The 2nd International Bioerosion Workshop will bring together experts in microboring, reef carbonate budgets, and modern/fossil collaborators. The workshop aims to exchange information, report on previous work, and continue discussion on the present state of knowledge of bioerosion.
A team of scientists has discovered a chain of five craters on two continents, indicating the breakup and subsequent impact of a fragmented comet or asteroid. The impacts may have contributed to one of the five greatest mass extinctions in history, with 80% of species becoming extinct.
Research shows that alcohol has a markedly different effect on the brain depending on age, with young people experiencing more significant impairments in learning and memory. Young animals and humans respond differently to alcohol, developing tolerance and sedation at a younger age than adults.
Experts discuss Earth's habitability amid global threats and climate change, with some arguing regions will experience radical changes due to limited adaptive capacities. Others propose innovative solutions like industrial ecology to reduce human dependence on the environment.
New experiments suggest that biodiversity loss can have significant consequences for ecosystem functions, including reduced resilience to extreme events. The type of species present also appears to play a crucial role in determining ecosystem function.
Researchers found no benefit from low-dose aspirin therapy in preventing preeclampsia in women at high risk, contradicting previous studies. High blood pressure and protein in urine can lead to eclampsia, which may be fatal.
The American Institute of Physics hosts a major physics meeting in Columbus, featuring discussions and press conferences among attendees. Online abstracts and a virtual pressroom are also available on the APS website, providing access to meeting information, schedules, and related resources.
Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in the Tricho-dento-osseous syndrome, which may hold clues for treating osteoporosis. The study found that people with TDO syndrome have exceptionally dense bones that fracture rarely, offering potential insights into improving bone density treatments.
Researchers found that bluntness is key to reaching both children and adults through anti-smoking ads, with messages portraying tobacco industry manipulations being effective in kindling viewer responses. Effective ads also targeted concerns over addiction and illustrated the dangers of second-hand smoke.
A European Union policy overhaul aims to reduce pollution and maintain biodiversity, but scientists struggle to design management strategies for a successful transition. Researchers are exploring the use of diverse plant and soil mixtures to facilitate re-colonization and re-establish natural communities.
Scientists study the feedbacks between vegetation and climate using computer models to predict future climate changes. The study found that forests create warmer temperatures in subarctic regions, affecting local ecosystems.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory will apply its advanced laser technology to monitor the characteristics of synthetic fibers during manufacturing. This will enable real-time process adjustments, reducing production time and costs. The project aims to significantly improve fiber properties measurement and production efficiency.
A recent study found that hospitals use various tactics to discourage patients from questioning their bills, including intimidating images and bureaucratic roadblocks. Hospitals may also use friendly communication to downplay the need for formal inquiry, but these efforts are often successful in deterring consumer challenges.
Scientists from Canadian Forest Services found that Canada's forests have shifted from a carbon sink to a source, primarily due to changes in disturbance regimes related to climate change. Strict carbon accounting is necessary to determine whether boreal forests can mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide.
A new, aggressive strain of the late blight fungus, US-8, is devastating potato fields in the US and Canada, resistant to metalaxyl, a commonly used fungicide. The fungus reproduces rapidly, producing massive numbers of spores that can infect stored potatoes, leading to widespread crop loss.
Scientists will present evidence that global change exacerbates wildfires in the Mediterranean region by increasing air temperature, reducing precipitation, and altering landscape patterns. The study finds that water stress increases plant flammability, making conditions more favorable for wildfires in regions like Valencia, Spain.
A conference of 800 environmental scientists explores whether terrestrial ecosystems can slow down climate change by absorbing CO2. Recent technological developments, such as Free Air CO2 Enrichment technology, improve our ability to study carbon storage at the ecosystem level.
The increasing demand for food is projected to lead to the conversion of natural ecosystems into intensive agricultural systems, resulting in substantial environmental degradation. The study highlights the need for strategies like GIS-based management to mitigate land use changes and preserve vegetation and soil health.
Scientists have successfully demonstrated a technique to observe the dynamics of electrons as they move across the boundaries where metals and non-metals meet. The experiment showed that electrons can become delocalized, free to roam, before becoming localized and trapped in the interface.
