The Personal Roving Presence (PRoP) is a small, affordable robot that allows users to explore environments remotely. With a PC and internet connection, users can control the robot's movement, see what it sees, listen to its audio, and even gesture with its arm.
A small study found that meditation-based relaxation accelerated psoriasis clearing by 3.8 times compared to UV light therapy alone, potentially reducing treatment sessions and costs.
Research shows that boys from more crowded homes experience greater physiological responses to stress and take more sick days. The study suggests a link between chronic stress, cardiovascular reactivity, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with depression are 1.9 times more likely to die than those without depression, with cardiovascular disease being the strongest predictor. The study highlights the importance of screening for depression in medical inpatients and improving their care to mitigate mortality risks.
Researchers found a genetic mutation in the CCR5 gene promoter that significantly delays HIV disease progression, affecting approximately 20% of infected individuals. The mutant promoter is 45% less active, leading to slower disease progression and increased resistance to HIV infection.
A study of over 4,700 twin brothers found that combat had a minor role in health issues such as hypertension, respiratory difficulties, and gastrointestinal disorders. Inherited factors accounted for 90% of reported health problems, with combat experience explaining less than 1%. The research suggests that environmental experiences oth...
A gene-transfer system invented by Dusty Miller has been recognized as the 'Nobel Prize of Applied Research'. The Retro-X System is a retroviral gene-transfer kit used in gene-therapy research, allowing for stable gene expression and long-term therapeutic results.
Researchers find that native animals are more common in areas with native vegetation than in areas with exotic vegetation or grazing. They also discover that DDT may still be affecting reproduction of double-crested cormorants, while tree swallows can serve as sentinels for PCB contamination in aquatic environments.
A low-dose hydrocortisone study found slight improvement in some chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms for about half the participants, while two-thirds on hydrocortisone reported better well-being. However, the treatment also induced adrenal suppression in twelve patients, rendering it an unsuitable option for CFS patients.
A University of Kentucky researcher has won a five-year extension on his MERIT award to study Leishmania donovani, a parasite that affects millions worldwide. The parasite, transmitted by sand flies, causes leishmaniasis, a disease often fatal and poorly treated.
A University of Florida study found that changing people's attributions, or how they think about themselves, can influence their performance in sports tasks. The technique, attribution training, helps individuals with constructive attributions persist longer and achieve more.
Patients with complete blockage of the carotid artery and hemodynamic failure face a six to seven times higher stroke risk. Oxygen metabolism in the brain is crucial to stroke risk, and available treatments offer little alteration to risk.
The Pan American Health Organization reports progress in controlling poliomyelitis, measles outbreaks, and Chagas' disease. The region has also seen a decline in cholera cases, with only 5% of reported cases in 1997 compared to six years earlier.
The Pan American Health Organization emphasizes the importance of addressing health inequities in its new report, citing evidence that poorest populations face the worst health outcomes. Strategies aimed at promoting health and preventing disease are necessary to improve regional health.
The installation of the final Main Injector magnet marks a major milestone for Fermilab, which will greatly increase high-energy particle collisions and reveal new physics insights. The new accelerator triples the scientific capability of the world's most powerful particle accelerator.
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University will study the inner workings of primary care practice to determine its impact on patient health. The grant-funded Center for the Value of Family Practice aims to establish a new level of scientific evidence about family- and patient-centered medical care.
Case Western Reserve University researchers are developing a new method to study blood flow through artificial heart components by mimicking the behavior of coal water slurries. This approach has revealed the importance of particle distribution and velocity in preventing blood clots, which can lead to stroke and death.
Dr. Brundtland highlights the importance of addressing social determinants of health, such as education and poverty reduction, to build healthy populations in healthy communities. She stresses the need for multi-sectoral action and collaboration with other agencies to tackle pressing public health needs.
Infant mortality rates have declined significantly in Latin America and the Caribbean, with infant deaths falling from 59 per 1,000 in the early 1980s to 35 per 1,000. Life expectancy has also increased, rising from 68.7 years to 71.1 years.
The university will use the funds to enhance science classrooms, provide research opportunities, and strengthen outreach programs for middle and high schools. The grant will also support the development of a new computer laboratory and introduce active learning experiences in biology courses.
