Researchers have discovered a gene that drives T lymphocytes to mature into specialized subtypes, playing a crucial role in different immune system disorders. The discovery offers a molecular handle on manipulating specialized groups of T cells, potentially leading to gene therapy for autoimmune diseases.
Researchers found that the cholera pathogen acquired its deadly factors by picking up genes from a virus, CTX phage. The virus instructs the bacterium to introduce the cholera toxin gene, allowing it to become a pathogen.
A new theoretical study reproduces actual observations of the confirmed brown dwarf Gliese 229 B, providing insights into its atmosphere and formation. The research helps accelerate searches for brown dwarfs and giant extrasolar planets, shedding light on their composition and formation processes.
A team of University of Cincinnati biologists has discovered a unique ecosystem in Romania's Movile Cave that thrives without solar energy. The cave is home to 48 species, including 33 found nowhere else, which rely on chemoautotrophic processes for food production.
The Proactive Error Reduction System (PERS) program is a computer program that allows airline maintenance workers to determine why an error occurred and see how other airlines have solved similar problems. It goes beyond current error-analysis by being proactive, examining all the things that led up to the error.
Researchers at University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences used DNA testing to determine the source of pollution in two sites: Rookery Bay near Naples and Apalachicola Bay. The study found that both human and animal activities contributed to pollution, with wildlife causing a significant amount.
New Cornell University research reveals the physics behind microwave cooking, explaining why microwaved food can be soggy and how internal pressure affects moisture loss. Understanding this physics enables food companies to design foods that cook better in microwaves.
The Yanomamo tribe, numbering around 25,000, is facing a major survival crisis due to the devastating floods in Venezuela's Amazon region. The flooding has imperiled clusters of Yanomamo living near the Orinoco River and destroyed their staple food crops, leading to increased sicknesses and potentially uncontrollable epidemics.
The Cornell team won the $1,000 first prize with their hazelnut flavored chocolate Stir-In product, which adds flavor to coffee. The product consists of a cookie wrapped in chocolate and topped with a flavor that dissolves when stirred into hot coffee.
A San Francisco State University study found that women taking triphasic Orthonovum 7/7/7 pills experience higher levels of sexual interest and satisfaction compared to those using monophasic pills or no birth control. The study suggests a physiological basis for the difference, contradicting earlier predictions.
Researchers find Candida wickerhamii yeast neutralizes pollutant in sauerkraut brine, producing Beta-glucosidase enzyme to extract natural flavors from fruit pomace. The technology can add value to foods and beverages by adding specific fruit flavors, such as natural grape flavoring.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and MedImmune have developed a new vaccine candidate that appears to offer protection against Lyme disease. The vaccine is based on a protein from the Lyme-causing bacterium and has been shown to clear the disease-causing organisms from the body even after infection.
In a study by Cornell University, male fire-colored beetles (Neopyrochroa flabellata) entice females with a chemical offering containing cantharidin. The female ingests the chemical, which is then transferred to her eggs, protecting them from predators. This unique strategy highlights the resourcefulness of male insects in seeking mates.
A new study reveals the significant human impact on the Grand Canyon over the past century, with changes in plant distribution and debris flows being documented. The study, which used rephotography of historic images from the 1889-1890 Stanton Expedition, found stability mixed with large amounts of human-caused change.
Researchers at Cornell University are investigating methods to clarify clouded beverages such as beer, wine, and juice by removing haze-causing proteins and polyphenols. The goal is to extend the product's shelf life without compromising its quality or flavor.
Researchers at San Francisco State University found a link between the African hornbill's seed dispersal pattern and rainforest regeneration. The team discovered that hornbills distribute seeds in treeless areas, critical for forest regeneration, particularly in cleared regions.
A team of researchers from the University of Georgia has discovered that plant cells can substitute one sugar for another in their cell walls, a process previously thought to be essential for survival. This finding suggests that oligosaccharins play a role in regulating cell wall growth and development.
A new computer program developed at the University of Rochester enables users to have natural conversations with computers. The program, Phenelope DuJour, uses intention recognition to understand user intent and respond accordingly, improving the efficiency of human-computer interactions.
