A recent study at the University of Illinois found that polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating can undergo attractive interactions with proteins, changing its configuration and potentially increasing biocompatibility. The discovery has significant implications for biomedical applications, such as implants and artificial scaffolds.
Young children who received direct instruction and demonstrations showed dramatic improvement in social skills, while those who watched videos worsened over time. The study suggests that teaching positive social skills through live demonstrations is more effective than relying on books and videos.
Researchers found that groups outperform individuals in solving subjective tasks, but group confidence can be unjustified. Confidence should be placed in context of the problem being solved, as objective issues may yield clearer results than complex problems with alternative solutions.
Researchers have found that increased electrical activity in the right posterior of the brain reflects panic attacks, while more activity in the left frontal section is associated with worry. This study may clear up years of confusing research on anxiety.
Researchers find that collision of liquids at high speed creates intense local heating, generating highly reactive intermediates for destroying contaminants in water. This method has potential as a simple way to purify water contaminated with low levels of chemical waste.
Shaul Mukamel, a professor of chemistry at the University of Rochester, has received the Humboldt Research Award for his lifetime work on molecular dynamics and its applications in various fields. The award will enable him to conduct research in Munich with European colleagues.
Researchers found that defects in silicon wafers, not grain boundaries, cause low efficiency; optimizing processes can remove contaminants and improve performance. The goal is to achieve 18% efficiency on the production line, a significant step towards making solar cells more profitable.
The research aims to determine the prevalence of neurotoxic poisoning among Gulf War veterans, design a national survey, and identify cost-effective screening tests. The goal is to find treatments to allow affected veterans to live more comfortable lives.
Researchers found a strong correlation between low levels of the Rb-2/p130 protein and aggressive, metastasizing lung cancer. The study's findings may lead to a new lung cancer tumor-grading test to enable early diagnosis and tailor treatments.
A recent study published in the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology found that children with soft tissue sarcomas who did not respond well to chemotherapy can benefit from radiation therapy. The treatment was shown to improve survival rates by up to 40% in this patient population.
Researchers found that potassium ions play a critical role in triggering programmed cell death or apoptosis in nerve cells. By blocking potassium channels, they may be able to prevent nerve cell death and reduce brain damage in patients with stroke, spinal cord injuries, or neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a fast, low-cost inspection system that uses ultrasonic sound waves to detect damaged tires. The system can evaluate and characterize damage within the tire, determining its remaining useful life and whether it's worth retreading.