The discipline of human factors/ergonomics aims to improve people's health, safety, and comfort through the application of human-system interface technology. Despite its potential to make a difference in quality of life, organizations often fail to recognize its value, citing added costs as a reason.
Phase II data reveals amprenavir's potent drug profile, with sustained antiviral effects seen in patients treated with two-drug combinations. The medication is currently being evaluated in pivotal Phase III clinical trials and has an expected US new drug application filing later in 1998.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have obtained a detailed picture of an alkane-activation reaction at room temperature using ultrafast spectroscopic techniques. The study sheds light on the mechanism of alkane activation, bringing scientists closer to converting alkanes into chemically useful products.
The Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) satellite, designed and built by a team of University of Colorado at Boulder students and faculty, is set for launch on Feb. 4. The mission aims to measure nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere affecting Earth's ozone layer, x-rays from the sun, and ultraviolet light from Earth's aurora.
A study of mathematically precocious young children found that boys significantly outperformed girls in math talent, with a gender disparity present from the start. Despite being enrolled in enrichment programs to foster their abilities, math-talented girls failed to catch up with their male counterparts in the first two years of school.
A group of prominent scientists, including Harold Mooney and José Sarukhán, are launching the International Biodiversity Observation Year to address the urgent need for information about biodiversity. They propose short-term international projects to fill gaps in data and promote research on fundamental aspects of biodiversity.
The University of Maryland Medical Center has implemented a telemedicine system to assess stroke patients in real-time during ambulance rides, reducing evaluation time by up to 20 minutes. This technology enables the transmission of blood analysis, vital signs, and neurological symptoms to doctors' computer screens.
Researchers at NIAID have found that the virus rapidly rebounds to high levels when drugs are discontinued due to normal stimulatory factors present in the environment of a patient's lymph nodes. The new data suggest that these factors can activate HIV hidden in immune system cells, leading to their death and further viral spread.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified a chemical compound, anabaseine, in the secretions of ants that shows promise as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The compound stimulates nicotine receptor sites in the brains of patients and helps reduce memory loss.
Researchers at University at Buffalo and Children's Hospital have identified a critical protein involved in iron metabolism. The discovery is expected to boost understanding of iron-deficiency anemia, the most prevalent disease worldwide, and provide insights into treating hemochromatosis, an inherited iron overload disorder.
A recent study found that most common colds are caused by viruses, with rhinovirus being the primary culprit. Researchers identified 138 cases of the common cold in university students, with 105 cases linked to rhinovirus infection.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that urban development in Florida is increasing the spread of Upper Respiratory Tract Disease among gopher tortoises. The disease destroys respiratory and olfactory senses, leading to malnutrition and starvation.
The FDA panel unanimously approved a new test for detecting prostate cancer, which catches almost all cancers and reduces unnecessary biopsies. The free PSA test, measuring unbound PSA in the blood, identifies patients who could benefit from surgery or treatments, reducing cancer-free men's biopsies by 20%.
Researchers found a unique link between brain lesions, depression, and heart disease in elderly patients. Vascular depression, caused by narrowing of small blood vessels, is responsible for 30-40% of all depression in people over 65.