growth, water distribution, and soil responses.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Zoo Atlanta created a virtual reality gorilla exhibit to simulate ape social interaction. The program allows students to become part of a gorilla family, learning realistic behaviors such as submissive postures and interactions with dominant males.
Several California universities, including Stanford and UC campuses, receive over 80% of their R&D funding from the federal government. The latest budget proposals call for a 32% reduction in defense R&D and 25% in nondefense R&D, which could severely impact California's economic future.
Digital speech analysis tests can quantify signs of intoxication, such as jumpy pitch and energy changes. The test, developed by Georgia Tech researcher Kathleen E. Cummings, analyzes vocal cord movements during speech production.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new method to examine and quickly map how nucleic acid ligands bind to and alter DNA at the molecular level. This allows for direct visualization of individual DNA molecules, providing crucial information on drug binding and mode of action.
The new resorbable plates and screws dissolve within months of implantation, reducing migration and discomfort in young patients. Developed by Biomet Corporation, these devices have been approved by the FDA for use in reconstructive head and neck surgery.
A University of Cincinnati biologist discovered a microbe that can repair its DNA with visible light, a process known as photoreactivation. This finding is significant for understanding how hyperthermophiles survive in geothermal habitats.
The Penn State students will test off-the-shelf semiconductor chips to learn the effect of high energy particle radiation on standard semi-conductors. They will also measure how much micro debris hits the shuttle using a piezoelectric device, and map the Earth's magnetic field as it flies through it.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that rosemary significantly inhibited the binding of a known cancer-causing agent to DNA in mammary cells, reducing tumor formation by 76 percent in rats fed a diet supplemented with 1 percent rosemary.
Researchers at NCAR have developed new computer models to analyze storm development and forecast uncertainty. The auto-nowcaster tool, which spots incipient storms and predicts their development up to a half-hour in advance, will be tested this summer.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) estimates that nondefense R&D funding in the US will decrease by up to 25 percent by 2002. The latest budget proposal from the White House would cut discretionary spending as necessary if it does not balance the budget, according to AAAS analysis.
A new report by AAAS warns that federal R&D program reductions may harm Alaskan research institutions. The nation's research efforts could become a casualty of the budget wars, with the University of Alaska Fairbanks particularly vulnerable.
Researchers at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory develop a 'roadmap' for applying machine sensor technology to human health. The technology could enable constant surveillance of bone cracks and heart activity, alerting physicians to intervene before it's too late.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that squalamine, a shark liver substance, nearly stops the growth of new blood vessels that nourish solid brain tumors. The study showed a significant reduction in tumor cell growth and slowed the formation of new blood vessels by up to 83% after two days.
A year-long study found that nearly twice as many smokers made progress toward quitting in church-based programs with pastoral support compared to self-help pamphlets. The programs emphasized cultural and spiritual norms, particularly among Baptists who consider smoking a sin, leading to higher quit rates.
A new AAAS report cautions that Georgia's economy is threatened by proposed cuts in R&D programs, which could impact industries and research universities. The report highlights the need for informed discussions among government, industry, and academia to address future trends in federal R&D spending.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a gene in mice that may predispose people to autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and dermatitis. By studying the role of this gene, the team discovered its connection to inflammation and found that neutralizing a specific protein can reverse symptoms in affected animals.
Geochronologist Richard Ku's analysis of Peking Man fossils reveals they date back to at least 400,000 years ago, significantly older than previous estimates. This finding sheds new light on human evolution and challenges current understanding of the species' origins.
Researchers at Stanford Human Genome Center developed a powerful new computer program called Mapper to map thousands of genetic markers simultaneously. This allows for high-resolution maps with better local area resolution and rapid rebuilding process.
Stanford researchers are working on a new PSA test that can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous prostate enlargement. By analyzing the PSA protein extracted from enlarged prostates, they aim to eliminate unnecessary biopsies. The team's approach has shown promising results, reducing false positives by up to 86%.
The SOHO mission has provided stunning images of the Sun's south polar region, revealing that even in quiet areas, there is tremendous activity. The observations suggest that solar plumes are associated with small regions of high magnetic activity and are more dynamic than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered a new Paleoindian culture in Brazil, challenging traditional views of early human migration and settlement. The site, Caverna da Pedra Pintada, dates back to between 11,200 and 10,000 years ago and reveals a more diverse range of habitats for human adaptation.
A team of researchers from Virginia Tech completed the design and prototyping of a new Usability Methods Research Laboratory using participatory design methods. They found that various tools, including virtual reality and low-tech methods, proved helpful in different phases of design.
Daily performance testing is suitable for immediate determination of relevant psychomotor impairment at the start of work. However, managers must remain aware of test limitations associated with job requirements, such as decision-making skills required for driving a truck safely.
A study found that most tractor-trailer truck right-turn warning signs only partially follow human factors guidelines. The researchers created a list of improved sign elements, including a signal word and pictorial representation of consequences. This article aims to design better warnings for safer road interactions.
