A study by Weizmann Institute of Science and Perugia University in Italy has found that mismatched bone marrow transplants can be as effective as fully matched transplants, overcoming key obstacles such as graft failure and immunological reaction. The method, which uses extremely large doses of donor marrow, has raised hopes for increa...
The completed sequencing project provides crucial information on chlamydial infection, the most prevalent STD in the US. The sequenced genome has revealed surface proteins and unique biochemical pathways for developing antibiotics and vaccines against Chlamydia trachomatis.
Researchers identified risk factors for infant homicide victims, including second or later birth order and mother's age, education level, and prenatal care. The study found that visiting nurse programs could reduce the infant homicide rate by helping teenage mothers gain behavioral skills and support.
Physicist Glennys Farrar proposes that extremely high-energy cosmic rays come from distant quasars, violating the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff. She suggests a new subatomic particle, the SO, with neutral and gluon-bound properties, as an alternative explanation.
A recent study by Brandeis University researcher Patricia Tun suggests that older adults' difficulty in following conversation is linked to fast-paced and noisy environments. The study found that seniors' ability to process speech was impaired when faced with rapid-fire talkers, multiple background voices, or distracting noises.
The University of Michigan team developed a miniature laboratory on a chip that can analyze DNA samples quickly and sensitively. The device is expected to make DNA analysis widely available and has potential applications in medical diagnostics, forensics, and agriculture.
A recent study found that less than 20% of eligible elderly patients with high cholesterol received treatment, despite being at risk for death from coronary heart disease. The Cardiovascular Health Study suggests that older patients and their physicians may have preferred dietary therapy over pharmacological treatment.
The American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting will take place from December 6-10 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. Media representatives can register in advance to receive an abstract volume and attend press conferences, with a special excursion planned for December 5.
The article warns that unregulated shark-diving tours in South Africa may lead great white sharks to associate humans with food, posing a threat to conservation efforts. Inexperienced or irresponsible tour operators are putting people at risk by using rusty cages and introducing surfboards or children's toys into the water.
Researchers using Hubble Space Telescope spot large dust particles in rings around three stars, suggesting planets may be forming. The observations reveal a critical early stage in planetary evolution, with the potential for millions of years of dust grain aggregation to form planets.
Scientists at UNC-CH discovered that Groucho proteins and Tcf interact to repress internal signaling activity, determining which genes are turned on. This finding could help explain cancer development and contribute to therapies to reverse deadly growth.
The Hopkins University replaced a failed 24-inch telescope with a smaller one used for stargazing, ensuring the success of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The telescope was retrofitted with new optics and is now ready to contribute to the mapping of millions of galaxies.
Researchers in Missouri have designed a bullet that emits a powerful radar pulse as it grinds to a halt, allowing for the detection of landmines without stepping on them. This technology can help geologists survey for oil, minerals, and other buried natural resources, and may be used to locate mines in remote areas.
A numerical analyst developed a math model with algorithms to distribute Seattle Mariners' season tickets fairly among a group of friends. The technique uses mixed-integer programming to satisfy diverse requests and preferences, achieving 46.7% success rate in assigning top-ranked games.
The University of Pittsburgh has been chosen as one of three pioneer sites for biocombinatorial chemistry research, a revolutionary approach to speed up drug discovery. Researchers will create novel chemical compounds and test them in specific assays to learn whether they can interrupt cellular activities that lead to cancer.
Researchers found a direct correlation between high nitrate levels and nitrogen-rich bedrock in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nitrogen-rich rocks released into the environment can cause massive algae blooms and affect human health.
Despite electronic information retrieval systems, physicians often rely on colleagues, outdated textbooks, and non-relevant scientific journals due to time-consuming searches and limited relevance. Researchers advocate for better systems and further research to improve physician access to high-quality online medical information.
Eating foods high in solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGAs) like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants days before surgery may delay the metabolism of anesthetic drugs, leading to unpredictable responses. SGAs inhibit two enzymes responsible for breaking down anesthetics, causing them to act longer than expected.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a high-performance material to repair bridges, reducing costs and increasing durability. The material has been tested on several bridges, showing promise in extending lifespan by 30-40%.
Research suggests that anesthesia during labor and delivery may cause temporary delays in nursing, but has no long-term effects. Breastfeeding is strongly recommended by the AAP, with newborns being nursed frequently to promote immune system development.
