Research finds that people with inherited depression have fewer glia cells in the brain's subgenual prefrontal cortex, a region involved in stress responses. This difference is not seen in those without a family history of depression.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have created a way to create harmless vectors from harmful viruses. They showed that the vectors are efficient couriers of genes and can be used to study gene regulation and functions, as well as deliver DNA vaccines.
A national survey found that highly religious high school seniors are less likely to drink and drive, use tobacco or marijuana, and more likely to wear seat belts and eat healthy, with these trends holding true over time.
The AAPS is co-sponsoring the FDA Science Forum, bringing together experts in bioengineering, diagnostics, and regulatory science to discuss the impact of biotechnology on product development and regulation. The forum will cover topics such as gene therapy, cell and tissue engineering, and vaccine development.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that two-thirds of analyzed newspaper coverage provided a negative representation of managed care, potentially influencing public opinion and policy. The study highlights the need for accurate and balanced reporting on healthcare issues.
Geologist Attila Kilinc proposes a new model to explain the forces behind explosive eruptions on Montserrat, citing the oxidation state of magma. The model suggests that mixing hotter and cooler magma leads to water formation, triggering an eruption. Further development of a detection system is needed to accurately predict eruptions.
Researchers have discovered ancient reptile nests in Arizona's Petrified Forest, dating back 220 million years. The finds push the fossil record of reptile nesting behavior back by 110 million years.
A Cornell University study found that grab bars, good diet, and moderate drinking can significantly enhance elderly bathing functionality. The benefits of using assistive devices outweigh the costs by preventing falls, injuries, and long-term care, according to assistant professor Nandinee Kutty.
University of Michigan scientists have developed a method to date near-surface fault activity using soft, chalky material called gouge. The research aims to improve earthquake risk assessment and nuclear reactor safety by determining a fault's recent activity and strength.
Researchers used electron microscopy to analyze 18th century Staffordshire-style earthenware, finding varying amounts of oxides added for color. The study suggests that cheap knock-offs may have been made and passed off as authentic Staffordshire pottery, highlighting the potential for mass production in the industry.
A Colorado State University project, funded by a $1.8 million grant, aims to catalogue and analyze below-ground organisms and their interactions with surface ecosystems. The study seeks to understand how human activities above ground influence biodiversity below ground and its consequences.
Research by University of Cincinnati geologist Thomas Lowell reveals that the ice sheet advances over land marched in step with the iceberg calving events over the ocean. The findings suggest that both land and sea events are responding to global cooling, reinforcing the pattern rather than initiating the change.
Researchers found up to 30% of fish showed signs of damage, including open wounds and underdeveloped ovaries, affecting reproduction. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause and potential consequences for other landfill sites.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards Wake Forest University School of Medicine a $1.9 million grant to develop a national technical assistance program for adult day centers, building on successful programs from 1987 and 1992.
A recent excavation at the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan has uncovered a skeleton and 150 surrounding artifacts dating back to approximately 100 A.D. The burial is suspected to have belonged to one of the city's rulers, providing critical information that could revolutionize modern understanding of Teotihuacan's culture and history.
A study found that physicians are slow to adopt newer medications for atrial fibrillation, with older drugs continuing to be used despite their limitations. The research team calls for better treatment guidelines and physician education to improve patient care.
Researchers will use computer simulation to test mathematical theories on faults and failure in complex networked systems. The goal is to develop methods to reduce the frequency of failures and limit their effects.
Researchers found that DES exposure suppresses a gene crucial for normal reproductive tract development in mice, leading to changes similar to those seen in women exposed to DES before birth. These changes can result in infertility and an increased risk of developing clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina or cervix at a young age.
UB researchers found that a minor plant-based fat called B-sitosterol enhances an intracellular signaling system that tells cells not to divide, inhibiting prostate-cancer cell growth. The study showed a 28% inhibition of cancer-cell growth after five days in vitro.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and nuclear power, are crucial to fill the gap between energy demand and supply. John D. Edwards predicts that world crude oil production will peak in 2020 at 90 million barrels per day, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy options.
The American Society of Human Genetics workshop presents an overview of early childhood cardiac disorders and their impact on quality of life in adulthood. Panelists discuss recognizing asymptomatic cardiac conditions and understanding the role of environmental factors in cardiovascular disease.
