A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that nearly one-third of children with asthma developed symptoms after a dental visit. The study suggests that allergens from dental procedures may be a key culprit.
A study published in Nature Medicine suggests that high glucose levels during pregnancy can lead to embryonic cell death, resulting in higher rates of miscarriage and birth defects among diabetic women. The researchers found that controlling blood sugar levels is crucial for pregnant women with diabetes.
A sensor measuring raindrop energy may soon warn farmers of potential crop disease outbreaks. Early results show that the sensor can explain how rain spreads fungal spores causing some crop diseases.
The 1998 hurricane season saw a significant increase in storm frequency and intensity, with three hurricanes and four tropical storms making landfall along the US coastline. The season was attributed to warming ocean temperatures and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns.
Research shows preterm babies may exhibit mild behavioral and sensory response problems, but most develop normal motor and mental function. The study suggests that these differences are not indicative of long-term developmental issues.
Researchers found that single mothers and single fathers have similar success rates in raising well-behaved and high-performing children. However, single mothers tend to face socioeconomic disadvantages that can affect their ability to provide a positive family environment.
Researchers have developed a new method to introduce genes into unfertilized oocytes, increasing the efficiency of producing transgenic cattle. This breakthrough could make traditional methods obsolete and pave the way for applications in agricultural livestock and other mammals.
A study of 1,189 Indian seventh-grade children found that nearly 13% had fluorosis, a primarily aesthetic condition affecting adult teeth during development. Children who started using fluoride toothpaste under age 2 showed more severe cases of fluorosis.
A recent study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center shows that radiologists can accurately detect breast cancer using digital mammography technology as effectively as traditional film-based methods. The technology has the potential to improve detection rates and reduce deaths from breast cancer.
The ROSAT Guest Observer Programme was terminated after eight years of successful operations due to irreversible damage to the High Resolution Imager (HRI) caused by an accident on September 20, 1998. The final observation campaign is planned for December, with a focus on observing important astrophysical objects.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed adjustable satellite antennas using smart materials that can change shape to improve signal quality. The new design reduces the need for constant reorientation of satellites, increasing their efficiency and range.
A recent Ohio State University study analyzed 1,387 households' spending habits, savings, and investments to determine their readiness for retirement. The research found that 48% of Americans would struggle financially, citing a lack of savings and high spending levels as major contributors.
An international team of scientists analyzed satellite radar measurements, finding no significant melting or instability in the West Antarctic ice sheet's middle section. The study suggests the answer to whether global warming affects its stability is no, at least for now.
Researchers found that diets rich in fruits and vegetables reduce lipid oxidation, protecting against atherosclerosis. The study, part of the DASH clinical trial, showed participants who ate more fruits and veggies had lower breath ethane levels, indicating increased antioxidant protection.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards recognize the work of individuals who excel in reporting on science and its impact on society. In 1998, four teams of journalists won awards in large newspaper, small newspaper, magazine, television, and radio categories for their outstanding reporting.
Researchers at UB's Toshiba Stroke Research Center have developed a new dual contrast injection method, enabling neurosurgeons to characterize and treat arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) more effectively. The technique allows for precise measurement of blood flow rate, facilitating the accurate administration of a glue-like substance ...
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College successfully used a gene repair technique to change the color of white albino mice cells to black, restoring melanin production and correcting a genetic mutation. The breakthrough holds promise as a potential treatment for some hereditary diseases by correcting the underlying genetic defect.
A recent study by UK researchers reveals how the Yersinia pestis bacterium uses its YopM toxin to target and destroy phagocytic cells, crippling the immune response. The findings provide new insights into bacterial causes of disease and cell biology, potentially leading to improved therapies for various diseases.
A CSIRO study found that margarines high in polyunsaturated fats and low in trans fatty acids reduce LDL cholesterol by 11-15%, corresponding to a 20-30% fall in heart disease risk. The study also showed that these margarines can produce a greater fall in blood LDL-cholesterol than other types of margarine.
Conservation efforts have led to a resurgence of the Greater Prairie Chicken population in Illinois, with numbers increasing from just six resident males to over 500 birds. The success is attributed to an experimental program that imported birds from healthy populations elsewhere, addressing genetic diversity and habitat loss issues.
