Scientists have developed a technique to produce green fluorescent silk fibers by infecting silkworm larvae with a genetically engineered virus. This approach opens doors for genetic researchers to engineer silk proteins and produces potential economic applications.
A team of researchers will conduct an exhaustive analysis of rock samples, magnetic characteristics, and isotopic compositions from a depth of 15,000 feet in the Mauna Kea volcano. The project aims to learn more about mantle plumes and their role in producing volcanic eruptions.
The American Chemical Society is honoring black chemist Percy Julian's accomplishments in pharmaceuticals and chemical synthesis. Julian made significant contributions to the development of a low-cost synthetic method for cortisone, an antiarthritis drug, and synthesized the glaucoma medication physostigime.
Scientists have identified a gene called Pitx1 that can partially transform the upper limb of a vertebrate into a structure resembling its lower limb. The study found that Pitx1 is one of three genes thought to play a role in giving upper and lower extremities their identity.
Researchers found that intense stimulation is required to create lasting memory T cells, which are crucial for killing HIV-infected or cancerous cells. This discovery may provide a solution to vaccine challenges in treating AIDS and cancer.
An international team of experts in chemical education will discuss critical topics, including the effect of educational standards on chemist mobility and government support for chemistry education. The symposium will present the latest developments from various regions and showcase programs for students with varying backgrounds.
Dr. John Fortman will explore the chemistry connection in unexpected movies, such as 'The Graduate' and 'It's a Wonderful Life'. He will also showcase live chemical demonstrations in explosive films like Apollo 13 and Dante's Peak.
Scientists identified a new gene called derrière that controls the formation of the posterior regions of the embryo, including the neural tube and muscles. Derrière plays a key role in inducing precursor tissues that will eventually form muscle, making it a potential target for regenerating muscle in wasting diseases.
Researchers study hybrid species' genetic makeup and impact on ecosystems, challenging existing paradigms. Some studies find hybrids to be more fit than their parents in certain environments, while others reveal increased susceptibility to parasites.
A study published by UB oral biologists found a significant link between passive exposure to tobacco smoke and an increased risk of developing gum detachment and bleeding gums in adults. The research analyzed data from over 13,000 participants and showed that exposure to environmental smoke can lead to more severe periodontal disease.
The Whitehead Institute will build chip-based genome sequencing machines that can sequence 7 million DNA letters per day, reducing the cost of capital equipment by a factor of ten. The machines will be geared towards reading longer stretches of DNA, crucial for piece together overlapping fragments.
Researchers at Millennium Pharmaceuticals have cloned the mahogany gene, which produces a protein that can suppress diet-induced obesity in mice. The study found that mice with a mutated mg gene maintain a healthy weight on both high-fat and low-fat diets, suggesting a similar role in humans.
Physicists have successfully created an atom laser from a Bose-Einstein condensate using light manipulation, building on previous research funded by the Office of Naval Research. The NIST atom laser produces a highly directional beam with improved collimation compared to earlier experiments.
Researchers use explosive shock waves to break apart protein filaments in meat, reducing toughness and improving tenderness by 40-70%. This process also has the potential to kill harmful microorganisms, increasing food safety and shelf life.
Researchers found that verbal storage tasks activate left-hemisphere speech areas, while spatial storage tasks activate specific areas of the right cortex. The study provides strong evidence for a more precise understanding of how various regions of the frontal cortex are involved in specific mental activities.
The Isle Royale wolf population has rebounded dramatically after years of decline, with 25 wolves counted this winter. High reproductive success by two packs and the availability of easy prey due to poor moose conditions contributed to the increase.
A Mayo Clinic study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) is an efficient and cost-effective screening tool for patients with chest pain. The test can detect coronary artery calcification, allowing doctors to safely send patients home without further observation.
Researchers discover a gene, mahogany, that regulates obesity in mice, linking it to the immune system. The protein, made inside cells, passes through membranes to detect hormones, potentially leading to new treatment options for obesity.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington have mapped a gene associated with prostate cancer that runs in families, also linked to primary brain cancer. The study results appear in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found an association between new hormone use and the occurrence of a second cardiac event in women with previous heart disease. The study suggests that hormone therapy may not be beneficial for women who already have heart disease, but may still be helpful for those without it.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have developed a new method to convert used french fry oil into biodiesel, producing a higher grade fuel with less waste and at a lower cost. The process eliminates the need for acid neutralization and wastewater, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.
