A team of scientists discovered that the Pioneer 10 spacecraft detected a radio signal modulation mimicking a planet's orbit around PSR B1257+12. The analysis reveals that solar rotation causes similar variations in the pulsar's radio waves, effectively simulating the planet.
Researchers at Fritz Haber Institute use scanning tunneling microscope to investigate CO oxidation reaction, revealing surface oxygen atoms and molecules form islands that separate into reactive species. The study determines reaction rates with island separation accounted for, consistent with previously measured values.
The University of Georgia team is compiling a comprehensive map of South Florida's national parks and preserves, using aerial photographs, satellite images, and GIS technology to track changes in vegetation patterns and ecosystem disturbances. The project aims to monitor environmental factors influencing bird nesting habits and the imp...
University of Michigan researchers use ultra-high speed custom software to simulate coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their effects on the Earth's magnetosphere. The simulations, run on a supercomputer, can predict solar wind events up to 17 times faster than real time.
Researchers at Penn State found that northeastern Yellowstone mudpots emit significantly higher levels of carbon dioxide, up to 32,000 grams per square meter per day. This discovery contradicts previous assumptions that active geysers were the primary source of CO2 emissions.
A Penn State study found that holiday cards can bring moderate pleasure and enhance feelings of well-being, even from distant contacts. The researchers discovered that recipients drew meaning from the cards as a way to maintain social ties and derive comfort from the continued existence of social connections.
African climate has abruptly turned from wet to dry in short time spans, every 1,500 years, according to Columbia University paleoclimatologist Peter deMenocal. This cycle matches a pattern of abrupt changes in the North Atlantic region and points to a persistent, naturally occurring cycle of climate change.
A University of Delaware scientist has identified a critical dispatcher gene NDR1 that coordinates the defense response in Arabidopsis thaliana against a broad range of attackers. The gene may ultimately help researchers design hardier, more disease-resistant crops.
The underwater laboratory Aquarius 2000 has been refurbished and upgraded with state-of-the-art communication and life support equipment. Science missions are set to resume in late March or April 1998, focusing on coral reef ecosystems and research on factors affecting their condition.
Millions of Americans experience social phobia, a fear of embarrassment or disapproval in social situations, which can lead to debilitating symptoms like blushing, sweating, and nausea. Effective treatments include medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and a combination of both.
JoAnn Burkholder, a North Carolina State University researcher, was awarded the 1998 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her unyielding pursuit of knowledge about Pfiesteria piscicida, a microbe devastating U.S. rivers and fish. Her research led to the identification of the toxin's chemical structure and faster-acting poiso...
A University of Colorado researcher proposes that ancient Aboriginals' systematic burning of vegetation may have altered the Australian monsoon, leading to the continent's arid interior desertification. The study suggests that human activity had a significant impact on the climate and ecosystems.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created aerogels with a dielectric constant of 1.0, making them ideal insulators for computer chips. The new materials could double computing speeds and be used by industry within five years.
A Cornell University study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics found that dairy advertising efforts significantly increased fluid milk sales, retail cheese prices, and wholesale cheese prices. The study also revealed that dairy farmers receive a substantial return on investment for their marketing efforts.
Researchers at Penn State are establishing a unique center for the development of ultrasonic transducer/array technology, improving diagnosis for medical conditions like cardiovascular disease and birth defects. The center will focus on developing high-frequency devices and using new materials to create better clinical images.
Scientists have discovered oxygen locked in ice on Callisto, a moon of Jupiter, with sunlight playing a key role in separating hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Meanwhile, the Galileo team has found that sulfur dioxide emissions from Io are caused by both volcanic activity and frost sublimation.
A new method using tiny Micro-Tom tomatoes enables scientists to identify and use commercially valuable genes in plants, cutting the time necessary for mutations by half. This allows for large-scale analysis of plant genomes and customization of fruits and vegetables.
The MAX-Planck-Gesellschaft launched the EQUATOR-S satellite in 1997, after years of development. The spacecraft aims to explore the Earth's magnetosphere and study the aurora borealis, providing valuable insights for the Inter-Agency Solar-Terrestrial Physics Program.
The AAAS awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to science, including Peter H. Raven for his service to ecology and sustainability, and Bert Richard Johannes Bolin for his leadership in international research programs on climate change. The winners of the 1997-1998 AAAS Science Journalism Awards will be an...
