Researchers at Boston University found that introducing background noise can enhance a person's ability to feel subtle stimuli. The study suggests potential applications for clinical treatment and developing tactile interfaces for telerobotics and virtual environments.
A University of Wyoming professor and specialist in forensic anthropology is leading an effort to study the Kennewick Man skeleton, believed to be over 9,300 years old, before its reburial. The team of scientists hopes to gain insights into human evolution and population change in North America, which could shed light on the bone struc...
The U.S. National Science Foundation is supporting over 145 Antarctic investigations this season, focusing on carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, deicing dynamics of sea life, archea ecology, UV-B impact on terrestrial plants, and drilling an ice dome in West Antarctica.
A new blood test called troponin T has been shown to be a powerful indicator of how injured a heart is, especially in patients with no clear signs of trouble. The study found that patients with high troponin T levels are more likely to die within a month, and the test may save thousands of lives annually.
Cryosurgery has been used to treat prostate and skin cancers, but recently began treating advanced liver cancer. The procedure freezes tumors using liquid nitrogen, with Emory University Hospital as one of the few medical centers offering it.
Scientists have documented the invasion of a single-celled amoeba-like organism, Trochammina hadai, into San Francisco Bay, raising concerns about the impact on native species and ecosystem. The introduction of exotic microorganisms is a growing problem in US waters, with potential consequences for harbors and waterways.
Scientists have identified a human protein that allows herpes simplex virus to penetrate into lymphocytes, a key step in understanding recurrent herpetic disease. This breakthrough discovery may lead to the development of new classes of antiviral drugs.
The Weizmann Institute groundwater sampler, MLS, tracks microscopic particles to assess pollution spread and identify contaminated layers. It has been used to study the saltiness of the Sea of Galilee and help pinpoint areas where bacteria can clean up pollutants.
A University of Florida scientist has discovered that ancient oysters grew faster over time, revealing a key mechanism in the evolution of larger animal species. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that gradual growth drove evolutionary changes.
Using NCAR computer models of climate and vegetation, Benjamin Felzer found which plant types ancestors would have walked among during the last glacial maximum. The model reveals a global picture of vegetation 21,000 years ago, with significant changes in central Asia and Africa.
A recent study published in the journal Stroke found that patients who receive primary care from a neurologist after a stroke have better survival rates and less disability. This is in contrast to those cared for by generalists, where death rates are higher despite similar short-term costs.
Researchers at Scripps have discovered a previously unknown relationship between a protein in eggs and a protein on white blood cells, potentially leading to new treatments for leukemia. The protein structure reveals a molecular cavity that can be modified to alter signal transmission and eliminate leukemia cells.
A new study suggests the Yucatan asteroid impact was particularly deadly to North America due to its oblique angle, spreading energy northwest. The severe extinction intensity was highest downrange of the impact in North America.
Researchers Ebersole and Miller analyzed fossil data and found no regional differences in extinction rates during the Late Permian mass extinction event. They also discovered that environmental zones and latitude had little impact on the severity of the extinction, suggesting a global cause.
Scientists are installing a network of 250 Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to continuously measure the movement of earthquake faults in southern California. The data will enable researchers to forecast future earthquake hazards and prioritize mitigation activities.
A team of scientists from the US, France, Italy, CAR, and Congo conduct a rare study of the African atmosphere, exploring biomass burning, rainforest-savanna boundaries, and global air chemistry. The EXPRESSO project collects chemical data to understand how vegetation and fires interact with the atmosphere.
Researchers studying ancient oceans using supercomputer-based models found that changing surface waterways can affect ocean circulation patterns. The study suggests that alterations in freshwater runoff may lead to changes in deep water formation sites, which could impact carbon dioxide concentrations and the environment.
Researchers successfully engineer a protein-based vaccine that primes killer T cells to respond against infection, providing protection against a model pathogen. The approach shows promise for developing new vaccines against viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as well as cancer vaccines and therapies.
Researchers at Penn State found that laboratory experiments on soil mineral weathering do not match natural processes, with molecules dissolving in groundwater forming coatings or wearing away. The team is monitoring conditions in the field to better understand the mechanisms underway in the soil and develop more accurate models.