A new drug has been developed to target E.coli infections, reducing the risk of kidney damage by half in trials. The drug, developed by Synsorb Biotech, works by mimicking the receptors on gut cells to which the bacterium's deadly 'shiga' toxin binds, allowing it to mop up the toxin undigested.
A new study found that women under 65 with certain chronic medical conditions experience substantial morbidity and mortality from acute cardiopulmonary events during influenza season. The study suggests that stronger efforts to reach younger high-risk patients are needed to improve influenza vaccination levels.
Heavy metal contamination was found in northern Mexico's residential areas near smelters and refineries, exceeding maximum acceptable levels for cleanup. The contamination poses serious health risks to children and adults, including lead exposure, neurological damage, and increased cancer risk.
Researchers have discovered that screensaver keys can be vulnerable to hacking by scanning hard drives for random chunks of data. This could allow hackers to find and crack private signature keys, compromising encryption systems, particularly those on Web servers.
A new species of fossil animal has been discovered in South Africa, revealing the country as the birthplace of all mammals. The Anomocephalus africanus discovery reinforces the idea that distant ancestors of mammals originated from this region.
Researchers from Harvard & MIT found that adopting emerging dominant design and targeting new markets with architectural innovation are key to survival. The study draws on the volatile disk drive industry, where firms that incorporated dominant product design had a higher chance of survival than those that ignored its emergence.
Researchers analyzed over 5,000 angioplasty patients and found that 8-18% of stent implants were unnecessary, especially in men with shorter lesions. A simple angioplasty appears to work as well as implanting a stent, suggesting potential cost savings.
A study by Duke University researchers found that the longer a person used the popular diet drug combination fen/phen, the greater the likelihood they had a heart valve abnormality. Mild or greater aortic regurgitation was detected in 8.8% of patients who used the drug for three months or more, compared to 3.6% of a control group.
A national pilot study is testing whether soy supplementation can reduce prostate cancer risk in African-American men. The $494,588 study, led by Electra D. Paskett, Ph.D., will evaluate the effect of soy on markers for prostate cancer risk and assess its impact on cardiovascular health and quality of life.
Healthcare professionals who received the flu vaccine lost significantly fewer days of work due to illness compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. The vaccine also reduced the rate of influenza type A and B infections among vaccinated individuals.
Professor Robert Bower, a pioneer in semiconductor technology, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his groundbreaking work on the self-aligned gate MOSFET and ion implantation. His invention revolutionized integrated circuit design, enabling faster and more efficient electronic devices.
A study involving 1,500 pairs of Swedish and British twins found that aggressive behavior can be inherited, while social environment plays a crucial role in non-aggressive antisocial behavior. The research revealed different etiologies for aggressive and non-aggressive behaviors in boys and girls.
A new study found that how children perceive their parents' divorce can significantly affect their mental health. Children who harbor negative biases about the divorce experience higher levels of depression and anxiety. Conversely, positive biases or illusions can buffer these effects, but excessive positivity may be detrimental.
A team of researchers led by Christine MacKenzie aims to create efficient intelligent tools for performing tasks in both virtual and real environments. The goal is to achieve direct vision and manipulation in a virtual hand lab, enabling humans to use their fingers as pointers.
Researchers found that dietary choline deficiency changes brain structure in developing rats, reducing cell division and increasing premature cell death. The study suggests a similar effect on human babies, highlighting the importance of prenatal nutrition for long-term cognitive health.
Researchers found that maternal soothing was not effective in reducing infants' cortisol response or behavioral reaction to stress, but may influence the child's developing model of the world. Maternal behavior in general is crucial in affecting cortisol and behavioral stress responses.
A study suggests that maternal stress and stress hormones may influence fetal brain development. Research found associations between maternal factors, such as medical and psychological stress, and fetal brain function.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program has selected its first cohort of 20 Fellows, including experts in water and air quality, diseases, and global climate change. The five-year program aims to enhance their ability to communicate environmental science effectively among various audiences.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that depressed older women are twice as likely to experience spinal fractures and have a 30% greater risk of non-spinal fractures compared to non-depressed women. The more symptoms of depression, the higher the risk of fracture.
