Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing high-temperature electronics to improve geothermal energy production. This could reduce costs by eliminating the need for protective Dewar flasks, which currently add significant expense to drilling operations.
A study at Washington University School of Medicine found that 3-D models of the pelvis are more accurate than X-ray images in preparing surgeons to revise hip replacements. This added information helps with crucial planning stages for complicated surgeries, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
A massive gene study suggests that mammals first evolved around 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous era, much earlier than previously estimated. The research used genetic data from over 10,000 species to infer origin dates, contradicting fossil-based estimates that linked mammal evolution to mass extinctions.
Researchers found that the anterior cingulate cortex detects response competition and provides a signal to pay more attention and avoid errors. The brain's 'how you are doing' monitor may serve as an alarm system for executive control, preventing catastrophic mistakes.
Research reveals that bison grazing can increase plant species diversity in stressed grasslands, countering the effects of fire and fertilizer. By reestablishing grazing, scientists find that biodiversity can be retained in ecosystems impacted by human activities.
High-temperature superconducting materials have limited performance due to energy loss caused by defects and grain boundaries. A University of Wisconsin-Madison experiment found that designing better conductors with improved current flow is crucial for overcoming this barrier.
Fetal rat skin cells treated with hormone activators formed a competent barrier earlier than control groups, reducing water loss and increasing enzyme activity. This study suggests that hormone activators could be used to promote skin growth in premature infants.
A team of experts from Purdue University and other universities will develop computer programs to simulate advanced nuclear reactors. The research aims to investigate thermal-hydraulics and reactor safety under various conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a 'risk index' using patient survey data to predict undesirable outcomes in asthma patients. The study found that factors such as recent oral steroid use, high beta agonist puffs per day, and non-white race can indicate future attacks.
Researchers found that R-type channels control transmitter release in presynaptic terminals, contributing to fine-tuning synaptic activity. These high-voltage-activated channels are resistant to known blockers and have been identified through simultaneous recordings of Ca2+ influx and EPSC evoked by a single action potential.
Bosques Arauco's winning study utilizes operations research systems to improve efficiency and have a positive impact on forest plantations. The award recognizes outstanding work in operations research that has had a significant impact on the performance of the client organization, with notable annual savings.
Georgia court officials are using a new database to systematically pool information about criminal activity and other court-related matters. The database, designed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute, provides a wealth of case-related data that can help officials make more informed decisions.
Researchers solved Einstein's three-dimensional equations for gravitational waves using a CRAY T3E-136 system and ImmersaDesk virtual reality systems. The demonstration showcased an 8,000-kilometer transatlantic connection, with data transmitted at millions of bits per second.
Researchers at U of T's Institute for Aerospace Studies have developed a smart structure on the Leslie Street bridge, lining columns with fibre-optic sensors and wrapping them with lightweight synthetic materials. The sensors precisely measure corrosion and hold the structure together, reducing road maintenance and closures.
A Johns Hopkins University undergraduate has located the brain region that processes sounds while people sleep. The frontal lobe responds to both primary and secondary auditory activation, suggesting a role in vigilance functions during sleep.
A study of over 1,000 elderly patients found that one in 10 suffered memory loss and concentration issues for three months after major surgery. Cognitive decline was strongly correlated with a person's ability to take care of themselves, with those between 70-80 years old twice as likely to experience long-term mental impairment.
A recent census reveals that Grauer's gorilla populations have remained stable despite growing human pressures, with 16,900 individuals estimated. However, local populations are increasingly threatened due to poaching and habitat loss, highlighting the need for continued support of conservation efforts.
Scientists have developed a new TB vaccine candidate that uses recombinant BCG strains to secrete pore-forming listeriolysin, improving its ability to stimulate CD8 T cells. This could lead to better protection against M. tuberculosis infection and potentially halve the estimated 2050 global TB cases.
A new program aims to prevent smoking among children by providing interactive educational materials to parents of third-graders. The program has shown promising results in reducing the risk of smoking among young children.
A team of MIT researchers has identified a new battery material that is cheap, light, and powerful. The breakthrough was achieved by predicting the composition of the material via computer models and testing it successfully, paving the way for the widespread use of electric cars.
