The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed a multi-step process to convert levulinic acid from biomass into an important component for alternative fuels, methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF). The new technology produces MTHF with significantly lower costs than current methods.
A new study found that nicotine alters activity levels and exploratory behaviors in male rats but not female rats. Female rats who lived in groups showed increased time spent in the center of an open arena after nicotine administration, suggesting reduced anxiety. The findings may reflect human sex differences in reasons for smoking.
A recent study found that the smell of old women's armpits can significantly improve a person's mood, while the scent of young people tends to have a depressing effect. The researchers suggest that hormones may play a role in this finding, with older people's odors signaling approachability.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found no link between mitral valve prolapse and stroke in young people, contradicting earlier studies. The study's authors used advanced imaging techniques to diagnose mitral valve prolapse accurately, revealing the condition occurs in only about 2% of the population.
A smoke-free home is strongly associated with lower cigarette consumption, longer duration of smoking cessation attempts, and increased likelihood of quitting. Family pressure and complete home smoking bans are found to be crucial factors in changing smokers' behavior.
Researchers found that iguanas recognize individuals through both visual and auditory cues, with head bobs indicating familiarity. The study demonstrated human recognition by a lizard for the first time in scientific research.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have delivered therapeutic genes to a rabbit's heart, boosting its function and increasing sensitivity to heart-stimulating drugs. The breakthrough is a key step towards developing a genetic treatment for congestive heart failure.
Researchers found mitral-valve prolapse is substantially less common than initially believed, affecting about 2% of the population, not 5-35%. The condition also has lower rates of associated complications like stroke and heart failure compared to previous estimates.