Researchers at NCAR have created a software that uses an aircraft's existing equipment to measure and report in-situ turbulence, enabling pilots to steer clear of bumpy air. The data will be used to create turbulence forecasts and potentially enable real-time turbulence warnings.
David Meyer presents evidence that ancient crinoid Uintacrinus could float using a new model. The model explains the organism's ability to support its weight and collect food particles at the sea surface.
Researchers have discovered a small peptide called ALX40-4C that blocks the CXCR4 coreceptor used by HIV-1 to infect T cells. This breakthrough suggests a potential new generation of combination therapies that could delay or prevent HIV infection and AIDS progression.
Researchers believe a sudden shift in vegetation, triggered by changing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and the dominance of C-4 grasses, led to a massive extinction event that wiped out many equine species. The long teeth of surviving horses allowed them to adapt to their environment, ensuring their survival.
The FDA has approved the first phase of a new AIDS vaccine developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which aims to trigger immune responses to multiple HIV isolates using envelope proteins. The vaccine combines 23 different envelopes representing various HIV strains and is expected to last one to two years.
The World Wide Web Consortium has formed a new initiative to address web accessibility for people with disabilities. Judy Brewer, director of the International Program Office, will discuss the activities and impact of accessible design, as well as marketing benefits for non-disabled technology users.
The Society of Actuaries Foundation hosts a forum on math mentoring at the elementary school level, bringing together teachers, actuaries, and companies implementing a $120,000 two-year grant program. The session focuses on feedback from the first year and adjusting projects for the second year.
A US research team, led by Dr. Barton Kamen, has made significant progress in treating stubborn cancers with aminopterin, a drug that was previously shelved due to toxicity concerns. The FDA has granted $447,534 for further studies on the drug, which shows promise in treating patients with leukemia and other cancers.
A clinical trial found that synthetic and natural vitamin E are equally powerful antioxidants in preventing heart disease. The study, published in the American Heart Association Journal, used equivalent doses of both forms of vitamin E and found no significant difference in their effects on low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or LDL oxidation.
The Society of Actuaries' annual meeting will address pressing topics such as the old-age crisis, genetic testing, and technology's impact on healthcare. The event features a keynote speech by Robert B. Reich, who will discuss how societies can cope with globalization's widening split between the haves and have-nots.
The AAAS Annual Meeting will take place in Philadelphia from February 12-17, featuring over 900 speakers on topics such as pain management, climate change, and obesity. The meeting also includes a special seminar on the human genome project and presentations by top experts in their fields.
The symposium will focus on functional genomics, gene delivery, bioinformatics, and therapeutic strategies for complex diseases. The event features renowned speakers discussing transplantation strategies and improvements in recovery after central nervous system injury.
A 3D computer program is replacing traditional 2D hand-drawn charts with a morphable 3D body image, allowing for more precise assessment and calculation of burn surface area. This accuracy facilitates treatment planning and research, leading to potential improvements in patient outcomes and the development of new therapies.
Researchers have solved the structure of the active site of the enzyme responsible for producing nitric oxide, a crucial signaling molecule involved in various physiological processes. The discovery provides insight into how NO production is controlled and may lead to the development of new drugs to modulate its activity.
A study by Purdue University professor Theodore Wachs found that children from highly noisy homes experience less cognitive growth, delayed language skills, and increased anxiety. To mitigate these effects, parents can implement suggestions such as turning off the TV, establishing quiet spaces, and imposing a regular schedule.
Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison found that shifting tropical Atlantic monsoons and increased solar radiation led to a wetter Sahel region, driving vegetation growth and increasing rainfall. This study promises to improve computer models used for climate predictions.
A longitudinal brain imaging study found progressive abnormal brain development in schizophrenia, particularly enlarged ventricles and reduced total cerebral volume. This may provide insights into the risk factors and neurodevelopmental abnormalities involved in the disorder.
Doctors face an ethical dilemma when patients request controversial screening tests without adequate scientific evidence. The medical community is divided on the routine use of mammograms in women under 50 and prostate specific antigen tests in men, highlighting the need for informed patient decision-making.
Researchers discovered a molecule, ERAB, that causes early neuron damage in Alzheimer's disease. The finding may lead to therapies that inhibit the interaction of ERAB and amyloid-B peptide, protecting neurons from damage.
