The UW Medical School team determined the three-dimensional molecular structure of a key enzyme responsible for activating many cell functions. This breakthrough is crucial in developing drugs that can control unchecked cell growth leading to cancer.
A new study found no significant differences between men and women in terms of in-hospital deaths and five-year survival rates after cardiac bypass surgery or angioplasty. The results suggest that the outcome for women undergoing revascularization is improving, despite previous studies showing poor outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new anti-microbial agent called BCTP that effectively kills the influenza A virus in cell cultures and laboratory mice. The study found that BCTP is non-toxic to skin and mucous membranes, making it a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.
Researchers have developed a new anti-microbial agent that can destroy anthrax spores while remaining non-toxic to humans and animals. The material, BCTP, has shown promise as a post-exposure decontamination agent in animal studies.
Researchers developed nanometer-sized semiconductor crystals that emit multiple colors of light, enabling the simultaneous measurement of several biological markers. These crystal probes show improved photochemical stability and fluorescence lifetime compared to conventional dye molecules.
The UCSF Dental Post-Bac Program aims to provide additional training to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been rejected from dental school. The program helps students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in dentistry, with a focus on increasing access to dental care in underserved communities.
Hurricane Georges caused over 100 deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage across the Caribbean. PAHO mobilized experts to provide emergency relief supplies and repair damaged health facilities.
A new animal study suggests that female mice exposed to DES in utero are at higher risk of reproductive tract cancers, while their unexposed offspring show no such increase. This finding indicates a potential transmission of susceptibility to cancer across generations.
Health ministers in the Americas call for urgent steps to regulate tobacco advertising and prevent minors' access, with a focus on educational, legislative, and fiscal measures. The region faces significant health and economic burdens due to tobacco use, with 670,000 deaths annually attributed to tobacco.
A major geomagnetic storm, the strongest in recent years, is affecting communication and navigation satellites due to an intense solar flare. The storm's speed was twice normal, causing unusual penetration of electrons into the Earth's magnetosphere.
Researchers John Toner and Yuhai Tu develop a theory explaining how birds move as a single unit despite frequent misjudgments and limited visibility. By making analogies to physics phenomena like magnet alignment and fluid flow, they provide insights into other animal collectives and even auto traffic flow.
Researchers have discovered a gene called E2F1 that helps bring about tumor cell death yet is also necessary for their growth. The study found that without E2F1, tumors grew slower but cell death was reduced by 80 percent.
The Johns Hopkins University Center will combine advanced information technology with surgical expertise to create dramatic changes in medical care. The center will focus on developing computer vision, sensors, and robotic devices for computer-assisted surgery.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new test to accurately measure kidney function, enabling patients to spend less time in the clinic. The new procedure involves injecting a small amount of radioactive isotope solution and estimating how quickly it disappears from the blood and appears in the urine.
A study by University of Florida researchers found that cystic fibrosis patients who lack the beneficial intestinal bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes are at a greatly increased risk of developing kidney stones. The absence of this organism can lead to high levels of oxalate, which can crystallize and form painful stones in the kidneys.
The sensory exploitation theory suggests that animals choose mates using sensory systems shaped for daily survival needs, rather than solely for sexual attraction. This model proposes that animals have built-in preferences for traits unrelated to genetic fitness, which can be seen in examples such as water mites mimicking copepod vibra...
Weizmann Institute scientists have created a new class of magnetic materials made of clusters of inorganic molecules, opening up research possibilities for the microelectronics industry. The new magnets display an unusual combination of properties that make them suitable for miniaturization and potential industrial applications.
Researchers have developed a method to breed flightless Asian ladybirds that can control pests on crops like cucumbers and melons. The new biological pest-control strategy has shown promising results in reducing pesticide use, but further field trials are needed to assess its efficiency.
A study of over 1,200 elderly adults found that higher levels of education were associated with healthier behaviors, biological conditions, and psychological factors. These findings suggest that social disparities may continue to affect health outcomes in late life, even among those who are functioning well cognitively.
The third Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-3) campaign observed rare lightning fields and purple sprites in the eye of Hurricane Georges. The team studied the hurricane's unique characteristics, including large cloud turrets and variable wind speeds.
