Researchers from NASA and French-American teams crystallized thaumatin in space, producing larger and more defect-free crystals with improved x-ray diffraction properties. This breakthrough paves the way for better understanding of the molecule's shape and function, potentially leading to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.
Scientists found that aspirin suppresses accumulation of genetic mutations causing hereditary colorectal cancer. Aspirin screens for cells with stable genetics, potentially preventing the disease. Researchers now plan a clinical trial to study higher doses of aspirin in preventing hereditary colon cancer.
Dinosaur tracks in Alaska provide evidence of a previously unknown high latitude dinosaur region. The discovery includes four-toed tracks suggestive of armored or horned dinosaurs and pebbly texture skin impressions, revealing the diversity of ancient species that flourished in the Arctic.
A two-year study by UCSF researchers found that raloxifene significantly reduced the risk of spinal fractures in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Women taking raloxifene had a 52% lower risk of first-time spinal fractures, and those with previous spinal fractures had a 38% lower risk compared to placebo
Researchers at UNC Health Care found that allergy increases susceptibility to otitis media, a common ear infection in young children. Antihistamine treatment may help alleviate symptoms.
Researchers investigate whether testifying before the TRC leads to psychological healing, forgiveness, and improvement in distress. The study aims to determine the impact of testifying on anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The report reveals a significant decline in first-year graduate enrollments of African Americans and Hispanics in science and engineering between 1996 and 1997. The AAAS attributes this decrease to an 'unwelcoming environment' for underrepresented minority students, citing policy changes and unclear institutional guidelines.
A new study reveals that cattle fed grain may transmit dangerous strains of E. coli to humans, leading to food-borne illness. Feeding hay to cows for a short period before slaughter can reduce the risk of infection.
A study found that children of divorce are more likely to become smokers and problem drinkers as adults. For boys, divorce increases the likelihood of problem drinking, while girls from divorced families have similar rates of smoking and problem drinking as those from intact families.
A study proposes recycling wastewater for irrigation, developing a water conservation plan, and protecting the Mountain Aquifer's limited fresh water resource. Without cooperative management, both Israelis and Palestinians risk losing access to clean water due to pollution and environmental degradation.
A 10-year study found that employment and marriage can provide benefits such as increased income and social support, contributing to better health. Women who were employed full-time or had many children showed no harmful effects on their health.
Researchers are developing a magnetic hearing aid that uses an electromagnetic coil to stimulate the inner ear via the round window, potentially enhancing speech and reducing background noise. The device could reduce or eliminate acoustic feedback, a common issue with conventional hearing aids.
Researchers analyzed 14,000-year-old peat layers to track natural and human-induced lead emissions. The study found that human activity began altering atmospheric lead levels around 6,000 years ago and has continued to the present day.
The new web site, Live Healthier, Live Longer, provides personalized information and practical steps for reducing LDL cholesterol levels. The site features various activities, including a Cyber Kitchen and Virtual Fitness Room, to help users make healthier lifestyle choices.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have shown that the transmission of mtDNA in yeast is organized and finite, rather than random. This discovery has implications for understanding genetic disorders caused by mtDNA mutations in humans, where the mother passes on a minority of her mtDNA copies to the fetus.
A recent study screened over 13,000 female new recruits at the Army's induction center and found a high prevalence of chlamydia infections, particularly among young women.
A recent trial found that patients with HIV-related sensory neuropathy experienced significantly lessened pain intensity and improved sensation after receiving injections of lab-created nerve growth factor. The study also identified which nerves are involved in the injury, paving the way for future research on regrowing damaged nerves.
The Seattle Gastrointestinal Program Project will investigate the role of oxidative damage in pancreatitis and chronic ulcerative colitis. Researchers aim to develop screening tests for pancreatic cancer and more sensitive early detection methods for colon cancer.
DHEA supplements, believed to have anti-aging properties, may stimulate the production of IGF-1, increasing prostate cancer risk. Dr. Goldberg recommends monitoring serum DHEA, PSA, and IGF-1 levels for men taking DHEA supplements.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that feeding cattle hay for five days before slaughter can reduce acid-resistant E. coli infections in humans. This simple change in diet can cut the risk of E. coli contamination, which causes over 20,000 annual infections and 200 deaths in the US.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that a low-fat diet can reverse type 2 diabetes in mice by reducing insulin and glucose levels independently of weight loss. The study suggests that foods high in fat, not sugar, are responsible for the onset of diabetes.
