Researchers have identified the TSC2 gene as the second gene responsible for tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disorder affecting 1 million people worldwide. The discovery of this gene brings hope for diagnostic testing, therapies, and improved understanding of autism and seizure disorders.
Research found that music videos on MTV portrayed tobacco use (25.7%) and alcohol consumption (26.9%) more frequently than other networks, with a significant association between sexuality and alcohol use. The study also highlighted the importance of media in shaping adolescents' attitudes towards smoking and drinking.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that forest tent caterpillars can evade trees' defense mechanisms by defoliating branches too rapidly for the tree to respond. This social eating pattern may be their protection against a tree's natural defenses, making them chemically invisible to the tree.
Scientists have discovered a common mechanism underlying neurodegenerative diseases, where mutant proteins accumulate in nuclear spaces, recruiting normal proteins and disrupting cellular processes. This finding suggests a single disease mechanism may be responsible for several afflictions.
Researchers found that nearly 77% of participants reported a trigger event preceding their successful weight loss. The majority of participants made significant changes in their dietary intake and physical activity levels to achieve serious weight loss. On average, they expended calories equivalent to walking 28 miles per week.
Researchers found that athletes' balance can recover enough from concussions and other head trauma in a minimum of three days, but healing continues for more than a week. The study provides an objective way for team physicians and athletic trainers to determine when athletes can safely return to competition.
A study of state legislators in North Carolina, Texas, and Vermont found that most support stronger measures to prevent tobacco sales to minors. Many lawmakers would also support increased cigarette excise taxes under specific conditions, with revenues going towards helping tobacco farmers diversify their products.
A UB researcher is conducting a four-year study on how temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet light impact the transport of persistent organic pollutants through the atmosphere. The project aims to understand how plants contribute to the global distribution of toxic chemicals.
Researchers found that motor skills are most vulnerable to impairment during the first 6 hours after learning, shifting to more stable neural pathways after 5-6 hours. This discovery has implications for skills training in educational and industrial settings.
The Associated Medical Schools of New York has launched a statewide initiative to strengthen physician training on end-of-life care. The program aims to improve attitudes towards death and dying, and provide emotional and ethical support for patients and families.
Researchers found calcite grains in mid-continent areas showed deformation patterns consistent with shearing stress, contradicting the idea that these regions are 'quiet and tectonically dead'. The study provides new insights into tectonic processes and offers critical input for computer modeling of plate dynamics.
A federally mandated regulation led to a significant reduction in hospitalization rates among nursing home residents, with no increase in death rate. The study found that targeted hospital use resulted in better care and cost savings.
A recent study published at Cornell University found that Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not a reliable predictor of graduate school success. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 students who took the GRE and compared their scores with their post-graduation outcomes.
The UW smogmobile generates no emissions and can actually remove pollutants from the air as its fuel is produced. Its efficiency is currently around 20% due to a less-than-ideal motor design, but further development aims to increase range to match gas-powered vehicles.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that mice with resistance to leptin are more likely to become obese. The researchers used a novel technique called ICV infusion to deliver leptin directly into the brain, which resulted in significant weight loss and fat reduction in lean mice.
Research at Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory reveals DNA's limitations as a molecular material. Despite carrying electrons, the rate of electron transfer falls off quickly with distance, rendering it unsuitable for practical applications.
The Heli-STAR project successfully tracked helicopters operating in large metropolitan areas using GPS equipment, providing low-altitude traffic control and cargo delivery services. The technology showed promise for addressing transportation challenges in urban areas.
A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that brain activity in individuals with Down's syndrome can predict Alzheimer's-like dementia, offering new hope for early detection and intervention. Researchers used PET scans to measure brain activity while subjects were at rest or stimulated by visual stimulation.
The American Phytopathological Society recognizes distinguished members with the Fellows designation for their contributions to plant pathology. The Society also presents several awards, including the Excellence in Extension Award and the Ruth Allen Award, to honor outstanding research and teaching achievements in the field.
The University of Illinois will participate in a $250 million, 10-year program to develop advanced computational systems for simulating solid-propellant rockets. The center will focus on detailed whole-system simulations, benefiting both basic scientific research and aerospace applications.