Scientists have deciphered the molecular structure of neurotransmitter release machinery, revealing how proteins SNAREs propel neurotransmitters into synapses. This breakthrough may lead to improved treatments for brain disorders and shed light on processes like learning and memory.
Research finds that women experiencing hostility, anxiety and self-consciousness have thicker carotid arteries, an early marker for cardiovascular disease. Holding in anger or suppressing negative emotions may be key determinants of women's cardiovascular health.
Researchers have tested a new approach to immunization, using dendritic cells to stimulate immunity in mice. The technique, which uses heat-killed bacteria to sensitize immune cells, has shown promising results in preventing Chlamydia and potentially HIV infections.
The Personal Roving Presence (PRoP) is a small, affordable robot that allows users to explore environments remotely. With a PC and internet connection, users can control the robot's movement, see what it sees, listen to its audio, and even gesture with its arm.
A small study found that meditation-based relaxation accelerated psoriasis clearing by 3.8 times compared to UV light therapy alone, potentially reducing treatment sessions and costs.
Research shows that boys from more crowded homes experience greater physiological responses to stress and take more sick days. The study suggests a link between chronic stress, cardiovascular reactivity, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with depression are 1.9 times more likely to die than those without depression, with cardiovascular disease being the strongest predictor. The study highlights the importance of screening for depression in medical inpatients and improving their care to mitigate mortality risks.
Researchers found a genetic mutation in the CCR5 gene promoter that significantly delays HIV disease progression, affecting approximately 20% of infected individuals. The mutant promoter is 45% less active, leading to slower disease progression and increased resistance to HIV infection.
A study of over 4,700 twin brothers found that combat had a minor role in health issues such as hypertension, respiratory difficulties, and gastrointestinal disorders. Inherited factors accounted for 90% of reported health problems, with combat experience explaining less than 1%. The research suggests that environmental experiences oth...
A gene-transfer system invented by Dusty Miller has been recognized as the 'Nobel Prize of Applied Research'. The Retro-X System is a retroviral gene-transfer kit used in gene-therapy research, allowing for stable gene expression and long-term therapeutic results.
Researchers find that native animals are more common in areas with native vegetation than in areas with exotic vegetation or grazing. They also discover that DDT may still be affecting reproduction of double-crested cormorants, while tree swallows can serve as sentinels for PCB contamination in aquatic environments.
A low-dose hydrocortisone study found slight improvement in some chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms for about half the participants, while two-thirds on hydrocortisone reported better well-being. However, the treatment also induced adrenal suppression in twelve patients, rendering it an unsuitable option for CFS patients.
A University of Kentucky researcher has won a five-year extension on his MERIT award to study Leishmania donovani, a parasite that affects millions worldwide. The parasite, transmitted by sand flies, causes leishmaniasis, a disease often fatal and poorly treated.
A University of Florida study found that changing people's attributions, or how they think about themselves, can influence their performance in sports tasks. The technique, attribution training, helps individuals with constructive attributions persist longer and achieve more.
Patients with complete blockage of the carotid artery and hemodynamic failure face a six to seven times higher stroke risk. Oxygen metabolism in the brain is crucial to stroke risk, and available treatments offer little alteration to risk.
The Pan American Health Organization reports progress in controlling poliomyelitis, measles outbreaks, and Chagas' disease. The region has also seen a decline in cholera cases, with only 5% of reported cases in 1997 compared to six years earlier.
The Pan American Health Organization emphasizes the importance of addressing health inequities in its new report, citing evidence that poorest populations face the worst health outcomes. Strategies aimed at promoting health and preventing disease are necessary to improve regional health.
The installation of the final Main Injector magnet marks a major milestone for Fermilab, which will greatly increase high-energy particle collisions and reveal new physics insights. The new accelerator triples the scientific capability of the world's most powerful particle accelerator.
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University will study the inner workings of primary care practice to determine its impact on patient health. The grant-funded Center for the Value of Family Practice aims to establish a new level of scientific evidence about family- and patient-centered medical care.
Case Western Reserve University researchers are developing a new method to study blood flow through artificial heart components by mimicking the behavior of coal water slurries. This approach has revealed the importance of particle distribution and velocity in preventing blood clots, which can lead to stroke and death.
Dr. Brundtland highlights the importance of addressing social determinants of health, such as education and poverty reduction, to build healthy populations in healthy communities. She stresses the need for multi-sectoral action and collaboration with other agencies to tackle pressing public health needs.
