Polymers are versatile molecules made up of repeating units bonded together. During National Chemistry Week, families can participate in hands-on activities to learn about polymers' uses in everyday life, including disposable diapers and sports gear.
Researchers reconstructed the stages of sex chromosome evolution, tracing the modern X and Y chromosomes back to ordinary autosomes. The study found that these chromosomes differentiated into distinct blocks, with genes clustered together on one chromosome but scattered across the other.
Researchers have found that the ancestor of human sex chromosomes arose from an identical pair of standard chromosomes approximately 240-320 million years ago. This new evidence suggests that the first events creating sex chromosomes occurred earlier than previously thought, around 100 million years sooner.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to detect early signs of artery blockages using Doppler ultrasound. The technique uses voice recognition to track turbulence in blood flow, providing a safer alternative to current methods that require ionizing radiation or invasive procedures.
Renowned researchers Dr. George H. Denton, Prof. Hartmut Graßl, and Dr. Stefan Rahmstorf will address the effects of climate change on European nations. The event aims to explore possible solutions to mitigate these changes and ensure human survival.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a new class of mitosis inhibitors, including the molecule monastrol, which disrupts the mitotic spindle apparatus and arrests cell division. This discovery offers a promising lead for developing more specific and effective chemotherapies.
The report highlights the rapid spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) to Western Europe and North America, reaching unprecedented levels in over 100 countries. Immediate implementation of the World Health Organization's DOTS program and new resources are urgently needed to combat the growing epidemic.
Women at high risk for ovarian cancer experience depression when concerned about passing the disease to their daughters. A study found that 33% of participants were depressed during initial assessments and 38% during follow-ups, with concern for daughters being a leading source of distress.
Researchers confirm hazard posed by intraslab earthquakes in Pacific Northwest, which can cause significant damage and loss of life. A magnitude 7-7.5 intraslab earthquake could strike the region, posing a greater risk than larger offshore earthquakes.
A recent study reveals that much of the information on global pollution is flawed due to the chirality of chemicals. This asymmetry affects how toxic pollutants interact with living organisms. The study finds that some pollutants may be less harmful than thought, while environmental changes could increase or decrease their toxicity.
A recent study of Ontario family physicians and gynecologists found that over 98% of respondents prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent osteoporosis, with almost 90% citing coronary artery disease as a consideration. The most significant reasons not to prescribe HRT included breast cancer concerns and strong family his...
A PricewaterhouseCoopers study suggests that consumerism, e-commerce, and genetic mapping will transform the US healthcare system. The report highlights potential disruptions, including increased competition for capital investments and a shift towards preventive care through genomics.
Researchers have found that a biochemical storm triggered by traumatic brain injury can continue for at least a month, suggesting the need for extended treatment. This discovery challenges current thinking on treatment windows and highlights the importance of understanding the complex interactions between calpains and brain tissue damage.
Researchers found that people in urban areas are more likely to live in areas with contaminated groundwater, particularly in the eastern half of the US. Untreated groundwater was four times more likely to exceed drinking-water criteria in urban areas than rural areas.
The Meharry-Vanderbilt partnership will support research and patient care initiatives targeting racial disparities in cancer incidence and deaths. The collaboration will develop a post-graduate training program, shared research resources, and funding for novel cancer research.
Researchers have successfully delivered a therapeutic gene for peripheral neuropathy using a modified herpes virus, which can produce nerve growth factor (NGF) in non-neuronal cells and enter the bloodstream. This approach may offer a long-term solution for patients with peripheral neuropathy resulting from diabetes or chemotherapy.
A University of Iowa research team found a novel approach to enhance binding between vectors and cells, making gene transfers up to 10 times more efficient. The breakthrough could lead to better methods for treating diseases like cystic fibrosis.
The American Chemical Society's 34th Midwest Regional Meeting will feature over 200 papers on analytical chemistry for the new millennium, drawing at least 450 scientists. Colorful chemical demonstrations by Dr. Marvin Lang will also be presented.
A study on Isle Royale National Park found that wolves' increased hunting efficiency in snowy winters led to a decline in moose populations, reducing browsing pressure on balsam fir saplings. This cascade of ecological responses highlights the potential impact of apex predators' behavioral adaptations to climate change.