Expert Bruce P. Lanphear argues that federal standards ignore existing scientific evidence and fail to protect inner-city children from lead poisoning. He proposes a primary prevention approach, focusing on eliminating residential lead hazards before exposure, to mitigate the harmful effects of low-level lead exposure.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that cyclosporin can prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in rats and mice. This is an inherited form of heart disease affecting one in 500 individuals, characterized by cardiac hypertrophy.
Researchers have found that the ATM protein, mutated in A-T, acts as a key regulator of cell division after DNA damage, leading to increased cancer risk. The study provides new insights into how cells form tumors and may lead to new treatments for A-T and other neurological disorders.
A study found that primary care physicians rely heavily on informal consultations with subspecialists to meet patient needs, but subspecialists are concerned about the lack of information exchanged. This may indicate a lack of trust in primary care physicians' abilities to take histories and examine patients.
A small radio-controlled aircraft equipped with a sensor developed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) can monitor air for signs of biological weapons. The sensor uses fluorescent antibodies and optical fibers to detect biowar bacteria in water samples, allowing it to accumulate on probes over time.
This September/October 1998 issue of Public Health Reports explores the intersection of neuroscience and early childhood policy, as well as indoor air quality. Scientific contributions include studies on community-based nutrition campaigns, surveillance of injuries, and mortality due to unintentional injuries in the Netherlands.
Researchers at Hughes Space and Communications have developed a new ion propulsion system that can keep satellites in orbit for up to 25 years, using the inert gas xenon. This innovation reduces the need for frequent fuel replacements, ensuring reliable signal reception and preventing collisions with neighboring satellites.
Researchers found that progestin activates apoptosis in the ovarian lining, preventing precancerous cells from becoming malignant. The study suggests that periodically administering progestin could be a highly effective preventive treatment for ovarian cancer.
Scientists identify a new pathway through which HIV can disturb the function of uninfected cells, leading to a sudden decline in immune function. The research suggests that blocking HIV binding to CXCR4 could stop advanced AIDS progression in patients with certain strains of the virus.
NASA scientists have discovered an anomaly in Pioneer 10's trajectory, suggesting the spacecraft may be experiencing an unexplained force pulling it towards the Sun. The effect has been observed in multiple Pioneer and Ulysses probes, challenging current theories of gravity.
In a six-year study, Maine's 0.05% law reduced fatal crashes among DWI drivers with BALs above 0.15% by 35%. The law also decreased fatalities among drivers in the 0.05-0.14% range. Maine was the first state to adopt this limit for prior DWI offenders.
Evolutionary biologist H. Allen Orr proposes a new theory on the genetic foundations of adaptation, challenging standard theory that only tiny genetic changes contribute to adaptation. Orr's work uses mathematical modeling and computer simulations, suggesting that a mix of minor and major genetic changes can lead to adaptation.
The study found that over one-tenth of personal healthcare dollars are spent on care for smokers, with significant variations between states. States with higher smoking rates, such as Nevada, spent more than $200 million, while others, like Utah, spent less.
A study of 13,204 female military recruits found a 9.2% overall prevalence of chlamydial infection, with peak rates among 17-year-olds. Screening programs based on age could identify 95.3% of infected women using DNA amplification tests like LCR assays.
A new study in Nature reveals that floor plate development occurs earlier and is driven by factors other than the notochord. This challenges the classic model of neural cell patterning, which posits a central role for Sonic hedgehog signaling.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that prohibiting smoking in restaurants had no adverse economic effect on the industry. The research analyzed data from counties with strict smoking ordinances and compared it to similar counties without such laws, revealing no significant changes in restaurant sales.
A UNC-CH study reveals that premature infants are resuscitated primarily based on parents' preferences and medical uncertainty, rather than solely on the prognosis of survival. The study found that resuscitation generally postpones death by only a few days but does not contribute substantially to over-treatment.
Scientists have discovered two new variants of the APC gene associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer. These variants, found in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may be more common than previously thought and increase susceptibility to pre-cancerous polyps.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute created a 2D system to study fire propagation, revealing that flame dynamics follow simple laws governing penetration of liquids into porous materials. This breakthrough provides a low-cost alternative to studying fire in space and could aid in detecting slow-moving flames in aircraft.