A landmark study found a unique interaction between proteins produced by two brain genes, mdab1 and reelin, crucial for normal brain development. The discovery may lead to breakthroughs in cancer research and treatments for neurological disorders like schizophrenia and epilepsy.
The newly designated Masoala National Park will protect a unique ecosystem with rare species such as the red-ruffed lemur and serpent eagle. The park blends conservation with sustainable land use and local community development, ensuring long-term preservation of the region's biodiversity.
Cornell University is developing a PICT capable of attaching integrated circuits with at least 10 times more connections than today's most powerful chips. The goal is to meet technology goals for microprocessors with 5,400 connections by 2009 and 7,300 connections by 2012.
Cornell University has received a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support research in earthquake loss reduction. The funding will focus on developing advanced technologies to predict and mitigate earthquake damage, with an emphasis on improving emergency response systems.
A new study reveals that adult-onset diabetics may be suffering from an 'imbalancing act' caused by a key enzyme called PFK, which regulates glucose metabolism. The researchers found that mice with abnormally high levels of the PFK-L sub-unit developed symptoms of Type II diabetes.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science find that muscle and tendon cells communicate through a molecular dialogue to complete their differentiation process. They isolated a gene that produces a growth factor inducing tendon cell differentiation, potentially helping understand human embryonic muscle development.
Researchers found a strong correlation between government size and jobless rates in the world's seven largest countries. Larger governments tend to impose higher tax rates and provide public health and unemployment insurance, which can reduce job opportunities.
Dr. Paul D. Boyer, a long-time NIH grantee, has won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on ATP synthesis. His research has provided a deep understanding of the molecular mechanism by which ATP is formed, shedding light on fundamental processes in biology.
Engineered Salmonella bacteria, stripped of pathogenicity, target solid tumors in laboratory animals while having little or no adverse effects. The safe versions can significantly prolong the life of mice with melanoma.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that a Tie2 inhibitor can significantly slow the growth of tumors on rats by preventing nearby blood vessels from forming capillaries to feed the cancer. The treatment slowed tumor growth by 75 percent and reduced vessel length density by 40 percent.
A new analysis linked short-acting calcium channel blockers to a twice increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, longer-acting varieties were not found to have the same association.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that prolonged hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) can cause an overproduction of glutamate, leading to increased risk of brain damage. The study found significant increases in glutamate levels during the cooling process, recovery period, and up to eight hours post-recovery.
A major European study found that an antioxidant compound called lycopene in tomato sauce appears to have a protective effect against heart attacks. The study showed men with high lycopene consumption had about half the risk of heart attack compared to those with low lycopene consumption.
Researchers found that combining ganciclovir eye implants with oral ganciclovir reduces the risk of new CMV disease, Kaposi's sarcoma, and extraocular complications in AIDS patients. The study also showed a delay in median survival time among those receiving combined therapy.
Diane Waddle and her team discover a vast collection of fossils, including those of tiny bats, shrews, birds, frogs, adult and juvenile primates, in the Bone Cave in Botswana. The find is significant as it helps fill the gap in the fossil record of Botswana.
Scientists have identified a new genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, accounting for up to 15% of cases. The gene located on chromosome 12 works independently of the previously discovered ApoE gene, which accounts for half of all patients with the disease.
A study by Colorado State University researchers found that white adolescent males are more receptive to beer ads with sports-related themes, while females respond negatively. The study also showed that adolescents who responded positively to beer ads were more likely to use alcohol as adults.
Researchers developed an iNOS gene therapy that prevents chronic organ rejection and transplant arteriosclerosis in animal models. The study found that the gene therapy suppressed the disease process by triggering production of nitric oxide, which blocks blood flow in transplanted organs.
Researchers at University of Washington identify decades-long climate shift in Pacific Ocean called PDO, influencing US West Coast ocean temperatures, winters, and salmon harvests. The current positive phase explains recent record highs in Alaska salmon and wetter winters in the South.
Researchers have identified a genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, combining the E4 variant of apolipoprotein E with the butyrylcholinesterase K variant. This combination significantly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in people over 65 years old.
