A long-term study found that women who used estrogen replacement therapy after menopause had a 50% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted by the National Institute on Aging, suggests that estrogen may play a protective role in warding off the onset of this devastating disease.
Nomad, an autonomous wheeled robot, is undertaking a 40-day, 125-mile journey through the Atacama Desert to explore terrain, navigate, and conduct remote science. The experiment aims to develop technologies for planetary exploration and provide a unique opportunity for public teleoperation.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found a natural antimicrobial compound called hTAP that appears to be disabled in CF patients, increasing their vulnerability to lung infections. The researchers believe mass-producing similar compounds could help fight lung infections in both CF patients and the general population.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing new tools to improve speech recognition accuracy. The team aims to enable computers to understand any kind of human speech and provide a powerful way to search through hours of recorded speeches and news reports.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered an enzyme in Porphyromonas gingivalis that activates blood-clotting in humans, potentially linking periodontal infections to heart disease. The study suggests a mechanism for this connection and may lead to a vaccine to neutralize the enzyme.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a new material that outperforms existing lubricants in industrial conditions. The material, made of tungsten disulfide fullerene-like molecules, reduces friction between moving metal parts by less than half and wear by up to six times.
A study of 472 women found a significant link between estrogen use and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that estrogen may stimulate nerve cell growth, inhibit apolipoprotein E levels, and increase neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, potentially reducing the risk of AD.
A new oral vaccine approach is being developed to protect pancreatic cells and prevent the autoimmune disease type I diabetes. Early trials have shown promising results using a combination of insulin and cholera toxin.