A recent gene study challenges the popular Cambrian Explosion theory, proposing that major animal groups evolved steadily over 1200 million years. The research uses hundreds of gene sequences to calculate evolutionary timelines and suggests that many species existed before their fossils appeared.
A study at Oregon Health Sciences University found that an unloader brace can relieve pain, improve mobility, and delay or even avoid surgery in patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. The device improved walking times, reduced pain medication use, and increased patient activity levels.
A team of researchers has deployed an Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) on the Pacific island of Nauru to study clouds and sunlight. The station will gather information for at least 10 years, providing insights into global warming effects and El Niño/La Niña weather phenomena.
The new genomics center will be linked to several institutions, including the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and will strengthen existing databases for grain and plant genetics. This partnership aims to provide an internationally valuable resource for research storage and analysis of genetic data.
A lifetime of poor health can start with conditions in the womb, according to Cornell University researcher Peter W. Nathanielsz. He argues that adults may suffer diseases due to incompletely formed organs during vulnerable periods of development. The book emphasizes the importance of prenatal care and nutrition for future generations.
Researchers use fully quantum-mechanical simulations to study proton diffusion in acids, finding that the proton migrates by interconverting hydrogen bonds into strong covalent bonds. Quantum tunneling is not involved, and the defect's delocalization is induced by zero-point motion of excess protons.
Researchers gathered unprecedented data from NASA aircraft in Atlantic hurricanes Bonnie, Danielle, Earl, and Georges, shedding light on complex wind patterns and rainfall enhancement by mountains. The study aims to improve hurricane forecast capabilities, saving lives and reducing evacuation zones.
Researchers from University of California call for changes in management of agricultural and environmental resources to ensure sustainable food production and efficient water resource use. They emphasize the need for increased cooperation, public-private partnerships, and research into water resources management.
A study using genetically engineered mice suggests that Ritalin calms humans with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by affecting serotonin levels, rather than dopamine. The findings provide a new understanding of the drug's mechanism of action and could lead to more effective treatments for ADHD.
The American Chemical Society's spring national meeting will discuss various topics including obesity treatment and the use of geochemicals to detect extraterrestrial life. Over 5,000 scientific papers will be presented to an estimated 10,000 attendees.
Researchers found that COX-2 inhibitors suppress prostacyclin, a hormone-like substance produced in blood vessels, which can lead to increased thrombosis risk. This discovery raises concerns about the potential cardiovascular risks of these new pain relievers.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute find collisions between light and heavy atoms favor ozone formation, advancing understanding of large isotope effect in heavy ozone. The discovery refutes molecular symmetry theories and highlights the role of specific reaction channels in ozone molecule production.
A multi-centered study led by Dartmouth Medical School found that supplementation with calcium can reduce the recurrence rate of large bowel adenomas in people with a history of these particular polyps. The findings suggest promising measures that are fairly simple and inexpensive to help prevent colorectal cancer.
Scientists from the University of Montana and HHMI successfully produced broadly effective antibodies against HIV by capturing the virus's infective machinery in the moment it fuses with a target cell. The new approach outperforms previous efforts, which only neutralized laboratory-grown strains.
Ritalin and other stimulants appear to restore balance between dopamine and serotonin, calming hyperactivity. The study suggests that targeting serotonin may be a more effective approach to treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than previously thought.
Joel Brawley, a renowned mathematics professor at Clemson University, has been awarded the MAA's Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching. The award recognizes his exceptional teaching effectiveness and its impact beyond his institution.
Researchers have identified two genes crucial for auxin transport, a process vital for plant growth and development. The discovery sheds new light on how plants regulate growth and has significant implications for the agrochemical/biotechnology industries.
A recent study found that 5% of North Carolina middle school boys carried guns, while 20.2% carried clubs or knives, with both linked to substance use and violence. The study suggests that similar prevention programs should be introduced in elementary schools, along with substance use prevention.
A national survey of family physicians, general internists, and obstetrician-gynecologists found that more than 90% are confident in diagnosing depression. Despite improvements, there is still room for growth in treating depression with high-quality care.
Researchers have developed a process called hierarchical self-assembly, where hollow spheres stack themselves into larger structures to form photonic crystals. These materials can manipulate light in predictable ways, offering potential applications in optical data storage, telecommunications, and lighting systems.
