Researchers at Ohio State University found that lifting patients by caregivers in hospitals and nursing homes poses a high risk of back injury, with even two-person lifts similar to high-risk jobs. Mechanical devices, such as those suspending patients by straps from mechanical arms, may be necessary to mitigate the risk.
A new study reveals that insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes, is caused by a cellular 'short circuit' triggered by excessive protein phosphorylation and TNF secretion, potentially explaining the link between obesity and insulin resistance.
A study at Ohio State University shows that selective breeding helps honeybees develop resistance to tracheal mites, reducing the need for insecticides. Beekeepers can maintain healthy hives without relying on chemicals by selecting and breeding mite-resistant bees.
Researchers successfully incorporated and reprogrammed genes from adult cells of various animal species into bovine eggs. The study's findings suggest a conserved molecular mechanism in mammals for embryonic reprogramming, enabling the use of cow eggs as a 'universal recipient' for genetic material from other species.
A new study reveals that adjusting the structural orientation of a soluble catalyst's molecules can dramatically improve its catalytic efficiency and selectivity. The researchers found that neatly arranged molecules are more efficient and easier to control chemical reactions.
A team of Cornell experts is creating a database of food-processing information and menu items for NASA's future lunar and Martian colonies. The recipes, which include vegetarian options like seitan tacos and pasta primavera, will be grown hydroponically in space farms using crops such as wheat, potatoes, rice, soy, and peanuts.
A study found that breast cancer survivors who exercised regularly experienced significant reductions in depression and anxiety, with improved mental health outcomes. The sooner they started exercising after surgery, the greater impact on their mental well-being.
Researchers discovered that tiger beetles' ability to see shuts down when accelerating towards prey due to insufficient photon gathering. This unique behavior results in the insect's stop-and-go chase pattern, allowing it to temporarily regain its vision and catch its prey.
The STS-89 mission will conduct experiments on granular materials, studying their behavior under conditions that cannot be simulated on Earth. The Mechanics of Granular Materials experiment will make twice as many test runs under an expanded range of conditions, potentially leading to great ramifications for down-to-Earth engineering. ...
Researchers use GPS satellites to monitor the movement of an entire continent and record the yearly growth of the Andes Mountains. The study shows that satellite data can help geologists calculate accumulating stresses along fault lines, promising improved earthquake hazard estimation.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers found that a 'transporter molecule' called P-glyco protein may prevent protease inhibitors from reaching the virus, raising hope for boosting treatment effectiveness and reducing costs. The discovery could provide new strategies for treating HIV by targeting the protein's action.
Scientists have determined the 3D molecular structure of HIV's nucleocapsid protein, which recognizes and binds to viral RNA. This discovery may lead to the development of highly specific anti-AIDS drugs that can prevent HIV spread and be safe for patients.
The research reveals the structure of T7 DNA polymerase, a protein crucial for DNA replication, showcasing its high accuracy and speed. The study provides insights into how this enzyme achieves its accuracy and could guide the development of better reagents for DNA sequencing.
Researchers from Vertex Pharmaceuticals have solved the three-dimensional atomic structure of the hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase enzyme, an enzyme critical to viral replication. The achievement provides valuable insights into the mechanism of helicase enzymes and offers opportunities for accelerating antiviral drug development.
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Foundation has received a $60,000 grant from The Gerber Foundation to administer fellowships to graduate students focusing on pediatric nutrition. This grant will support tuition assistance and recognition for successful fellowship recipients.
Researchers have isolated a bacterial protein that allows Helicobacter pylori to attach to the gastric lining, a key step in developing a vaccine against peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The discovery of BabA protein, found on the surface of H. pylori, could lead to an effective, cheap vaccine that boosts immunity after every exposure.
A University of Delaware researcher reports that toddlers learn new words based on shapes, not functions, a phenomenon known as the 'shape-bias'. Adults, however, rely on both shape and functional properties when naming objects.
Young people who started drinking before age 15 were four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who began at age 21. The risk of alcohol abuse was also significantly higher among early drinkers.
Geochemists found high-pressure fluids from the Earth's mantle weaken the San Andreas Fault by acting as a lubricant, contradicting previous models. The discovery raises questions about the structure of the fault and potential regional decollements that extend far beyond the Sierra Nevada.