The largest health system study of its kind reveals a chronic heart failure epidemic in the US. Researchers found that annual heart failure cases more than doubled at Henry Ford Health System from 1989-1997, with prevalence rising to 20 cases per 1000 patients.
A Phase II/III clinical trial with ENBREL (etanercept) in chronic heart failure patients is underway, based on positive results from a Phase I study. The trial aims to evaluate cytokine inhibition as a new approach to studying chronic heart failure.
The Cornell team will monitor seismic waves produced by local and distant earthquakes using temporary recording stations set up in eastern Turkey. They aim to determine how the Arabian plate is being supported and what specific earthquake hazards exist in the region, shedding light on the early stages of continental collision.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a new drug reduces the size of myocardial infarctions without necessarily reducing incidence. This challenges traditional trial methods that focus on reducing death and heart attacks.
A new study finds that routine use of coronary stents yields better outcomes and is more cost-effective than traditional balloon angioplasty. The Optimal PTCA versus Primary Stent Strategy (OPUS) Trial showed a significant reduction in death, heart attack rates, and the need for second procedures after six months.
A team of Canadian scientists identified a potentially useful target for drugs to treat type II diabetes and obesity by genetically engineering mice lacking a specific enzyme. The results showed that these mice resisted weight gain and insulin resistance on a high-calorie diet, suggesting a possible approach for treating the disease.
Scientists discover that the sense of smell in mammals uses a combinatorial code to recognize and process odors, allowing for the detection of thousands of scents with relatively few odor receptors. The study reveals that different combinations of receptors are used to describe various smells.
A 40-kilometer-long fault system has been identified directly under the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which is believed to have caused significant damage in recent earthquakes. The newly mapped 'blind-thrust' fault system stretches from downtown LA to northern Orange County and could potentially generate massive 7.0-magnitude quakes.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that highly depressed individuals have reduced autonomic regulation of blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart damage. Exercise was shown to be an effective treatment to restore this function and improve heart health.
Researchers created a test-tube photosynthesis system that mimics the metal cluster in green plants, shedding light on how life-giving oxygen is produced. The study, led by University of Delaware chemist Arnold Rheingold, may suggest new strategies for converting sunlight into electricity and enhance our appreciation of the natural world.
Scientists at Georgia Tech create a device that can accurately measure the mass of small particles by inducing resonance in individual carbon nanotubes. This technique has potential for weighing viruses and other sub-micron scale particles.
Linda Buck and colleagues found that the olfactory system uses a combination of odorant receptors to recognize different odors. The nose can discriminate a vast number of diverse odorants by recognizing distinct combinations of receptors.
Mice lacking a gene for making telomeres displayed symptoms of aging, including graying hair and increased tumor incidence. However, the study reveals that telomere loss is not solely responsible for aging, suggesting other mechanisms at play.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center found that certain retrotransposons can pick up flanking genetic sequences and insert themselves along with tag-along DNA, creating novel genetic combinations. This mechanism may contribute to evolutionary change in humans and other mammals by generating genomic diversity.
The 1999 Tyler Prize honors Te-Tzu Chang's research on rice genetics and conservation, which has led to major advances in plant breeding, productivity, and disease resistance. Joel E. Cohen's contributions to understanding food webs and population growth have also had a lasting impact on both.
A new protein in Candida albicans allows the fungus to adhere strongly to mucosal cells, facilitating its growth and proliferation. The discovery could lead to the development of inhibitors to prevent or treat Candidiasis infections.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a portable X-ray device that can detect explosives and objects in packages using reflected, rather than transmitted, X-rays. The device is designed to be safer for law enforcement officers and can transmit partial images useful in police work even if the package explodes.
Researchers found that about 6% of children exhibit a strong tendency towards revenge in minor conflicts, indicating poorer friendships. This goal was the most predictive factor of their friendship situation in real life, highlighting the need to understand and address this behavior.
A study by Duke University Medical Center scientists found that habitual coffee drinkers experienced increased adrenaline, noradrenaline, and blood pressure when consuming caffeine. This heightened response can lead to damage in the heart over time.
Researchers developed a new mathematical expression that accurately models p-n junction performance, resolving past misconceptions. The theory reveals unexpected results, including the diffusion capacitance vanishing for long diodes.