Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that a mysterious protein in a nematode worm plays a pivotal role in cell division and differentiation. The study validates earlier cell culture experiments on viral cancer-causing proteins.
A 65 million-year-old meteorite impact caused massive landslides and subsidence along the Yucatán Peninsula's continental margin. Giant submarine avalanches then swept across the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, displacing billions of gallons of water.
Researchers have found that a cluster of 60 helium atoms is sufficient to create a superfluid, defying gravity and exhibiting macroscopic properties. This discovery was made possible by the development of new methods to explore superfluidity on a microscopic scale.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the effects of gender, age, hormones, and other factors on heart disease. A promising new diagnostic tool, dobutamine stress echocardiography, is being tested for its accuracy in detecting coronary artery dysfunction in women.
Researchers found that when H. pylori attaches to stomach cells with a specific molecule called Leb, it triggers an immune response that can lead to ulcers, inflammation, and increased risk of stomach cancer. The study provides a genetically well-defined model for studying bacterial attachment and its role in disease.
Researchers identify genetic factors contributing to smoking propensity, suggesting a cluster of characteristics linked to biological sensitivity. The study refutes parental wisdom that getting sick after sneaking a cigarette deters future smoking.
Pesticide residues on food raise concerns, but some pesticides can increase safety by reducing naturally occurring toxins. Carl Winter suggests fine-tuning regulations to reflect relative benefits and risks presented by a pesticide.
Researchers found that varying pulse patterns, rather than regular intervals, can increase muscle force and duration in people with paralysis. This breakthrough could lead to improved control and mobility for individuals with severe paralysis, such as those affected by Christopher Reeve's condition.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a unique molecular defect responsible for polycythemia vera, a blood disorder that can be difficult to diagnose. The finding may lead to the development of a definitive test for the condition, which could potentially increase patient lifespan.
University of Delaware professor John F. Rabolt's team created microblock copolymers by combining homopolymers, discovering unexpectedly improved tensile strength and temperature resistance. The technique offers vast possibilities for materials design.
The American Chemical Society presents a new paper linking science education with community service projects, aiming to improve student engagement and retention rates. Researchers found that hands-on scientific activities in the classroom increased students' interest in STEM fields.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a significant link between GST gene variations and breast cancer risk. The study suggests that testing for these genetic mutations may help prevent breast cancer in women with the variants by advising them to avoid certain environmental cancer risk factors.
Scientists have discovered the oldest known astronomical alignment of megaliths in Egypt's Sahara Desert, dated to around 6,500-6,000 years ago. The Nabta site features a stone circle, tomb-like structures, and five lines of standing and toppled megaliths, which were likely used for ceremonial purposes.
New methods using video cameras, spectral sensing, and satellites enable precise chemical applications targeting individual plants. These strategies optimize pesticide use on smaller scales, reducing risks.
Researchers have developed a new test to measure corrosive free-radical activity in individuals, providing insight into antioxidant effectiveness. The test uses an isoprostane marker, IPF2alpha-I, which can be detected in urine, and has been validated through cross-validation with an older assay.
The Virginia Tech researchers have identified 30 unique extracts with activity and isolated 20 chemical compounds with bioactivity. The ethnobotanical approach has shown a slight benefit, yielding 3.8% of plants that were bioactive in yeast assays compared to 2.8% of randomly collected plants.
A new theory suggests that small organic molecules may assemble into self-replicating biomolecules on the surfaces of silica-rich minerals, providing a potential mechanism for life's origin. Geophysicist Joseph V. Smith proposes that organophilic zeolites could have concentrated and protected these organic compounds from destruction.
Biomass burning emissions from Africa and Australia travel long distances to reach remote islands in the South Pacific, contaminating the air with harmful tropospheric ozone levels. This phenomenon poses a significant atmospheric problem for the 21st century, affecting breathing and plant growth.
Studies show a significant increase in PAHs in reservoirs and river sediments in suburban areas of major cities, contradicting efforts to reduce pollution. Urbanization is linked to the accumulation of these carcinogenic compounds, which are typically not detectable in water samples.