Researchers at Stanford University have confirmed the existence of 'elves,' high-altitude lightning flashes with rapidly expanding ring-like structures. The Fly's Eye device measured the dynamics and shape of elves, providing insights into their formation and behavior.
Scientists have successfully carried out a chemical reaction in the world's smallest test tubes, carbon nanotubes with diameters less than ten nanometers. The research could lead to the production of new types of nanoscale devices, such as metallic wires and electronic emitters.
Duke University researchers conclude that physicians who achieve an 80% success rate in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are adequately trained, regardless of the number of procedures performed. This finding challenges the common assumption that more procedures equal competence.
Researchers gather to explore progress and challenges in implementing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty's verification regime, covering seismic, infrasound, hydroacoustic, and radionuclear data. The goal is to detect even tiny nuclear events, making it as difficult as possible for them to slip through.
Recent experiments on Alaska's North Slope show that the arctic tundra is now releasing more carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere than it absorbs. This could exacerbate global warming due to the release of stored carbon from thawing permafrost.
A significant reservoir of methane and hydrocarbons has been discovered in rock beneath the ocean floor, potentially supporting a wide range of microorganisms. The findings, presented by University of Washington oceanographer Deborah Kelley, suggest that these microbes may thrive on chemicals toxic to other life forms.
A team of scientists has assembled evidence on rocks and rock formations deep beneath the surface to locate an ancient strike-slip fault. If successful, this will provide opportunities to study geological processes in the lower crust during strike-slip faulting.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a link between nitric oxide levels and the severity of AIDS dementia. The study found that high levels of nitric oxide synthase in the brains of patients with advanced HIV infection led to brain cell destruction, affecting 20% of those affected.
Scientists are examining population sizes using new statistical methods to determine if they're constant or fluctuating. The study aims to understand the causes of worldwide amphibian decline, which remains a mystery.
Infants as young as 8 months can recognize word patterns and distinguish them from non-word sequences based on statistical recurrence. This ability allows them to quickly learn language, contradicting the long-held assumption that language acquisition relies heavily on innate abilities.
A new study using electron spin resonance dating has pushed back the age of Homo erectus remains to 27,000 to 53,000 years old. This finding challenges the Multiregional theory and supports the Out of Africa model of modern human origins.
Researchers at Stanford University and their colleagues have isolated a single gene, fru, that controls most aspects of male sexual behavior in adult fruit flies. The gene governs the fly's courtship ritual, including its courting song and ability to recognize females.
Three studies show that stressful life events can lead to positive outcomes, such as improved mastery levels and reduced depressive symptoms. Most people perceive continuity across difficult situations and are able to draw upon past experiences to cope with current problems.
The ozone laundry system uses highly reactive oxygen to clean clothes more quickly and thoroughly with less energy, water, and chemicals. This technology reduces labor, chemical costs by up to 60%, and hot water costs by over 80%, extending linen life.
Dr. Patricia Gensel and her husband discover ancient arthropods in Canada, including scorpions and millipedes that lived on land over 200 million years before dinosaurs appeared. The fossils provide conclusive proof of large land-dwelling arthropods existing early in the Paleozoic era.
The Hobby-Eberly Telescope has taken its first look at the universe, demonstrating its novel design and paving the way for groundbreaking astronomical discoveries. The telescope's innovative design eliminates expensive features while tracking objects with precision, allowing for efficient and cost-effective large-scale observations.
Recent advances in HIV research reveal the critical role of host factors in determining disease progression and replication rates. Key discoveries include the regulation of HIV replication by immune response molecules and the activation of the immune system by the virus.
Researchers discovered a cycle of strong and weak trade winds that triggered massive iceberg armadas across the North Atlantic during the last ice age. The study found a suborbital rhythm of 8,400 years in the strength of tropical winds, which governed the melting of massive ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere.
A new algorithm using transformations can optimize robotic movements, reducing calculation time by up to 10-fold. This technique may enable robots to perform tasks more efficiently in space and on Earth, such as satellite repairs and inspection tasks.
