Researchers studied 1,947 women and found that taking progestin with estrogen therapy reduces risk of endometrial cancer by four-fold, but risks increase with shorter progestin cycles. Women who took combination therapy for over five years had a higher risk of endometrial cancer compared to non-users.
The Stanford research group synthesized a compound that replicates the chemical wizardry of cytochrome c oxidase, a vital biochemical process found in all oxygen-using organisms. The model converts oxygen molecules into water, releasing energy to charge biological batteries and generate heat.
Most young molecular biologists (91%) are satisfied with their career choice despite facing challenges in the field. They believe effective gene therapy and a cure for AIDS will be significant breakthroughs in the next decade.
A study by Cornell University biologist Stephen T. Emlen found that evolutionary predispositions, such as helping closely related kin, can lead to conflict and violence in modern families. The biologist suggests that increasing awareness of these inherited behaviors can help minimize damage in stepfamily situations.
A study by University of Illinois professors reveals that graduate education programs often prioritize competitiveness over collaborative team efforts and ethical values. The research highlights the need for standardized methods to assess mentoring quality and emphasizes the importance of teaching general scientific ethics.
In 1996, a total of 72 significant earthquakes occurred worldwide, with one great earthquake (magnitude 8.1) causing 108 deaths and widespread damage in Indonesia. Another major quake in China resulted in over 251 fatalities and left nearly one million homeless.
New research suggests that the Pacific Ocean's natural air-ocean circulation system may be counteracting global warming by redistributing heat. The study, conducted by Lamont-Doherty scientists, found that surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific have cooled over the past century despite rising Earth temperatures.
Microbial subsurface life is likely to be found on Mars and other planetary bodies in our solar system. The theory proposes that life evolved from the inside out, using rocks for oxygen, and suggests that petroleum has come up from great depths, not from biological sediments.
The world's major cereal crops have increased variability in quantity from year to year, posing a risk to the poorest people who spend much of their income on food. Long-term climate change, technology adoption stages, and other factors contribute to these fluctuations.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that blacks are less likely to undergo heart bypass surgery compared to whites. The research suggests that patient preferences and cultural factors contribute to this disparity in treatment.
Despite its popularity in classrooms, board game therapy remains untested and potentially ineffective due to a lack of scientific studies. Therapists are advised to scrutinize games before using them in therapeutic settings to avoid making uncritical claims about their benefits.
Researchers have identified an inactive gene that contributes to cancer development when it fails to work in harmony with the tumor-suppressing p53 gene. The findings suggest that the bax gene can act as a tumor suppresser, and its dysfunction may lead to increased cancer cell death and tumor growth.
The study provides a three-dimensional view of molecular switch Src, assisting in the development of new drugs. The researchers discovered that Src has four lobes with interconnected linkers, which keep it idle until stimulation arrives, turning it on.
At the Seattle Science Meeting, USGS researchers will present on various topics including Martian exploration, integrated watershed studies, and geochemical backgrounds in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The meeting features several presentations by renowned scientists, including Dr. Michael Carr and Dr. David Howell.
Cornell researchers are investigating the use of grasses as windbreaks to combat the onion bulb mite, a pest affecting New York's $50-75 million annual onion crop. The team is also exploring other management techniques, including manipulating windbreaks and testing chemicals for control.
Dr. Michael Carr presents a case for the possibility of life on Mars, citing similarities with early Earth's hydrothermal environments and recent discoveries of organic compounds in Martian meteorites. The USGS has initiated a Mars exploration program to study the planet's climate history and distribution of water.
The hybrid lighting partnership aims to develop a new type of lighting that uses collectors to capture sunlight and waveguides to transmit the light. This technology has the potential to significantly improve quality and efficiency of lighting, reducing energy consumption by up to 25%.
Researchers at ORNL and Columbia University are developing a radiation-based technique to prevent restenosis in coronary arteries. The method uses low doses of radiation to inhibit the rapid proliferation of smooth muscle cells that can form inside newly unclogged arteries.
The new sonochemical synthesis technique creates highly magnetic metal powders with clusters of a few hundred atoms, exhibiting superparamagnetic behavior. These powders have the potential to be used in various applications including information storage, audio reproduction, and magnetic sealing.
A University of Illinois professor has modeled gravitomagnetic induction as the gravitational analog of Faraday induction in electromagnetism. The effect could influence a neutron star's spin, internal structure and orbital motion.
