Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified melatonin as a key hormone that regulates brain plasticity in songbirds. The study found that melatonin reduces overall volume of the high vocal center, a brain area involved in song production, despite exposure to artificial daylight hours.
Researchers at UCSF Cancer Research Institute have made an observation that could explain the ability of modified cold virus ONYX-015 to kill cancer cells. The finding suggests that ONYX-015 targets a genetic vulnerability in tumor cells, specifically those with mutations or defects in p53 and p14ARF genes.
Researchers have developed a new technique to spot contaminated corn by listening for telltale noises made by mouldy kernels when exposed to infrared strobe light. The method uses Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) and achieves a 96% accuracy in spotting clean and contaminated corn.
Researchers at Rice University are developing chameleon-like nanoshells with tailored optical properties to enhance devices and materials. These nanoshells can manipulate different types of light and have potential applications in energy conservation, construction materials, and biomedicine.
A study by the High Pressure Mineral Physics Group at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry revealed that at high pressures, elements with strong affinity for metallic iron (siderophilic elements) lose their characteristic behavior. This discovery suggests an alternative explanation for the abundance of these elements in the Earth's u...
Researchers found that tumor oxygen levels and blood flow are not predictable, which could hinder radiation therapy and drug delivery. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight the importance of measuring tumor oxygenation and blood flow in human tumors.
A new study found that anabolic steroids can increase lean body mass and reduce fatigue in kidney disease patients receiving dialysis. Patients who received the steroid gained an average of 5.7 pounds more lean body mass than those on placebo, scoring better on physical performance tests.
A new 'stress-sharing' prosthetic device has been shown to stimulate bone development and prevent loosening and failure in patients with cancer. The device directs forces on the leg bone rather than the metal implant, reducing the risk of complications and allowing patients to function long-term.
Research suggests that physical stress and surgery can suppress natural killer cell activity, leading to increased tumor development. Protective measures, such as analgesia, may help prevent this suppression.
Researchers discover collective spin excitation in high-temperature superconductor, suggesting magnetic pairing mechanism. The experiment provides important insights into the behavior of electron spins, crucial for models of high temperature superconductivity.
Roy Curtiss III's patent covers a genetically engineered bacterial antigen delivery system that induces immune responses against foreign antigens. The technology is being used to develop recombinant vaccines for various pathogens, including Heliobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that writing about stressful experiences improved symptoms for nearly half of patients with asthma and arthritis. After four months, the patients who wrote down their feelings showed significant clinical improvement compared to those who wrote about their daily ...
Researchers from the Partnership for Natural Disaster Reduction (PNDR) presented various studies on wind and earthquake resistance, including a large-scale extreme wind research facility and hurricane-resistant homes. The PNDR program aims to reduce damage from natural disasters through concerted nationwide research efforts.
Invasive pests are harming California's agricultural industry, ornamental plants, and wildlife. The glassy-winged sharpshooter spreads Xylella fastidiosa, causing Pierce's disease in grapevines and almond leaf scorch disease, while yellow starthistle infests 22% of the state, replacing desirable vegetation.
Researchers use a massive centrifuge to simulate earthen dam failures and study the effects of sinkholes on full-sized dams. The 400g-ton machine, built in 1988, can spin loads of up to 2 tons at 200 times gravity.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a non-invasive technique to study complex cell behavior using electricity. The ECIS 100 technology provides unprecedented sensitivity and detailed results, allowing for real-time analysis of cell activity over time.
Certain plant species can trigger an adaptive reaction to flooding by producing life-saving shoots, but the exact process is unclear. Dutch biologists hope to unravel this process at the physiological and molecular level to develop crops that can cope with floods.
Astronomers have detected the first observational evidence for hypernova remnants in galaxy M101. The two remnants, MF83 and NGC5471B, are among the largest known supernova remnants and have X-ray luminosities about an order of magnitude brighter than brightest supernovae.
A new NTP Center for Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction will assess the potential reproductive risks of seven phthalates found in consumer products. The center aims to fill knowledge gaps on their contribution to declining sperm counts, birth defects, and developmental problems.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is providing $550,000 to support research opportunities for DC and suburban Maryland/Virginia school teachers. Selected teachers will gain hands-on experience in NIH laboratories and share their knowledge with students.