Researchers Dr. Jan van Paradijs and his team are using the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) to study two Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) - magnetar candidates - that differ from the bulk of X-ray pulsars due to their red X-ray colors and short pulse periods, indicating strong magnetic fields aging the pulsars faster.
The Pan American Health Organization reports that the health of people in the Americas is improving thanks to progress in fighting infectious diseases, increasing access to clean drinking water, and declining infant mortality rates. However, governments must prioritize health care equity as they reform their systems.
Researchers at PPPL used a supercomputer to simulate microturbulence in plasma, achieving 400 million particles in 5,000 time-steps. The results provide valuable physics insights and support the use of high-performance computing for discovery in fusion research.
Lee Hartwell, director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, is one of three scientists to share the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Prize. He has been honored for discovering the universal mechanism controlling cell division in eukaryotic organisms, a fundamental insight into cancer cell mutation and development.
Researchers used powerful supercomputers to simulate microturbulence in plasma, gaining valuable new physics insights that correlate with experimental trends. The simulations, performed on 400 million particles over 5,000 time-steps, demonstrate the maturity of high-performance scientific computing as a tool for discovery.
Researchers have uncovered ancient fragments of sea shells and cutting tools at two sites in Peru, dating the earliest evidence of maritime-based societies in the Americas between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago. The discoveries challenge traditional views on Paleoindian societies and suggest a more diverse set of strategies for survival.
A large-scale randomized study found that chemotherapy improves long-term survival for women under 50 and those in their 50s and 60s, even if the cancer has not spread. The treatment also showed benefits for women without evidence of disease spread.
Jay A. Levy, a UCSF professor of medicine, suggests delaying antiviral therapy for HIV infection until the CD-4 cell count falls below 400 and the viral load is above 30,000 copies per milliliter. This approach aims to avoid drug resistance and allow the immune system to recover and control the virus.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to measure pollutants produced by combustion, using laser-induced fluorescence. This technique has the potential to significantly reduce nitric oxide production in next-generation jet engines, designed for lean direct injection.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed an animal model for human colorectal cancer, which will facilitate research into the molecular mechanisms of the disease. The model, based on a colon cancer mouse, allows for testing of chemoprevention agents and new drug treatments.
In a groundbreaking case, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center reversed kidney failure in an HIV-infected patient by putting them on high-intensity antiretroviral therapy. The patient's kidneys regained normal function, and their viral load decreased significantly.
A two-day conference at the AAAS Auditorium will bring together scientists, religious leaders, and corporate representatives to explore global climate change. The event aims to outline scientific evidence and address ethical, religious, and economic challenges related to the issue.
A protein on sperm surfaces is essential for binding to eggs and traveling into the oviduct. Mice without this protein have reduced fertility rates, opening possibilities for new male contraceptives and treatments for infertility.
A computer simulation by Cornell University geologists shows that forest fires follow a fractal distribution, similar to other natural events. By analyzing data from forests and wildfires worldwide, including Yellowstone National Park, the researchers found that allowing smaller fires to burn can prevent larger ones.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a new technique called MARPE, which directly determines the identity of an atom and its neighbors. The method works by analyzing the energies of electrons emitted when excited by photons, revealing the presence and identity of neighboring atoms.
Recent analysis of Mars data from the Mars Pathfinder Mission suggests that the C1 carbonaceous chondrite standard is incorrect, with Mars exhibiting a distinct elemental composition. This contradicts previous assumptions about the terrestrial planets' formation and density variations.
A clinical trial is underway to investigate whether estrogen can enhance the effects of drugs used to treat Parkinson's patients, who experience a 'roller coaster' effect from daily Levodopa use. The study aims to determine if hormone replacement therapy can improve the effectiveness and duration of Mirapex treatment.
Bacteriorhodopsin, a salt-loving organism's defense mechanism, is grown in space to produce stable crystals, offering new insights into complex membrane proteins and their applications in all-optical computing. The findings may lead to the development of battery-conserving computer displays.
A study found that high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with seed implant therapy had poorer outcomes compared to radical prostectomy and external beam radiation. The researchers suggest that high-risk patients should discuss alternative treatment options with their physicians.
The Advanced Applied Technology Demonstration Facility has developed innovative technologies for hazardous waste cleanup, addressing difficult subsurface and ground water contamination problems. The partnership between government, industry, and academia has led to the creation of engineering design manuals and commercialization summaries.
