Bacteriorhodopsin, a salt-loving organism's defense mechanism, is grown in space to produce stable crystals, offering new insights into complex membrane proteins and their applications in all-optical computing. The findings may lead to the development of battery-conserving computer displays.
A study found that high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with seed implant therapy had poorer outcomes compared to radical prostectomy and external beam radiation. The researchers suggest that high-risk patients should discuss alternative treatment options with their physicians.
The Advanced Applied Technology Demonstration Facility has developed innovative technologies for hazardous waste cleanup, addressing difficult subsurface and ground water contamination problems. The partnership between government, industry, and academia has led to the creation of engineering design manuals and commercialization summaries.
Scientists have discovered archaea, an ancient branch of microbial life that can thrive in extreme environments like volcanic vents and acidic hot springs. These microorganisms produce enzymes that are stable under harsh conditions, offering potential benefits for environmental cleanup, pollution prevention, and energy production.
Astronomers Renyue Cen suggests that gamma-ray bursts might come from supernovae expelling material at high speeds, producing jets that travel at nearly the speed of light. This theory could explain why some pulsars are moving faster than ordinary stars and potentially pose a catastrophic threat to Earth.
The University of Delaware has received a $1.6 million HHMI grant to support interdisciplinary research projects, outreach efforts, faculty development, and new equipment for active learning methods. The grant aims to enhance undergraduate education in the biological sciences through problem-based learning.
Researchers have found an RNA molecule capable of making a nucleotide building block, providing strong evidence for the RNA world view. This discovery supports the theory that in early evolution, RNA molecules carried out functions now considered to be the domains of DNA and proteins.
Researchers have identified hyperforin as the primary active ingredient in St. John's Wort, leading to significant improvements in mood and cognitive function. Studies have shown that high concentrations of hyperforin produce greater brain wave activity and enhanced neurotransmitter release.
Scientists discover African Superswell is caused by hot mantle material rising from the core-mantle boundary, elevating southern Africa and driving tectonic plates. This phenomenon, known as dynamic topography, reveals a link between deep mantle dynamics and surface features.
A national survey of primary care doctors found that one in three doctors recommend herbal supplements for emotional balance and fatigue. The most commonly used herbs are St. John's Wort and ginkgo biloba, with 27% and 18% of doctors recommending them respectively.
A study of 206 patients with Alzheimer's disease found that those with the lowest genetic risk had fathers who were significantly older at birth. This suggests a possible link between paternal age and increased susceptibility to the disease, which could be influenced by environmental factors affecting the father's DNA.
Virginia Tech is conducting a national study on long-haul drivers' sleep quality and performance. The research aims to evaluate the effects of sleeper berth use on driver alertness and driving performance.
A study by Columbia University biologist Ayako Yamaguchi found that male and female cardinals can distinguish each other's songs, with males learning from females and females from males. As birds grow, their songs change due to hormonal fluctuations, suggesting a unique process of vocal development.
Scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center successfully treated melanoma in mice with a new DNA-based vaccine, inducing an immune response that attacked cancer cells and prevented tumor spreading. The vaccine also caused autoimmunity, a condition that may indicate a good outcome for patients.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine solved a major mystery surrounding energy production by determining the molecular structure of adenosine triphosphate synthase (ATP synthase). The discovery explains how cells produce ATP, the common currency of energy, and offers new insights into why people get less energetic with age.
A new study published in The Journal of Trauma shows that California's motorcycle helmet law has saved the state $35 million, primarily through reduced head injuries and medical costs. The study found a 48% decrease in motorcyclists hospitalized for head injuries between 1991 and 1993.
Researchers have successfully used gene therapy to slow down neurodegeneration in an animal model, offering hope for treatments of autosomal dominant disorders. The approach involves using ribozymes to destroy faulty messenger RNA, potentially treating conditions like Huntington's disease and ALS.
A study found that increased school breakfast participation correlates with better social and academic functioning, including lower tardiness, higher math grades, and reduced problems like depression and anxiety. Students were more likely to participate when meals were offered free to all students.
Scientists have identified a correlation between activated CD44 and disease flare-ups in pediatric patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests that monitoring blood levels of activated CD44 may enable early prediction of exacerbations, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Scientists discover Jupiter's ring system is composed of dust kicked up by meteoroids striking four inner moons, with the outermost ring consisting of two embedded rings. The system provides a unique dynamical laboratory for studying the solar system's early processes.
