Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a protein that causes progressive retinal degeneration and functional blindness in children with Usher syndrome. Understanding the function of this protein may lead to new treatments for people with Usher syndrome and other types of retinal degeneration.
Researchers found that 69% of congestive heart failure patients in managed care plans were admitted to hospitals through the emergency room, compared to 29-58.5% for patients with other types of insurance. This may be due to barriers to outpatient care or timely hospital admission.
Researchers observed ballistic conductance in multi-walled carbon nanotubes at room temperature, allowing large current densities to flow without heating. This phenomenon could lead to ultra-small electronic devices with improved performance and efficiency.
A new study on the fossilized skull of Mr. Ples, a relative of early humans, throws doubt on previous interpretations of brain evolution. The research suggests that some estimates of brain size in early hominids may be too high and that 3-D digital models can provide accurate measurements.
Standardized tests differ significantly in content and format, making it challenging to compare scores across unrelated tests. The National Research Council committee found that an equivalency scale is not feasible due to these differences.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is upgrading its HITS database with Microsoft compatibility, enabling police to access shared information on offenders within minutes. The lab also will modify a database for parole supervision, allowing corrections officers to track violations more effectively and encourage compliance.
Recent fluctuations in teen marijuana use are driven by changes in student attitudes about the drug. The new analysis found that teen disapproval of marijuana and perceptions of its hazards have mirrored usage patterns, indicating a shift in young people's concerns about risk.
A study in fruit flies reveals a molecular pathway that regulates sensitivity to alcohol, shedding light on why some people are more prone to becoming alcoholics. The researchers hope to find similar genes in humans and link them to alcoholic behaviors.
Benjamin Hasse, a forestry major at Purdue University, will spend his first semester of junior year on Antarctica helping researchers. He will gain valuable experience in harsh environments and develop skills that can benefit his future career.
A team of researchers from UNMC and Boys Town National Research Hospital has identified the gene responsible for Usher syndrome Type IIa, a genetic disorder affecting 4 in 100,000 people. The discovery may lead to an eventual cure for the condition, which causes moderate to severe hearing loss and juvenile blindness.
Researchers have discovered that a molecule called Noggin plays a crucial role in forming the brains of frogs and the elbows of mice. The study reveals that Noggin helps regulate cellular growth factors to promote proper tissue development, and its absence leads to severe skeletal defects and joint abnormalities.
Scientists from Montana State University and European colleagues have made a breakthrough in understanding the sun's corona temperature. By analyzing data from the Japanese/US/UK space satellite Yohkoh, they found that magnetic field clashes likely cause the heating of giant loops of material above the sun's surface.
A team of Cornell University physicists successfully measured the frequency of atomic vibrations in a single molecule of acetylene, providing a new way to identify and study molecular bonds. This technique, called vibrational microscopy, has potential applications in understanding catalysts and biological molecules like DNA.
Dr. David Noever's project aims to classify tiny life forms on Earth and in Mars samples using shape analysis, leveraging AI and neural networks. The 'D'Arcy Machine', a network of volunteer computers, will help process the massive dataset.
Infants of smoking mothers who breastfeed have higher urine levels of cotinine, a substance produced by nicotine breakdown, compared to bottle-fed children. The study highlights the importance of helping mothers quit smoking during pregnancy and nursing.
Researchers have found that stunted brain regions may cause severe autism symptoms, while smaller regions may lead to milder symptoms in close relatives. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to compare the brains of identical twins with and without autism.
A study by Professor Geoffrey Underwood found that police presence is the least anger-provoking and discourtesy is the greatest trigger for road rage. Drivers who experienced near accidents reported increased anger levels, particularly when they were not at fault.
Researchers discovered that a lack of iron limits phytoplankton growth in central California waters, impacting the entire marine food chain. This finding challenges existing climate change models and highlights the importance of iron in ocean carbon storage.
Researchers have developed a system that detects trace amounts of TNT in seafloor sludge, enabling the identification of unexploded bombs. This technology could save time and resources in cleaning up sites contaminated with live explosives.
Astronomers have discovered expanding gas clouds thrown off by nuclear eruptions in stars, which provide reliable distances to these stars. The Hubble Space Telescope has captured detailed images of two nova shells, revealing structure and asymmetry, including polar blobs and equatorial rings.