Researchers used x-ray crystallography to reveal the structure of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme. The active form shows how genetic mutations confer resistance to antiviral drugs like AZT by preventing nucleotide analogs from binding, allowing RT to continue making DNA for the virus.
Chinese and US researchers have identified the world's oldest flowering plant, a 140-million-year-old fossil found in northeast China. The plant predates the previous oldest-known flower by over 25 million years, shedding light on the origins of flowering plants.
Scientists found that genetically altered mice with altered neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels exhibited changes in alcohol consumption behavior. Mice lacking NPY drank more, while those with high NPY levels consumed less and were more sensitive to the sedative effects of alcohol.
A new statistical analysis of 115 years of global temperature data strengthens the argument that human-caused emissions are warming the earth's atmosphere. The study found strong year-to-year correlations between actual temperature data and simulations from two leading computer models, indicating a consistent long-term trend.
Researchers at the Carnegie Institution for Science have isolated the protein that responds to UV-A/blue light, a crucial step in understanding plant growth and development. The discovery of NPH1 as the photoreceptor for phototropism has significant implications for agricultural research and future studies on plant development.
The CFIT Reduction Task Force has found that airlines are placing too much faith in new technologies and not enough emphasis on basic training and safety procedures. The task force recommends a checklist and education aid to alert flight crews to the dangers of CFIT accidents, which have increased by seven confirmed incidents this year.
A team led by Patrick Kochanek has identified specific biochemical markers that may help detect child abuse. Preliminary evidence suggests that victims of abuse often have abnormal levels of quinolinic acid in their cerebrospinal fluid, which could reveal whether a parent is lying about the timing of an injury.
A team of astronomers led by Bo Reipurth and John Bally observed that ultraviolet radiation from nearby massive stars destroyed the cocoons of gas and dust surrounding young stars, revealing billions of miles long supersonic jets. The destruction has provided new insight into star birth and evolution, and may have implications for the ...
A team of scientists, including MSU's Frankie Jackson, discovered a rare dinosaur embryo in Patagonia, Argentina, with implications for understanding sauropod reproduction. The find confirms the identity of the embryo as belonging to a type of plant-eating dinosaur.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a key step in regulating PPAR-gamma receptors, which control insulin sensitivity. The finding may lead to drugs with fewer side effects and greater efficiency for treating adult-onset diabetes.
Neuroscientist Michela Gallagher's research reveals that cognitive decline in old age is not caused by dying brain cells, but rather by the natural aging process. The study used rat models to show that neuron losses are confined to populations of cells with limited memory function.
The largest series of unrelated cord blood transplants confirms the feasibility of transplantation for patients without a matching donor. The study demonstrates success in children and mismatched transplants with reduced acute graft versus host disease incidence.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a molecular mechanism that allows organisms to evolve new traits in response to environmental stress. The mechanism involves the protein heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90), which normally keeps genetic variations silent but can reveal them during times of stress.
A team of researchers has identified the normal function of a protein associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an inherited neuromuscular disease that is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. The study, published in the journal Cell, also developed cell-based assays to search for potential therapeutic compounds.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that hospitals with high volume of surgery for selected procedures had substantially lower surgical mortality rate. Mortality rates were 40-80% lower in these hospitals compared to those with limited experience.
Researchers have discovered a novel function of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein essential for mRNA production in all cells. This finding links SMN deficiency to spinal muscular atrophy, a leading genetic cause of infant death, and paves the way for potential therapeutic interventions.
Researchers have found that decreasing pan evaporation does not necessarily mean less evaporation in surrounding landscapes. By considering regional land-surface moisture, environmental engineers explain how evaporation figures can drop due to saturated terrain, resolving the paradox.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered a substance that can induce hair follicle formation in mature skin cells, offering new possibilities for treating premature baldness. By manipulating the beta-catenin molecule, researchers were able to create new hair follicles from adult skin cells, paving the way for potential t...
Researchers at Duke University have identified 31 genes that react to cadmium exposure, including 22 previously unknown genes. These findings offer new insights into the toxic effects of cadmium and potential biomarkers for monitoring contamination.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a mutation that prevents sperm maturation in mice, which could lead to treatments for male sterility and development of new male contraceptives. The morc gene is expressed only in males during the earliest stages of sperm production.
