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.