The Sandia Z accelerator has quintupled its output from 40 to 210 terawatts, achieving a temperature of 1.5 million degrees, crucial for nuclear fusion. This breakthrough advances basic scientific research and contributes to US defense without physically exploding large-scale devices.
Infants as young as 20 weeks old can produce three common vowel sounds by analyzing parentese, a unique form of speech used to communicate with babies. This study shows that parentese is characterized by over-articulation, making vowel sounds more distinct and expanding their range.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed two portable detection systems that can identify strategic metals used to make nuclear weapons. The Material Identification System uses eddy current technology to detect metals, while the Ultrasonic Pulse Echo instrument uses ultrasound to characterize container contents.
A study of 32 obese women found that shedding excess weight led to improved body image and increased sexual activity. However, the improvement was not statistically significant and the level of sexual activity remained below national averages.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the TSG101 gene, previously identified as a tumor suppressor, was consistently normal and undamaged in human breast cancer cells. The cells exhibited abnormal RNA splicing, which may be a result of cancer cells trying to activate normal cell behaviors in an abnormal way.
Researchers found ill veterans performed worse in neuropsychological tests than healthy counterparts, indicating generalized brain damage. The study supports the theory that Gulf War syndrome represents neurological damage from chemical exposure, not psychological reactions.
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed three innovative technologies: Production of Chemicals from Biologically Derived Succinic Acid, Refractory Corrosion Monitor, and RubberCycleTM. The first process converts corn into a cost-effective source of chemicals used in various products, while the second dev...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have automated two buses, a pair of cars and an Oldsmobile minivan for an automated highway system demonstration. The vehicles will exhibit various aspects of highway and vehicle automation, including lanekeeping and obstacle detection.
Sexual reproduction in brewer's yeast found to be better at removing harmful genetic mutations than single-sexed populations. This could explain why humans and other vertebrates evolved to have two parents instead of cloning themselves.
Researchers found that Rhododendron maximum restricts the formation of mycorrhizal fungi associations with certain tree species, particularly hemlocks. This limitation combined with resource scarcity hinders young oak seedlings' ability to absorb nutrients, giving Rhododendron an advantage in nutrient competition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University use computer models to study serious cardiac disorders and test potential treatments. By mimicking the heart's physiological functions in a highly detailed model, they aim to find medicines that can prolong the lives of millions suffering from congestive heart failure.
Researchers have discovered dense colonies of flat, pinkish worms living in methane ice mounds on the Gulf of Mexico sea floor. The worms are thought to be grazing off chemosynthetic bacteria, potentially influencing gas deposit formation and energy harvesting.
Astronomers have found evidence that small, evaporating ice particles in the tail and surrounding the nucleus of comet Hyakutake are responsible for most of the water and other gases seen from Earth. The discovery provides new insights into how comets survive orbits around the sun without being wasted away by solar radiation.
Researchers found a direct evidence of simian virus 40's potential mechanism in the development of mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure. The study suggests that SV40 targets key proteins preventing tumors from forming, rendering them ineffective.
Dr. Nathaniel H. Murdock has been elected president of the National Medical Association (NMA), a group serving 22,000 minority physicians. His top priority is preventing teen pregnancy through education, which he believes is key to addressing this issue.
Researchers from Henry Ford Hospital's Heart & Vascular Institute found no correlation between a patient's race and their heart's response to a heart attack. The studies showed African Americans had a thicker lower-left heart chamber, but this did not affect treatment outcomes or recovery chances.
A study by Purdue University researcher James Binkley found that states with high fast-food sales aren't typically among those with weight problems, suggesting a possible link between reduced exercise and increased obesity. The research challenges the common assumption that fast food leads to weight gain.
Researchers found that mice with the human gene Bcl-2, which protects against cell death, developed ALS significantly later and lived longer than those without. The study suggests that gene therapy could delay ALS onset and lead to the development of drugs mimicking protective genes.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed the world's smallest silicon mechanical devices, measuring just a few nanometers in size. These devices can be used for various applications, including modulating light signals for fiber optic communications and measuring tiny forces.