Researchers at New York University have successfully constructed a machine from synthetic DNA molecules, featuring two rigid arms that can be rotated between fixed positions. This achievement marks a significant step towards developing nano-robots and molecular manufacturing capabilities.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 21 women with cancer, revealing their experiences with alternative and complementary therapies. The study highlights the importance of patients having better information about treatment options, including a mix of conventional and holistic approaches.
A new imaging device, Hall Effect Imaging (HEI), uses ultrasonic emissions to highlight variations in electrical conductivity between healthy and diseased tissue, offering a faster alternative to painful biopsies. HEI has high specificity, ruling out false positives, and could complement MRI technology.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center discovered that the visual experience of one eye influences the growth and quality of vision in the fellow eye. The study found that environmental factors play a significant role in eye development, suggesting a potential cure for myopia and related eye problems.
Researchers have developed a device that allows paralyzed patients to write sentences on a computer screen using their brain waves. The system uses slow cortical potentials, which are recorded more reliably than other components, and enables patients to control a cursor and select characters from a panel.
A team of scientists has discovered a genetic mechanism controlling the inner workings of the biological clock, which also drives bodily rhythms such as temperature, blood pressure, hormones, and sleep-wake cycles. The findings may lead to more efficacious treatments for diseases like heart attacks and asthma.
A new study found that calcium supplements moderately reduced the risk of recurring polyp growth in the colon and appeared to lower the risk of colon cancer. The study involved 832 patients who received 1200 milligrams of calcium carbonate daily for four years, with a 24% decrease in polyp numbers and a 19% decrease in recurrence risk.
Biologists have successfully developed a new method for preserving human eggs using a choline-based solution, which allows for higher survival rates compared to traditional methods. The breakthrough could pave the way for easier egg banking at fertility clinics and improve chances of motherhood for women with damaged ovaries.
The University of Georgia and the Ukrainian government have signed an agreement to establish a permanent International Radioecology Laboratory in Chornobyl, Ukraine. The laboratory will focus on studying the biological and ecological impacts of radioactive fallout from the 1986 nuclear accident.
A culturally relevant behavioral intervention significantly reduced new cases of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among African-American and Mexican-American women. The study found a 34% lower infection rate at six months, 49% by the end of year one, and 38% overall.
The Palliative Care Project challenges the current model of medical care, which forces terminally ill patients to choose between continued medical treatment and hospice care. The new program integrates both services, allowing patients to receive cutting-edge medical therapy while also benefiting from palliative care.
A recent study by Family Health Project researchers found that HIV-infected low-income inner-city New Orleans women are two to five times more likely to be victims of violence than their uninfected counterparts. The study also revealed higher levels of psychological distress and depression among these women.
The study adds 1998 data to a two-decade global temperature trend, showing significant warming in the troposphere and cooling in the lower stratosphere. The results contradict past claims that the lower tropospheric data show no warming trend.
A new study reveals Argentine ants' success mechanisms, including numerical advantage and lack of natural enemies. The ants' unique colony structure and ability to form large supercolonies enable them to dominate native ant populations.
A new way of dating earthquakes has been developed by Vanderbilt University researcher Jay S. Noller, allowing for a more precise timeline of past quakes and a more accurate assessment of future quake probabilities. By studying bedrock formations, Noller was able to determine the timing, frequency, and likelihood of future quakes.
A US-France-Canada physics collaboration has confirmed that hydrogen bonds in water partially get their identity from covalent bonds within the H2O molecule. This property is a manifestation of quantum mechanics' effects, enabling researchers to improve predictions and advance areas like nanotechnology and superconductors.
A new study has found that children exposed to zidovudine in utero and as newborns show no cancers or other health effects up through preschool age. The study, sponsored by the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group and funded by NIAID and NICHD, includes over 2,200 children who were enrolled in PACTG prevention and treatment protocols.
A new study found that first officers rely on indirect methods such as hints to correct a captain's mistake, particularly in low-risk flight situations. The study also revealed differences in the way female pilots communicate with other crew members, using more two-part utterances to state problems and give commands.
A 1993 study found that 18-33% of Bosnian refugees screened for PTSD experienced symptoms, significantly higher than 0.3-1.3% in Swedish controls. The trauma reported by refugees included combat experience, family separation, and sexual abuse.