Researchers found that extracts of these plant products bound to estrogen receptors, causing an estrogen-like response in rats. This could lead to reduced LH production, but also raises concerns about potential dangers for women with a history of breast or uterine cancer.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that moving objects appear slower through rod photoreceptors than cone photoreceptors, especially under low light conditions. This underestimation can lead to compensatory speeding-up, which may be fatal.
A study conducted in India found that pneumococcal serotypes 1, 6, 19, and others were commonly prevalent, with type-1 found in 25% of cases. The researchers also discovered high rates of antibiotic resistance among S. pneumoniae, particularly in urban areas.
Researchers from the Fritz Haber Institute found that chemical trigger waves can propagate instantaneously across a system, violating traditional notions of local causality. The experiment used an electrocatalytic reaction on a platinum ring electrode and demonstrated nonlocal coupling effects.
A new 400-million-year-old primitive shark relative from Bolivia named Pucapampella has been discovered, contradicting the belief that chondrichthyans are primitive due to their jaw characteristics. The fossil suggests that modern shark jaws are an advanced characteristic than the jaws of bony fish.
University of Notre Dame researchers have successfully demonstrated a functioning transistorless logic gate using quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) technology. The device consists of four quantum dots connected in a ring by tunnel junctions, enabling digital data to be encoded in the positions of only two electrons.
Researchers found that treating the inner ear with leupeptin before exposure to high-level noise reduced sensory hair cell loss by 60%. However, leupeptin offered no protection against the damaging effects of carboplatin.
A brief, non-confrontational intervention treatment significantly reduced alcohol consumption and related problems among high-risk college-age drinkers. The study found that students who received the intervention cut their drinking by 23%, compared to a 5% decrease in the control group.
The Wistar Institute's Regeneration Symposium will feature talks on epimorphic regeneration, limb regeneration, and the role of ependymal cells in spinal cord regeneration. Experts like David Stocum, Alejandro Sanchez Alvarado, and Susan V. Bryant will share their research findings.
Penn State's InterWET website enables users to calculate water quality consequences with point-and-click calculators, exploring topics like surface runoff, groundwater, and fish populations. The website aims to help beginners understand hydrological concepts without requiring complex math.
A Purdue University study found that patients' reports of their own health were more valid than doctors' predictions, especially for African-American patients. The discrepancy may be due to varying levels of information provided by patients, with doctors relying heavily on patient input to make informed decisions.
Researchers refute Garrett Hardin's 'Tragedy of the Commons' thesis, highlighting successful management through incentives, rules, and monitoring. Small groups and local autonomy are key to effective resource use.
The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team predicts a highly active 1999 hurricane season with landfall probabilities above average for the East Coast and Florida Peninsula. The team expects four major hurricanes with minimum winds of 111 mph, which historically cause most hurricane-spawned destruction.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that women with birth defects are at a small risk of having children with birth defects, with only 4% of affected offspring. The majority of women with birth defects will have healthy, unaffected babies.
A team of scientists, led by Frankie Jackson of Montana State University, has uncovered a vast dinosaur nesting site in Patagonia, containing over 200 eggs and fossilized skin. The discovery provides valuable insights into the behavior, biology, and nesting strategies of long-necked sauropod dinosaurs.
A new study found that women with birth defects are less likely to survive and have fewer children than those without them. However, their children face a higher risk of developing similar birth defects.
Scientists have discovered a biochemical connection between presenilin and Notch, a protein controlling crucial aspects of developmental biology. This link may lead to new insights into the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers David Kirk and Stephen Miller have discovered a transposon gene, called Jordan, in the green alga Volvox. This gene helps them isolate genes of interest to understand their form and function, shedding light on cell reproduction and specialized cells. The study has implications for human gene therapy and cancer research.
Researchers find that while smoking may lower risk of pre-eclampsia and uterine cancer, it can lead to reproductive problems such as miscarriage and infertility. Stopping smoking during pregnancy is advised, with nicotine alternatives like gum recommended to minimize harm.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found no additional mercury exposure to children from dental fillings, despite low environmental exposure. Tiny amounts of mercury were detected in primary teeth, but statistical analysis showed no correlation with the number of fillings.
