Researchers at Duke University have discovered that spontaneous neural activity plays a key role in organizing the visual cortex, contradicting current theories on ocular dominance. The study used young ferrets with closed eyes to record brain activity patterns and found that input from one eye drives the entire system.
A study of nearly 4,000 elderly North Carolinians found that frequent religious attenders were 46% less likely to die over a six-year period. They also experienced greater social support and reported better mental health, which may contribute to lower mortality rates.
The Young Women in Science program, supported by a $1.29 million grant, provides scientific education and mentoring to attract more young women to the field of drug abuse research. The program offers in-depth training and education for 52 participants over three years.
Researchers propose using an alternating current to pattern a sawtooth-like structure on a superconductor, directing vortices away from the device. This method avoids sophisticated material processing and can be used in both low-temperature and high-temperature superconductors.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has become the first medical center to use the GliaSite Radiation Therapy System, a device that delivers high doses of radiation directly into tumor tissue. This innovation aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with malignant brain tumors.
Two Stanford University scientists argue that large amounts of water ice are unlikely on the Moon, suggesting an alternative explanation involving the reaction of lunar dust with hydrogen and oxygen. They propose that the Lunar Prospector crash could produce a plume of water vapor and hydroxyl ions without ice being present.
A symposium by the Ecological Society of America explores the delicate balance between the benefits and risks of genetically engineered organisms. The discussion will cover case studies on engineered plants, arthropods as tools in disease control, and risk assessment in ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered that plakin proteins bind to all three components of the cytoskeleton, providing an integrated bracing system that gives cells their strength and flexibility. This finding sheds new light on how nerve axons maintain their rigidity and allow for the transport of neurotransmitter-filled vesicles.
A UNC-CH study explains that variations in Earth's orbit over tens of thousands of years account for the timing of ice ages, providing a more complex understanding of long-term climate change. This new research confirms a theory from the 1920s and sheds light on predicting future global climate change.
Recent findings in cystic fibrosis (CF) suggest that gene mutations can cause unexpected effects, leading to distinct conditions with clinical similarities to CF. Minor mutations may result in partial disease manifestations, challenging traditional notions of genetic screening and diagnosis.
National Jewish researchers identified the specific peptide, ND1, on MHC molecules that controls positive selection of T cells. This discovery helps expand understanding of how the immune system develops and may lead to new treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Neurobiologists at Duke University Medical Center have captured the first detailed images of the living brain in action, revealing how it recognizes specific odor molecules. The imaging technique can provide new insights into the machinery of learning and help decipher the brain's internal 'language' of smell.
Vanderbilt's Program in Human Genetics will play a key role in identifying genes involved in common diseases, with initial focus on depression and sepsis. The program will utilize cutting-edge technology to analyze DNA samples and develop targeted treatments.
Researchers found that Slit repels young cells from their target destination, guiding them through the brain via concentration gradients. The discovery has implications for understanding neural migration and potentially treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
The Wistar Institute's Recombinant Protein and Structure Evaluation Center has been admitted to the Ben Franklin Technology PArtners' Center of Excellence Network Program for the second consecutive year. The center provides services to small and medium-sized biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, specializing in baculovirus expres...
A team of researchers found that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may have a double-edged effect on brain-injured tissue, with potential benefits in chronic stages but harm in early stages. Blocking TNF in acute phases may be beneficial, while long-term recovery requires natural TNF presence.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered a critical protein called cryptochrome that assists per in regulating the mammalian clock's feedback loop. This finding effectively closes the gap in understanding the mechanisms behind human sleep-wake cycles and their disruptions.
The AVANT rotavirus vaccine demonstrated nearly 90% efficacy in preventing rotavirus disease in infants, surpassing existing vaccines' 49-68% efficacy rates. The vaccine was also found to be safe and immunogenic, with minimal side effects reported.
Chemical engineers at Purdue University have developed a computerized system that mimics evolution to discover new gasoline additives. The system combines and recombines chemical components until the fittest fuel additives emerge, offering improved engine performance by reducing deposits on engine valves.
A new UCSF study found that nearly all patients value primary care physicians for coordinating their care and serving as a first point of contact. However, nearly a quarter of patients feel their primary care physician or medical group limits access to specialists, leading to lower trust and satisfaction levels.
