Scientists detect unique X-ray vibrations in black hole candidate GRS 1915+105, potentially revealing its mass and rotation rate. The discovery is consistent with predictions made by the Stanford astrophysics group three years ago.
Astronomers have discovered a binary system featuring a dead white dwarf star orbiting an exotic neutron star with a mass 1.5 times that of the Sun. The neutron star's intense gravity is slowly consuming its companion, causing peaks in ultraviolet radiation every 11 minutes.
The study confirms the Bornean rhino's genetic distinctness from other Sumatran rhinos, with a 1% difference in genetic code, making interbreeding unlikely. Only 50-100 animals remain, and conservation efforts are needed to protect them.
Astronomers predict that the debris cloud from Supernova 1987A will continue to expand and brighten over the next decade, reaching its final stage by 2007 A.D. The ring of hydrogen gas surrounding the supernova is expected to increase in brightness by a factor of 1,000.
Research funded by NSF seeks to improve jury decision-making in capital cases, where jurors may not fully comprehend instructions and legal definitions. Researchers aim to develop modifications to court procedures to help jurors make decisions more consistent with the law.
The new Moore Options program uses AIDS specialists as primary care providers and coordinators, focusing on complex patient needs. Published studies show improved outcomes and lower costs for patients treated by experienced care providers.
A new species of ground beetle, Platynus indecentis, has been officially named and described by entomologists at Cornell University. The beetle was found in the Ithaca area and has a natural range extending from Maine to Ohio and Ontario to Maryland.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that the electron's electromagnetic force may not be constant but rather increases towards the central core. The discovery reveals a cloud of virtual particles surrounding the core, which affects how we perceive the electromagnetic force from the electron.
Researchers have discovered a powerful energy source inside the nucleus of a Seyfert galaxy, challenging previous theories and providing new insights into the formation of galaxies. The findings suggest that both types of Seyfert galaxies may harbor quasars, with the power source located behind an obscuring 'fat torus' or doughnut girdle.
Research by UNC-CH history professor Dr. Richard Kohn helped lead President Bill Clinton's awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to black WWII veterans. The research uncovered instances of racism and black heroism, leading to the re-evaluation of over 40 black soldiers' nominations for the top military honor.
Scientists from 11 countries investigate powerful winter storms in the North Atlantic to better forecast their impact on western Europe and the US West Coast. By studying precursors and cyclones, FASTEX aims to enhance computerized forecasts.
Using magnetic tweezers, scientists can move DNA molecules in three dimensions, opening up possibilities for non-invasive surgical tools and targeted medicine delivery. The device works by using electromagnetic fields to manipulate iron oxide-coated beads attached to the DNA molecule, allowing precise control over movement.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a miniature video camera that can transmit to a site up to 100 feet away, such as a police car. The camera features a disguised lens that makes it unobtrusive, and its design enables secure surveillance and protection for law enforcement.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a 360-degree videocamera called Omnicam, which can capture hemispheric views and display them in linear perspective on screens. The technology has various applications, including surveillance, teleconferencing, and robotic vision.
Researchers at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Stanford University are investigating the environmental implications of three alternative tax plans under discussion in Congress. The flat tax, national sales tax, and unlimited savings account (USA) tax plans could have varying effects on economic growth and environmental quality.
A study of over 2,500 children born between 1960-1965 found that most have achieved success in education, lifestyle, health, and financial independence by their thirties. Living with both parents, avoiding poverty, good behavior, and participation in school activities were key predictors of successful outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health found that drawstrings on clothing can cause strangulation or dragging injuries, resulting in eight child fatalities between 1985-1994. The study recommends eliminating or modifying drawstrings to prevent these accidents.
Researchers found that certain patterns of immune responses to HIV during primary infection are highly predictive of an individual's subsequent rate of disease progression. The study suggests that the immunologic factors at work during this early period, as much or more than virologic factors, determine the outcome of HIV disease.
Research by University of Georgia forester Dr. Bob Teskey and colleagues found that managed timber stands can benefit from higher CO2 levels due to improved photosynthesis. The study's results suggest pine trees are better adapted to increased CO2, with positive responses from other species as well.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identify TWIST gene as cause of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial abnormalities and limb defects. The study confirms the role of the TWIST protein in human development and provides insight into the confusion with Crouzon syndrome.
Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University discovered how a mutated agouti gene leads to overeating and excess body fat in mice. The study shows that the agouti gene, when expressed in brain cells, disrupts a hormonal signaling pathway that regulates feeding behavior.
Scientists at ORNL use an atomic force microscope to image a serpentine strand of DNA, revealing protein bumps that form when proteins attach to specific sites. The technique is being developed as an alternative to conventional DNA mapping methods, promising improved accuracy and speed.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an electronic notebook prototype that allows scientists to record and share ideas, experiments, and results. The notebook offers features like multimedia input, secure data storage, and collaborative capabilities, which are expected to increase its popularity among researchers.
Researchers at Ohio University have developed a nonviral gene therapy system that can express genes outside the nucleus of a cell, making it easier to deliver disease-fighting genes to tumor cells. This system has been successfully used in cell cultures and mouse models to promote anti-cancer activity.
A new study suggests that cognitive tests can predict which older adults will develop Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. Those who scored poorly on the tests were 11 times more likely to show symptoms of dementia two years later than their healthy counterparts.
A recent study by Penn State found that Meals on Wheels clients, particularly women, are at risk for iron deficiency due to insufficient nutrition. The study's authors recommend iron supplementation as a viable solution to improve the iron status of female recipients.
The FAA is testing a new deicing system that provides half-hour forecasts to aid in deicing decisions, potentially reducing cancellations and costs. The system uses data from surface weather stations, snow-weighing gauges, and Doppler radars to provide accurate predictions of snowfall accumulation.
A Cornell University nutritionist analyzed 40 studies on long-term use of the diet pill Redux and found that the benefits do not outweigh the risks. The amount of weight lost after one year is equivalent to a 62-calorie difference a day, roughly the amount burned by walking for half a hour.
A 10-year study found that men and women taking selenium supplements had 41% less total cancer compared to those taking a placebo. The study also showed significant reductions in specific types of cancer, including prostate, esophageal, colorectal, and lung cancers.
The prototype non-Doppler optical sensor registers faint wind movements that anemometers cannot measure, correlating with those of anemometers in test results. It offers a low-cost alternative to complex arrays of traditional sensors and can measure both horizontal and vertical wind speeds.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory use ORNL mice to study human cancers, identifying genetic causes and potential treatments. By comparing mouse genes to human genes, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of cancer development and improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.
A study found that 92 percent of children using common asthma medications reported more frequent use than actual, with actual use rates as low as 62.1 percent for beta-agonists and 58.4 percent for corticosteroids.
Engineering Animation, Inc. develops software to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) using 3D visualization technology, reducing morbidity rates and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new compound with unique properties that could be used in various applications. The compound, zirconium tungstate, has been found to behave under high pressures and has potential uses in electronics, optics and dental care.
The Cheseapeake Bay experienced record flows in 1996, with rivers carrying a combined average of 87.5 billion gallons per day, affecting water quality and ecosystem health. Environmental effects could have been worse, but management actions and favorable timing reduced the impact.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that RNA- and DNA-binding proteins have the same shape, a configuration of three coils called alpha helices. This similarity suggests that the protein could be an ancient ancestral form of other proteins crucial to embryonic development.
The USGS has prioritized flood-level data to emergency-management teams, providing information on past floods, likelihood of recurrence, and flood effects. Field crews have repaired telemetry equipment, despite interrupted real-time transmission, and will study landslides to determine cause and effect.
A recent study reveals that in 24 out of 28 cases involving Americans released from prison based on DNA evidence, eyewitnesses made false identifications from photo spreads and lineups. New research is helping to understand the circumstances leading to these errors and find ways to reduce their occurrences.
Researchers discovered a strong correlation between mumps virus infection and infantile rapid progression of congestive heart failure (EFE), with 72% of cases positive for the virus. The study's findings support the development of a vaccine against adenovirus, which is currently being produced but not widely available.
A new remote imaging technique has given scientists a promising way to better understand breaking waves in the open ocean. The technique measures temperature changes in the 'skin-layer' of the ocean, detecting warmer water mixed up to the surface after a wave breaks.
A study published in Circulation found that smoking causes the aorta to stiffen, reducing its ability to relax and widen. This can lead to increased pressure on the left ventricle, which pumps blood throughout the body.
The 41st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society will feature a diverse range of topics, including cognitive task analysis, human factors in healthcare, and automation research. The technical program includes over 80 sessions, workshops, and poster presentations, as well as site tours and job placement services.