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.
The CU instrument package will study Saturn's spectacular ring system, moons and atmospheric gases. It will analyze the atmosphere of Titan, a moon with conditions similar to early Earth.
The NIH study aims to determine if St. John's Wort is effective in treating moderate depression, a condition affecting over 17 million Americans annually. The three-year trial will enroll 336 patients and compare the herb's efficacy with an SSRI antidepressant.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a new protein receptor, TACI, that interacts with CAML to trigger the immune response. This finding may lead to more effective cancer treatments for leukemia and lymphoma patients.
Two studies suggest that caloric restriction in monkeys can lead to increased HDL2B levels, reduced triglycerides, and lower blood pressure, potentially extending life and health. Caloric restriction also slows the age-related decline in DHEA levels, a biomarker of aging.
A new study by the University of Georgia suggests that older adults often struggle with using ATMs due to lack of training and design flaws. The researchers propose several suggestions for banks to improve ATM usability, including improved lighting, error correction mechanisms, and user-friendly interfaces.
Researchers found that young capuchins learn to forage through manual skills but don't become self-sufficient until they have sufficient size and strength. This pattern is unusual among monkeys and suggests that physical growth plays a significant role in successful foraging.
A new model developed by psychologists at the University of Georgia can predict how caregivers will suffer from depression or resentment based on their past relationship with the spouse they care for. The research, supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Mental Health, may help family caregi...
Researchers Cecilia Soderberg-Naucler and Jay Nelson identified the host site where human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) resides and developed an activation mechanism in specific white blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for HCMV-related complications, including birth defects and transplant deaths.
Researchers describe a powerful new immunotherapeutic approach that uses heat shock protein complexes to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells, with 80% of treated mice surviving longer than control mice. The treatment has potential for treating various cancers and may be applied in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that young people with early-onset mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders, are more likely to have children in their teenage years. The study also suggests that expanding mental health coverage may be an economical step to take.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a method to coat disks and sliders with diamond-like carbon, allowing for increased storage capacity and improved durability. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-density data storage devices with reduced wear and tear.
A new mouse model, swe mice, has been identified by researchers at Jackson Laboratory with a defect in the Nhe1 gene. The mice exhibit both petit mal and grand mal seizures, similar to human absence and convulsive epilepsy, making it a promising authentic model for studying human absence epilepsy.
A University of Illinois team will investigate how humans and machines learn concepts through interdisciplinary research. The project aims to develop a computer system that builds on previous knowledge like a person.
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.