Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new theory on how chemical additives alter the growth rate of silicon and silicon-germanium alloys. By understanding this mechanism, they hope to improve the control of electronic properties in films grown from chemical vapors at low temperatures.
Researchers have identified a mechanism to trap key industrial metals such as nickel, copper and zinc in soils, reducing their mobility. This discovery could lead to more effective cleanup techniques using traditional methods.
A new screening procedure developed at Cornell University Medical College reliably identified persons with personality pathology using a self-administered true-false questionnaire. The test was then confirmed or discounted through a follow-up interview with a professional clinician.
Researchers at University at Buffalo demonstrate strongest evidence yet for reentrant superconductivity, a phenomenon where magnetic fields enhance superconductivity rather than destroy it. The findings have potential practical applications in energy storage and magnetic resonance imaging.
University of Delaware researchers use a 'bicyclic lactone' to synthesize five unique compounds derived from red sea algae, making them easier to access for potential pharmaceutical uses. The process allows for efficient synthesis in large quantities, paving the way for further research into the compounds' biological activity.
Researchers found that genetic variations in enzymes metabolizing drugs contribute to cancer risk, particularly head and neck cancer. Individuals with certain enzyme genotypes or histories of environmental exposures are at increased risk for cancer.
Researchers from Boston University developed network measurement techniques that enable Net.Medic to identify and fix internet performance problems. The software is designed to improve the effectiveness of the internet for millions of users worldwide.
Research by Penn State scientists has shown that humus can bind up to 40-50% of applied chemicals, including pesticides and other pollutants, rendering them unavailable to plants or groundwater. This natural process is beneficial as bound chemicals are stable and do not leach into the environment.
A Penn State scientist has created a method to stimulate plants to produce valuable chemicals by mimicking their natural defense mechanisms. By using dead fungal cell fragments, the technique can increase production of desired compounds up to 500 times.
Researchers at Purdue University have been working on phytoremediation, a process that uses plants to collect heavy metals and radioactive waste from polluted sites. By understanding how plants take up and store toxic metals, they aim to develop metal-mining plants that can clean up contaminated soil and water.
Researchers at Stanford University have identified two separate clusters of neurons in the hippocampus involved in encoding and retrieving memories. These findings provide insight into the neural basis of memory and could lead to better treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
Researchers at Columbia University and IBM used X-rays to measure changes in atomic structure as electric current flowed through tiny wires. They found large stresses of up to 50,000 pounds per square inch, which can damage wires and their insulation.
Researchers identified three key factors that significantly boost the spread of HIV: having other STDs, multiple sexual relationships, and sex with people newly infected. Increasing STD detection and treatment, and focusing on early HIV infections can help curb the epidemic.
A recent study discovered that stimulation of the CD28 receptor can regulate coreceptor expression in activated T cells, potentially preventing HIV-1 infection. This finding may lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients with HIV and other immune deficiencies.
A study published by University of Georgia researchers reveals a vast array of novel bacteria in Carolina bays, many of which remain unclassified. The discovery highlights the importance of the microbial world in shaping biodiversity.
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories and France Telecom have developed a prototype memory-retention device that uses embedded protons to preserve information. The 'protonic' device is inexpensive, low-powered, and simple to fabricate, and can retain data even when power is turned off.
A 30-year follow-up study found that men who ate about 35 grams of fish per day had a significantly lower risk of dying from a heart attack than those who did not eat fish. The findings held true after accounting for various demographic and health factors, supporting the view that eating fish protects against heart attacks.
A Johns Hopkins researcher proposes that a tiny jet of liquid inside a bubble could be the cause of sonoluminescence, releasing energy as light. The theory suggests that the fluid's fracture creates a foothold for noble gas atoms to initiate luminescence.
A recent Penn State study reveals that older adults have a decreased ability to cool their bodies and pump blood efficiently in extreme heat, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems. Even healthy older individuals with heart disease should take precautions to stay cool and minimize strain on their hearts.
A potent chemokine, AOP-RANTES, has been shown to inhibit HIV-1 entry into macrophages and lymphocytes at the nanomolar level. Researchers believe this could lead to a new treatment approach for HIV/AIDS by targeting host cells to prevent viral entry.