Researchers at Cornell University's Boyce Thompson Institute have developed a novel approach to genetically modifying plants by using chimeraplasty, a method that coats gold particles with short chimeric DNA/RNA molecules. This technique has the potential to improve crop yields and nutritional value without involving foreign DNA.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that calcium channels help regulate cell movement by opening to admit more calcium ions when cells are stretched. This boost in motility enables cells to move forward again, which could lead to breakthroughs in wound healing and cancer treatment.
The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center will operate the Mid-South Cancer Information Service, providing up-to-date scientific information on cancer prevention and services. The five-year contract is worth $7.15 million.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison psychologists found that males have only slightly higher levels of self-esteem than females across most ages. The analysis of nearly 150,000 respondents suggests that popular assumptions about a significant gender gap in self-esteem may be greatly exaggerated.
The catastrophic draining of two gigantic glacial lakes in Canada's Hudson Bay region led to the most abrupt, widespread cold spell on Earth during the last 10,000 years. Temperatures dropped by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit in central Greenland and by nearly 6 degrees F in Western Europe.
Scientists have successfully synthesized a new cubic phase of silicon nitride with exceptional hardness, outperforming stishovite, a high-pressure modification of SiO2. The novel material has the potential to replace diamond in certain technological applications where its extreme hardness is required.
A 5-year clinical trial led by Thomas Jefferson University aims to investigate the effects of GM1 ganglioside on improving Parkinson's disease symptoms, delaying disease progression, and restoring damaged brain cells. The study will compare the drug to standard treatments, using advanced imaging techniques to visualize dopamine termina...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are exploring the role of aspirin and similar drugs in preventing colon cancer. They will study the mechanism of COX2 inhibition and its potential as a therapeutic target for colon cancer prevention.
A new compound, BP 897, has been shown to reduce compulsive drug-seeking behavior in cocaine-dependent rats. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment for addiction, targeting the root cause of craving and compulsive behavior.
A recent study led to misleading reports due to incorrect presentation of data, leading the researchers to urge for improved communication of research findings to the public. They suggest using absolute event rates, presenting risk ratios instead of odds ratios, and avoiding overgeneralization to provide realistic expectations.
The ONR report highlights the need for further research into the effects of underwater noise on marine life, including non-hearing physiological effects and behavioral changes. The report also reviews current scientific knowledge and expert opinions on the topic, emphasizing the importance of understanding the impacts of human activiti...
Researchers created genetically engineered mice with pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, providing a new model for studying the disease. The mice exhibit amyloid deposits similar to those found in human patients, and further elevation of beta-amyloid accelerates the age of onset of pathological changes.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has won six spots on the 1998 R&D 100 list, recognized for their innovative technologies that have transformed industries such as personal heating, fuel cell-powered cars and environmental conservation. The researchers' advancements include tiny personal heating systems, advanced chemical m...
Penn State researchers developed a neural network-based model to predict tire stress on roads, providing engineers with improved capabilities for designing better tires and roads. The software can accurately predict outcomes even without training data, using precisely measured contact-stress distribution patterns.
A decade-long primate study on diet and aging will be extended with a $6.75 million NIH grant, exploring mechanisms of aging in rhesus macaques. The research aims to answer whether calorie restriction can slow or prevent aging, building on existing studies in rodents.
A research team suggests that electronic charge transfer in DNA occurs through temporary distortions in its structure, creating a 'polaron' that carries the charge. This process can help scientists understand DNA damage and repair mechanisms, leading to potential applications in diagnostic techniques and micromachines.
A mathematical model of H.pylori bacteria and their human hosts reveals the key role played by adherent bacteria in colonization, as well as the dynamic relationship between host response and bacterial persistence. The model sheds light on the complex interactions between the bacteria and human immune system.
A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine has been awarded a grant to develop new treatments for spinal cord injuries. They plan to use embryonic stem cells to replace damaged tissue and restore lost functions, with the long-term goal of enabling patients to regain bladder and bowel control and potentially walk ...
A new study found that workplace cancer control programs can improve the nutritional environment and eating habits of employees. The Working Well Trial showed significant improvements in healthy food options, fruit and vegetable access, and reduced fat and added sugars.