Researchers found that C-peptide protein repaired damaged blood vessels and nerves in diabetic rats, suggesting a new approach to preventing cardiovascular disease in both types of diabetes. The protein's unique mechanism of action may be key to understanding its effects on cell function.
Researchers successfully infect chimpanzees with a defined HCV sequence, identifying essential elements for infection and paving the way for the development of better treatments. The availability of this infectious sequence will enable precise studies of HCV replication and inform the creation of effective vaccines or immunotherapies.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute achieve record-purity gallium arsenide crystal, allowing electrons to travel at 14.4 million centimeters per second. This breakthrough enables the creation of faster and more efficient electronic devices, such as semiconductor transistors.
A CWRU study reveals a correlation between heavy TV viewing and increased levels of anxiety, depression, anger, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation among third through eighth grade students. The study suggests that excessive screen time may exacerbate existing mental health issues in children.
A study by CWRU sociologists found that adults who identify as survivors earlier in their cancer journey tend to have better mental health outcomes. Adopting a survivor mindset can help individuals adopt an active role in the healing process and reduce distress.
Case Western Reserve University physicist Glenn Starkman has received a four-year, $200,000 NSF grant to study the shape of the universe by mapping temperature fluctuations throughout space. He aims to develop new techniques to detect dark matter, which is believed to comprise much of the mass in the universe.
A Case Western Reserve University study of 2,244 youngsters ages 8-14 found that those with the greatest exposure to violence are at high risk for severe psychological trauma. The study investigated the relationship between violence exposure and symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation.
A Duke University study found that working mothers' stress hormone levels increase even with just one child at home, putting them at a higher risk for health problems. The study also showed that the number of children does not affect stress levels, and that quality of work and family experiences may be key factors in stress levels.
A recent study and court ruling have led to the listing of jaguar as an endangered species in the US. The decision is based on evidence of rare sightings and potential population dispersal from Mexico.
Researchers discovered that abnormal expression of the WT1 gene is linked to nearly 70% of breast cancers, which may lead to new treatments. The study suggests restoring functional tumor suppressor genes like WT1 could help combat breast cancer.
Researchers discovered novel genetic associations with ADHD, including a strong link between the dopamine transporter gene and symptoms. These findings may lead to improved diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for ADHD.
Researchers have identified key features of cardiac troponin C, a protein that regulates muscle contraction. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapies for patients with congestive heart failure, by targeting calcium binding to regulatory proteins.
Researchers have identified the genetic link to Griscelli disease, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by partial albinism and immunologic abnormalities. The gene responsible for the condition is myosin-5a, which plays a crucial role in organelle transport within cells.
A new study in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as Brewer's yeast, indicates that mRNA localization regulates differential gene expression in the organism. The localization of a protein called ASH1 to the tip of budding daughter cells controls its expression.
A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found a significant link between smoking and cerebral blood-vessel damage. Smokers are nearly five times more likely to develop vasospasm, a violent constriction of arterial walls that can lead to stroke-like symptoms.
Researchers have designed a mini drug pump that can sense blood glucose levels and deliver the right amount of insulin, potentially simplifying the lives of diabetics. The device uses a novel alloy to create a closed-loop system, which could also be adapted for other medications.
Research suggests that fact memory can be preserved despite hippocampal damage, offering new hope for children with memory problems. The study's findings have implications for healthcare professionals and teachers in assessing and educating children with special needs.
Researchers at Purdue University are working on optimizing performance and efficiency in personal computers, enabling applications like more accurate weather predictions and safer cars. A compiler program called POLARIS automatically translates conventional programs to run on parallel processing computers, leading to faster speeds.
Researchers at MGH discovered that presenilin genes are involved in programmed cell death, a natural process where unneeded cells commit suicide. Mutations in these genes increase the propensity of nerve cells to undergo apoptosis, a process that can contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at National Jewish Health will investigate the basic mechanisms of fibrosis and develop clinical trials to limit fibrotic response. Four interstitial lung disease research projects are underway, focusing on inflammation, growth factors, and cellular interactions.
Researchers create unnatural polyketides with anti-bacterial properties by altering enzyme feedstocks, promising to multiply the power of combinatorial biosynthesis and generate hundreds of new compounds for lead molecule discovery