Paleontologist Dr. Roger Cuffey compares the diversity of dinosaurs and proboscideans, finding a similar pattern of decline over 5 million years. The study suggests that both groups were affected by complex factors, including food supply and habitats, leading to their extinction.
Johns Hopkins has started performing the new Port-Access technique for single-graft coronary artery bypasses and heart valve replacement and repair. The procedure is designed to reduce trauma, complications, and pain, resulting in shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times.
Federal contributions to US university R&D facilities decreased from $541 million to $207 million between 1990-91 and 1994-95. The decline led to a shortage of research space, with over half of institutions reporting inadequate amounts in various fields.
A new study by UC Davis researchers finds that few birds cleaned and released back into the wild after oil spills can survive more than one or two years. The study's findings may lead to improved techniques for removing oil from birds and handling and rehabilitating them.
Penn State researchers are searching coal mines for fossil meteorites that fell over two million years ago. They use tramp-iron magnets to find ancient iron meteorites, which could provide valuable information about the solar system in the distant past.
Recent insect fossil discoveries show that beetles and ants played a crucial role in recycling nutrients in Jurassic ecosystems. The findings, published by University of Colorado at Boulder researcher Stephen Hasiotis, provide new insights into ecosystem health and biodiversity.
The Sandia National Laboratories' computerized landscape displays the movement of nuclear and other military technologies across industries, countries, and regions. Researchers can use this system to identify emerging trends and areas of increasing interest, aiding in informed funding decisions.
The CUBIC observatory aims to learn more about the unknown sources of a diffuse glow of X-rays reaching the Earth. By studying the energy spectrum of these X-rays, scientists hope to gain insights into the makeup of hot gas that emitted them.
The Soviet nuclear program was a complex web of innovation, espionage, and human risk. The recent Dubna conference and new research shed light on the program's history, highlighting key breakthroughs and competing efforts between the US and USSR.
Recent dinoflagellate blooms in the Chesapeake Bay have caused significant fish kills, with some species known to be highly toxic. The phantom dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, has been identified as a potential threat to both human and aquatic health.
The National Science Foundation has funded eight research projects to develop petaflop computers, which would be a thousand times faster than current computers. The goal is to enable applications such as real-time nuclear imaging, computer-based drug design, and astrophysical simulations.
A new study by Rockefeller University and Harvard School of Public Health found that steamed shrimp is not harmful to cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a low-fat diet. In fact, the researchers suggest that it may even have beneficial effects on heart health due to its high content of n-3 fatty acids.
The Endangered Species Act's economic impacts are unclear due to inadequate data, according to a University of Wyoming economist. The lack of scientifically-based national estimates of the economic benefits of most listed species limits decision-making.
Scientists capture high-resolution images of Neptune's clouds and their movement, providing fresh insight into the planet's extraordinary weather. The observations reveal a powerful equatorial jet stream and storms dwarfing Earth's most violent storms.
Perkin-Elmer and SmithKline Beecham collaborate on bioinformatics research to speed drug discovery. The partnership aims to develop sophisticated systems for data collection, analysis, and management.
A University of Washington study found no significant difference in mortality rates between patients treated with anti-clotting drugs or balloon angioplasty after a heart attack. The study compared over 3,000 patients and showed that medical costs were lower for those treated with thrombolytic therapy.
Researchers discover native weevil that targets Eurasian watermilfoil, slowing growth and potentially providing a natural control method. The weevil lays eggs on the plant's tips, which hatch and eat their way through the stem, reducing milfoil's spread.
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) uses a simple signaling pathway to convey distinct functions in different tissues, despite its multifaceted role. Researchers have identified the key steps involved in translating TGFb signals into individual patterns of gene expression.
Researchers will use Logging While Drilling technology to sample physical and chemical properties of rocks and sediments on the ocean floor. They aim to determine the age, composition, and physical properties of the area's rocks and sediments, as well as understand why some areas have low heat flow.
Research studies have found that popular voting mechanisms can be confusing and inaccessible to certain groups of people. Punch card ballots were particularly problematic, causing difficulties for voters who struggled to read small numbers and punch holes in the correct locations. In contrast, electronic voting machines with flashing l...
A study found that frail elderly patients are less likely to favor physician-assisted suicide, while their relatives are more supportive. Relatives often struggle to agree on the patient's wishes, highlighting the need for advanced directives and living wills.