Researchers at Rice University have developed metal nanoshells, particles that can absorb or scatter light at virtually any wavelength, enabling new applications in energy-efficient paints and windows, solar collection materials, and chemical sensors. The team has also shown promise in extending their range to the far infrared.
A research team led by Prof. Yitzhak Maron has developed a method to definitively determine how electricity flows through hot and dense plasmas. By measuring the electric current and its distribution in the plasma, scientists can gain crucial information on how to condense plasma more effectively for controlled fusion.
Researchers at Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory have concluded that atmospheric holes in satellite imagery are caused by instrument noise, not small comets. The study analyzes raw data from the Polar spacecraft and shows that dark pixel clusters are consistent with instrumental noise.
A Northwestern University study found that women with sexually transmitted diseases or elevated progesterone levels are more susceptible to HIV infection after unprotected sex with an HIV-positive partner. The research suggests that blocking chemokine receptors in genital tissues could be a key strategy for preventing male-to-female HI...
A researcher has detected an enormous black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, with a mass 2.6 million times that of our Sun. The discovery was made using advanced imaging techniques and provides a definitive view of a part of the galaxy previously unseen.
Researchers have developed a micron-resolution particle image velocimetry system to measure velocity fields in bioanalysis systems where low-light level imaging is critical. The technique has been refined to provide velocity-field measurements with spatial resolutions approaching 1 micron.
Miniature shock waves can be used to probe complex systems and investigate phenomena at the molecular level. The technique opens up new possibilities for research in chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Researchers found that Loblolly pine trees in North Carolina experienced a 12% growth rate increase when exposed to future carbon dioxide levels. However, the growth rate is likely unsustainable as trees adapt to higher CO2 concentrations and soil nutrient limitations.
The robotic telescope successfully mapped the southern sky in hydrogen-alpha light for a two-year project to identify low-surface-brightness phenomena within our own galaxy. The data will help decontaminate measurements of the cosmic microwave background from galactic emissions.
A cross-sectional analysis of 215 women aged 18-31 found correlations between weight, height, lean mass, and dietary factors like calcium, protein, and phosphorus with various bone mineral measures. Postmenarcheal age was positively correlated with total-body BMD and BMC, while radius BMD was linked to protein and phosphorus intakes.
A new court-based program called Children First helps divorcing parents be more sensitive towards their children, reducing conflict intensity. The program's effectiveness was found to have positive effects on parents reporting high levels of conflict, leading to improved interactions with their kids.
Researchers find that a single chemical cue can either attract or repel neurons depending on the growth cone's internal status, providing potential clues for regenerating nerves and understanding disorders of neuronal migration
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center identify connection between APC and c-MYC genes, which conspire to initiate almost all colon cancers. The study suggests potential new drug strategies to prevent colon cancer by blocking the signal that activates c-MYC.
Researchers have identified a cluster of three genes, kaiABC, that are integral components of the feedback loop driving circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria. The levels of KaiC gene expression increase during daytime and decrease at night, but an overabundance can shift the timing of the clock.
A new hypothesis proposes that a 71,000-year-old volcanic winter and subsequent 1,000-year ice age led to widespread famine and death, causing a significant bottleneck in human populations. This event is believed to have resulted in rapid genetic divergence among modern humans.
Healthy men who used olive oil instead of saturated fats for eight weeks experienced increased triglyceride but lower LDL-cholesterol and clotting factor VII. The long-term significance of this effect on coronary mortality remains unclear.
Researchers have found the first connection between the loss of a tumor suppressor gene and activation of an oncogene, providing new insights into the genesis of most cases of colon cancer. The study reveals that mutated APC genes switch on MYC, a gene associated with various cancers in animals and humans.
Genetics professor John Avise's book, The Genetic Gods, examines how genetic discoveries are shaping our understanding of human life, including spirituality. The book argues that genes have a significant influence on human affairs, challenging traditional views of the supernatural.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that zinc deficiency can exacerbate anorexia by increasing neuropeptide Y production and decreasing leptin levels. Zinc supplements have shown to increase recovery rates, supporting its potential as a treatment for anorexia.
Researchers found that calcium influx into mitochondria triggers neuron death, while changes in cytoplasmic calcium have a more subtle effect on cell health. The study suggests designing drugs to target mitochondria could prevent or intervene in glutamate-induced neuronal damage.