Anthropologists Milford Wolpoff and Rachel Caspari propose a multi-regional theory of human evolution, suggesting that populations evolved concurrently in various regions over two million years. This perspective has significant social and political implications, as it challenges the concept of a single common ancestor.
A new study found that screening all young women under 30 for Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most efficient way to identify infected women, reducing infertility and costly medical complications. The test is cost-effective due to its high sensitivity, identifying more infections.
Penn State researchers are collecting and analyzing urine samples from women aged 35-60 to understand patterns of change during perimenopause. The study aims to identify changes leading up to menopause, which could benefit women and their physicians in making choices about hormone replacement therapy.
Elevated homocysteine levels in blood are associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Vitamin supplementation, particularly folic acid, may lower homocysteine levels and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Recent studies indicate that genetic variants, such as apoE4 and LDL subclass pattern B, can significantly impact an individual's cholesterol response to a low-fat diet. Individuals with these genetic predispositions may require specific dietary modifications to effectively manage their cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.
Recent research highlights the strong influence of genes on individual variations in response to diet, influencing predisposition to obesity and atherosclerosis. Genetic analysis may lead to tailored diet plans and drug regimens for heart disease and stroke prevention.
PhD scientist Ellen Heber-Katz presents groundbreaking findings on regenerative biology, using a mouse model to study epimorphic regeneration in humans. Her research may lead to treatments for organ replacement, chronic wounds, and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a groundbreaking treatment for Pompe disease, a rare genetic muscle-wasting disorder. The injectable enzyme therapy has shown promise in improving muscle strength and reducing glycogen buildup in muscles, offering new hope for children born with the fatal condition.
Researchers have created mouse models with induced mutant lipoproteins to study atherosclerosis, providing insights into the genes responsible for human diseases. The study reveals that breeding prone traits onto different strains has helped identify differences in susceptibility and resistance genes.
The study used identical twins to investigate the role of genes in individual differences in response to chronic overfeeding. The results showed significant similarity within pairs for body weight, fat distribution, and insulin levels, but reduced similarity when accounting for total body fat.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that even identical polymers can unfold in various ways when exposed to the same conditions. This finding challenges long-standing theories and provides new insights into polymer behavior.
University of Michigan Professor Nicholas Steneck warns that research misconduct is a persistent problem. He suggests several solutions to address the issue, including random audits, exit interviews, and nationwide calls for creative solutions.
Astronomers discover a small galaxy orbiting the Milky Way, which is surprisingly sturdy due to its high dark matter content. The discovery challenges current understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.
Researchers confirm that plants have an adaptive immune-like response to insect damage, increasing seed production by 60% and resisting pests. The study used wild radish as a model plant and found that triggering this response enhanced plant fitness, providing a potential alternative to chemical pesticides.
Dr. Ray Herrmann, a USGS scientist, has been named an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished efforts in advancing science through his watershed research. He is being recognized for his leadership in communicating the importance of watershed investigations to various stakeholders.
Researchers aim to understand how the sun's corona reaches temperatures of two million degrees Celsius despite the surface being only 6,000 degrees. The team will use various techniques, including comparing electronic images and searching for rapid oscillations, to gather data during the February 26 eclipse.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that direct instruction using the Control of Variables Strategy is effective in teaching young children about science. Children can distinguish between knowing an answer and having to guess with minimal training, making it a crucial process skill for scientific experimentation.
A study of 101 adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus found that young people are more likely to adhere to treatment plans when given empowering messages. Health professionals may need to shift their communication strategy from focusing on risks to emphasizing the benefits and capabilities of following a treatment plan.
Dr. Glenn McGee presents a regulatory model to ensure the welfare of cloned children, drawing from adoption and divorce laws. He highlights concerns about physical safety and potential damage to family relationships, emphasizing the need for checks and balances in cloning.
Researchers have identified genetic and biological factors that influence a person's propensity toward obesity, suggesting a link between hormonal imbalances and weight gain. These findings may lead to tailored drug treatments, enabling physicians to detect predispositions and treat obesity with precision.