Researchers found that rats receiving ginkgo biloba extract learned quicker and made fewer errors in learning tasks, with an average lifespan of five months longer than control animals. The study suggests that the extract may have a positive effect on longevity beyond its purported benefits on brain function.
Research found an association between genetic variations in the serotonin-2A receptor and response to clozapine, a drug targeting serotonin receptors. Further studies support this hypothesis, suggesting that serotonin receptors play a key role in the therapeutic action of antipsychotic drugs.
A study by Dr. Yannis Bakos finds that electronic marketplaces will favor buyers over sellers in the long run, reducing prices and increasing competition. However, sellers can counter this threat by focusing on product features rather than prices and differentiating their products.
A Johns Hopkins Bayview researcher's double-blind study found that potato chips made with olestra don't cause more digestive problems than regular-fat chips. The study of over 1,100 participants suggests that digestive symptoms are common in the general population and that fat substitutes may be a valuable tool for weight management.
Duke University researchers discovered an enzyme that copies DNA in living cells can also function in crystal form, revealing details of its intricate machinery. The study sheds light on the enzyme's ability to incorporate only correct nucleotide pieces into DNA, a critical process for life.
Researchers identify eight physical indicators of stress, including blood pressure and cortisol levels, that can predict deadly consequences. Exercise is shown to be an effective antidote to break the cycle of chronic stress and its associated health problems.
A five-year study led by National Jewish researcher Mary Klinnert will assess the value of regular home visits by nurses to homes of low-income children at high risk of asthma. The study aims to determine if intensive nurse home visits can reduce asthma prevalence or symptoms among these children.
A major study found that smoking speeds up the hardening of arteries, increasing stroke and heart attack risk. Quitting smoking can slow this process, but may not reverse existing damage.
Sandia Labs is working on chemical sensing technology to quickly detect and classify explosive molecules, which can identify land mines. The project aims to provide a more accurate and efficient method for demining, reducing the risk of casualties and environmental damage.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discover that telomerase causes human cells to retain their youth and continue dividing beyond their normal limit. The extension of normal cell lifespan in a youthful state presents numerous opportunities for biotechnology and medicine, including producing engineered products in human cells.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have discovered that fruit flies respond to cocaine in a similar manner as humans, using similar biochemical pathways. This breakthrough may lead to highly specific drugs to treat cocaine addiction, based on genetic and biochemical insights gained from studying the flies.
A comprehensive study of middle-age Americans found that ex-smokers experienced faster progression of atherosclerosis compared to nonsmokers, despite having quit years before. The study suggests that the cumulative effect of smoking on arteries may be irreversible.
Astrophysicists have solved a decades-old mystery with the identification of gamma-ray burst counterparts, leading to a deeper understanding of the universe's early stages. Dr. Jan van Paradijs' discovery of an optical counterpart for a gamma-ray burst in 1997 marked a significant breakthrough.
Researchers outline three unique features that may distinguish strange stars from neutron stars, including higher X-ray energy and pulse emissions. The discovery of a strange star could prove the existence of quark matter, a form of matter made up of quarks.
A Cornell University study found that overweight and obese women have significantly less success breastfeeding their babies than normal-weight counterparts. The researchers also discovered that mechanical difficulties and biological factors contribute to the lower success rates.
Researchers have confirmed a link between a specific gene mutation and increased risk of depression, hospitalization, and suicidal attempts. The discovery aims to improve psychiatric diagnoses and treatments by enabling more precise identification of genetic predispositions.
A recent study at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center found that hospitalized cardiac patients experience significant fluctuations in adjusting to their medications. Researchers discovered that more than 50% of patients went home with at least 10 different medications, creating challenges for managing drug reactions and side effects.
Researchers use Hubble Space Telescope to track dense dust and gas in central regions of Seyfert galaxies, finding spiral arms that extend from the nucleus to the rest of the galaxy. This discovery suggests an alternative to stellar bar-driven fueling, requiring further theoretical modeling to fully understand the mechanism.
The discovery of glowing hydrogen gas on Io, a moon of Jupiter, was made using the Hubble Space Telescope. The findings indicate that hydrogen may be concentrated at the poles in the form of hydrogen sulfide frost, which could be broken up into constituent hydrogen and sulfur atoms with glow.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a new type of photonic crystal that can bend microwaves around tight corners with nearly 100% transmission efficiency. This breakthrough has the potential to improve microwave communications and enable more efficient long-distance optical communications.