Researchers have generated mice with human apoE3 or apoE4 genes, showing that apoE3 promotes nerve cell outgrowth while apoE4 does not. This study provides new insights into the biological effects of apoE variants and may offer a common mechanism for their adverse effects on neurodegenerative diseases.
A Virginia Tech researcher is studying the life cycles of black bears, including their mating habits and hibernation patterns. The study has revealed that bears implant embryos before denning, but the exact timing may vary from year to year.
Researchers at UCSF have identified nine genetic mutations in the P4501 alpha gene that cause hereditary vitamin D-dependent rickets, a condition affecting bone growth and development. The discovery enables prenatal diagnosis and genetic testing of adults to identify carriers of the mutated gene.
A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that older patients with high levels of intrinsic religiosity recovered faster from depression than those with low levels. The study, led by Dr. Harold Koenig, discovered a significant correlation between higher religiosity and faster recovery times.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that exposure to household smoking during childhood and adolescence can lead to diminished lung function in young adulthood. The researchers measured lung function in over 1,400 students and found that a mother's smoking in the home was associated with reduced air flow rates.
Researchers discovered a possible link between elevated blood homocysteine levels and Alzheimer's disease, with lower folate and vitamin B12 levels also observed. Long-term clinical trials are needed to determine if lowering homocysteine levels can prevent or delay the progression of the disease.
Researchers found that a specific component of neural circuitry in the prefrontal cortex is altered in most people with schizophrenia, leading to disturbances in complex thinking processes. The study suggests that this alteration may be a specific brain disturbance in the disease process of schizophrenia.
Scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center discuss approaches to building lunar and Martian bases using in situ materials. Processing materials will be a challenge due to low gravity, which affects metal behavior and microstructure formation.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and R.W. Johnson Pharmaceuticals have developed a new class of antibacterial agents that inhibit two-component signal transduction systems, a key regulatory mechanism in bacterial virulence. These inhibitors show promise as a potential tool against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
The National Academy of Sciences has elected 60 new members for their distinguished achievements in original research. The newly elected members include experts from top universities such as North Carolina State University, Columbia University, and Yale University.
A team of researchers from Duke University found that the hypoglossal canal, which controls tongue movement, is larger in humans and Neanderthals than in apes and proto-humans. This discovery challenges the theory that human speech may not have arisen until around 40,000 years ago.
A human clinical trial of an edible vaccine has shown promising results, indicating that consumption can result in immunity to specific diseases. The vaccine was tested on volunteers who ate genetically altered potatoes and showed a significant immune response, with antibodies found in both blood and stool samples.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill and Bern University have developed a new RNA repair technique to block defective processing in cells' messenger RNAs. This method has shown promising results in increasing healthy protein production and could potentially treat or even cure beta thalassemia.
Researchers have shown that an edible vaccine can safely trigger significant immune responses in humans. Ten of the 11 volunteers who ingested transgenic potatoes had fourfold rises in serum antibodies, and six developed intestinal antibodies. The study demonstrates a potential solution for reducing vaccine burden in developing countries.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have found a way to inhibit the hepatitis B virus by blocking its envelope creation, resulting in a dramatic drop in viral levels. The discovery may provide new leads for treating chronic HBV and HCV infections in humans.
The Spring '98 INFORMS conference, 'Bridging Continents & Cultures', brings together international researchers to share knowledge and ideas. The meeting will be held in Montréal, a city with a unique blend of European and North American cultures, offering attendees a warm and welcoming environment.
A study found that family coordinators significantly improved asthma management in Latino and African-American families. The coordinators guided the families through four phases of self-regulation, increasing their knowledge and compliance with prescribed therapy.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center reveals that inner-city asthma patients often rely on emergency rooms due to insufficient disease management. The research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive asthma intervention in Harlem, targeting community health workers to educate and support patients.
Researchers found that aspirin targets patients with the altered gene PlA2 polymorphism, making them 10 times more sensitive to its effect. This discovery could help determine which people benefit most from daily aspirin doses and when other non-aspirin drugs are needed.
A study by University of Rochester nurse researchers found that nursing home residents with dementia experienced improved psychological and emotional well-being when rocked in a chair for 30 minutes to two hours a day. The gentle repetitive motion also helped reduce pain medication requests and improved balance.