A study of 729 low-income urban older patients found limited confidence in physical exercise abilities due to environmental and physiological barriers. Encouragement from family, friends, or doctors increased confidence in exercising, while fear of crime actually boosted it.
Phyllis I. Hanson, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine, has been awarded a Keck Foundation grant to study the molecular machinery that neurons use to communicate. Her work may one day suggest treatments for neuromuscular and psychiatric disorders resulting from faulty communication between neurons.
The 'braking glitch' in the spin rate of a soft gamma repeater (SGR) suggests a massive starquake may have occurred. The SGR's rotational period increased steadily until a rapid decrease was observed, indicating a massive energy release.
Scientists identify a key gene responsible for pain sensitivity, revealing potential for tailored pain medications and predicting addiction risk. The study's findings suggest that individual genetic variations in the mu opiate receptor gene can affect pain perception and response to morphine.
Researchers observed a substantial reduction in mortality for heart failure patients who received the Aldactone medication regimen, reducing deaths by 30 percent. The study found that aldosterone blockade played an important role in this reduction and opens the door to developing more effective treatment options.
Researchers discover that mobile DNA sequences, known as transposons, generate chromosomal inversions in the Drosophila fly. These inversions are found in small independent DNA sequences and have a positive role in evolution.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new method of supershielding, allowing magnetic fields to be completely contained without using traditional shielding methods. This invention has the potential to protect modern technologies from interference and destruction.
Young and old rats show distinct responses to compromised circulation, highlighting the need for age-based treatment for ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Studies reveal that neutrophil accumulation plays a key role in young rats but not older ones.
Scientists map lung cancer gene Pas1 to mouse chromosome 6, shedding light on human lung cancers. The researchers also study the evolution of trichromatic vision in humans and primates, revealing gene duplication events that confer color vision abilities.
Researchers at Northwestern University have halted motor neuron destruction and slowed ALS progression using GDNF gene therapy in laboratory mice. The approach may one day prove effective in treating humans with ALS.
Research by Penn State engineers shows mechanical forces exert equivalent roles in some aspects of cardiovascular health and disease as bio-regulators like cholesterol and dietary fat. The study found a one-to-one correspondence between effects of shear stress and growth factor VEGF on blood vessel health.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that high financial stress and poor coping abilities significantly increase the risk of developing periodontal disease. Those who effectively manage their finances and cope with stress have no more risk than those without money problems.
Bruce Clurman, a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has been awarded a $1 million grant to support his medical research. The award, part of the W.M. Keck Foundation's Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research Program, will enable Clurman to pursue new ideas and develop new treatments for diseases.
CSIRO scientists have measured a minuscule decline in oxygen over the past 20 years, which has shed new light on the role of forests and oceans in absorbing carbon dioxide. The oxygen reduction, just 0.03%, is negligible for human breathing but highlights the importance of plant life in capturing half of the CO2 generated by fossil fuels.
A team of scientists from Montana State University designed an experiment to study the role of gravity on infection-fighting white blood cells. The goal is to understand why astronauts are more vulnerable to infections in space and develop pharmaceuticals to boost immune responses.
A study published in Science found that European attitudes towards GM foods are driven by media coverage, with Europeans being more likely to view the technology as menacing or dangerous. In contrast, US citizens showed less skepticism due to higher science literacy and trust in regulatory agencies.
The University of Iowa is conducting a space shuttle experiment to study human cell growth and metabolism in space. The oxygen-sensing system developed by the university will be used to monitor oxygen levels and provide feedback control for optimal growth conditions.
Scientists discover that in complex systems like living cells, opposite charges don't always attract, but instead repel or separate into adhesive zones. This understanding can lead to designing new drug carriers and smart materials that respond to their environment.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a new approach to bone marrow transplantation that prevents graft-versus-host disease by inactivating antigen-presenting cells. This technique targets T cell stimulation, reducing immune system suppression and potentially improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that displaying aquariums in nursing homes reduced disruptive behaviors and improved eating habits among Alzheimer's patients. The tanks of brightly colored fish appeared to calm patients, increasing food consumption by up to 21 percent and decreasing behavioral issues such as wandering and aggression.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a method to trigger a potent immune response in humans using mature dendritic cells, which lasts for months. The technique shows promise as a new way to fight cancers and chronic infections like HIV.