Astronomers have detected a giant solar eruption with particles hurtling towards the Earth. The NASA POLAR spacecraft will monitor the Earth's aurora in real-time, capturing enhanced activity on Wednesday afternoon.
Maintaining a surgical patient's normal body temperature has been shown to reduce infections, speed healing and shorten hospital stays. Results of a clinical trial suggest a 55% risk reduction in cardiac complications when near-normal body temperatures are maintained.
Researchers used non-invasive functional magnetic resonance imaging to test the theory that the prefrontal cortex stores information in working memory. The study found sustained activity in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting it plays a key role in maintaining information.
Researchers at Duke University found that pre-treating insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells with glutathione preserves their ability to regulate sugar levels. This advance could overcome a major hurdle in the transplantation of islet cells into humans as a treatment for diabetes.
The National Science Board has approved new criteria for evaluating funding proposals, clearing the way for the first change in NSF's merit review process since 1981. The new criteria aim to better reflect the agency's strategic plan and incorporate feedback from the science and engineering community.
Researchers found that 15% of obese people carry antibodies to Ad-36, a virus known to induce obesity in animals. Antibody-positive individuals had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than antibody-negative counterparts.
A recent study by American Heart Association found that risk of stroke after heart attack is highest within five days. The research highlights atrial fibrillation and ST elevation as key factors increasing likelihood of a heart attack-related stroke.
A new American Academy of Pediatrics study reveals that girls in the US are entering puberty earlier than previously thought, with black girls beginning around age 9 and white girls at 10. By their ninth birthday, 48% of black girls and 15% of white girls have begun breast or secondary hair development.
Astronomers have found similarities between the composition of Comet Hale-Bopp and what appear to be similar-sized comets in other solar systems. The team used infrared observations of evolving solar systems to identify patterns in star-grazing comets, suggesting a common origin for planets.
Cornell University psychologist Romi Nijhawan's experiment shows that the brain can decompose yellow into its constituent red and green based on motion of the stimulus. Human retinas cannot sense motion on their own, but the brain uses a process called motion extrapolation to correct for this delay.
Research suggests that dietary levels of nutrients during formative months and years are important determinants of blood pressure. Studies found that children who consumed more calcium and fiber had lower diastolic blood pressure, while eating more fat was linked to higher diastolic pressure.
A University of Washington researcher found that the US Forest Service and Wilderness Society's conflicting old-growth forest estimates in the Pacific Northwest stem from differing mapping methods, technologies, and definitions. The study highlights how cultural and financial pressures influenced the final numbers.
A low-fat diet is safe for children aged 4-10 if parents follow the Food Pyramid guidelines and provide counseling or education, reducing the risk of heart disease. The study found that children on modified diets had adequate intakes of all nutrients while lowering their LDL blood levels.
Research at the University at Buffalo has provided a biochemical explanation for obesity, showing that chronic hyperinsulinemia precedes obesity in rat pups. The study suggests that early metabolic setpoints program rats to overproduce insulin, leading to obesity later in life.
Researchers studied chimps' reaction to hand-held mirrors, finding they acted like young children when dressing up. The capacity for playful self-expression appears to exist before it's expressed, suggesting a strong influence of social background on sense of self.
A team of physicians from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Rochester's Cancer Center have developed a herpes-based gene therapy that recruits the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells in the liver. The vaccine has shown promising results, with laboratory rats achieving complete remission and few...
A new study found that people who regularly eat breakfast cereal tend to consume more fiber and calcium, but less fat, compared to those who eat other foods for breakfast. The study analyzed data from the US Department of Agriculture's survey and found that cereal-eaters were also more likely to consume other nutritious foods.
A new study by UNC-CH found that most Hispanics are of Mexican descent and have already become U.S. citizens, with about 60% residing in the urban crescent along Interstate 85. This trend, known as moving down the urban hierarchy, indicates a shift away from rural regions and coastal areas.
A new test apparatus developed by Purdue researchers allows for faster, more precise MRI scans without causing discomfort to patients. The system enables doctors to gather images from previously hard-to-scanned areas like the liver and view transient phenomena like cardiac activity in a noninvasive way.
A comprehensive 23-year study of the Kibale rain forest in Uganda reveals that heavy logging severely reduces species diversity and hinders forest recovery. Sustainable logging is only viable if tree falls are spaced far apart, limited to large trees, and harvested with minimal machinery.