A study by Brown University researchers found that prenatal cocaine exposure can lead to lower IQ scores and language performance in children. The analysis of over 800 school-age children revealed a significant impact on intelligence, with an average IQ score reduction of 3.26 points.
Researchers trained monkeys to discriminate computer-generated images containing different numbers of objects and respond in ascending order. The study suggests that monkeys share human-like capacity for simple arithmetic, potentially tracing human intelligence to animal origins.
A recent study suggests that El Nino events can be predicted several months in advance, with seasonal averages in the tropics being the most predictable. The research identifies sea surface temperature, soil wetness, vegetation, and snow cover as key factors influencing weather patterns.
Researchers studied 1,200 female crack users, finding that exchangers were four times more likely to have been in substance abuse treatment and twice as likely to be homeless. The study aims to develop effective HIV prevention measures targeting women at risk of exchanging sex for drugs.
The Joint Genome Institute has exceeded its goal of sequencing 20 million base pairs for fiscal year 1998 and is on track to complete the entire human genome project in five years. The JGI's advanced technologies have enabled it to reach rates of over 2.5 million base pairs per month.
Researchers found that brain areas active during eye movements also control visual attention, shifting focus to peripheral areas. This discovery suggests a shared neural basis for these functions, with potential implications for understanding early mammalian cognition and primate social behavior.
The Southwestern Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery has launched two state-of-the-art endosuites at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with minimal incision and bleeding. The suites are designed to teach practicing surgeons and students, offering enhanced care and educational opportunities.
A study by Weizmann Institute of Science and Perugia University in Italy has found that mismatched bone marrow transplants can be as effective as fully matched transplants, overcoming key obstacles such as graft failure and immunological reaction. The method, which uses extremely large doses of donor marrow, has raised hopes for increa...
The completed sequencing project provides crucial information on chlamydial infection, the most prevalent STD in the US. The sequenced genome has revealed surface proteins and unique biochemical pathways for developing antibiotics and vaccines against Chlamydia trachomatis.
Researchers identified risk factors for infant homicide victims, including second or later birth order and mother's age, education level, and prenatal care. The study found that visiting nurse programs could reduce the infant homicide rate by helping teenage mothers gain behavioral skills and support.
Physicist Glennys Farrar proposes that extremely high-energy cosmic rays come from distant quasars, violating the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff. She suggests a new subatomic particle, the SO, with neutral and gluon-bound properties, as an alternative explanation.
A recent study by Brandeis University researcher Patricia Tun suggests that older adults' difficulty in following conversation is linked to fast-paced and noisy environments. The study found that seniors' ability to process speech was impaired when faced with rapid-fire talkers, multiple background voices, or distracting noises.
The University of Michigan team developed a miniature laboratory on a chip that can analyze DNA samples quickly and sensitively. The device is expected to make DNA analysis widely available and has potential applications in medical diagnostics, forensics, and agriculture.
A recent study found that less than 20% of eligible elderly patients with high cholesterol received treatment, despite being at risk for death from coronary heart disease. The Cardiovascular Health Study suggests that older patients and their physicians may have preferred dietary therapy over pharmacological treatment.
The American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting will take place from December 6-10 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. Media representatives can register in advance to receive an abstract volume and attend press conferences, with a special excursion planned for December 5.
The article warns that unregulated shark-diving tours in South Africa may lead great white sharks to associate humans with food, posing a threat to conservation efforts. Inexperienced or irresponsible tour operators are putting people at risk by using rusty cages and introducing surfboards or children's toys into the water.
Researchers using Hubble Space Telescope spot large dust particles in rings around three stars, suggesting planets may be forming. The observations reveal a critical early stage in planetary evolution, with the potential for millions of years of dust grain aggregation to form planets.
Scientists at UNC-CH discovered that Groucho proteins and Tcf interact to repress internal signaling activity, determining which genes are turned on. This finding could help explain cancer development and contribute to therapies to reverse deadly growth.
The Hopkins University replaced a failed 24-inch telescope with a smaller one used for stargazing, ensuring the success of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The telescope was retrofitted with new optics and is now ready to contribute to the mapping of millions of galaxies.