Researchers found that common soil minerals can work with ionizing radiation to break down toxic chlorinated chemicals into simpler compounds. However, this process may produce volatile gases, posing a risk of explosion at storage tanks like Hanford's.
A new study reveals two distinct subtypes of ADHD affecting boys and girls at similar rates, contradicting traditional assumptions about the disorder's impact on males. The research also identifies genetic factors as a key contributor to ADHD risk, with identical twins showing 80% concordance rate.
The American Red Cross has developed a new genetic test, nucleic acid testing (NAT), to detect viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in blood donations. This technology can identify infectious agents earlier than current screening tests, reducing the risk of disease transmission through blood products.
A new high-resolution transmission electron microscope at Johns Hopkins University is being used to study metal alloys and predict their behavior in jet engines. By analyzing the arrangement of atoms, researchers can determine the mechanical properties of these materials.
Researchers use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study children's brain development and identify language centers. The non-invasive test shows that children as young as 7 years old rely on the left hemisphere for language, similar to adults.
Estrogen therapy has been shown to alter brain activation patterns in postmenopausal women, increasing activation in areas associated with verbal memory and registration, similar to younger adults. The study used fMRI technology to observe changes in brain function while performing memory tasks.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a novel alloy of silicon-carbide and germanium that may handle hot, high-power microelectronic and MEMS devices better than silicon. The material also shows promise for enhancing the speed and stability of next-generation silicon-germanium chips.
A Wake Forest University study found that US dialysis patients are more likely to miss treatment sessions compared to their European and Asian counterparts. Factors contributing to this discrepancy include differences in dialysis prescription, patient health, medical system eligibility, and patient independence.
The latest Ecology journal edition examines the survival of Yellowstone grizzly bears, which remain threatened despite intensive management. Ferns also play a crucial role in determining forest composition by filtering tree growth rates. Earthworms shed light on plant responses to climate change through their nutrient-rich castings.
Undergraduates at Johns Hopkins University engage in important research projects alongside top scientists, creating innovative solutions such as a robotic submarine and testing treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Students also develop digital models of the heart and conduct gene-therapy experiments with polymer nanospheres.
The FUSE Satellite will observe wavelengths of light inaccessible to other telescopes, testing models of chemical evolution and determining the primordial abundance of deuterium. This will help scientists understand the origins of the universe, galaxy evolution, and chemical mixing and distribution.
Scientists attribute the retreats to regional warming trends, which have caused annual melt seasons to increase by two to three weeks over the last 20 years. The ice shelves' disintegration is accelerating, with much of the Wilkins Ice Shelf likely gone within a few years.
A study by Mark R. Rank and Thomas A. Hirschl found that nearly two-thirds of all Americans will experience poverty for at least one year during their lifetime, with the likelihood increasing with age.
Researchers discovered that a mutant form of the presenilin-1 protein causes a significant reduction in amyloid formation. The study provides insight into the interaction between two key molecules involved in amyloid formation, which may lead to advances in therapeutics research.
Research shows that boys tend to overestimate their school performance, but girls often underestimate it, with girls' underestimation linked to depression and anxiety. The study found a strong correlation between children's self-estimations and emotional problems, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues.
A new study from UCSF found that grapefruit juice can inhibit the body's absorption of certain drugs, including cancer medication Vinblastine and HIV protease inhibitor saquinavir. Patients taking these medications with grapefruit juice may experience increased levels of the drug in their blood.
Research found associations between anxiety and depression in adolescent mothers and their use of negative control tactics, leading to higher levels of disruptive behavior in their children. The study showed that frequent yelling, threatening, and spanking by mothers during conflict did not lead to a decrease in child behavior problems.
The National Science Foundation awards Cornell University $88 million to operate the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR) accelerator for 54 months. The funding enables continued improvement of the facility for high-energy physics and X-ray research in various fields.
Researchers discovered that mammalian support cells can proliferate when an enzyme inhibitor is absent, paving the way for potential hair-cell regeneration. This breakthrough offers hope for restoring hearing in humans and other mammals who suffer from noise-induced hearing loss.
A nationwide survey of internists found that up to 50% of physicians in managed care settings failed to prescribe recommended services, while 39% in fee-for-service settings did so. Financial incentives led to a decrease in ordering tests and referrals.