A Penn State researcher suggests that increasing oxygen levels may have triggered the first of three past episodes when the Earth became a giant snowball, covered from pole to pole by ice and frozen oceans. The study proposes that low methane levels and high carbon dioxide levels were responsible for the glaciation process.
The American Chemical Society's March 26-30 meeting in San Francisco will feature presentations on emerging trends in chemistry, including anticancer therapies, endocrine disruptors, and new drug delivery techniques. More than 6,000 papers are expected to be presented to the 14,000 attendees.
A recent study published in Demography found that breast-feeding duration is significantly impacted by workplace demands. Women who work full-time have the lowest breast-feeding rates, while those working part-time or with flexible schedules tend to breast-feed more frequently.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that poorer neighbourhoods have higher mortality rates and reduced access to cardiovascular services after a heart attack. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted healthcare delivery and promotion to address these disparities.
A new animal study suggests that soy isoflavones may slow prostate cancer growth by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. The study also found lower levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, a hormone that stimulates tumor growth.
Researchers found that pregnant women who received a hormone-like gel called prostaglandin E2 gave birth faster than those who received a placebo, with an average labor time of 5.6 hours versus 8.6 hours. The study suggests that this gel may help prevent the need for induced labor and reduce Caesarean sections in women at risk
A recent study by Janice Christian and Scott Wilson found that crested wheatgrass can precipitate a decline in soil quality and increase atmospheric carbon dioxide. The introduction of non-native species like crested wheatgrass may have far-reaching negative repercussions on ecosystems.
A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found a high diabetes rate among Lumbee Indians, with approximately 9% of adults in Robeson County diagnosed. The study suggests that diabetes is a major concern for the Lumbee community and highlights the need for increased healthcare awareness and prevention efforts.
Researchers found that even after highly sensitive tests detected no viable HIV, the virus quickly rebounded to substantial levels when therapy was stopped. The study suggests that eradicating HIV with current therapies is unlikely due to the presence of latent reservoirs that drugs cannot access.
Researchers have found two nearby streams of stars that appear to be debris from a single dwarf galaxy torn apart by the Milky Way's gravity about 10 billion years ago. These relic streams are part of the Milky Way's outer structure and provide insights into its formation.
The genomic sequence of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been completed, providing a vital tool for improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This information will enable researchers to understand the origin of many common diseases and identify positions of genes on this important segment of the human genome.
Researchers found that providing more oxygen during and after surgery can cut in half the number of patients experiencing nausea. This simple procedure is effective, risk-free, and inexpensive, offering a promising alternative to expensive anti-nausea medications.
Scientists have mapped the zebrafish genome using a radiation hybrid technique, allowing for matching of candidate genes with genetically mapped mutations. The map provides valuable insight into human development and has potential applications in understanding genetic diseases.
A new report by Robert H. DuRant shows a significant link between sexual experience and violent behavior in North Carolina high school males. Males who have been involved in pregnancy are more likely to engage in behaviors increasing their risk of injury or death, such as fighting, carrying a gun to school, and using illegal substances.
A new study found that male prairie voles' brains produce a compound called citrulline, which is associated with aggressive behavior in mice. However, the study suggests that this compound may not be present in monogamous male voles, which could help explain their unique mating behaviors.
A University of Michigan study found that older adults tend to use the left front side of the brain, specifically the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, when performing concurrent tasks. This is a difference from younger adults who rely more on visual cortices for task switching.
A study by Brown University researchers found that overweight women who used home exercise equipment lost significantly more weight than those without the equipment, with an average of 16.3 pounds lost compared to 8.1 pounds. The equipment also helped participants maintain a higher level of exercise throughout the study.
The CARDIA Study found that high-fiber diets are associated with lower insulin levels, weight gain, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy, young black and white adults. The study of nearly 3,000 participants over 10 years revealed a significant inverse association between fiber consumption and CVD risk factors.
Scientists develop a new process using chromium chloride to produce hundreds of thousands of compounds in just one experiment. The innovation enables faster screening of industrial products, including drugs and dyes.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a key gene in acute leukemia, suggesting potential new treatments. The study found that the inv(16) translocation collaborates with AML-1 to turn genes off, even when they should be on.
Researchers have discovered iron-rich rock formations dating back 2.3 billion years, indicating the presence of land-based life and atmospheric oxygen during that time. The findings, made by Dr. Hiroshi Ohmoto and Nick Beukes, suggest that life on Earth existed much earlier than previously thought.