Researchers identify a molecular 'safety key' that normally regulates cell growth, and discovering how it can be disrupted to trigger cancer. The team found a protein called Abi-2 that fits into the normal enzyme cABL, keeping it turned off, and proposes a new way to treat cancers by targeting this molecular pathway.
Scientists found a connection between triplet repeat genes and brain disorders like Huntington's disease, where proteins errantly stick to an enzyme crucial for energy production in brain cells. The discovery offers a potential treatment option by blocking protein interactions.
Researchers found nitric oxide plays a central role in hemoglobin's function, regulating gas exchange and blood pressure. The discovery could lead to developing the first effective blood substitute and treating diseases associated with oxygen deficiency.
Scientists have detailed the structure of yeast topoisomerase II, a key player in cell division. This knowledge could lead to the development of new anticancer drugs that target this enzyme. The discovery also has implications for the design of antimicrobial drugs and the treatment of cancer.
Petit mal or absence seizures affect 100,000 US children and account for one-fifth of childhood epilepsies. The new findings may lead to more effective treatments, which can have a profound effect on a child's development.
Researchers at Duke University and the Institute for Cancer Research have located a second breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA2. This gene is expected to account for most of the remaining 50% of inherited breast cancers not caused by BRCA1. Women who inherit BRCA2 are at an 85% risk of developing breast cancer.
A Duke University study of 934 patients found that those treated with bypass surgery or angioplasty had better long-term survival rates compared to medication alone. Patients who underwent revascularization showed a significant increase in three-year survival rates, with bypass surgery resulting in the greatest percentage of survivors.
A new study suggests that the ratio of calcium to magnesium in ostracod shells provides a reliable method for reconstructing ancient water temperatures. The technique, described in the journal Science, shows strong signals in temperature change between glacial and interglacial periods.
A Duke University Medical Center study shows that alcohol severely disrupts a biochemical process associated with memory formation in young animals. The findings provide compelling scientific evidence to support prohibition of underage drinking, as the brain is more plastic and susceptible during late childhood or early adolescence.
Researchers at Duke University have made significant advancements in rebuilding the human immune system using thymus transplants. The breakthroughs offer new hope for patients with severe immunodeficiencies and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
The striatum, a portion of the brain previously thought to control movement, is shown to keep track of short intervals from seconds to minutes. This finding has implications for understanding timing in learning and memory, as well as Parkinson's disease.
A new outcomes scorecard system developed by cardiologists at Duke University aims to improve the accuracy of comparing hospitals' performance in common cardiology procedures. The system analyzed data from almost 8,000 coronary disease patients and showed a wide variation in death rates among hospitals.
Researchers are exploring two protocols to tackle AIDS: Protocol 1 focuses on reconstituting immune systems through thymus tissue transplants and boosting T-cells. Protocol 2 involves high-dose chemotherapy, radiation, and blood stem cell transplantation to treat cancer and restore immunity in patients with double jeopardy.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found no correlation between high-sugar diets and weight loss, mood alterations, or metabolic effects. Instead, they discovered that the body processes simple and complex carbohydrates similarly, regardless of sugar content.
Researchers at Duke University found that harmless doses of DEET, permethrin, and pyridostigmine bromide become highly toxic when used together. This combination may explain the wide range of symptoms reported by an estimated 30,000 Gulf War veterans.
The new technology uses parallel computing to analyze reflected sound waves, creating three-dimensional images quickly enough for clinicians to view a whole human heart as it beats. The system also enables doctors to electronically dissect and display selected slices of medical interest on a computer screen.
Duke University Medical Center surgeons have developed a safe and effective treatment for Zenker's diverticulum, a disabling condition that traps food in the throat. The new endoscopic technique removes the pouch with minimal complications, offering hope to elderly patients with this condition.
A study published in the American Heart Association scientific meeting found that cardiologist care significantly reduces heart attack mortality. The research, led by Dr. James Jollis, analyzed Medicare claims data from 220,535 patients diagnosed with a heart attack in 1992 and discovered that patients cared for by cardiologists had a ...
Research suggests that physically fit women experience lower blood pressure during stressful days at work, compared to unfit women. This buffering effect reduces the risk of heart disease.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center report a genetically modified version of hemoglobin as a safe blood substitute during surgery. The product, rHb 1.1, is designed to carry oxygen efficiently and eliminate disease transmission and immunosuppression, potentially reducing medical costs for patients and hospitals.
Researchers have protected growing brain cells from atrophying by treating them with a protein called NT-4, which fosters brain cell growth. This discovery could offer new treatment options for diseases involving gain or loss of brain cell connections, such as mental retardation and neurodegenerative diseases.
A new class of drugs may be able to target the leptin loop, a key component in obesity and metabolic disorders. By bypassing this loop, these drugs could potentially provide a new treatment option for individuals struggling with weight-related health issues.