A major new study shows that good early child care helps rather than hinders infants' and toddlers' thinking and language development up to age 3. The research found that quality child care matters, even when other family variables are considered.
A research team at Colorado State University predicts that the 1997 hurricane season will be above average, with 11 tropical storms expected to form. The team expects seven of these storms to become hurricanes, with three becoming major hurricanes, which cause 75% of all storm-spawned damage.
Research reveals family characteristics and early child care experiences have a greater impact on the mother-child relationship than non-maternal child care. High-quality care reduces negative effects, but family traits and child temperaments play a significant role.
University of Illinois food scientists create water-resistant, plastic-like containers using zein and fatty acids, which can be naturally decomposed. The new process produces biodegradable plastics from corn gluten meal, addressing the global demand for eco-friendly packaging materials.
Researchers analyzed obsidian blades from workshops in Mexico, finding that the number and type of mistakes made can indicate a craftsman's level of skill. By ranking workshops according to their aggregate skill, archaeologists can better understand the economic complexity of ancient societies.
Researchers have developed methods to improve efficiency and stability of amorphous silicon solar cells, enabling mass production. Stacking solar cells on panels has increased conversion of sunlight to power, with efficiencies reaching over 14 percent.
Studies found that certain oligosaccharides in fruits and vegetables can enhance digestion, increase beneficial bacteria, and prevent bowel disease. Researchers suggest these compounds may serve as a substitute for dietary fiber, offering potential health benefits without the need for high-fiber diets.
The discovery of an ancient Peruvian obsidian quarry provides evidence for long-distance trade in the Americas as far back as 2,500 B.C. The quarry, found by University of Wisconsin-Madison geographer Sarah Osgood Brooks, contains nearly 75% of artifacts identified as coming from a single source.
The University of Illinois is using satellites and sensors to monitor crop yields, soil moisture, and pest infestations. This technology aims to improve agricultural efficiency while reducing chemical runoff and soil erosion, benefiting the environment.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers presents compelling evidence of global warming in the tropics and subtropics, with melting ice caps and rising temperatures in alpine regions. The findings suggest that these areas will face significant challenges due to water stress and population growth.
Researchers at Stanford University propose using tiny jet turbines to create a system that prevents aircraft wings from stalling. This approach uses massively parallel mechanical systems, enabling the creation of large numbers of small devices for improved power density and reliability.
A recent study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) found that women using N-9 film with condoms had an overall rate of HIV transmission of 6.7%, significantly lower than previously estimated rates in this population.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a simple and inexpensive process to equalize charge in rechargeable batteries, doubling their life. The technique uses capacitors and transistorized switching networks to shift charge among adjacent cells, balancing overall battery performance.
Researchers found exercise had a significant impact on anxiety levels compared to sitting still, contradicting the notion that distractions can reduce stress. The study involved 34 college students who exercised in various settings and reported lower anxiety after exercise, with a peak at 15 minutes post-exercise.
A recent analysis suggests that developed countries will win while underdeveloped countries lose $82 billion and $40 billion annually respectively due to global climate change. Countries such as Canada, the US, and China are expected to benefit from a shift in climate conditions.
A new ultrasound technique has been developed to improve food inspection by spotting defects as small as 10 microns in size, which is one-fifth the diameter of a human hair. The technology allows for the non-destructive detection of voids, air, water, or protein strands in plastic-sealed containers.
The NICHD study found that high-quality child care in the first three years of life is positively related to early cognitive and language development. Children in center care with positive caregiver-child interaction performed better on cognitive and language measures.
A study comparing cephalopod and gastropod nervous systems reveals that cephalopods have more rapid-acting electrical firing systems, enabling their high-speed swimming behavior. The key element of the findings involves sodium channels in motor neurons used for jet-propelled swimming.
Resources for the Future (RFF) is studying the economic implications and commercial possibilities of satellite remote sensing. The research aims to find a reliable way to measure the value of NASA's technology transfer to the public and private sectors.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated intersubband stimulated emission in an actual device structure, showing the potential for a tunable, mid-infrared solid-state laser. The new design is simpler and more efficient than previous concepts, with the ability to be tuned to specific wavelengths.