A comprehensive international study by Duke University researchers found that waste-to-energy incineration is a competitive alternative only where economic and environmental considerations discourage landfills. Despite improved technology, WTE facilities cannot match conventional power plants in energy outputs or economics.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new test for detecting DNA strand breakage in freshwater mussels, which can serve as an early warning system for pollution. The study found significant strand breakage in mussels exposed to lead, but no damage after long-term exposure.
A study by UW Medical School reveals that women with sleep apnea exhibit similar symptoms as men, but are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. Health care providers may not be taking women seriously when they complain of daytime sleepiness and snoring.
A global study of children's weights and heights found a significant association between stunting and overweight in kids from diverse countries. The research suggests that critical periods for weight gain include infancy, childhood, and adolescence, emphasizing the importance of healthy feeding practices.
A clinical trial is underway to study the effects of minocycline on postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The drug has been shown to increase bone mineral density and improve bone strength in laboratory animals, suggesting a promising treatment for the disease.
A new sensor developed by Berkeley Lab can detect the presence of toxic E. coli bacteria instantly, providing a cost-effective solution for food companies, health inspectors, and consumers. The sensor uses a color-changing technology that can be placed on various materials, allowing for rapid detection of contaminated products.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have successfully treated deadly skin cancer melanoma in mice using a human skin pigment protein. The immune system mistakenly attacks both melanoma cells and the patient's own skin cells, leading to tumor rejection.
NASA and University of Alabama scientists report the coldest September on record, with a cooling trend in the stratosphere. The data contradicts rising surface temperatures, fueling discussions about global warming.
The RFF report reveals that water's value is highest in the drier, more water-scarce Rio Grande and lower Colorado regions for its withdrawal uses. Water's value varies by use, with industrial processing and domestic uses ranking highest.
A new government report reveals progress and signs of persistent underrepresentation of women and minorities in science and engineering occupations. Women's grades among first-year college students planning STEM majors are higher than men's, but they still earn fewer degrees and face a substantial pay gap.
Scientists found evidence of periodic changes in equatorial trade winds and warm tropical waters, which warmed the North Atlantic region and triggered melting along massive ice sheets. The research links climate phenomena at the top and middle of the globe, proposing a mechanism involving the release of warm water pools.
Researchers found that patients who received chemotherapy and radiation after surgery lived longer than those who did not. Additionally, 7% of patients had inherited mutations in the BRCA2 gene, which is linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
Western Europe is narrowing the gap with the US in R&D investment, spending over $20 billion on research in Western European institutions. The region also outproduces the US in producing Ph.D.s in natural sciences and engineering, with a 38% increase in doctoral degrees awarded in NS&E fields.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a correlation between lightning frequency and rainfall, which could lead to a new method for tracking precipitation in remote regions. The connection is thought to be due to ice particles that transfer electric charge when colliding in clouds.
Researchers found that a left-handed woman's writing ability was controlled solely by her right hemisphere, separate from her reading and speaking abilities. This discovery provides evidence that human brains have adapted older operations for written language.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study reveals that women with non-ischemic heart failure have a significantly higher survival rate than men, even after accounting for differences in age and other factors. In contrast, men with ischemic heart failure were more likely to die prematurely.
Researchers have found a way to reduce guesswork and errors in genetic engineering by eliminating unwanted or 'junk' genes from plant chromosomes. This new method allows for targeted gene insertion and excision, enabling more precise control over genetic transformations.
A recent earthquake in Peru has bolstered a researcher's theory that large earthquakes will not occur in a specific region near the quake site. The study found a correlation between plate shape and seismic activity, identifying areas of low seismicity called seismic gaps.
In a new study, biologist David Anderson found that masked boobies kill their own young to maximize reproductive success. By laying two eggs, the birds decrease their risk of total reproductive failure to about 16 percent.
Scientists have discovered that randomness in lubricants is a major contributor to friction at the molecular level. This finding could lead to reduced wear and tear on machinery. By understanding how lubricants fracture and heal, researchers may develop new methods to control friction and minimize wear.
A study found that average people struggle to understand environmental impact statements, with only 42% recalling basic facts. However, editing and incorporating 'before and after' visuals significantly improved comprehension, increasing understanding levels to over 80%. This highlights the need for clear and accessible EIS documents.