A study by Pat Rusin and her colleagues at the University of Arizona found that toilet seats were consistently cleaner than kitchen surfaces, including sinks, tap handles, and chopping boards. The researchers believe this is due to the dry environment of toilet seats, which are less conducive to bacterial growth.
Astronomers have discovered bluer galaxies in nearby clusters, indicating recent star formation and a possible ongoing process. The finding revises the Butcher-Oemler effect, suggesting that some clusters may still be forming new stars.
Researchers discovered a large reservoir of molecular gas in the Antennae galaxy pair, which could lead to an ultraluminous starburst phase. The high value of total molecular gas mass exceeds 15 billion suns, challenging previous estimates and providing new insights into the origin and evolution of the galactic system.
Sorghum ergot is a serious fungal disease affecting hybrid seed production, causing significant losses in crop yields and food insecurity. Global cooperation among scientists and agencies is underway to develop strategies for fungicidal control, host-plant resistance, and ecology of ergot.
Scientists have identified a new molecular target that could lead to novel therapies for ischemic cardiovascular disease. The A3 adenosine receptor has been found to exert sustained protection against injury during exposure to ischemia, suggesting potential for drug development.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed a new gene therapy technique that efficiently delivers genes to targeted cells by linking viruses with specific receptors. The technique, which uses a protein bridge made of growth factor EGF and ALV receptor proteins, allows for precise targeting of cell types, including cancer cells.
New research suggests that US high school athletes' cardiovascular screenings are insufficient, leaving them vulnerable to potentially fatal heart problems. The American Heart Association's guidelines for screening young athletes were issued in 1996 and have not been updated since.
Scientists are making significant progress in discovering gamma-ray burst counterparts and afterglows, shedding light on these mysterious events. Fourteen papers are scheduled to be presented at the session, covering the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma rays.
Cornell University astronomers James Cordes and Barney Rickett have developed a method to calculate the speed and distance of extremely fast-moving neutron stars, called pulsars, by analyzing their twinkling rate. By combining data from two large radio telescopes, they can identify new pulsars and better understand their physics.
Researchers found that urbanization reduces stream diversity, but tolerates insects like midges, which are pollution-tolerant. Stream quality is affected by factors like road runoff, pavement pollution, and sediment, highlighting the need for sustainable land use practices to preserve aquatic ecosystems.
A study by the University of California - San Francisco found that tobacco industry campaign contributions have a substantial impact on state legislators' voting patterns, particularly in states with varying levels of partisan control. The researchers scored legislators on a scale from pro-tobacco to pro-public health and found that in...
A genetic study published in Animal Conservation reveals that Sumatran tigers are a distinct species from all mainland tiger subspecies. The research, led by Joel Cracraft, uses mitochondrial DNA sequencing to confirm the unique genetic markers of Sumatran tigers, supporting their classification as a separate species.
Researchers found that blocking beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (BARK) can prevent heart failure in mice genetically engineered to develop the disease. The study suggests a fundamental abnormality in the beta-adrenergic receptor system is at the root of causing heart failure.
Henry N. Wagner Jr, a pioneer in nuclear medicine, has been awarded the Cassen Award for his pioneering work on tracking biochemical events within the living body using cyclotron isotopes. His research led to significant discoveries in brain chemistry and addiction, while also informing public health policy on radiation.
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey's unique telescope has achieved first light, demonstrating its capabilities to create a deep, high-resolution, multicolor digital map of the sky. The telescope will incorporate two spectrographs to provide information about the chemical composition and distances of celestial sources.
A University at Buffalo study found that men with systolic blood pressure not rising above 140 mm Hg during exercise had increased risk of dying from heart ailments within three years. Careful blood-pressure measurements during routine stress tests could help identify patients at risk, allowing for early intervention and potentially sa...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a new component of the circadian clock, BMAL1, which partners with CLOCK to regulate daily rhythms. The study shows how closely conserved genes are between different organisms and hopes to shed light on the negative feedback part of the circadian loop.
A team of Japanese and American physicists have found evidence of mass and oscillations in neutrinos, elementary particles with the smallest mass yet. The discovery comes from Super-Kamiokande experiment and confirms an anomaly uncovered in 1985, resolving a long-standing mystery in particle physics.
Two teams of scientists have identified similar genes that control the daily cycles of life, revealing a simple feedback loop mechanism. This breakthrough sheds light on how animals like humans regulate their sleep-wake cycles, and may help explain why heart attacks occur more often in the morning.