Scientists examining rat brains with underactive thyroid glands found differences in neuronal responses to serotonin, a neurotransmitter important for circulatory control. The study suggests thyroid hormones have an impact on mature brains, potentially affecting depression treatment.
Researchers found that high school math departments with a culture of continuous improvement led to higher rates of student advancement in advanced math courses. These departments offered fewer choices at the lower level and more advanced courses, while also rotating courses among teachers to keep things fresh.
Researchers have discovered a novel phosphorus compound, DIP, in bacteria Thermotoga maritima that thrive at high temperatures, challenging the previous understanding of its role in archaea. The study suggests that DIP may play a role in osmosis and potentially as a thermoprotectant.
Researchers have observed a ceiling to the number of atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate formed with attractive atoms, with a maximum of 650-1,300 atoms. This finding is consistent with theoretical predictions and sheds light on the behavior of macroscopic quantum mechanical processes.
A University of Georgia researcher's study found that many PCBs in the environment may not be as carcinogenic as previously believed. The project aimed to re-evaluate the toxicity of PCBs based on new scientific information and changes in cancer classification.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have made significant progress in treating rheumatoid arthritis using gene therapy. They successfully expressed the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) gene in synovial cells within joints treated with the approach.
New observations reveal DEM L 316 as two overlapping supernova remnants with colliding shells, studied to understand energy and element distribution. The collision may influence the births of new stars by distributing material from dead stars.
Researchers identify key signaling pathway involving glutamate, nitric oxide and CREB that resets biological clocks in animals. A five-minute flash of light can permanently alter gene expression and adjust daily rhythms.
A study by the University of Illinois found that rural US counties gained greater access to computer networks and digital hardware between 1986 and 1992. Fiber optic mileage in the US multiplied twentyfold during this period, indicating a wider dissemination of digital technology.
A new software developed by Ohio University researchers reduces amino acid sequence misidentification rates by at least twice, combining human intelligence with automated systems. The software aims to minimize time spent on identifying protein sequences, improving accuracy and efficiency in biochemistry research.
The university's task force has identified effective prevention methods, which are being integrated into employee and student training, equipment purchasing decisions, and computer clusters. RSI affects over 70 million people who spend part of their day typing at a computer keyboard.
A new Carnegie Mellon University study found that chronic stress increases susceptibility to the common cold. Chronic but not acute stressors were linked to a higher risk of illness. Stress from family or work problems made people more likely to develop a cold.
Researchers have created genetically modified nematodes with human genes linked to Alzheimer's disease, sparking the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in their muscle cells. The study aims to speed up the search for drugs to treat the disease by identifying potential treatments using these unique 'dual-transgenic' worms.
Researchers studied 200 smokers who wanted to quit and found that those who smoked on their quit day were more likely to go back to smoking after six months. Nicotine patches can double the chances of long-term success, but only about one in four users remain smoke-free after six months.
A new study from Cornell University finds that college women who experienced childhood sexual abuse tend to have less secure and trusting relationships with their partners. The researchers also found that the quality of a girl's childhood attachment to her primary caregivers plays a significant role in mitigating the long-term negative...
Researchers from NCAR and NOAA are studying terrain-induced turbulence at Colorado Springs airport to reduce mountain flying risks. The goal is to develop a real-time turbulence detection and warning system, similar to one recently developed for Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport.
The NSF is installing 250 ground-based monuments to track satellites and study earth movements in Southern California, enabling scientists to follow Earth's crust movements with unprecedented detail. The network will provide valuable insights into earthquake potential and strain buildup, helping to identify areas of high seismic activity.
Researchers at UPMC's Musculoskeletal Research Center found that the oral prescription drug alendronate can prevent bone destruction around failed joint implants. This breakthrough could reduce the need for repeat surgeries and save an estimated $200 million annually.
A study of Medicare data found that stroke patients cared for by neurologists had better survival rates and less disability compared to those cared for by generalists. The study suggests that redirecting patient care to generalists may not be cost-effective, but further research is needed to understand the differences in outcomes.
Researchers develop a new family of drugs called neuroprotectants designed to minimize disabling damage to brain tissue after an ischemic stroke. A test of one such drug, lubeluzole, showed greater recovery in patients' ability to function and significantly less disability compared to those receiving a placebo.
A new study found that TPA significantly improves functional outcomes in stroke patients, reducing hospitalization costs by $2 million and nursing home care costs by $4.8 million. The study suggests that using TPA results in a net cost savings of almost $5 million to the healthcare system for every 1,000 ischemic stroke patients treated.