The USGS has taken the lead in establishing the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) to increase access to biological diversity data and information. The initiative aims to democratize environmental science by providing a broad array of knowledge on the diversity of nature's living creatures.
A recent study commissioned by President Clinton emphasizes the importance of nuclear power in meeting ambitious environmental goals. The report suggests that nuclear energy will be necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet growing energy demands.
New research reveals a link between the immune system and neuropathic pain, suggesting potential approaches to treating chronic pain. Investigators discovered that cytokines play a key role in producing pain-associated behaviors.
Rockefeller University researchers identify a critical link between autoantibodies and inflammation, suggesting novel ways to uncouple this connection. They found that preventing the activation of antibody receptors by autoantibodies is an effective way to treat autoimmune diseases like lupus.
The ITIS system provides a unified way of naming nature's living organisms, enabling easy access to credible databases and information on species origin and distribution. This standardized terminology facilitates accurate documentation, data sharing, and research among scientists, resource managers, and the general public.
Dr. Arthur L. Caplan argues that human cloning poses significant moral and ethical dilemmas, including the safety of the procedure, social implications, and emotional toll on clones. Despite advancements in technology, Caplan emphasizes the need to address these issues before pursuing human cloning.
Researchers at Henry Ford Health System discovered evidence that male brains shrink faster with age than female brains. Brain regions involved in thinking, planning and memory show greater age-related shrinkage in men. The findings may help explain sex differences in age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Research suggests that REM sleep plays a crucial role in protecting the cornea from suffocation by circulating aqueous humor. This theory challenges the conventional view of REM as a dream-processing mechanism, proposing a new purpose for this stage of sleep.
Marc Kamionkowski has been awarded the Helen B. Warner Prize for his significant contributions to cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics. His research focuses on the cosmic microwave background radiation and its potential to clarify the origins of the universe.
Taxonomic names are in flux, reflecting current knowledge about species. The USGS-developed ITIS database provides a tool to link and integrate name changes over time.
At the AAAS meeting in February 1998, USGS scientists presented research on predicting the fate of contaminants in the New York Bight and developing a regional map of sea floor characteristics. The study aims to provide information for guiding habitat and resource management and monitoring long-term environmental change.
University of Maryland scientists have discovered a way to transform sodium channels into calcium channels, which could lead to the development of new treatments for heart failure and various neurological conditions. This breakthrough, reported in the journal Science, opens up novel targets for drug discovery and molecular medicine.
Industrial ecology focuses on sustainable development, encouraging recycling, reuse, and upcycling. Graedel advocates for dematerialization, reduced energy intensity, and mining residue recovery to minimize environmental impact.
Researchers have designed compounds that target Plasmodium falciparum parasites, which cause severe malaria. The new trioxane-based compounds show potential in treating the disease by inducing self-destruction in the parasite, offering a promising alternative to current treatments.
A new analysis published by University of California - San Francisco researchers finds that a proposed deal between the tobacco industry and states' attorneys general would be less effective in promoting public health than no federal legislation. The report concludes that granting immunity to the industry and limiting liability would p...
A new four-year project aims to create a comprehensive early-childhood math curriculum that reflects the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The project, titled 'Building Blocks,' will use activity models and play-based learning to develop mathematical objects and actions in young children.
Nancy Roseman, assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $266,191 NSF grant to study the biochemistry of dUTPase, an enzyme involved in DNA metabolism. Her research uses the vaccinia virus as a model to understand viral/host interactions and DNA replication.
Colin Adams, Williams College math professor, has been awarded the Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Distinguished Teaching Award for his innovative teaching methods and ability to increase student enrollments in mathematics classes. He is also recognized for involving undergraduates in serious pure mathematics research.
Linguistics professor John Rickford presents evidence that black and white vernaculars in America exhibit distinct differences, even in island enclaves with frequent contact. He argues that limited social interaction and powerful social norms contribute to these divergences, which have been developing over centuries.
Researchers studied how embryos cope with stress, finding unique mechanisms such as toxin-repelling proteins and heat shock protection. These adaptations help embryos survive environmental insults, but may come at a cost in delayed development or growth restrictions.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a quantum mechanical transistor that can process information faster and consume less power than current transistors. The device has the potential to be used in high-speed computing, chemical detection, and other applications.