Researchers from Rockefeller University have developed a new method to fight cancer by using dendritic cells to activate T cells. This technique offers the promise of new therapies for cancer, AIDS, and autoimmune diseases, potentially overcoming the need for designer immunotherapy.
Researchers found that African Americans and Hispanics with the APOE-4 allele have a similar risk of Alzheimer's disease as whites, but those without the allele had significantly increased risks. The study suggests that there may be new genes or environmental factors involved in the disease.
The University of Colorado's Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) satellite is successfully returning science data, measuring nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere and X-rays from the sun. The NASA mission was controlled by students and faculty 24/7, marking the second university-led satellite to be operated.
Researchers are using sophisticated computer models to predict the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems facing unprecedented rates of climate change. Plant species may need to migrate at speeds up to 10 times faster than historically observed, but some terrains offer less suitable habitats for this adaptation.
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 improves the Medicare picture by postponing the projected depletion of the Hospital Insurance trust fund from 2001 to 2010. Program savings are expected to be $150 over the next five years under moderate economic and demographic assumptions.
Rising global temperatures could lead to the expansion of dengue fever's geographic range into temperate regions. The mosquito Aedes aegypti's larval size and adult frequency will increase with warmer temperatures, boosting disease transmission.
A 1998 study predicts that global warming will increase the potential transmission of dengue fever in temperate regions. The researchers used computer models to simulate climate change and found that a relatively small temperature rise can lead to an increase in epidemic potential, allowing for more efficient virus spread.
Smoking-related Medicaid costs amount to $12.9 billion per year, totaling $322 billion over 25 years without inflation. The analysis provides a solid foundation for financial claims against the tobacco industry.
A study found that many seniors struggle with planning when to stop driving due to health issues or declining abilities. Alternative transportation options are limited, making it difficult for them to give up the keys without proper support.
Researchers are using outdated techniques, missing significant discoveries. Expert recommends revisiting studies and applying modern computational methods to correct issues.
Kenneth Crews, a copyright expert, warns that existing and pending copyright rules are severe constraints on creativity in higher education. These changes require educators to approach copyright in an informed and flexible manner to fulfill the university's research and teaching mission.
Nitrate reductase is an efficient enzyme essential for plants to acquire nitrate. Researchers aim to create a 3-D model of the enzyme to understand its structure and function. The study seeks to overcome production limitations and unlock the enzyme's full potential.
Experimental data suggests that elevated CO2 may not stimulate agricultural yield as much as previously thought, with potential losses due to temperature increases and increased pest pressure. Computer models are being used to simulate the effects of climate change on crop yields in various regions.
Researchers found a significant association between clinic experience and survival of women with AIDS, with 71% of patients in high-experience clinics surviving 21 months after diagnosis. The study suggests that physicians who treat a certain illness more frequently may do it better, especially in HIV management.
The Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems Project and the Land-Use/Cover Change Program present experimental and theoretical findings on global environmental changes. The conference aims to document and understand global land-use and land-cover change, its relationship to climate and biogeochemistry.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that preschoolers receiving federal food aid have healthier diets than their low-income peers not receiving assistance. The benefits of direct food aid outweigh those of a cash allowance, with significant boosts in iron and zinc intake, as well as other essential nutrients.
A new model of Venus suggests that crustal plateaus and volcanic rises were formed by a mechanism similar to hot spot plumes, a process still active on Earth. The thickening of the Venusian lithosphere approximately one billion years ago largely shut down the creation of crustal plateaus.
A new method developed at U of T directly dates individual grains of glaucony minerals, yielding ages scattered over millions of years. The study reveals variable sea levels and provides a way to follow their fluctuations, with applications in oil exploration industry.
A Johns Hopkins study found carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is safe for people in their 80s and 90s, with lower mortality rates than previously thought. The procedure's safety and efficacy were confirmed by analyzing data from over 9,900 procedures performed at 48 hospitals between 1990 and 1995.
Natural T cells are specialized cells that are part of white blood cells and help the body fight disease. Researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine have discovered that CD1d1 associates with glycolipids to transduce signals that 'turn-on' natural T cells, which helps the body fight disease.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have developed a new noninvasive test that measures creatine levels in the heart, which can indicate muscle damage from a heart attack. The test uses MRI and MRS to pinpoint depleted concentrations of creatine in injured heart tissue.
