Researchers found that angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, contributes to arthritic disease progression. Treatment with an integrin antagonist reduced joint swelling, pannus formation, and cartilage erosion in animal models.
The CIBIS-II trial found that beta-blockers significantly reduced deaths from all causes by 34 percent and sudden deaths by 44 percent among patients with mild or moderate heart failure. The results support the use of beta-blockers in treating stable patients with this condition.
Researchers found that seven-month-old infants can recognize and generalize simple language-like rules, understanding the algebra of combining words into sentences. This discovery has implications for diagnosis and treatment of language disorders in children.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft is preparing for a January 3, 1999, engine burn to rendezvous with asteroid 433 Eros. The spacecraft will increase its speed by 2,100 mph and enter orbit around Eros after catching up with the asteroid in mid-February 2000.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute discover new wetting phenomena on micrometer-scale surfaces with hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. The discovery leads to the formation of 2D wettability patterns that act as templates for 3D liquid morphology, enabling the creation of microbridges for fluid microchips and reactors.
A previously unknown movement protein carries information-bearing RNA from stems and leaves to distant roots and flowers, enabling complex plant communication. This discovery provides insight into the evolutionary processes underlying complex plants and may lead to better defenses against crop diseases.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory report a natural process that removes nearly all toxic metals and uranium from polluted soil, successfully cleaning incinerator ash. The patented process uses citric acid and sunlight to separate metal contaminants from radioactive elements, producing a concentrated and stable form.
Researchers have genetically modified Salmonella bacteria to reduce virulence and increase safety while retaining tumor-targeting properties. The modified bacteria exhibit reduced ability to induce TNF-alpha and cause septic shock, making them safer for human use.
A comprehensive study reveals that new permanent press clothing, paints, floor finishes, wallpaper, and fingernail polishes can emit substantial amounts of formaldehyde. Low-level exposure can cause irritation, while long-term exposure may lead to respiratory difficulties and other health issues.
A commonly used sunscreen ingredient, PBSA, can damage DNA when exposed to sunlight, according to a recent study. The research suggests that this could lead to increased risk of developing skin cancer if similar damage occurs within skin cells.
Research by Japanese scientists found that beer inhibited the action of mutagens caused by suspected cancer-causing compounds, with stout beers showing the most potent effect. The study also showed that red and white wines, brandy, and Japanese sake had similar inhibitory effects.
Researchers developed a game to help close the gap between clinician and patient values in rehabilitation, finding that patients prioritize cognitive skills over physical skills early on but clinicians prefer full independence. The game identifies disparities in preferences across different stages of recovery.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new arsenal of medicines using monoclonal antibodies to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, gastrointestinal viruses, and the common cold. The antibodies can be produced in common field crops like corn and soy, making them potentially cheaper and more accessible.
A new sensor developed by Johns Hopkins researchers can detect minute traces of nerve agents sarin and soman in water, boasting sensitivity levels a million times greater than previous reported solutions. The sensor combines molecular imprinting with optical luminescence to achieve this remarkable detection capability.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a groundbreaking brain cell transplantation technique aimed at treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and epilepsy. By selectively growing and implanting targeted brain cells, the team hopes to promote healing and repair damaged brain tissue.
Researchers demonstrate that human cells grown in the laboratory and immortalized by telomerase are not transformed into cancer cells, exhibiting normal behavior despite extended lifespan. The findings hold promise for new therapies for age-related diseases and cancer.
Children living in crowded homes exhibit poorer school performance and more frequent conflicts with parents compared to those from less crowded environments. Additionally, boys in crowded conditions show higher blood pressure, while girls feel more helpless than their male counterparts.
Cystic fibrosis damages young lungs due to chronic bacterial infections and a lack of liquid layer, which hinders the body's natural cleansing process. Researchers have discovered that the film of liquid coating airways is depleted in CF patients, preventing cilia from functioning properly.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution use X-ray diffraction to determine iron's elasticity at high pressures, which could explain seismic anisotropy in the inner core. The findings suggest the inner core is close to melting and may contain additional components with low shear-wave velocities.
Researchers link transplant tolerance to immune system's response to noncytopathic micro-organisms, which can coexist with transplanted organs. The process involves a delicate balancing act between donor and recipient immune cells.