A new study published in Nature has provided the first evidence of reduced sediment amplification in Southern California during large earthquakes, shifting the debate towards the engineering view. The research suggests that seismic hazard posed by local sediments may be underestimated in current engineering practices.
Researchers have identified a novel human gene responsible for the systemic autoimmune disease APECED. The discovery provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of destructive autoimmune responses and may hold significance for other autoimmune conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study reveals that Asian industrial smog is affecting the US West Coast, with 10% of ozone and pollutants coming from East Asia. The University of Washington's research station detected higher levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone, which are likely to be lower in Asia just 30 years ago.
Researchers found a genetic mutation that increases susceptibility to allergies, making individuals 10 times more likely to develop allergies. The discovery could lead to targeted medications and help identify high-risk individuals for intervention strategies.
Researchers are documenting the existence of seizure-alert dogs that claim to detect seizures before they strike, offering hope for people with epilepsy. The study aims to determine if these phenomena are real and reliable, and how dog trainers approach training such dogs.
A new study on IL-4 receptors expands scientists' understanding of the role in genetic predisposition to asthma and allergies. Researchers hope to develop innovative treatments by targeting IL-4 receptors in clinical trials.
A recent RAND study concludes that treating and apprehending drug offenders is more cost-effective than implementing mandatory minimum sentences. The study uses sensitivity analysis to compare the effects of different approaches on crime rates and drug use.
A sudden 200-year cold event about 8,200 years ago could provide insights into rapid climate change. The 8k event, as it's called, saw temperatures drop by 11 degrees Fahrenheit in the North Atlantic region.
A new study has confirmed that the Earth's surface temperature has increased by about 1 degree C over the last five centuries, with the majority of this warming happening in the last 100 years. The study used data from 300 underground boreholes across four continents to find a global average temperature increase since 1900.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame discovered that Factor VII deficient mice embryos developed normally throughout gestation, despite suffering fatal perinatal bleeding after birth. The study suggests a new avenue for exploration of coagulation proteins' role in embryonic development.
A recent study found that premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at a higher risk of cognitive and motor development problems. By 3 years of age, about 21% of BPD patients showed signs of retardation compared to less than 10% without the condition.
A recent study by Daniel S. Kessler found that activation of siamois, a homeobox gene, is required for the formation of Spemann's organizer in frogs. The siamois gene is turned on by Wnt proteins and activates organizer genes, crucial for embryonic development.
Researchers found that imagining visual stimuli activates short-term memory, lowering the threshold of brightness for visual perception. This phenomenon suggests separate neural mechanisms control short- and long-term visual memory, with imagination enhancing visual abilities.
A recent review of data suggests that comet impacts on Earth may be random events common to scientific instruments using image intensifiers. Dr. Louis Frank's claims of small comets striking the atmosphere have been challenged by NASA scientist Dr. James Spann, who attributes similar dark smears in images to instrument noise.
Scientists have mapped a previously uncharted area of the Southwest Indian Ridge, revealing a steepest underwater cliff ever recorded. The discovery may shed new light on the origins of primitive life forms, with some biologists suggesting that hydrothermal vents could hold the key to life's beginnings.
Scientists are studying the Hayward Fault, South Bay Stepover, and Loma Prieta to better understand their movement patterns. They found that some portions of the fault have locked up, leading to unrelieved stress at greater depths, while others exhibit complex creeping behavior.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center found that the Earth's polar fountains of energized gas are a significant source of material for the magnetosphere, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery was made using a device called TIDE, which neutralizes spacecraft plasma sheaths to detect low-energy ions.
Researchers used a novel test to measure damaging activity of free radicals in body tissues, finding high levels in atherosclerotic plaque tissue. The technique provides a real handle on oxidant processes in atherogenesis and could lead to clinical studies testing efficacy of drugs limiting free-radical damage.
University of Washington geophysicist George Parks analyzed Louis Frank's ultraviolet camera images and concluded that the white snow in space is likely instrument noise. A closer examination of the data revealed statistical evidence supporting this finding, suggesting that the 'snowballs' are not actual cosmic phenomena.
The US EPA has established a Drinking Water Optimization Institute at the University of Cincinnati to help utilities comply with new regulations. The institute will focus on optimizing water treatment methods, distribution systems, and raw water sources to meet safety standards.