Researchers used laser pulses to capture detailed snapshots of electron motion at metal surfaces, revealing fundamental dynamics in real-time. This technique has implications for understanding phenomena such as transistor performance and chemical reactivity.
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has granted $120,000 to EurekAlert! over a two-year period. This grant will enable the development of new content areas, including peer-reviewed journals and a 'Science by Country' section.
Researchers identified a novel gene, Doublecortin, involved in cortical development and associated with severe forms of epilepsy and mental retardation. The gene is linked to the X-SCLH/LIS syndrome, which affects brain structure and function.
Researchers measured the velocity of gases ejected during an early phase of supernova formation, allowing them to tie its formation to the star's evolutionary phases. The study found that the entire nebula is at least 200,000 years old and probably several times older.
Astronomers produce high-resolution images of Jupiter's auroras, revealing details about the planet's atmosphere and its moons. The new images, made possible by improved instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope, show comet-shaped swaths of light and a faint electromagnetic footprint from Ganymede.
Purdue University researchers are constructing a Mach 6 wind tunnel to study supersonic airflow and its effects on aircraft. The new facility will conduct experiments in airstreams traveling at six times the speed of sound, producing a quiet-flow Reynolds number of 13 million.
Researchers studied 40 distant supernovae to measure the cosmic expansion rate, finding it will expand forever due to insufficient mass for gravity to slow it down. Type Ia supernovae provide natural mile-markers to track trends in the universe's expansion.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a strong association between financial conflicts of interest and authors' positions on the safety of calcium-channel blockers. Researchers analyzed 70 articles and found that supportive authors were more likely to have financial relationships with pharmaceutical manufacture...
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory create first 3-dimensional atomic model of tubulin, a protein essential for cell division and material transport. The model reveals the structure of tubulin's three functional components and its interaction with anti-cancer drug taxol.
A Cornell University study reveals that refugees who are desperate for salt, soap, and other essential supplies are more likely to sell or barter food. The poorest families were twice as likely to engage in these practices due to their limited access to nutritious food.
Researchers directly observed the 'healing' process of an earthquake fault in California's Mojave Desert. The post-quake 'healing' restores the Earth's crust stiffness and renews resistance to rupture. The study provides insights into the faulting cycle, strain accumulation, and fluid presence controlling earthquakes.
Researchers at Columbia University have linked a particular odor to the proteins in the human nose that detect it for the first time. They matched the smell of meat to a specific protein in rat nerve cells, shedding light on how the sense of smell works.
Researchers at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine are studying the causes of cancer using ACS grants. The studies focus on understanding growth-factor signaling pathways and retroviral viruses that cause skin tumors in fish.
Researchers found a brain region thought to control language is proportionately the same size in humans and chimpanzees, challenging a long-standing theory. The planum temporale, located beneath the parietal cortex, demonstrates similar asymmetry in both species, raising questions about chimp communication.
Astronomers have discovered eta Carinae, a bright stellar object in the Milky Way, to be the most massive binary star system ever known. The two stars, each weighing about 70 times that of the sun, orbit each other every 5.5 years, causing predictable spectral changes.
A study found that older women, especially minorities, get the fewest mammograms due to fears of finding a lump and erroneous beliefs about breast cancer. Tailoring messages to address these concerns can encourage more women to undergo screening.
Carnegie Mellon researcher Sheldon Cohen suggests that stress reduction may alter immune function, which could lead to better defenses against cancer. However, the evidence for this link is still incomplete, and more research is needed to confirm its validity.
A new study reports that ancient dinosaurs were killed by sudden avalanches of water-soaked sand flowing down the sides of dunes, burying their bodies swiftly. The research also uncovered the first dinosaur footprints ever found in the Gobi Desert.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a chlamydia vaccine that could prevent the leading cause of female infertility in the US. The vaccine targets a specific molecule present in all types of chlamydia, overcoming previous challenges in creating a vaccine for this bacterium.
Hot, ionized gas streams toward the galactic center, bending sharply around it and slingshoting out the other side due to its high velocity. The findings may provide clues to the nature of the mysterious black hole candidate.
The Mechanics of Granular Materials (MGM) experiment aims to expand investigations into soil mechanics started on STS-79 in 1996. The new flight will run twice as many tests under various experimental conditions, providing insights into the behavior of soils under low-confining pressures.