A record-breaking Arctic polar vortex in 1996-1997 led to significant ozone depletion, comparable to the Antarctic's early 1980s levels. The study revealed that chemical interactions between nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide chemistry played a crucial role in the depletion.
Alaska's snowmobiles carry higher injury death rates than on-road motor vehicles, with factors like alcohol intoxication, lack of helmets, and trail limitations contributing to the high risk.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have created an anti-browning treatment that prevents apples from turning brown for up to five weeks. The new technique uses natural products and doesn't require special packaging, with potential applications in other fresh-cut fruits.
Researchers developed a code using first two letters of last name, first name, month of birth, year of birth, and sex. This allowed them to identify 124 HMO members with active TB listed in the state's registry but not known by their HMO
Cuba is seeking to diversify its economy through science, particularly in chemistry and genetic engineering, due to an overdependence on sugarcane. The country has made significant advancements in research, including vaccine development and treatments for various diseases.
Research reveals that the AHC gene, previously thought to program ovarian development, is actually crucial for male fertility. Males lacking this gene have defective testicles and are sterile. The study also found that overexpression of the AHC gene can interfere with the function of a key protein involved in testicular development.
This public health report features articles on drug prohibition and its impact, World Health Organization reform, and transportation safety. The report also discusses injuries associated with snowmobiles and farm tractors, as well as prenatal smoking data.
The current US drug policy is generating an epidemic of adverse health outcomes that disproportionately affect African Americans. Despite declines in drug use, cocaine-related and heroin-related emergency department visits and overdose deaths have climbed sharply.
Detailed studies of 12 stars with Jupiter-mass planets show concentrations of heavy elements two to three times greater than in the sun. The discovery supports the theory that stars born in heavy-element-enriched clouds are more likely to harbor giant planets.
The Gallup survey reveals that 77% of American moms whose preschool children have suffered from ear infections are concerned about the long-term effects. Despite this, many parents are unaware of how to detect middle ear fluid, which can cause complications such as hearing loss and speech delays.
Researchers found that otitis media with effusion decreases steadily in children between ages 2 and 5, with only a small percentage continuing to experience persistent fluid buildup after age 2.
Researchers followed 144 HMO patients with mononucleosis for six months, finding transient psychological distress common but few met psychiatric criteria. The study suggests postviral depression is rare, often caused by new stressful life events rather than viral effects.
The study estimates that one out of every two men and one out of every three women aged 40 will develop CHD, with risks remaining high at age 70. Heart disease is a major killer in the US, affecting 12-13 million Americans, and prevention measures such as healthy lifestyle choices are crucial.
Researchers identify high rates of psychiatric disorders among patients with frequent digestive complaints, highlighting the need for closer collaboration between gastroenterologists and psychiatric colleagues. Proactive management could improve patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization.
A team of Cornell University mission engineers created a last-minute fix to send commands to the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft, allowing it to capture hundreds of new images of asteroid 433 Eros. The fix was completed in just 12 hours and was tested for errors before being sent to the craft.
A Colorado State University study found that warmer nights are extending the growing season, favoring cool-season grasses and weeds over native warm-season plants like blue grama grass. This shift could lead to a decline in blue grama, which is essential for the shortgrass steppe ecosystem.
University of Florida researchers have successfully developed a gene therapy approach that replaces a crucial protein protecting the lungs from an often-fatal lung-liver disease. The method uses an adeno-associated virus to incorporate the missing protein, achieving high levels in the bloodstream for therapeutic effect.
Researchers used eggshells from an enormous flightless bird to determine the timing and cause of Australia's megafaunal extinction event. The study suggests human activities, such as burning, disrupted ecological balance, leading to the demise of over 85% of large animals.
The Florida Regional Competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl will be held in Fort Pierce, with 25 teams competing for scholarships and awards. The competition aims to broaden awareness and understanding of ocean research among high school students.
A new study reveals that fruit-fly mating conflicts lead to continual changes in genes, a game of leapfrog that could have significant evolutionary consequences. Females frequently alter their genetic profiles to adjust the males' competitive odds.
This book provides a thorough understanding of marine fish culture, including commercial production statistics, water treatment, rearing units, and nutrition for various species. With over 4,000 references, it is an essential resource for researchers, educators, and aquaculture professionals.