Researchers found that ewes' antibodies are passed to lambs through colostrum, making vaccination unnecessary until past the age of 6 weeks. This schedule change can save time and energy for farmers, with significant benefits for national agriculture.
Researchers grew viable cartilage tissue from bovine cells on polymer scaffolds, but found that tissues grown in space were smaller and mechanically weaker than those on Earth. This study demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating cells and tissues in space over long periods.
Researchers have discovered a chaperone protein from yeast that controls a new, protein-only form of inheritance called a yeast prion. The discovery links the mechanism responsible for this new form of inheritance to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Creutzfeld-Jakob disease.
A survey of parents with children diagnosed with chronic conditions found that more than a third of non-supportive incidents came from healthcare providers, with physicians being the most common culprit. The study highlights the importance of sensitive and accurate information delivery by healthcare professionals to support families' a...
Scientists predict small-scale spark channels form at the breakdown points, propelled upward with velocities as fast as one-tenth of the speed of light. The new model explains recent observations of sprites, including intense bursts of blue light and radio waves in the extremely low frequency band.
Researchers created P-cadherin-deficient mice to investigate the function of P-cadherin in controlling mammary tissue growth. The study found that P-cadherin plays a crucial role in maintaining undifferentiated breast tissue, and its absence leads to hyperproliferation.
Children with better-than-20/800 vision showed significant improvements in development compared to those with impaired vision. The study found that a specific range of visual acuity affects children's ability to establish eye contact, bond with parents, and develop social skills.
Researchers identified 29 barriers to end-of-life care discussions, including patient and physician reluctance. Despite most patients wanting to discuss their care preferences, only a minority actually do so.
A new report examines the trend towards increasing GHG emissions in 14 developing and transitioning nations, highlighting potential mitigation options. The Berkeley Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division has organized workshops with scientists from 35 nations to develop global climate change assessments.
Researchers detected intense X-rays in seven bursts, each lasting for half an hour, emanating from the Earth's upper atmosphere. The high-energy bursts were recorded during the day with no auroral activity overhead, posing a scientific mystery that scientists are struggling to explain.
A new census of mountain gorillas in Uganda's Impenetrable Forest has yielded 292 individual gorillas from 28 groups, with the help of survey techniques developed in the Virunga Conservation Area. The results will inform a regional plan of action to conserve these endangered populations.
A study of 103 women in Michigan and North Carolina found that 27% missed two or more consecutive pills, leading to a higher risk of pregnancy. Women who had unprotected sex during the initial cycle or with frequent intercourse were also at increased risk.
A team of researchers found that the fairness of final economic outcomes does not significantly rely on the fairness of initial allocation methods. They suggest alternative fair and acceptable rules for sharing cost burdens while ensuring cost-effectiveness. Developing countries must prioritize equitable outcomes, mitigate costs, and p...
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that counseling and phone support after hospital discharge increased nonsmoking rates by 50% compared to usual care. Participants who had not previously tried to quit showed the greatest improvement in long-term success.
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team found that Earth is alternately peppered by extremely high-energy electrons from the sun and Jupiter. These 'killer electrons' are accelerated to energies thousands of times higher than usual near Earth, posing a threat to spacecraft and satellites.
A NASA instrument package will measure atmospheric conditions on a record-breaking solo balloon flight around the world. The mission aims to simulate planetary missions and educate the public on Earth's lower atmosphere.
Research suggests that high levels of IgE type antibodies can cause an overactive immune response, leading to cerebral malaria. The study found a genetic link between IgE production and the production of TNF, which can be beneficial but also deadly in excessive amounts.
A new study by Cornell University estimates that biodiversity provides $2.9 trillion in economic and environmental benefits globally. In the United States alone, the value is estimated at $319 billion. The research highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem integrity for human well-being.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution has received a three-year, $1.1 million grant to investigate the potential anticancer properties of Discodermolide, a marine-derived compound. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Discodermolide on experimental models of human lung, breast and ovarian cancers.
A six-university panel of river experts suggests that restoring a river's natural flow regime is crucial for maintaining ecological integrity. By allowing rivers to repair and maintain themselves, scientists can enhance different portions of the flow regime through changes to dams and water-use operations.
Scientists have confirmed a genetic connection to bipolar disorder by locating a gene on the long arm of human chromosome 18. This finding strengthens earlier research and could lead to better treatments and tests for the condition.