Macrophages may proliferate in response to HIV integration, causing disease through sequential pathogenesis. Researchers identify potential DNA-interacting drugs to treat AIDS dementia.
A new study by exercise science researchers at the University at Buffalo found that wearing nasal strips has no effect on breathing during intense exercise. The strips may still be beneficial for individuals with exercise-induced asthma, however.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have shown that a new type of gene therapy can correct the defect in human blood cells, potentially providing a treatment for sickle cell anemia. The therapy uses ribozymes to edit defective RNA and could lead to a significant reduction in disease symptoms.
A team of physicists from the University of Washington has found evidence that subatomic particles known as neutrinos have mass. The discovery, made in a deep underground laboratory, suggests that muon-neutrinos are changing into other types, indicating they must have mass.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and the Operational Research Society of Israel (ORSIS) will hold an international convention at Tel Aviv University. Operations researchers use math and science to make sense of millions of details, impacting industries such as airlines, healthcare, and business.
A new study suggests that grape pomace can be a rich source of antioxidants, which may help prevent coronary heart disease. The researchers extracted compounds called phenolics from red grape pomace and found them to significantly retard the oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol.
Researchers at Boston University and Japan's University of Tokyo found evidence that neutrinos possess mass, contradicting the standard theory of particle physics. This discovery may impact our understanding of the universe's expansion and potential unification of particles and forces.
Research reveals that glutamate receptors, key mediators of brain cell communication, form tetramers similar to voltage-gated potassium channels. The discovery challenges previous theories on how ligand-gated receptors become activated by neurotransmitters.
Scientists have identified KasA, a critical protein in bacterial growth, as the target of isoniazid. This discovery enables the development of new anti-TB drugs and fast-screening assays to combat antibiotic-resistant strains.
A team of astrophysicists and computer scientists has captured the entire observable universe in a computer simulation, depicting how gravity gathered ripples from the big bang into cosmic structures. This unprecedented model aims to better interpret data from large surveys and understand rarest structures in the cosmos.
A new protein called HveC has been discovered that allows both Herpes Simplex-1 and -2, as well as animal herpesviruses, to infect human cells. This receptor has the broadest activity among the identified co-receptors, enabling entry of multiple strains of herpesviruses into various cell types.
A Duke University Medical Center pharmacologist finds that maternal smoking causes massive numbers of crib deaths and severe neurological problems in
Scientists have discovered a species of glowing bacteria that can detect pollutants in the deep sea. When exposed to various toxic substances, Photobacterium phosphoreum HE-1a glows up to 50% less brightly, triggering an alarm call that alerts nearby sensors to take action.
A study published in JAMA found that injured patients have a much higher death rate after leaving the hospital than the general population. This suggests that deaths after discharge should be included in any meaningful analysis of a trauma center's quality to get an accurate picture of its success.
Researchers found a correlation between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and the severity of atherosclerosis in children and young adults. Selective screening for high-risk individuals is recommended. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, are crucial to preventing coronary heart disease.
A microbiological process developed by Penn State researchers can effectively remove perchlorate, a rocket fuel ingredient detected in 14 states, from contaminated drinking water. The process uses naturally occurring bacteria to reduce perchlorate concentrations below the action level.
The American Chemical Society will present over 225 technical papers on various topics including medical isotopes, environmental fate of aircraft de-icing fluids, and smart materials. A banquet and minority affairs workshops are also planned for the event.
A computer network manager proposes using obsolete ICBMs to create spectacular pyrotechnic displays, releasing thousands of artificial meteors into the atmosphere with different colours depending on their chemicals. The plan aims to reuse Cold War relics for entertainment rather than scrap them.
A new study from Penn State found that families with patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease are more likely to accept available treatment, whereas those with advanced-stage patients may choose to withhold care. The study also highlighted the need for family involvement in making treatment decisions.
A comprehensive review article by Stephen S. Hecht summarizes the biochemistry, biology, and carcinogenicity of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, linking them to lung cancer formation. The article highlights the importance of understanding these compounds for developing effective chemoprevention strategies and targeted prevention methods.
A study challenges the widely accepted pediatric practice of prescribing a 10-day course of antibiotics for uncomplicated ear infections, suggesting that five days of short-acting oral antibiotics are equally effective. The researchers found no significant difference in treatment failure rates when comparing the two treatment courses.