Researchers found that rats fed high amounts of fructose for a year showed age-related alterations in their skin and bone collagen. Fructose consumption may decrease glucose tolerance, increase insulin resistance, and speed up glycation, contributing to aging processes.
Researchers identified five common 'warning signals' of depression: less enjoyment from activities, self-disappointment, hopelessness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms were reported by at least 90% of the sample, and women reported self-disappointment with the greatest frequency.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that vitamin E can prevent the early stages of plaque formation by inhibiting the attachment of white blood cells to endothelial cells. Vitamin E's antioxidant properties help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
The new detection system, developed by Dr. Gregg Henderson and his team, samples the air in building walls to analyze for termites' unique gases. Early detection could prevent significant damage, saving homeowners millions annually.
A Norwegian study found that depressed men with congestive heart failure are more likely to perceive themselves as physically limited, even if their physicians rate them highly. In contrast, women with the condition tend to have a more realistic assessment of their abilities.
A low-protein diet boosts thermogenesis, releasing excess energy as heat rather than storing it as fat. This results in reduced body weight gain and increased exercise motivation.
Researchers found a clear difference in brain activation between boys with ADD and those without, specifically in the striatal region involved in motor control. Ritalin improved impulse control in both groups but had different effects on brain activity in those with and without ADD.
A study found that despite high awareness of chest pain as a heart attack symptom, many people are unaware of other critical symptoms like arm numbness and shortness of breath. The research highlights the need for targeted education about complex heart attack symptoms to reduce delay in seeking medical care.
Scientists have identified a specific gene, the AH receptor, as a vital link in the chemical cascade that causes cancer when exposed to cigarette smoke. The study found that mice without this receptor showed no damage from cigarette smoke, suggesting it plays a crucial role in controlling gene damage.
Young children who lose a parent or experience poor family relationships may be more likely to develop increases in blood pressure and disruptions in hormone release later in life. Research suggests that early loss or lack of good quality family relationships may have a 'permanently' increased overall cardiovascular activity among adults.
Researchers found that heart patients with high levels of social support show fewer symptoms of depression, while those with low social support tend to have higher levels of depression. Interventions that decrease hostility and increase social support may also benefit heart disease patients.
A large longitudinal study found that job strain is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease. Men with highly demanding jobs experience higher blood pressure, while those who move to less demanding roles see their blood pressure decrease over time.
A study of nearly 4,000 young adults found that smoking has a negligible effect on body weight, contrary to the tobacco industry's claims. Smoking cessation, however, is associated with significant long-term weight gain.
The Virginia Tech research group has developed new dimethacrylate monomers that can be used to create dental fillings with improved mechanical properties and reduced water absorption. The new materials require only one step of photopolymerization to harden, resulting in longer-lasting fillings and faster processing times.
Scientists have identified a close evolutionary connection between the photosynthetic reaction centre of bacteria and that of higher plants. Photosystem II in plants is a multi-enzyme complex comprising over 25 different proteins, which work together to convert sunlight into biochemical energy.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a gene that causes male progeny of two recently separated species to be sterile, hinting at an early indicator of speciation. The homeobox gene is evolving rapidly due to its role in controlling male sexual function, leading to sibling species incompatibility.
Researchers found that when E. coli attaches to the bladder lining, it triggers a natural defense mechanism where bladder cells commit suicide and slough off, but some bacteria can avoid being removed by invading deeper tissue. This could explain why patients experience recurrent bladder infections despite antibiotic treatment.
Researchers are testing a new painkiller to see if it can delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease. The study, involving 1,300 patients, targets the cycloxygenase-2 enzyme, which is believed to contribute to the development of the disease.
The US Energy Department has established a long-term climate research station on Nauru in the Central Pacific Ocean. The facility will collect data on the sun's energy transmission, absorption, and reflection in the tropics, focusing on cloud effects on heating and cooling the atmosphere.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown light-sensitive pigment in the eye, skin, and brain that regulates mammals' internal clocks. This discovery has significant implications for treating depression and reducing accidents during night work shifts, as it allows for better synchronization with daily cycles.