The Massachusetts General Hospital is leading a five-year, $20 million research study to improve the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. The study aims to evaluate existing treatment protocols and test new medications for the condition.
The number of newborns infected with HIV has decreased significantly thanks to optimal anti-retroviral treatment for mothers, while the number of surviving HIV-infected children has risen. Early aggressive therapy, teamwork, and a holistic approach are key to keeping children well with HIV.
A four-year study by Cornell University and the University of California, Davis, found that monitoring early carbon monoxide emissions can help increase efficiency and prevent odors in municipal composting. The study identifies carbon monoxide as a reliable predictor of pending objectionable odors.
Researchers found that mice without the D2 receptor had lower alcohol consumption and aversion, suggesting a genetic basis for alcoholism. The study provides insight into the complex interaction between dopamine receptors and systems in the brain.
The report shows that the Black middle class has grown and solidified, but significant obstacles to advancement remain. Despite improved health, wealth, and educational status, disparities persist in infant mortality rates, marriage rates, and college attendance.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has identified a critical role for the D2 dopamine receptor in determining an individual's likelihood of developing alcoholism. Mice bred without this receptor showed reduced drinking behavior and aversion to alcohol, suggesting potential targets for treating addiction.
Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center have accurately predicted the current phase of Cycle 23 of the sunspot cycle. The team predicts that Cycle 23 will be above average but not a record setter, with the sun now on the upswing of its 23rd activity cycle.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin have formed a virtual center to facilitate collaboration. This innovation uses collaborative tools and technology to enable researchers to work together as if they were in the same location.
Deep Space 1, a miniaturized space probe powered by solar-electric propulsion, will navigate through space and analyze charged particles and magnetic fields surrounding an asteroid and two comets. The mission, led by CU-Boulder Professor Fran Bagenal, tests innovative technologies and aims to explore the outer solar system.
Researchers at UNC-CH found that Pamidronate is highly effective in partially reversing bone loss caused by immuno-suppressant drugs after lung transplants. Patients treated with the drug experienced a 10% reversal of bone loss, and showed significant increases in femur and spine mineral densities.
The Women's Health Initiative has reached its recruitment goal for a 15-year study examining the causes of death, disability and frailty in post-menopausal women. The clinical trial involves 68,000 women studying estrogen and progestin effects on heart disease and breast cancer.
Researchers have successfully tested an implantable device called Atrioverter to treat atrial fibrillation, a condition that can lead to stroke. The device restored normal rhythm in 96% of treated individuals, offering a new treatment option for those prone to irregular heartbeats.
A new research program at Cornell University is using computer simulations to understand how tiny cracks in materials can grow into major ones. The project, called Multiscale Modeling of Defects in Solids, involves creating models that show how defects at the atomic level can lead to changes at increasingly larger scales.
A University of Chicago study found that 15-40% of outpatient surgery patients using short-acting anesthetics can bypass the recovery room, with annual savings ranging from $50,000 to $158,000 per site. This trend is expected to shift from academic centers to community hospitals and private offices.
Researchers have found a small gap in the auroral oval, which appears about 7% of the time between 10pm and midnight. The discovery was made using data from the Ultraviolet Imager aboard the Polar spacecraft and suggests that changes in the interplanetary magnetic field may be responsible.
A team of scientists from Columbia University and Princeton University have found that North America is absorbing carbon dioxide at a rate greater than expected, with forest regrowth playing a significant role. The study suggests that land-based carbon-absorbing zones could play a crucial role in managing greenhouse warming.
Researchers at Penn have developed a smart ICU system that improves vital-sign monitoring of critically-ill patients using artificial computer intelligence. The system utilizes neural networks and fuzzy logic to analyze patient data, enabling clinicians to identify dangerous deviations from ideal vital signs.
Researchers at Emory University have identified a potential new approach for alleviating Parkinson's disease symptoms by blocking glutamate receptors in the brain. This could lead to combination therapies that improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects.
Research at Johns Hopkins University suggests that fur traders' hunting habits may have changed the local ecosystem, altering stream flow and vegetation. The study aims to understand how human activities affect natural resources and inform future development plans.
A Northwestern University study found that individuals with low cardiovascular disease risk factors during young adulthood and middle age had significantly lower annual Medicare charges, with men experiencing a 30% reduction ($1,600 less) and women experiencing a 50% reduction ($1,800 less). The results suggest that preventing major ca...
