Scientists have discovered that the May 8 gamma ray burst releases an enormous amount of energy, outshining the sun in its lifetime. Radio observations indicate the fireball expands at nearly the speed of light, with a size estimated to be about one-tenth of a light-year.
The Sandia invention enables research development of EUV lithography, patterning faster and more memory-dense microchips. This light source is brighter than synchrotron radiation and takes less space.
Researchers uncovered a sculpted marble head of Emperor Augustus, measuring slightly larger than life, in near-perfect condition. The discovery was made by an excavation team led by University of Cincinnati archaeologist Brian Rose, who recognizes the statue due to its distinctive hairstyle and facial features.
A new test developed by Johns Hopkins researchers uses white blood cells to predict which medications are most effective for each patient with kidney disease. The study found a wide range of responses among patients, suggesting that such tests might assist physicians in developing personalized treatment strategies.
A team of researchers will examine the blood samples and medical histories of 2,000 people who have experienced an early heart attack. The goal is to locate and determine the structure and function of genes that contribute to heart disease.
Scientists successfully converted energy in the form of light into matter, creating electrons and positrons. The experiment used high-energy electrons and photons to produce an incredible amount of power in a tiny area, marking a major breakthrough in understanding quantum electrodynamics.
A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil was discovered in northeastern Montana, measuring over 52 inches. The fossil exceeds all known measurements of the dinosaur and is believed to be one of the largest carnivores on the planet.
Researchers have identified a new source of sulforaphane, a compound that helps mobilize the body's natural cancer-fighting resources and reduces cancer risk. Studies show that consuming broccoli sprouts daily may provide similar chemoprotection as eating large amounts of mature broccoli weekly.
University of Washington scientists investigate how estrogen replacement therapy protects against Alzheimer's disease by promoting neuron survival and protecting against toxic substances. They found that estrogen may activate an enzyme to increase the expression of neurotransmitter genes, facilitating learning and memory.
A study of 65 patients found that those with the Alzheimer's-related gene apoliprotein E-4 (APOE-4) are more susceptible to mental impairment after open heart surgery. The researchers believe this is due to the variant gene's inability to repair nerve cells efficiently.
A study of 11 London taxi drivers reveals the right hippocampus is activated when recalling complex routes, but not during other types of memory recall. The brain area is specially recruited for route recall, supporting human navigation and spatial cognition.
The University of Texas-Houston has established a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) in scleroderma, a chronic disease with no known effective treatment or prevention. The center will conduct investigations into the genetic and environmental factors that affect susceptibility to the disease.
A study by psychiatrists at the University of Washington Medical Center found that unmarried patients were more likely to evoke strong reactions from physicians, with multiple unexplainable physical symptoms and a history of trauma being key indicators.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a hepatitis infection converts the liver into a 'cancer time bomb' by converting it into billions of cancer-prone cells. The virus makes even apparently healthy cells lose one of two copies of a protective tumor suppressor gene, making them vulnerable to further genetic damage.
A study by Morris Moscovitch finds that face recognition occurs in a distinct brain system, separate from object recognition. Despite difficulties with recognizing common objects, the ability to identify faces remains intact.
A recent study found that a genetic mutation in the CCR5 gene does not fully explain why some people infected with HIV remain healthy for years. Instead, researchers attribute their good health to various factors, including immune system components and viral factors. The investigation involved 33 patients from different cohorts and rev...
Researchers found that R-PIA increased the activity of glutathione, an antioxidant that absorbs free radicals, providing enhanced protection from damage. Animals treated with R-PIA recovered their hearing faster and more completely than those treated with saline, showing less damage to sensory cells.
A Johns Hopkins University professor has built a virtual laboratory to give engineering students hands-on experience with real-world challenges, including oil-drilling simulations and digital logic circuits. The online lab offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional labs, allowing more students to participate and reducing costs.
A UPMC study found that people think more slowly at night due to increased information-processing requirements. After losing a night of sleep, participants showed a slowing in the speed of information processing during the day.
Chernobyl wildlife exhibits genetic change but no apparent defects, suggesting less severe environmental damage than feared. The area's abundant species thrive in a largely abandoned landscape.