Only 36% of the U.S. population would have access to this therapy, with regions including rural areas and distant locations having limited emergency access. Researchers found that increasing treatment availability through helicopter transport could extend the treatment radius to 200 miles, benefiting up to 95% of the nation's population.
A team of researchers has made a promising discovery using gene therapy to protect dopamine-producing neurons in the brain from Parkinson's disease. The study found that injecting a modified virus carrying a specific gene into the brain led to improved neuron survival rates.
Research suggests that light to moderate alcohol consumption can lower stroke risk by up to 62% compared to non-drinkers. However, excessive drinking and cigarette smoke increase the risk of stroke. The study found a strong association between passive smoking and an increased prevalence of silent brain lesions, which can lead to stroke.
The President requests a 3.4% increase in overall research funding and a 6.3% rise in major equipment funding, with key areas including KDI, life sciences, and education programs. The NSF FY98 budget aims to drive national growth and opportunity through fundamental research and innovation.
A water-based pillow significantly improved quality of sleep and modestly reduced morning pain intensity compared to standard and roll pillows. The pillow contained a pouch of water, adjustable for firmness, and supported neck muscles and structures damaged by injury or disease.
Researchers found that polyethylene glycol-conjugated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) significantly increased platelet counts in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer after chemotherapy. Platelet counts returned to normal within 14 days, faster than in placebo recipients.
The Ocutech VES AutoFocus Telescope is the world's first self-focusing telescopic glasses for the visually impaired, developed by Dr. Henry Greene and his team. The device can help several million people in the US alone, providing improved vision and recognition of faces and objects.
Researchers are developing innovative control concepts, such as electrically-actuated piezoelectric structures and tiny jet turbine engines, to build MicroFlyer aircraft. The vehicles must be autonomous, inexpensive, and able to withstand harsh environments.
The USGS network has been severely impacted by recent floods, with 146 streamflow measuring stations damaged or destroyed. This has hampered efforts to provide basic floodflow measurements, particularly in California where 79 gages were affected.
Researchers have created a new tool to correct distortions in microscopes, allowing for enhanced resolution and accuracy in studying tiny surfaces. The innovation uses an electron mirror to cancel aberrations caused by lenses, leading to practical applications such as smaller miniature probes and improved instruments.
Research shows that training is essential for overcoming fears about using automatic teller machines (ATMs) among older adults. Studies have found that non-users are willing to try ATMs if shown proper usage, and hands-on training improves success rates. Banks can benefit by making ATMs more personal, interactive, and secure.
Research from NASA and the Global Hydrology and Climate Center suggests that the temperature structure of the atmosphere is more complex than previously thought. The study found a slight downward trend in the lower troposphere since 1979, while surface measurements show a warming trend.
The U.S. Geological Survey's 1998 budget allocates $6.5 million more to address pressing demands on natural resources and mitigate hazards. The funding boost enhances biological science research, expands earthquake monitoring, and improves drinking water quality information.
A new screening test can identify stroke victims in three minutes and facilitate faster treatment with clot-busting drugs. The Los Angeles Paramedic Stroke Screen has been shown to correctly diagnose ischemic strokes in 93% of cases, shortening time to actual treatment by an average of 90 minutes.
Scientists at NCAR are testing new forecasting methods to predict treacherous icing zones and improve pilot safety. The experiment uses weather observations, numerical models, and aircraft measurements to target large-droplet icing conditions, providing escape routes for pilots.
A study found that only 39% of stroke patients and 27% of the general population could identify a single warning sign of stroke, highlighting a need for education on recognizing symptoms and risk factors. The researchers also noted that controllable risk factors such as high blood pressure are not being adequately addressed.
The study enhances lightning detection capabilities with total lightning measurements, providing more accurate forecasts of severe storms and storm morphology. This technology has the potential to improve space launch weather support and reduce delays or scrubs due to adverse weather conditions.
Researchers at UNC-CH launch first major investigation of colon cancer in both black and white populations, exploring environmental factors and dietary influences. The four-year study aims to identify key risk factors and promote a better understanding of the disease among African Americans.
A Purdue University researcher has discovered that spacecraft can 'surf' through space at libration points, which could lower costs of planetary missions. Libration points are locations in the solar system where gravitational forces cancel each other out, creating stable orbits for spacecraft.