The University of Illinois has received a $1.6 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to enhance its life sciences education and outreach programs, including the Hughes Undergraduate Research Fellows program and several outreach initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.
A recent study shows that calcitonin-salmon nasal spray significantly reduces the incidence of new spinal fractures in postmenopausal women with existing osteoporosis. The treatment, which is currently indicated for women over 5 years past menopause and without estrogen replacement therapy options.
A new report by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency examines the association between hormone-disrupting substances and observed effects in humans and wildlife. The study found potential links between EDSs and changes in reproductive health, behavior, and cancer incidence.
Researchers from NASA and French-American teams crystallized thaumatin in space, producing larger and more defect-free crystals with improved x-ray diffraction properties. This breakthrough paves the way for better understanding of the molecule's shape and function, potentially leading to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.
Scientists found that aspirin suppresses accumulation of genetic mutations causing hereditary colorectal cancer. Aspirin screens for cells with stable genetics, potentially preventing the disease. Researchers now plan a clinical trial to study higher doses of aspirin in preventing hereditary colon cancer.
Dinosaur tracks in Alaska provide evidence of a previously unknown high latitude dinosaur region. The discovery includes four-toed tracks suggestive of armored or horned dinosaurs and pebbly texture skin impressions, revealing the diversity of ancient species that flourished in the Arctic.
A two-year study by UCSF researchers found that raloxifene significantly reduced the risk of spinal fractures in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Women taking raloxifene had a 52% lower risk of first-time spinal fractures, and those with previous spinal fractures had a 38% lower risk compared to placebo
Researchers at UNC Health Care found that allergy increases susceptibility to otitis media, a common ear infection in young children. Antihistamine treatment may help alleviate symptoms.
Researchers investigate whether testifying before the TRC leads to psychological healing, forgiveness, and improvement in distress. The study aims to determine the impact of testifying on anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The report reveals a significant decline in first-year graduate enrollments of African Americans and Hispanics in science and engineering between 1996 and 1997. The AAAS attributes this decrease to an 'unwelcoming environment' for underrepresented minority students, citing policy changes and unclear institutional guidelines.
A new study reveals that cattle fed grain may transmit dangerous strains of E. coli to humans, leading to food-borne illness. Feeding hay to cows for a short period before slaughter can reduce the risk of infection.
A study found that children of divorce are more likely to become smokers and problem drinkers as adults. For boys, divorce increases the likelihood of problem drinking, while girls from divorced families have similar rates of smoking and problem drinking as those from intact families.
A study proposes recycling wastewater for irrigation, developing a water conservation plan, and protecting the Mountain Aquifer's limited fresh water resource. Without cooperative management, both Israelis and Palestinians risk losing access to clean water due to pollution and environmental degradation.
A 10-year study found that employment and marriage can provide benefits such as increased income and social support, contributing to better health. Women who were employed full-time or had many children showed no harmful effects on their health.
Researchers are developing a magnetic hearing aid that uses an electromagnetic coil to stimulate the inner ear via the round window, potentially enhancing speech and reducing background noise. The device could reduce or eliminate acoustic feedback, a common issue with conventional hearing aids.
Researchers analyzed 14,000-year-old peat layers to track natural and human-induced lead emissions. The study found that human activity began altering atmospheric lead levels around 6,000 years ago and has continued to the present day.
The new web site, Live Healthier, Live Longer, provides personalized information and practical steps for reducing LDL cholesterol levels. The site features various activities, including a Cyber Kitchen and Virtual Fitness Room, to help users make healthier lifestyle choices.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have shown that the transmission of mtDNA in yeast is organized and finite, rather than random. This discovery has implications for understanding genetic disorders caused by mtDNA mutations in humans, where the mother passes on a minority of her mtDNA copies to the fetus.
A recent study screened over 13,000 female new recruits at the Army's induction center and found a high prevalence of chlamydia infections, particularly among young women.
A recent trial found that patients with HIV-related sensory neuropathy experienced significantly lessened pain intensity and improved sensation after receiving injections of lab-created nerve growth factor. The study also identified which nerves are involved in the injury, paving the way for future research on regrowing damaged nerves.
The Seattle Gastrointestinal Program Project will investigate the role of oxidative damage in pancreatitis and chronic ulcerative colitis. Researchers aim to develop screening tests for pancreatic cancer and more sensitive early detection methods for colon cancer.