Researchers are developing atomistic simulations to predict macroscopic deformation behavior from atomic scale processes. These simulations use discrete dislocation dynamic methods, feeding mobility laws and short-range defect interactions into continuum models.
A new orthopaedic brace has been developed to help paraplegics regain independence. The SEPRIX device supports the torso, legs, and allows bending of knees during walking, facilitating rehabilitation and everyday life.
Researchers create detailed 'movies' of deadly heart irregularity, discovering spiral waves that can be controlled using chaos techniques, offering a less energetic alternative to massive jolts.
A team of 13 Virginia Tech researchers is developing a comprehensive model to assess the hydrologic, ecological, and economic effects of urban development on watersheds. The project aims to help local governments manage urban growth while sustaining good environmental quality.
Researchers found Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is a more important contributor to mine pollution than previously thought. The study could provide the mining industry with a new predictive technology to estimate acid mine drainage from a given site.
Case Western Reserve University math fellows are team-teaching a new graduate course to help Cleveland teachers discover mathematical concepts through hands-on activities. The course, led by fellows and Professor David Singer, will make advanced math accessible to teachers without a strong math background.
Scientists are searching deep ice from the Antarctic for signs of life that could survive in icy conditions, with a focus on Europa. The discovery of liquid water beneath the surface of another moon raises possibilities about potential life on Europa.
A study of 7,422 records found that women waited an average of 110 days to receive a liver transplant, 19 days longer than men. Minority groups also faced significantly longer wait times, with foreign nationals waiting 61 days and Asian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans waiting 138 and 107 days, respectively. The study's findings highli...
A recent survey found that over half of the island's wolves have died, likely due to a sharp drop in food supply after a major moose die-off in 1996. The remaining wolves are now less than five years old, with reproductive performance being a key area of interest.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill will study nanotube-based materials with potential applications in energy storage and display technology. The five-year grant aims to understand the chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties of these molecules.
A Cornell University study found that chronic airport noise increases blood pressure and stress hormones in third- and fourth-grade children. The study, which tracked the same group of children before and after noise pollution, suggests lifelong effects on health.
A study found that cultures in hot climates used spices more frequently due to their antimicrobial properties, which helped reduce foodborne illnesses. The most effective spices were garlic, onion, and oregano, killing up to 80% of bacteria.
Researchers have discovered a new class of synthetic molecules that effectively inhibit inflammation by removing L-selectin proteins from the cell surface, preventing cells from sticking together. This approach offers a novel strategy for treating pain and swelling associated with injury or illness.
Qaisar Shafi's research proposes two distinct components of dark matter, with the 'cold' component residing in galaxy haloes and the 'hot' component gravitationally trapped by large-scale structures. This new understanding could guide experimental work and incorporate dark matter into models of the universe.
Researchers at the University of Florida are adapting space-age technology to improve citrus farming efficiency in the state. The team, led by Professors Jodie Whitney and John Schueller, is using precision agriculture techniques to help farmers optimize their fields and reduce costs.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that smoking in movies has returned to levels comparable to the 1960s, with pro-tobacco portrayals remaining prevalent. The incidence of smoking in films increased dramatically during the 1990s, exceeding real smoking rates and reinforcing misleading images.
A new scheduling system for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) uses algorithms to generate over 300 million possible schedules before arriving at a single optimal solution. The system provides numerous benefits, including ensuring fair matchups, convenient fan attendance, and rest time for athletes.
Researchers developed a mini respirator for mutant mice, increasing survival rate by over 50 percent. The machine uses oscillated pressure to inflate and deflate the lungs, addressing limitations of conventional respirators in small animals.
A five-year educational campaign in Thailand has dramatically cut HIV infections and sexually transmitted diseases among young army draftees. The program, which promoted condom use, reduced the HIV rate by a factor of five and STDs by a factor of ten among those studied.
A study found that individuals taking nisoldipine had a higher rate of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks compared to those taking enalapril, sparking concerns about the safety of calcium antagonists for certain populations. The American Heart Association advises against panic and emphasizes the need for consultation with physicians.