Researchers found that older adults can compensate for cognitive decline by using unique brain areas, including the hippocampus, to support performance. This suggests that aging brains are more resilient than thought, with exciting implications for memory rehabilitation.
Researchers discover that older adults' brains reorganize themselves to recall visual information, bypassing damaged neural circuits. This adaptation allows them to maintain relatively good memory function despite aging, according to a new study published in Current Biology.
Researchers found increased genetic diversity in cattails growing in the most polluted sites, contradicting previous studies on animal populations. The team's findings suggest that cattails may be an effective indicator of environmental stress.
The Choices and Challenges public forum project at Virginia Tech explores the humanistic components of science and technology, covering topics from genetic engineering to space technologies. The series has received national recognition, including two national awards, for its innovative approach to promoting dialogue between science, so...
Astrophysicists use 'forensic science' to study gamma-ray bursts, seeking clues about their causes. Observations suggest that many bursts are linked to star formation and blue galaxies.
The fourth annual Skull Base Surgery Symposium will take place at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from November 4-6, 1999. Renowned experts in the field of skull base surgery will share their knowledge on advanced technologies and procedures.
Research published in Heart shows that over 400 heart attacks occur annually among young women smokers and could be avoided with cessation of tobacco use. The risk of heart attack increases significantly with daily cigarette consumption, with even light smokers facing more than double the danger.
New radiocarbon dating reveals Neandertals coexisted with early modern humans in central Europe for thousands of years, casting doubt on theories of extinction and migration. The findings also suggest potential genetic exchange between Neandertals and modern humans.
Scientists are working on creating new thermoelectric materials that can rival the efficiency of conventional coolants in air conditioners. The goal is to develop a small, lightweight device that can both cool and generate electricity.
A study of 741 men and women exposed to the Dutch famine in utero found middle-aged women showed increased obesity rates, particularly abdominal deposition of body fat associated with metabolic syndrome. Women whose mothers were exposed to the famine early in their pregnancies were especially prone to later obesity.
A diet rich in folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 may significantly lower homocysteine concentrations in individuals with high cardiovascular risk. This study found that a prescribed diet fortified with these nutrients was effective in reducing homocysteine levels, while self-selected diets showed no change.
A daily fish meal as part of a weight-loss diet lowers cholesterol levels, benefits glucose metabolism, and promotes successful weight loss in overweight middle-aged men and women with hypertension. The study found that a low-fat diet combined with fish consumption improved patients' glucose tolerance and reduced abdominal fat.
Scientists use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to separate expectation and perception, revealing the role of the posterior parietal cortex in funneling expectations into the visual cortex. This breakthrough may shed light on attention deficits after brain injury and inform rehabilitation strategies.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that a brisk walk or jog three times a week may be just as effective in relieving symptoms of major depression as standard anti-depressant medications. The study showed significant improvements in all three groups, with exercise and medication showing similar results.
Researchers from Children's National Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh successfully reverse muscle damage caused by limb girdle muscular dystrophy using gene therapy. The non-toxic virus-based approach increases muscle strength and size by nearly 100% in animal tests, paving the way for potential treatment of Duchenne muscula...
Researchers discover that exposure to novel environments stimulates the zif-268 gene during sleep, which may help consolidate memories. During REM sleep, this gene is reactivated in rats that explored new environments, suggesting a crucial role in memory processing.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new artificial hip design that reduces stress shielding and prevents bone atrophy in younger patients. The design is based on an analysis of real loading conditions within the human hip region and has been shown to consistently perform better than conventional designs.
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) will present over 1,000 presentations on liver-related diseases, including new findings on using alcohol to repair damaged livers and the impact of race on response to anti-viral therapy in chronic Hepatitis C patients. The meeting aims to advance the science and practice...
Researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to changes in glucose tolerance and hormone secretion, resembling the effects of advanced age or early stages of diabetes. Sleep deprivation also altered thyroid-stimulating hormone production and cortisol levels, with significant consequences for overall health.
The USGS has been monitoring a series of large earthquakes around the world since August 17. The seismic activity is believed to be related to stress buildup in the Earth's crust. Scientists will discuss their findings and lessons learned from recent earthquakes, including those in Turkey, Greece, Taiwan, and Mexico.