Researchers studied how garlic works at the molecular level, finding allicin disables dysentery-causing amoebas by blocking enzymes. This discovery supports garlic as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug with potential implications for fighting bacterial resistance and preventing heart disease.
Scientists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have found a way to inactivate the CCR5 co-receptor, a doorway for early-stage HIV-1 virus, on the surface of macrophages and lymphocytes. This approach could be used to treat early-stage HIV-infected individuals and potentially prevent infection.
Research at the Weizmann Institute found that the brain uses a frequency modulation (FM) receiver-like mechanism to decode sensory information gathered through touch. This discovery provides a possible new explanation for how the brain processes sensory input, and could lead to advances in understanding the neural code.
Researchers found that high 'free' testosterone levels in adulthood and a small shoulder span may be related to hormone levels at various stages of development, suggesting a link between these factors and prostate cancer risk. Further study is needed to confirm these findings.
The Virginia Tech Mathematics Department has received a five-year NSF grant to implement a new math curriculum that focuses on problem-solving and technology integration. The project aims to provide professional development for 174 mathematics teachers in six counties, who will use modern NSF-funded instructional material.
Researchers are developing genetically altered, edible plant products to create new vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases. Plant-based proteins could be incorporated into pills, providing a cost-effective solution for vaccinations like hepatitis B.
Researchers at Yale have successfully measured an electric current flowing through a single organic molecule, a crucial step towards creating smaller, faster, and cheaper computers. The feat could lead to the development of billions of transistors on a single chip, replacing traditional silicon-based semiconductors.
A bioreserve system in the DMZ could foster trust and collaboration between North and South Korea, Dr. Ke Chung Kim suggests. Creating such a system would also provide economic opportunities through ecotourism and resource conservation.
Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine discovered that mature B cells can reactivate genetic machinery to produce novel antibodies in response to antigens. This antigen-driven process enables the immune system to adapt and respond more effectively to threats, potentially leading to faster recovery for cancer patients.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center have devised a unique procedure to transform monocytes into battle-ready dendritic cells, boosting the immune system's cancer-fighting forces. The modified cells have shown ability to activate T cells within one week.
Lax and permissive parenting styles are strongly associated with sleep disturbances in children. Children with intense negative temperament characteristics and behavioral problems during the day are more likely to experience sleep problems.
A new report from Cornell University predicts climate change will have a significant impact on US workplaces, with potential job losses of up to 1.6 million. The report identifies numerous strategies for unions and workers to improve environmental performance and create sustainable jobs.
Research at San Francisco State University reveals a strong connection between computer mouse use and increased muscle tension, particularly in the arms, necks, and shoulders. Training sessions and frequent breaks can significantly reduce muscle tension levels.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that taking vitamin C supplements for over 10 years significantly lowers the risk of lens opacities and subsequent cataracts in older women. Researchers discovered a 77% lower prevalence of early and 83% lower prevalence of moderate lens opacities among women who use...
Researchers found that colicky infants are more anxious and have more conflict in the first year after birth, but by three years old they are no different from other families. The "mood" of the family also improves over time.
Researchers at UNC-CH have discovered that carbon nanotubes can bend without breaking and then return to their original shape under large strains. The nanotubes' buckling behavior indicates potential for safer, stronger products, including those used in sports and aerospace materials.
A new study found that even with enforcement of laws banning tobacco sales to minors, many youths continue to easily purchase tobacco products from merchants. The researchers suggest improving compliance by using more effective inspection methods and stricter penalties.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that E. coli can live inside immune-system cells lining the bladder wall, making it harder to treat bladder infections. The bacteria use sticky appendages to cling to these cells and evade antibiotics.
A new influenza virus found in Hong Kong has spread directly from poultry to a boy, bypassing typical human adaptation. The virus, H5 subtype HK97, has not been shown to cause infections in humans before.
A study documented four patients who developed symptoms ranging from nausea to jaundice after consuming home-made Kombucha tea. The researchers caution that the tea may be harmful to some consumers due to its potential toxicity and urge patients to consider alternative therapies as a cause of unexplained symptoms.
Research by Steven Woloshin, MD, found that inadequate tangible support is a significant predictor of death and greater functional deterioration among patients who have suffered a heart attack. Patients who felt they needed more help were 3.2 times more likely to die than those who did not need any help.