Infant mortality rates have declined significantly in Latin America and the Caribbean, with infant deaths falling from 59 per 1,000 in the early 1980s to 35 per 1,000. Life expectancy has also increased, rising from 68.7 years to 71.1 years.
The university will use the funds to enhance science classrooms, provide research opportunities, and strengthen outreach programs for middle and high schools. The grant will also support the development of a new computer laboratory and introduce active learning experiences in biology courses.
Researchers Dr. Jan van Paradijs and his team are using the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) to study two Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) - magnetar candidates - that differ from the bulk of X-ray pulsars due to their red X-ray colors and short pulse periods, indicating strong magnetic fields aging the pulsars faster.
The Pan American Health Organization reports that the health of people in the Americas is improving thanks to progress in fighting infectious diseases, increasing access to clean drinking water, and declining infant mortality rates. However, governments must prioritize health care equity as they reform their systems.
Researchers at PPPL used a supercomputer to simulate microturbulence in plasma, achieving 400 million particles in 5,000 time-steps. The results provide valuable physics insights and support the use of high-performance computing for discovery in fusion research.
Lee Hartwell, director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, is one of three scientists to share the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Prize. He has been honored for discovering the universal mechanism controlling cell division in eukaryotic organisms, a fundamental insight into cancer cell mutation and development.
Researchers used powerful supercomputers to simulate microturbulence in plasma, gaining valuable new physics insights that correlate with experimental trends. The simulations, performed on 400 million particles over 5,000 time-steps, demonstrate the maturity of high-performance scientific computing as a tool for discovery.
Researchers have uncovered ancient fragments of sea shells and cutting tools at two sites in Peru, dating the earliest evidence of maritime-based societies in the Americas between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago. The discoveries challenge traditional views on Paleoindian societies and suggest a more diverse set of strategies for survival.
A large-scale randomized study found that chemotherapy improves long-term survival for women under 50 and those in their 50s and 60s, even if the cancer has not spread. The treatment also showed benefits for women without evidence of disease spread.
Jay A. Levy, a UCSF professor of medicine, suggests delaying antiviral therapy for HIV infection until the CD-4 cell count falls below 400 and the viral load is above 30,000 copies per milliliter. This approach aims to avoid drug resistance and allow the immune system to recover and control the virus.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to measure pollutants produced by combustion, using laser-induced fluorescence. This technique has the potential to significantly reduce nitric oxide production in next-generation jet engines, designed for lean direct injection.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed an animal model for human colorectal cancer, which will facilitate research into the molecular mechanisms of the disease. The model, based on a colon cancer mouse, allows for testing of chemoprevention agents and new drug treatments.
In a groundbreaking case, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center reversed kidney failure in an HIV-infected patient by putting them on high-intensity antiretroviral therapy. The patient's kidneys regained normal function, and their viral load decreased significantly.
A two-day conference at the AAAS Auditorium will bring together scientists, religious leaders, and corporate representatives to explore global climate change. The event aims to outline scientific evidence and address ethical, religious, and economic challenges related to the issue.
A protein on sperm surfaces is essential for binding to eggs and traveling into the oviduct. Mice without this protein have reduced fertility rates, opening possibilities for new male contraceptives and treatments for infertility.
A computer simulation by Cornell University geologists shows that forest fires follow a fractal distribution, similar to other natural events. By analyzing data from forests and wildfires worldwide, including Yellowstone National Park, the researchers found that allowing smaller fires to burn can prevent larger ones.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new technique called MARPE, which directly determines the identity of an atom and its neighbors. The method works by analyzing the energies of electrons emitted when excited by photons, revealing the presence and identity of neighboring atoms.
Recent analysis of Mars data from the Mars Pathfinder Mission suggests that the C1 carbonaceous chondrite standard is incorrect, with Mars exhibiting a distinct elemental composition. This contradicts previous assumptions about the terrestrial planets' formation and density variations.
A clinical trial is underway to investigate whether estrogen can enhance the effects of drugs used to treat Parkinson's patients, who experience a 'roller coaster' effect from daily Levodopa use. The study aims to determine if hormone replacement therapy can improve the effectiveness and duration of Mirapex treatment.