Hopkins professors Sidney Mintz, Katherine Verdery, Donald Carter, Laury Oaks, and Felicity Northcott share their research on various anthropology topics, including the complex global economy of food, cultural identity in diaspora communities, the transformation of socialist systems, nuclear cleanup efforts, Ireland's abortion debate, ...
Researchers investigate air exchange between tropical and mid-latitude stratosphere regions, shedding light on ozone layer thinning. The study's findings improve computer model representation of ozone depletion, predicting potential losses due to supersonic aircraft emissions.
A new study found that surfactant therapy significantly reduced the death rate of premature white infants, but failed to have a similar impact on black infants. The study, which analyzed 1,563 premature births, showed that while the overall mortality rate dropped 16%, the death rate for premature black infants remained unchanged.
Researchers are assessing the audiological and educational benefits of the DigiFocus, a revolutionary device that adjusts automatically to different noise levels. The study aims to show that children with hearing loss will benefit from this technology and accelerate their speech, language, and social development.
A new drug, CPT-11, has been approved by the FDA for treating colorectal cancer. Researchers plan to enroll approximately 660 patients in a Phase III trial to evaluate its effectiveness as a first-line treatment.
A Cornell University study found that a chair-mounted split keyboard can reduce typing risks for carpal tunnel syndrome by improving upper body posture. The 'floating arms' keyboard (FAK) is the only design that attaches to a chair, reducing deviated postures and wrist movements.
A new process using ultraviolet light has been developed to treat opaque industrial fluids, eliminating the need for chemical biocides and reducing waste volumes. The technology also shows promise in decontaminating drinking water, wastewater, and ballast water from commercial ships.
Researchers at Penn State have developed advanced computer techniques to improve the efficiency of nuclear and fossil fuel power plants. These new techniques can help extend the lifetime of fuel, increase operating efficiency, and save money, potentially leading to lower costs for consumers.
Astronomer Martin Gaskell suggests that many galaxies harbor pairs of giant black holes revolving around each other. His research on quasars indicates a clear trend in gas velocity changes over time, pointing to the presence of binary black holes with masses similar to 4 billion solar units.
A University of Florida economist is optimistic that the US International Trade Commission will grant relief to US growers hit hard by surging imports of tomatoes and peppers from Mexico. The commission's six-member committee will vote on July 2, with potential remedies including increased tariffs and quotas.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have discovered an enzyme called MACH that triggers cellular self-destruction in autoimmune disorders like juvenile diabetes and multiple sclerosis. This finding may lead to treatments that selectively block abnormal cell death signals while allowing normal cell suicide processes to continue.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are testing a new portable computer monitoring system to predict changes in traffic flow and traffic delays in real time. The goal is to warn drivers about long delays before they reach a construction zone, giving them time to exit an interstate and use an alternate route.
A new study found that men who smoked light were two-thirds less likely to get prostate cancer if they ate medium to high levels of beta carotene. Heavy smokers received a 50% reduction in risk when consuming high levels of dietary beta carotene.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that testosterone replacement therapy may improve visual and spatial skills, as well as verbal fluency and memory in men with low testosterone. The findings suggest a potential role for testosterone in cognitive function and brain function.
A new study found that in women, depressive symptoms can predict subsequent alcohol problems over time. Conversely, in men, drinking issues are more likely to lead to depression after three years. This longitudinal study, based on 986 adults, highlights the importance of monitoring both conditions.
A new DNA polymerase, dubbed zeta, allows yeast cells to replicate damaged DNA, increasing their odds of survival but also the risk of mutations. This enzyme is a last-gasp option for cells when all attempts to fix damaged DNA have failed, and its discovery sheds light on how organisms cope with this constant problem.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati create a sensor that can monitor medical imaging agents as they travel through the body and accumulate in various tissues. The probes, made from carbon fibers coated with polymer, detect changes in imaging agents and could lead to better heart health monitoring.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that women with a history of sexual assault are six times more likely to attempt suicide. The researchers suggest that healthcare providers raise awareness of how sexual assault influences the risk of attempted suicide, especially for those who never seek mental health care.