Scientists have discovered archaea, an ancient branch of microbial life that can thrive in extreme environments like volcanic vents and acidic hot springs. These microorganisms produce enzymes that are stable under harsh conditions, offering potential benefits for environmental cleanup, pollution prevention, and energy production.
Astronomers Renyue Cen suggests that gamma-ray bursts might come from supernovae expelling material at high speeds, producing jets that travel at nearly the speed of light. This theory could explain why some pulsars are moving faster than ordinary stars and potentially pose a catastrophic threat to Earth.
The University of Delaware has received a $1.6 million HHMI grant to support interdisciplinary research projects, outreach efforts, faculty development, and new equipment for active learning methods. The grant aims to enhance undergraduate education in the biological sciences through problem-based learning.
Researchers have found an RNA molecule capable of making a nucleotide building block, providing strong evidence for the RNA world view. This discovery supports the theory that in early evolution, RNA molecules carried out functions now considered to be the domains of DNA and proteins.
Researchers have identified hyperforin as the primary active ingredient in St. John's Wort, leading to significant improvements in mood and cognitive function. Studies have shown that high concentrations of hyperforin produce greater brain wave activity and enhanced neurotransmitter release.
Scientists discover African Superswell is caused by hot mantle material rising from the core-mantle boundary, elevating southern Africa and driving tectonic plates. This phenomenon, known as dynamic topography, reveals a link between deep mantle dynamics and surface features.
A national survey of primary care doctors found that one in three doctors recommend herbal supplements for emotional balance and fatigue. The most commonly used herbs are St. John's Wort and ginkgo biloba, with 27% and 18% of doctors recommending them respectively.
A study of 206 patients with Alzheimer's disease found that those with the lowest genetic risk had fathers who were significantly older at birth. This suggests a possible link between paternal age and increased susceptibility to the disease, which could be influenced by environmental factors affecting the father's DNA.
Virginia Tech is conducting a national study on long-haul drivers' sleep quality and performance. The research aims to evaluate the effects of sleeper berth use on driver alertness and driving performance.
A study by Columbia University biologist Ayako Yamaguchi found that male and female cardinals can distinguish each other's songs, with males learning from females and females from males. As birds grow, their songs change due to hormonal fluctuations, suggesting a unique process of vocal development.
Scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center successfully treated melanoma in mice with a new DNA-based vaccine, inducing an immune response that attacked cancer cells and prevented tumor spreading. The vaccine also caused autoimmunity, a condition that may indicate a good outcome for patients.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine solved a major mystery surrounding energy production by determining the molecular structure of adenosine triphosphate synthase (ATP synthase). The discovery explains how cells produce ATP, the common currency of energy, and offers new insights into why people get less energetic with age.
A new study published in The Journal of Trauma shows that California's motorcycle helmet law has saved the state $35 million, primarily through reduced head injuries and medical costs. The study found a 48% decrease in motorcyclists hospitalized for head injuries between 1991 and 1993.
Researchers have successfully used gene therapy to slow down neurodegeneration in an animal model, offering hope for treatments of autosomal dominant disorders. The approach involves using ribozymes to destroy faulty messenger RNA, potentially treating conditions like Huntington's disease and ALS.
A study found that increased school breakfast participation correlates with better social and academic functioning, including lower tardiness, higher math grades, and reduced problems like depression and anxiety. Students were more likely to participate when meals were offered free to all students.
Scientists have identified a correlation between activated CD44 and disease flare-ups in pediatric patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests that monitoring blood levels of activated CD44 may enable early prediction of exacerbations, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Scientists discover Jupiter's ring system is composed of dust kicked up by meteoroids striking four inner moons, with the outermost ring consisting of two embedded rings. The system provides a unique dynamical laboratory for studying the solar system's early processes.
The University of Illinois has received a $1.6 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to enhance its life sciences education and outreach programs, including the Hughes Undergraduate Research Fellows program and several outreach initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.
A recent study shows that calcitonin-salmon nasal spray significantly reduces the incidence of new spinal fractures in postmenopausal women with existing osteoporosis. The treatment, which is currently indicated for women over 5 years past menopause and without estrogen replacement therapy options.
A new report by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency examines the association between hormone-disrupting substances and observed effects in humans and wildlife. The study found potential links between EDSs and changes in reproductive health, behavior, and cancer incidence.