Researchers have found evidence of molten rock two thousand miles beneath the Earth's surface, challenging scientists' understanding of mantle convection. The discovery was made using seismic waves measured in Norway and detected a slurry of molten rock across a 300-by-600-mile region deep beneath Tonga.
Scientists Harry van Loon and Karin Labitzke found a mirror image of the solar-stratosphere correlation in the Southern Hemisphere, spanning three solar cycles. The analysis suggests that the sun's 11-year solar cycle drives periodic changes in temperatures and pressure heights of the lower stratosphere from pole to pole.
A study of college-age women found a high incidence of HPV infection, with prevalence ranging from 20-46% in different countries. Regular Pap smears are crucial for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
A team of scientists at NCAR has developed a new method to accurately quantify the total radiative output of the sun, including ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared wavelengths. This breakthrough will provide better information on the sun's influence on earth's climate and improve our understanding of solar variability.
A new study by Columbia University researchers establishes the first mathematically sound definition of epilepsy, requiring two unprovoked seizures for a diagnosis. The study found that patients who have had two seizures are at high risk of recurrence, with a 73% chance of having a third seizure within five years.
USGS geochemist Keith Kvenvolden's study suggests that most oil residues in Monterey Bay are likely from natural seeps, rather than ruptured tankers. The study found unusually heavy carbon isotopic compositions characteristic of crude oils from the Miocene Monterey Formation of California.
Researchers found that daily smokers have twice the risk for major depression compared to occasional smokers. The study also revealed that depression may lead to increased smoking, particularly among young adults.
A two-month course of therapy is an effective alternative to the year-long regimen for preventing active tuberculosis in HIV-infected individuals. The study found that fewer deaths occurred among patients in the two-drug arm, with improved treatment compliance compared to the one-drug arm.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created an autologous ovarian cancer vaccine that stimulates an immune response in patients, showing promise for treatment. The vaccine is custom-made for each patient and has been safe with no significant side effects, paving the way for further clinical trials.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that high-testosterone males were more likely to fertilize females other than their mates, resulting in fewer offspring with their own mates. Conversely, these males produced more offspring with the mates of their neighbors.
A new technique using electricity instead of chemicals to drive chemical separation processes could greatly reduce waste byproducts at the Hanford nuclear site. The method, being tested for large-scale cleanup efforts, has shown promise in reducing radioactive waste and hazardous byproducts.
Red pepper spray may attract brown bears if used improperly, according to a USGS study. The irritant oleoresin capsicum in the spray can elicit unusual behavior in bears, including sniffing, pawing, and rolling on treated sites.
Researchers Mark Boslough and Randy Gladstone suggest that entry of ordinary meteoroids can form dark spots similar to those observed by satellites, contradicting a theory of frequent small comet bombardment. Their study provides evidence for the existence of high-altitude plumes generated by meteors.
Researchers have discovered reproductive and hormonal problems in alligators from Lake Okeechobee, similar to those found in the highly polluted Lake Apopka. The study suggests that environmental toxicants can affect thyroid function and growth in animals.
Research suggests that virtual reality's immersive and multisensory features facilitate conceptual and three-dimensional learning of abstract science concepts. The study found that VR microworlds can provide experiential referents and enable students to perceive invisible factors and relationships, leading to improved understanding.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a new type of microrelay that can switch large current loads at five volts, setting records for contact resistance and current handling capability. The devices offer cost advantages due to batch production and standard microelectronics processing.
A study of 203 HIV-positive men and women found that nearly two-thirds are sexually active without disclosing their HIV status, resulting in higher rates of unprotected sex and potential transmission. Despite the risks, individuals may avoid disclosure due to fear of rejection or loss of benefits.
A five-month public awareness campaign significantly improved people's knowledge of stroke warning signs, with a notable increase in awareness among women. In contrast, men showed little change in their understanding of stroke warning signs.
A nationwide clinical trial involving nearly 400 patients showed no statistically significant difference in full recovery and mortality rates between those given citicoline and a placebo. However, the drug appeared to produce an improvement in a subset of patients with moderate to severe strokes.