Human activities have significantly altered global nitrogen cycling patterns, leading to massive changes in the past 50 years. The primary sources of nitrogen pollution are agricultural and atmospheric deposition, which dominate river and estuary inputs.
A year-long study found that implantable insulin pumps effectively controlled blood glucose levels, reduced fluctuations in blood glucose, and mild hypoglycemia by 68% compared to daily injections. The pump also eliminated weight gain associated with injections and improved patients' quality of life.
Astronomers have detected a thin oxygen atmosphere on Ganymede, the largest of Jupiter's moons. The presence of this atmosphere is similar to that of Earth and Jupiter itself, with evidence suggesting polar aurorae created by charged particles colliding with atmospheric gases.
A new planet has been discovered around the star 16 Cygni B with an orbital eccentricity of 0.6, unlike any other known planet in our Solar System. This extreme oblong shape indicates the planet experiences significant variations in heat energy as it orbits its host star.
A new theory and computer model predict gestation length and preterm birth risk using 16 significant factors. The Mittendorf-Williams Rule is twice as accurate as Naegele's rule in predicting gestation, with potential to lower infant mortality rates.
Artificial societies, like Sugarscape, allow researchers to grow certain social structures systematically, uncovering fundamental mechanisms that generate macroscopic social structures. These 'laboratories' enable the study of entire civilizations as they grow, prosper, compete and fail, fundamentally changing social science research.
Experts from 8 countries warn of the 'yield barrier' in wheat, calling for a global quest for genetic diversity and new breeding techniques. The report outlines six scientific strategies to boost yields, including exploiting wild wheat relatives and developing new plant prototypes.
The Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope (KAIT) is a fully robotic telescope that can track a given area of the sky for hours and detect objects 10,000 times fainter than other telescopes. KAIT will enable astronomers to conduct nightly studies of changing celestial objects remotely.
Duke University primatologists failed to capture a mate for Romeo, the rarest lemur species, during an October expedition. The diademed sifaka is threatened by hunting and habitat destruction, with estimates suggesting it will go extinct in about 20 years.
A study by the National Science Foundation found that an interactive math program increased passing rates of up to 30% in Philadelphia public schools. The program, which eliminates tracking and offers hands-on learning experiences, also showed improvements in science scores and overall academic success.
The $10.3 million, six-year Hawaii Scientific Drilling Program aims to study the formation of volcanoes and the mechanisms within Earth's mantle. Researchers will analyze samples from a 14,500-foot bore hole in Mauna Kea to understand volcanic activity, groundwater movement, and earthquake cycles.
A pilot biomass power plant will be tested in Belarus to decontaminate forests north of Chernobyl. The project aims to capture radioactivity and generate electricity, potentially reducing health risks and economic pressure on the country.
Researchers from Emory University and UCLA identified a brain region responsible for recalibrating eye-hand coordination in response to visual distortions. The posterior parietal cortex area PEG was found to be selectively activated during the process, suggesting its role in visuomotor recalibration.
A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that depression increases a woman's risk for broken bones, particularly hip fractures. Women with major depression had significantly lower bone mineral density compared to their age-matched controls.
The pulsed fast-thermal neutron analysis system can detect explosives, drugs, and other elements in coal and cement. It uses gamma-ray fingerprints to identify elemental concentrations, enabling on-line analysis during industrial operations.
Researchers found that social behavior dictates genetic flow within a single species of social insects, challenging traditional theories. The study discovered four routes of gene flow between single-queen and multiple-queen colonies, highlighting the role of queens in shaping gene exchange.
The University of Alaska Museum repatriates 386 ancestral remains to Siberian Yup'ik villages on St. Lawrence Island, following the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The return marks a significant partnership between the museum and Alaska Native communities.
Microdevices bypass centrifugation, separating molecules as they pass through an H-filter and reading them with optical detectors. These devices will enable immediate diagnoses in ambulances and hospitals.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and US EPA found that water-saving shower nozzles can increase lung trouble risk due to finer spray particles, which can stir up contaminants and microbes growing in biofilms
Expert researcher Juan Roederer is set to begin his long-awaited study of the radiation belts circling Jupiter after 20 years with the Galileo spacecraft. The research aims to understand how Io, one of Jupiter's moons, affects the planet's radiation belts and compare them to Earth's Van Allen belts.