Researchers in Missouri have designed a bullet that emits a powerful radar pulse as it grinds to a halt, allowing for the detection of landmines without stepping on them. This technology can help geologists survey for oil, minerals, and other buried natural resources, and may be used to locate mines in remote areas.
A numerical analyst developed a math model with algorithms to distribute Seattle Mariners' season tickets fairly among a group of friends. The technique uses mixed-integer programming to satisfy diverse requests and preferences, achieving 46.7% success rate in assigning top-ranked games.
The University of Pittsburgh has been chosen as one of three pioneer sites for biocombinatorial chemistry research, a revolutionary approach to speed up drug discovery. Researchers will create novel chemical compounds and test them in specific assays to learn whether they can interrupt cellular activities that lead to cancer.
Researchers found a direct correlation between high nitrate levels and nitrogen-rich bedrock in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nitrogen-rich rocks released into the environment can cause massive algae blooms and affect human health.
Despite electronic information retrieval systems, physicians often rely on colleagues, outdated textbooks, and non-relevant scientific journals due to time-consuming searches and limited relevance. Researchers advocate for better systems and further research to improve physician access to high-quality online medical information.
Eating foods high in solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGAs) like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants days before surgery may delay the metabolism of anesthetic drugs, leading to unpredictable responses. SGAs inhibit two enzymes responsible for breaking down anesthetics, causing them to act longer than expected.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a high-performance material to repair bridges, reducing costs and increasing durability. The material has been tested on several bridges, showing promise in extending lifespan by 30-40%.
Research suggests that anesthesia during labor and delivery may cause temporary delays in nursing, but has no long-term effects. Breastfeeding is strongly recommended by the AAP, with newborns being nursed frequently to promote immune system development.
The Massachusetts General Hospital is leading a five-year, $20 million research study to improve the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. The study aims to evaluate existing treatment protocols and test new medications for the condition.
The number of newborns infected with HIV has decreased significantly thanks to optimal anti-retroviral treatment for mothers, while the number of surviving HIV-infected children has risen. Early aggressive therapy, teamwork, and a holistic approach are key to keeping children well with HIV.
A four-year study by Cornell University and the University of California, Davis, found that monitoring early carbon monoxide emissions can help increase efficiency and prevent odors in municipal composting. The study identifies carbon monoxide as a reliable predictor of pending objectionable odors.
Researchers found that mice without the D2 receptor had lower alcohol consumption and aversion, suggesting a genetic basis for alcoholism. The study provides insight into the complex interaction between dopamine receptors and systems in the brain.
The report shows that the Black middle class has grown and solidified, but significant obstacles to advancement remain. Despite improved health, wealth, and educational status, disparities persist in infant mortality rates, marriage rates, and college attendance.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has identified a critical role for the D2 dopamine receptor in determining an individual's likelihood of developing alcoholism. Mice bred without this receptor showed reduced drinking behavior and aversion to alcohol, suggesting potential targets for treating addiction.
Scientists at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center have accurately predicted the current phase of Cycle 23 of the sunspot cycle. The team predicts that Cycle 23 will be above average but not a record setter, with the sun now on the upswing of its 23rd activity cycle.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin have formed a virtual center to facilitate collaboration. This innovation uses collaborative tools and technology to enable researchers to work together as if they were in the same location.
Deep Space 1, a miniaturized space probe powered by solar-electric propulsion, will navigate through space and analyze charged particles and magnetic fields surrounding an asteroid and two comets. The mission, led by CU-Boulder Professor Fran Bagenal, tests innovative technologies and aims to explore the outer solar system.
Researchers at UNC-CH found that Pamidronate is highly effective in partially reversing bone loss caused by immuno-suppressant drugs after lung transplants. Patients treated with the drug experienced a 10% reversal of bone loss, and showed significant increases in femur and spine mineral densities.
The Women's Health Initiative has reached its recruitment goal for a 15-year study examining the causes of death, disability and frailty in post-menopausal women. The clinical trial involves 68,000 women studying estrogen and progestin effects on heart disease and breast cancer.
Researchers have successfully tested an implantable device called Atrioverter to treat atrial fibrillation, a condition that can lead to stroke. The device restored normal rhythm in 96% of treated individuals, offering a new treatment option for those prone to irregular heartbeats.