Recent discoveries in circadian rhythms research have identified a set of probably a dozen or so proteins that regulate the biological clock in flies and mammals. These proteins share a common molecular motif called the PAS domain, which instructs them to attach to other proteins and help set the clock's time.
A UCSF study shows that alendronate significantly reduced the risk of spine and hip fractures by almost half among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The drug also improved bone density in these women, reducing the risk of fractures by 30 percent compared to placebo.
Researchers have discovered the precise three-dimensional shape of the complex between tamoxifen and the estrogen receptor. This clarifies how estrogens turn on genes and shows precisely how tamoxifen blocks this process, setting the stage for intentional drug design with precise action.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery that suggests the brain's development may rely on a DNA cutting and pasting process. The study, led by Fred Alt, found that specific proteins involved in recombination are also crucial during brain development, leading to cell death in mice with genetic mutations.
Neurosurgeons successfully tested a new magnetic surgery system on the world's first human patient, allowing for precise navigation of surgical tools through the brain. The innovative technology has far-reaching potential for various applications, including implanting electrodes, repairing aneurysms, and delivering targeted treatments.
A team of UI researchers has found a way to permanently deliver therapeutic genes to the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. The method uses a retrovirus that integrates into host DNA, allowing the gene to be reproduced in cells. This could lead to a permanent cure for CF and other genetic lung diseases.
The article explores how biotechnology is changing agriculture, including the use of transgenic crops and genetic engineering. While these technologies offer benefits like effective pest control, they also raise concerns about patenting life forms and potential problems with pest resistance.
Researchers have found a protein in the small intestine that directly facilitates uptake of dietary lipids, making it a promising target for drugs to combat obesity and heart disease. The discovery has the potential to significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and may help treat conditions such as artherosclerosis.
Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory have cloned the gene for mouse neuromuscular degeneration, a devastating neurological disease that affects humans such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. The discovery provides an additional tool for understanding motor neuron death and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers found that native gray ants are the most important predator of peach twig borer larvae in peaches and nectarines. Native gray ant populations were not affected by orchard floor management practices, but cultural practices like cover cropping or disking may benefit them by reducing southern fire ant numbers.
The Northwestern University-led study determines the precise shape of the high-affinity immunoglobulin-E receptor, a trigger for allergic responses. The structure's discovery could lead to the development of targeted therapies blocking the receptor's binding to antibodies.
Scientists observed solar activity directly affecting Earth's outer atmosphere, causing auroral light displays. The Polar satellite measured the effects of a massive solar storm that pumped 200 gigawatts of energy into Earth's atmosphere.
The National Patient Safety Foundation has awarded four grants totaling $350,000 to researchers studying various aspects of patient safety, including clinical expertise and drug name confusion errors. The grants aim to reduce preventable healthcare errors and promote patient safety as a distinct field of research.
A study by Oregon Health Sciences University found that healthy older adults lose brain tissue at a relatively constant rate, not accelerating with age. The research suggests that it's possible to age normally without a rapid decline in brain health.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found no correlation between aggressive behavior in parents and their children. However, researchers discovered a strong link between mothers' academic performance and their children's school performance.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a new mechanism of molecular recognition in which proteins regulate DNA transcription through asymmetric binding. This discovery sheds light on how homodimeric transcription factors can recognize their target DNA and has potential implications for drug design.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center have discovered a cancer resistance protein that rapidly pumps out chemotherapy from breast cancer cells. This finding may lead to new strategies to reverse resistance to cancer-fighting drugs, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Researchers use infrared spectroscopy to analyze over 2,000 individual cervical cells from women with dysplasia and cervical cancer, finding that normal-looking cells have distinct abnormal spectra. This could simplify Pap test evaluation and lead to earlier cancer detection and prevention.
A Cornell University study reveals that male wattled jacanas are tolerant of their mates' infidelity because they understand the benefits of polyandry, a mating system where females pair with multiple males. The study found that over 40% of chicks in these nests were not sired by the care-taking male.
A recent study by Linda A. Wray and colleagues found that having both a postgraduate degree and a heart attack significantly increases the likelihood of quitting smoking among middle-aged adults. The research suggests that higher levels of education help smokers 'learn' from their heart attacks and quit smoking.