Emory University researchers found that newborn rat pups who received more infantile stimulation handled stress better in adulthood, both externally and internally. The study suggests that early experiences shape the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response to stress, which can have implications for human health.
Researchers have identified a key to targeting retroviruses to specific cells, paving the way for precise gene therapy delivery. The high-resolution structure of the virus's envelope protein reveals a precise pattern of ridges and valleys that determines cell accessibility.
Research suggests that aging has a modest impact on sensory perception, particularly smell, taste, and touch. Most older adults can detect scents and flavors similar to those of younger individuals.
Researchers have discovered a new state of matter in clusters of sodium atoms, exhibiting lower melting points than expected. The phenomenon challenges conventional physics and raises questions about the behavior of solid and liquid states in small particles.
Scientists confirm British Columbia was once nearly 2,000 miles south of its current location based on fossil evidence and magnetism. The discovery supports the theory of massive Earth movements along a gigantic faultline.
Researchers found stents lower risk of death, heart attack, and repeat surgery compared to angioplasty for patients with obstructed vein grafts. The study's results suggest a new standard of care for hundreds of thousands of post-bypass patients.
A recent study led by Professor Susan Fisher of the University of California at San Francisco found that low oxygen levels regulate cell proliferation in early pregnancy, controlling placental development. The team also discovered a process similar to cancerous growth occurs when cells invade healthy tissue under low-oxygen conditions.
The new beam line will provide opportunities for UK scientists to study the properties of magnetic materials that could impact on computers, electric vehicles, and storage media. The instrument generates intense X-rays, allowing for detailed analysis of atomic and magnetic structures.
Researchers will present studies on permanent prostate implants and radiation therapy for various cancers, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. The presentation highlights the benefits of these treatments in improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a molecular target of action for BRCA1, which induces the cell cycle inhibitor p21. This finding suggests potential strategies for treating breast and ovarian cancers, including screening drug compounds to activate p21.
The MeasureNet system provides quick access to data, allowing teams of students to share and analyze results. By phasing it in over the last academic year, all students in first-year labs were using the system by spring quarter 1997, with overwhelmingly positive reactions.
Scientists are developing a solution to cool advanced supersonic jets by using jet fuel as a coolant, which can also circulate through the wings and fuselage. The research aims to address the problem of fuel degradation and carbon deposition that could cause maintenance issues with coal-derived jet fuels.
A new set of guidelines has been developed to assist physicians in dealing with wife abuse when the male and female partners are patients of the same physician. The guidelines prioritize autonomy, confidentiality, honesty, and quality care for both patients, while acknowledging that abused wives and their husbands have different needs.
Two electrically based technologies, Six-Phase Soil Heating and In Situ Corona, are being commercialized for rapid and effective cleanup of contaminated soils. These methods utilize electrical current to heat the soil, removing contaminants through steam stripping or destruction by ionizing plasma.
A Duke University theoretical chemist has developed a divide and conquer method to model electronic structures of large molecules with reduced calculations. The technique enables researchers to precisely describe electron interactions, providing a more refined picture of molecule behavior.
A Penn State poultry nutritionist is developing strategies to balance chicken diets and minimize manure production, reducing nitrogen and phosphorus waste. The approach involves adjusting feed formulation, using better feed additives, and tailoring feeds to the life cycle of birds.
An international team of scientists conducted a study on air pollution in Mexico City's basin, where inversions trap pollutants and fine particles pose significant health risks. The study provides insights into particle concentrations, transport patterns, and implications for U.S. cities.
A national study found that strong family and school connections help protect adolescents from substance abuse, early sexual activity, and other risks. Feeling connected to parents, teachers, and peers is key to avoiding these behaviors.
Researchers developed a program to target high-sensation seeking teens, showing promise in reducing illicit drug use among adolescents. The study found decreased use of liquor and marijuana, increased perceived risks of substance abuse, and a greater increase in negative attitudes towards drugs for high-sensation seekers.