A new study by epidemiologists at the University at Buffalo found that premenopausal women had a 29% lower risk and postmenopausal women a 24% lower risk of breast cancer if they had breast-fed for at least 12 months. The positive effect was found only for those who first breast-fed before age 25.
Research found that TV show CPR success rates are 2-5 times higher than real-life survival rates, with most TV patients being young and healthy. In contrast, actual patients often have chronic conditions or suffer permanent damage after CPR.
Annette McManus, a senior chemistry student at the University of Cincinnati, has developed a new forensics technique using capillary electrophoresis to separate and identify various water-based inks. The technique allows for tiny amounts of ink testing, distinguishing differences among all 14 water-based inks in her collection.
A Johns Hopkins study found that declining testosterone levels in HIV-positive men can predict weight loss and increased risk of death. Researchers measured testosterone in 26 men and discovered a significant decline in hormone levels among those who experienced weight loss.
Researchers create first detailed map of convection zone, revealing temperature patterns and flow beneath the surface. The map shows no evidence of giant convection cells as predicted, but reveals narrow plumes of cooler gases streaming downward toward the boundary with the radiative layer.
A Cornell anthropologist studies Japanese expectations for imported seafood, finding that external appearance is crucial in determining the 'perfect' tuna. American fishermen must learn about cultural differences and standards to compete with Asian buyers and meet Japan's high standards for seafood quality.
Scientists successfully modeled the evolution of a massive X-ray galaxy cluster using CTC's SP, achieving unprecedented complexity and resolution. The simulation explores the collapse of high-density regions in a cube of 256 million light years on a side, incorporating gravity and hydrodynamics.
Research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center reveals that African-American children are 16.4 times more likely than Caucasian children to be sensitive to cockroach allergens, highlighting the link between race and asthma. The study also found that poor children and those from urban areas are more susceptible to roach infestation.
Biologists at Cornell and Washington universities have genetically engineered rice plants to resist some of the most destructive insects as well as salt and drought damage. The technology will be given to developing countries under a Rockefeller Foundation grant.
Stanford researchers have developed a new approach to reducing environmental impacts in chip manufacturing. By harnessing computer-aided design tools, they aim to minimize the use of water, energy, and toxic chemicals while improving industry competitiveness.
Researchers successfully demonstrated a novel cleanup technology that efficiently destroys various organic contaminants, including benzene and perchloroethylene, using nonthermal plasma. The technology achieved destruction fractions of up to 99.9 percent, with potential commercial applications for treating legacy waste problems.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that mental stress testing identifies patients at high risk for cardiac events, which are often missed by standard exercise tests. The study reveals a large subgroup of at-risk heart patients who are not being identified by standard treadmill testing.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that introns can move and insert themselves into genes at specific sites, allowing more control over genetic information transfer. This finding has significant implications for genetic therapy and provides insight into the evolution of early organisms.
Researchers found that younger medical professionals advocated greater patient input for 75-year-olds compared to 25-year-olds. Meanwhile, older faculty members suggested more autonomy for 25-year-old patients, despite the fact that younger patients often want less decision-making authority.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a technique to create ultra-smooth gold surfaces, more than 10 times smoother than existing ones. This breakthrough can be used for scanning tunneling microscopy of biological molecules and making reflective coatings for large X-ray mirrors.
Researchers found that freshwater sponges can effectively compete with zebra mussels for space on vertical surfaces like canal walls and locks. In a study of 290 sponge-covered mussels, 197 were found dead, suggesting the sponges could be used to control zebra mussel populations in certain areas.
A new study by Cornell University and the University of Arizona found that when parents argue with their spouses, they are more likely to have tense interactions with their children. Fathers are particularly prone to this 'tension spillover', especially in families where mothers work full-time.
The Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University has acquired the papers, letters, and documents of Frederick Albert Cook, the first American to explore both the North and South Polar regions. The collection, comprising 24,000 items, is expected to shed new light on Cook's claims of reaching the North Pole before Robert Peary.
The Arecibo Observatory has completed a $25 million upgrade, increasing its sensitivity by a factor of about 20 for radar studies of the solar system. The new system will allow scientists to listen into cellular phone calls on Venus and detect steel golf balls at moon distances.