In a study on roundworms, UCSF researchers found that a gene controlling aging acts not within individual cells but rather coordinates the aging process of the whole organism. The discovery suggests a mechanism that causes all cells to reach a consensus on aging, potentially offering insight into human aging.
Researchers attribute sharp declines in sea otter numbers to killer whale predation, linked to changes in oceanic and nearshore ecosystems. The study highlights the impact of ecological chain reactions on coastal food webs and species populations.
Rapid population growth is projected for Africa, Asia, and Latin America due to high fertility rates and declining mortality rates. In contrast, developed countries like Europe, North America, and Japan face below-replacement levels of fertility, but may experience modest increases in population.
Myuanan Long, a University of Chicago researcher, has received the David and Lucile Packard Fellowship to study gene evolution. He believes that new genes arise through shuffling and mixing of existing genes or gene fragments, with 'junk' DNA playing a crucial role in this process.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center aim to demonstrate a propellant-free propulsion system using a tether system similar to those used on earlier SEDS missions. The ProSEDS flight could enable shorter tethers for propulsion or electrical power generation, and even de-orbit satellites with minimal cost and weight.
Killer whales have begun preying on sea otters in western Alaska, leading to a decline in sea otter populations and an increase in sea urchin numbers. This chain of events is linked to the collapse of seals and sea lions, which are the killer whales' usual prey.
Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria can prevent sperm from swimming well enough to reach an egg, affecting fertility. Infertile men with asymptomatic infections may benefit from broad-spectrum antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria before attempting IVF.
A study by UNC researchers confirms the presence of mutated, drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus in the semen of men taking antiviral medications. The study found that if men do not have adequate suppression of their virus, they are likely to shed drug-resistant strains of HIV in their genital secretions.
Scientists have captured the most insightful images to date of Neptune's wildest weather, including monster storms and equatorial winds of 900 miles per hour. The new observations revealed a
Elevated levels of corticipotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) may predict preterm delivery and shorter gestation lengths in pregnant women. The study found that higher CRH levels at 28-30 weeks gestation were associated with earlier deliveries and increased risk of preterm birth.
Researchers have developed a mobile robot tracking system that can predict escape routes and optimize view angles to catch moving objects. The system uses laser rangefinders and 3D mapping to track targets, making it difficult for humans and robots to evade detection.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) announces 24 contract awards totaling $2.3 million to develop innovative medical projects leveraging the capabilities of the Next Generation Internet (NGI). These projects aim to improve data transfer, security, and usability in healthcare settings.
Researchers found that women with recovered bulimia nervosa had increased serotonin levels and negative moods, obsessions with perfectionism, and anxiety. The study suggests that altered brain chemistry contributes to the development of bulimia nervosa and persists even after recovery.
Researchers have developed brain implants that allow people with severe disabilities to control a computer cursor using their thoughts. The technology has shown promise in enabling individuals with paralysis or other conditions to interact with the world, with further research ongoing to improve its capabilities.
The Whitaker Foundation has awarded more than $30 million to The Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Diego for biomedical engineering programs. This marks the largest individual grants in its 23-year history.
A team of scientists from Idaho National Laboratory developed a system to evaluate what's inside projectiles without opening them. The PINS technology uses neutron spectroscopy to determine the type and amount of chemical agents, enabling safe disposal and preventing accidental destruction of incinerators.
Two scientists suggest that satellites' waste heat could be causing distant spacecraft to slow down faster than expected. The heat is emitted in a direction opposite to the Sun, giving the spacecraft a small push towards the Sun and slowing them down.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that 52% of resident physicians self-prescribe medications, with 42% obtained from hospital sample closets or pharmaceutical company representatives. The practice raises concerns about lost professional objectivity and potential conflicts-of-interest.
BioNumerik Pharmaceuticals has discovered a new non-toxic platinum protecting agent, BNP7787, which substantially reduces the toxicity of platinum-type anticancer drugs. Preclinical studies show that BNP7787 increases cisplatin's antitumor activity while protecting against kidney toxicity, vomiting, and bone marrow toxicities.
A new study found that forest fragmentation allows large predators like raccoons and opossums to target ground-nesting songbirds, leading to a decline in some species. The researchers discovered that small forest fragments have a higher incidence of predation from large species, which can lead to dramatic effects on reproductive success.