DHEA supplements, believed to have anti-aging properties, may stimulate the production of IGF-1, increasing prostate cancer risk. Dr. Goldberg recommends monitoring serum DHEA, PSA, and IGF-1 levels for men taking DHEA supplements.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that feeding cattle hay for five days before slaughter can reduce acid-resistant E. coli infections in humans. This simple change in diet can cut the risk of E. coli contamination, which causes over 20,000 annual infections and 200 deaths in the US.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a low-fat diet can reverse type 2 diabetes in mice by reducing insulin and glucose levels independently of weight loss. The study suggests that foods high in fat, not sugar, are responsible for the onset of diabetes.
Expert Bruce P. Lanphear argues that federal standards ignore existing scientific evidence and fail to protect inner-city children from lead poisoning. He proposes a primary prevention approach, focusing on eliminating residential lead hazards before exposure, to mitigate the harmful effects of low-level lead exposure.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that cyclosporin can prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in rats and mice. This is an inherited form of heart disease affecting one in 500 individuals, characterized by cardiac hypertrophy.
Researchers have found that the ATM protein, mutated in A-T, acts as a key regulator of cell division after DNA damage, leading to increased cancer risk. The study provides new insights into how cells form tumors and may lead to new treatments for A-T and other neurological disorders.
A study found that primary care physicians rely heavily on informal consultations with subspecialists to meet patient needs, but subspecialists are concerned about the lack of information exchanged. This may indicate a lack of trust in primary care physicians' abilities to take histories and examine patients.
A small radio-controlled aircraft equipped with a sensor developed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) can monitor air for signs of biological weapons. The sensor uses fluorescent antibodies and optical fibers to detect biowar bacteria in water samples, allowing it to accumulate on probes over time.
This September/October 1998 issue of Public Health Reports explores the intersection of neuroscience and early childhood policy, as well as indoor air quality. Scientific contributions include studies on community-based nutrition campaigns, surveillance of injuries, and mortality due to unintentional injuries in the Netherlands.
Researchers at Hughes Space and Communications have developed a new ion propulsion system that can keep satellites in orbit for up to 25 years, using the inert gas xenon. This innovation reduces the need for frequent fuel replacements, ensuring reliable signal reception and preventing collisions with neighboring satellites.
Researchers found that progestin activates apoptosis in the ovarian lining, preventing precancerous cells from becoming malignant. The study suggests that periodically administering progestin could be a highly effective preventive treatment for ovarian cancer.
Scientists identify a new pathway through which HIV can disturb the function of uninfected cells, leading to a sudden decline in immune function. The research suggests that blocking HIV binding to CXCR4 could stop advanced AIDS progression in patients with certain strains of the virus.
NASA scientists have discovered an anomaly in Pioneer 10's trajectory, suggesting the spacecraft may be experiencing an unexplained force pulling it towards the Sun. The effect has been observed in multiple Pioneer and Ulysses probes, challenging current theories of gravity.
In a six-year study, Maine's 0.05% law reduced fatal crashes among DWI drivers with BALs above 0.15% by 35%. The law also decreased fatalities among drivers in the 0.05-0.14% range. Maine was the first state to adopt this limit for prior DWI offenders.
Evolutionary biologist H. Allen Orr proposes a new theory on the genetic foundations of adaptation, challenging standard theory that only tiny genetic changes contribute to adaptation. Orr's work uses mathematical modeling and computer simulations, suggesting that a mix of minor and major genetic changes can lead to adaptation.
The study found that over one-tenth of personal healthcare dollars are spent on care for smokers, with significant variations between states. States with higher smoking rates, such as Nevada, spent more than $200 million, while others, like Utah, spent less.
A study of 13,204 female military recruits found a 9.2% overall prevalence of chlamydial infection, with peak rates among 17-year-olds. Screening programs based on age could identify 95.3% of infected women using DNA amplification tests like LCR assays.
A new study in Nature reveals that floor plate development occurs earlier and is driven by factors other than the notochord. This challenges the classic model of neural cell patterning, which posits a central role for Sonic hedgehog signaling.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that prohibiting smoking in restaurants had no adverse economic effect on the industry. The research analyzed data from counties with strict smoking ordinances and compared it to similar counties without such laws, revealing no significant changes in restaurant sales.