The DFG is establishing 21 new collaborative research centres, including two cultural science units, to foster interdisciplinary research and global connections. The humanities and social sciences will see nine new research centres, while biology, medicine, natural sciences, and engineering will each gain three.
Capsule removal is crucial during breast implant removal to prevent complications such as abnormal masses on mammograms. The expert recommends removing the capsule when there's a risk of implant rupture, contraction, or infection, adding that capsulectomy should be performed in conjunction with implant removal for optimal results.
The accelerating universe is the top research advance of 1998, with scientists discovering that galaxies are flying apart at ever faster speeds. Researchers also made significant progress in understanding circadian rhythms, which could provide insight into overcoming jet lag and winter depression.
A study by Dr. Petra Platte found that genetic predisposition plays a major role in obesity development, but environmental factors such as diet and exercise are also crucial. The Amish community was used as a control group to isolate genetic factors, revealing similarities between family members' body types and fat distribution patterns.
Researchers found a 7% decline in smoking rates among African American smokers who participated in the program, with even greater declines in women under 35. The study suggests that peer-delivered programs can be an effective way to reduce smoking rates in low-income communities.
Researchers have created a laser without mirrors using powdered layers of zinc oxide and gallium nitride. The device amplifies light using a disordered structure, creating feedback to form lasing cavities and producing blue laser light.
Researchers found strong neurological activity in zebra finch brain region involved in singing during sleep, suggesting a role in consolidating learned songs. The finding runs counter to the motor theory, proposing that birds subconsciously mimic sounds they hear while awake.
A biodegradable oil spill cleanup product has been developed using milled bagasse, a waste byproduct of the sugar industry. The product creates an environment that sustains bacteria to digest spilled oil, making it effective in vegetated wetlands.
Physicists and astronomers observe distant supernovae to determine the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, implying a mysterious property of space first proposed by Albert Einstein. The discovery was made possible by a unique collaboration between researchers using supercomputer facilities and powerful telescopes.
Fossils of crocodile-like champsosaurs, turtles and fish found in high Canadian Arctic reveal extremely warm temperatures. The findings suggest that volcanic eruptions dumped large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing global warming.
A CDC pilot study developed an integer programming model to optimize vaccine selection and procurement, potentially saving millions of dollars in health care costs. The study examined the economic value of combining vaccines and identified opportunities for reducing medical staff time and storage costs.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to conduct research in three distinct ecosystems and educate decision-makers about strategies to protect natural systems. The funding aims to safeguard areas within 100 miles of New York City, benefiting both people and wildlife.
NSF-supported astronomers discovered that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, driven by a yet unknown force. Circadian rhythms research also made significant progress, with discoveries on genes regulating molecular cycles in fruit flies and cyanobacteria.
The research team observed and recorded the relativistic motion of free electrons in electromagnetic fields, which confirms several predictions based on Einstein's theory of relativity. The discovery challenges a fundamental assumption about the Thomson cross section, a physical constant used in physics theories.
Elementary students at Christiansburg Elementary School are participating in a wildlife mapping program, recording animal sightings and sending data to the state. The project uses GPS technology and bird specimens from Virginia Tech's Museum of Natural History to teach students about conservation and habitat patterns.
Researchers are searching for evidence that can support or refute the hypothesis that Uintacrinus could have floated, a staggering feat considering its size. Geologists Meyer and Milsom have found new fossil material in Kansas and Colorado, which will help them understand how crinoids were preserved and potentially answer this question.
A total of 48 researchers, including eight from Alabama, have been awarded NASA grants to study protein crystallization and cell science. These grants may lead to improvements in medical technologies such as drug design and tissue engineering.
Researchers at Clemson University are testing a naturally occurring disease to control fire ant populations, which have devastating effects on the environment and economy. The disease reduces the ability of queen ants to lay eggs, slowly killing colonies over six to eight months.
Asthma researchers identified two molecules, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, that connect to a specific receptor and initiate inflammation, increasing the number of goblet cells producing excessive mucus. This finding paves the way for developing more effective treatments that control the disease at its cellular level.
The INEEL Laser Ultrasonic Camera transforms sound waves into an image, revealing object thickness, stiffness and imperfections. The system's dynamic holographic image shows waves moving along the surface of the entire object in real-time.