A study of 6,100 doctors found that female physicians experience higher levels of frustration and burnout due to limited time and increased workload. The researchers highlight the need for better work-life balance and more support for women in medicine.
Scientists have visualized individual mRNA transcripts for the first time, revealing a cyclical transcription process that hits its peak in 30 minutes. The technique also shows that genes are transcribed at a limited rate by the number of polymerase/mRNA units at a gene's stopping point.
Researchers from College of William and Mary and University of Arkansas found that extreme droughts from 1587-1589 and 1606-1612 affected the Tidewater region, decimating corn crops and aggravating relations with Native Americans. The findings suggest that even well-planned colonies would have struggled under these climatic conditions.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a critical gene involved in yeast spore development that may also play a role in human sperm development. The study found that a gene called NDT80 stimulates the synthesis of proteins necessary for DNA division, and its malfunction can cause permanent arrest in sperm development.
The symposium will cover various aspects of food safety associated with fresh fruits and vegetables, including outbreaks, international trade, industry initiatives, and microbial ecology. The event aims to discuss intervention strategies and future directions in fresh produce safety assurance.
A study at Temple University Health System investigates whether donor bone marrow can coax recipients' immune systems to coexist without rejection of the transplanted hearts. If successful, it could lead to longer survival and reduced need for re-transplantations.
Researchers at UF have developed a new approach to treating nicotine addiction using antidepressants, targeting long-lasting changes in brain chemistry. The treatment combines nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to help smokers overcome addiction.
Duke researchers develop a molecular decoy protein that blocks the signaling pathway leading to heart cell growth in response to high blood pressure. The study provides a potential single-drug therapy strategy for treating congestive heart failure.
Researchers at UPMC report significant improvements in survival times and intercranial pressure in animals treated with the bio-artificial liver assist device. The device aims to provide temporary support to patients with acute liver failure until their liver recovers or transplantation is possible.
The Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) is an integrated suite of models and databases that assesses the impact of new technologies on air transportation efficiency and safety. Developed by Logistics Management Institute, ASAC assists researchers in air traffic management analysis and aircraft technology analysis.
Researchers found that treating acute ischemic stroke patients with t-PA can result in a substantial net cost savings due to shorter hospital stays and decreased long-term disabilities. This treatment also improves patient outcomes and quality of life.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new model of atomic forces that may solve a long-standing problem in particle physics. The work aims to reconcile physicist Richard Feynman’s 1970s model of the proton with modern views of quark structure, simplifying equations and potentially aiding experimental calculations.
Fetal cells may be linked to an immune system reaction in women with systemic sclerosis, a form of scleroderma. The study found that 46% of women with the condition had male DNA in their blood and skin biopsies.
Penn State's Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI) will conduct research, education, and technology transfer programs for PennDOT through the five-year, $15 million agreement. PTI will also assist in assembling focused teams from universities and colleges to support PennDOT's projects.
The Wistar Institute's Albert R. Taxin Brain Tumor Research Center has received a $350,000 challenge grant award from The Kresge Foundation to complete funding by January 1, 1999. Over $2.6 million has been raised so far towards the project's overall cost of $3.5 million.
A new University of Michigan study challenges traditional low-fat diet recommendations, finding that a more diverse and varied diet is associated with better mental health and quality of life. The research suggests that some fat in the diet can be beneficial when balanced with greater dietary diversity.
A new study reveals that most people in the Cincinnati area can't identify even one symptom of stroke, despite being at high risk. The study found that those over 75 years old knew the least about stroke symptoms and risk factors, highlighting the need for more public education.
A team of astronomers from the University of Florida and Harvard University have discovered a star surrounded by a disk of dust that may be forming planets. The disk, known as HR 4796A, is about 220 light years from Earth and is thought to represent what Earth's solar system looked like in its infancy.
Researchers at the University of Delaware found that older rats instinctively seek out hot spots to combat infections, a behavior that could lead to new treatments for older adults. By providing these animals with control over their environment, scientists were able to induce fever and stimulate the immune system.
The Columbia supercomputer, QCDSP, can perform 400 billion calculations per second to simulate the three-trillion-degree conditions at the Big Bang. This will help physicists understand particle properties and calculate accurate masses and decay rates.