Resistant starch promotes bifido bacteria growth in the gut, boosting protection against bowel diseases and cancer. The discovery may soon lead to 'edible plastics' that can carry beneficial substances safely through the digestive tract.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a system to synthesize and screen novel beta-lactam antibiotics, including some effective against extremely low levels of bacteria. The process takes about two days and produces over 1,000 novel compounds with potential for use in antibiotic skin patches.
CSIRO scientists have discovered a gene in Arabidopsis that allows it to bypass normal pollination and form seed. The hunt is on to find equivalent genes in commercial plants like rice to develop seedless crops through apomixis.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a superior method for producing butanol from corn, reducing energy costs and increasing production efficiency. The new process has shown results that surpass traditional methods, making it a potentially attractive alternative to petrochemical approaches.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a new state of matter in high-temperature superconductors, characterized by broken time-reversal symmetry. The material exhibits spontaneous currents and magnetic fields, creating a unique pairing mechanism.
A three-year study in Illinois found that planned burning in oak savannas enhances certain bird species, such as the red-headed woodpecker and northern oriole. The findings suggest that fire can select against some species but benefit others, leading to a more diverse bird community.
Researchers have discovered a naturally occurring chemokine antagonist, vMIP-II, which can block both CCR5 and CXCR4 receptors used by HIV to infect human cells. This breakthrough may lead to novel approaches for HIV therapy, including prevention of initial infection and slowing disease progression.
Researchers discovered middle-aged undertakers exhibit distinct developmental patterns, moving faster than peers but not improving with experience. They also struggle working together and respond to the odor of dead bees. The study provides new insights into the behavior and development of these specialized workers.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found a correlation between Pacific Ocean sea-surface temperatures and precipitation rates in the Great Plains. Warmer ocean temperatures lead to increased storm activity, resulting in wetter weather.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used advanced computer modeling to study the purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The team created a three-dimensional model depicting how the light-harvesting complexes aggregate in a ring around the photosynthetic reaction center, shedding light on efficient energy capture. This breakthro...
The W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation has donated $5 million to create an endowment for Scholars in Medical Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The program aims to recruit the world's most promising young medical scientists and provide them with research funds, mentorship, and resources to accelerate their careers.
Victims of interpersonal violence are more likely to develop health problems and increase healthcare services usage over time. The study found that average healthcare use increased by 18% the first year after a rape, 56% the second year, and 31% the third year.
A team of researchers has developed a virus that controls HIV infection by targeting infected T cells. The modified virus, VSV, tricks infected cells into fusing with it instead of normal cells, allowing it to destroy the virus. This approach could lead to new treatments for HIV and other diseases.
Researchers have discovered compounds in the bark of the pawpaw tree that show preliminary success in fighting some drug-resistant cancers. The compounds, called Annonaceous acetogenins, preferentially kill multidrug-resistant cells by inhibiting ATP production, pulling the plug on their energy source.
The Mars Global Surveyor mission will spend nearly two years collecting data as it maps Mars' surface and atmosphere. The spacecraft will use aerobraking to trim its path around the planet, allowing for a global portrait of Mars' topography, mineral composition, and interior.
A new study has uncovered the genetic wiring diagram underlying Candida's infectiousness, revealing two parallel genetic pathways that account for its ability to filament. Inactivating both pathways renders Candida harmless to macrophages and mice, offering new avenues for treating fungal infections.
A new international study has found a significant association between high levels of trans fatty acids and breast cancer in European women. The research suggests that reducing trans fatty acid consumption through dietary changes may help protect against breast cancer development.
A nationwide effort to find genes that determine susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis has been launched, with researchers collecting medical information and genetic material from 1,000 families. The project aims to identify genetic regions shared by affected siblings, which may contain genes involved in the disease.
Scientists found that heart damage in Chagas' disease patients is due to the immune system's reaction to parasitic infections, contrary to previous thought. The study has significant implications for treatment and prevention strategies.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed an oral delivery method for insulin that may eventually treat human diabetes. The method uses a gel-like material to protect insulin from stomach enzymes, allowing it to release the drug in a location where it can work.
A prospective study conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo found that surgery for endometriosis dramatically improves pain and discomfort in most women. The study also showed that women who had previously given birth were twice as likely to get pregnant again following surgery, while advancing age reduced fertility.