Dr. Daniel C. Ralph has made significant contributions to the development of experimental techniques for studying nanoscale structures. He was awarded the 1997 McMillan Award for outstanding work in condensed matter physics.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a unique behavior in paper wasps called 'male-stuffing,' where females aggressively force males into empty nest cells to limit their food consumption. This behavior may maximize worker wasps' inclusive fitness and contribute to the colony's fitness.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified a new rare form of diabetes, MODY4, associated with the ipf-1 gene. The study found that most family members with diabetes carried a single copy of the mutation, highlighting the critical role of this gene in insulin secretion.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's NEAR spacecraft has detected a major gamma-ray burst, validating its instrument as a true partner in the interplanetary network. The detection expands the network to locate gamma-ray sources with greater accuracy.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that Medicare's reimbursement system encourages millions in increased payments to rehabilitation hospitals. Hospitals with higher patient charges and longer stays received the most incentive payments.
Researchers found that HIV gene vpr blocks cytokine production in infected cells, preventing immune activation. Vpr also prevents apoptosis in infected cells but induces apoptosis in neighboring immune cells, making it harder for the body to defend against the infection. The antisteroid compound RU-486 reversed many of these effects.
Scientists have discovered a new catalyst that enables the production of alpha-olefins at lower temperatures and pressures, resulting in higher-purity products. The modified metallocene catalyst simplifies the manufacturing process for plastics and other consumer goods, potentially reducing costs and improving safety.
Boston University is participating in the National Computational Science Alliance to build a network of advanced computers for complex problem-solving in fields like cosmology and nanomaterials. The university will establish a regional center, MARINER, offering training and access on high-performance computing resources.