Scientists have found that dysregulation of programmed cell death may underlie the earlier onset and rapid downhill course of inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that a specific gene, PS2, plays a crucial role in apoptosis and may contribute to neurodegeneration by triggering a stress response.
A recent study found that high levels of nitrogen deposition in grasslands lead to the loss of plant species diversity and the disruption of ecosystem functioning. Native prairie species are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive nitrogen addition, which can cause their extinction and reduce carbon storage.
A new company in Florida plans to introduce its revolutionary wheelchair, powered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORN L) innovative technology. The TransRovr features omnidirectional movement and a three-piece modular construction, allowing for enhanced ergonomics and convenience.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that a specific HIV vaccine, MNrgp120, did not stop the virus from reproducing or slow immune system destruction. Researchers evaluated 568 volunteers infected with HIV and found no significant differences in CD4 counts between those who received the vaccine and those who received a placebo.
A multinational team of researchers, led by Syracuse University's K. Douglas Nelson, has discovered a partially molten crust beneath the Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau using seismic reflection and other techniques. This finding challenges traditional views of plate tectonics and may explain the flatness of the Tibetan Plateau.
A team of experts from UC Berkeley's engineering school have developed a machine to zap static cling, allowing fragile ancient papyrus documents to survive. The recovery includes royal proclamations, land transactions, and literary texts from the third century B.C., dating back thousands of years.
Six American institutions are putting ancient manuscript collections online through the Advanced Papyrological Information System (APIS), making fragile materials accessible to scholars worldwide. The effort aims to digitize and link images, texts, and bibliography for easier research.
Men want to be involved in family planning but are often ignored, with a significant disparity between research on women and men. Studies found that men's reproductive goals are similar to those of women, highlighting the need for inclusive family planning programs.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that removing a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y (NPY) can help reduce body fat in genetically obese mice. The study found that mice lacking NPY become only half as fat, eat less, and have a higher metabolic rate compared to their morbidly obese cousins.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a fast measurement technique that sheds light on the early stages of protein folding. The initial steps of helix formation occur within several hundred nanoseconds, and the entire collapse to a compact structure appears nearly complete after just a few microseconds.
Researchers are inserting prosthetic heart valves into pigs to study their interaction with blood and hearts, aiming to reduce or eliminate the need for anticoagulants. The goal is to develop more durable valves that can last longer than current mechanical and tissue valves.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have improved near-field optical scanning microscopy to study individual biological molecules. The new cantilevered probe reduces force on samples, allowing for gentler interaction and high sensitivity.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that premature infants have a lower chance of developing a secure attachment with their mothers. The study observed infant-mother interactions and found that 75% of full-term babies were rated as secure, but only 50% of premature babies shared this level of security.
A new theory on plasma turbulence warns that ITER's energy confinement could be shortened, making it difficult to ignite a fusion burn. The theory's calculations suggest ITER might only produce a few times the energy used to heat the plasma, rendering it unreliable for generating abundant power.
A University of Illinois professor and his students have developed a power-tracking circuit that maximizes electrical power-conversion process efficiency. The circuit automatically adjusts to provide maximum energy out of solar cells for various applications, including large home appliances.
A UC Davis researcher has discovered that damage to the insula region is a crucial impediment to motor control necessary for words and sentences. The insula, located deep within each hemisphere, is about two inches wide and contains a small area critical for coordinating speech sounds.
Henry Ford researchers conclude that ultrasound can help diagnose high ankle sprains, which typically occur when a person plants down on the inside of their foot and pushes. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to faster recovery times, with some patients able to return to normal athletic activity in as little as four weeks.
A team of researchers at Northwestern University and the Mayo Clinic have identified two new proteins, Cyp-40 and p23, that act as molecular chaperones to fold proteins into an intermediate state. This discovery expands our understanding of what molecular chaperones are and their role in enhancing hormone sensitivity in cells.
Researchers use extreme X-ray power to 'movie' myoglobin protein, resolving decades-old structure-function riddle. This breakthrough enables drug developers to design better drugs by understanding dynamic molecular interactions.
Scientists find that excessive nitrogen deposition in grasslands leads to loss of diversity, extinction of native species, and decreased carbon storage. The study, funded by the National Science Foundation, suggests that nitrogen pollution is a major threat to ecosystem functioning.