A large-scale study found no clear evidence that name-based HIV reporting improves public health outcomes or increases timely medical care. Despite controversy, advocates argue the system helps notify partners and access healthcare, while opponents fear it deters testing.
The NYU Medical Center is launching a large-scale study to determine the effectiveness of combining CT scans with gene markers in detecting early-stage lung cancer in women. The study aims to identify reliable screening tools for women at high risk of developing this deadly disease.
Researchers found that smokeless tobacco users exhibited slower learning and adjustment to new requirements, more jerks, and less accurate overall performance compared to non-smokers. Tobacco use on the job can reduce an individual's capability to learn new visuo-motor mapping.
Scientists have reported a striking decline in Arctic sea ice thickness since the 1960s, with an average reduction of 4.3 feet. The study analyzed data from three autumn cruises and found a perennial ice cover of 1-3 meters, significantly thinner than previous estimates.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study found that two computer-based decision support systems significantly improved clinicians' ability to arrive at correct diagnoses, especially for medical students. The systems provided accurate and useful information to relatively inexperienced clinicians.
Millions of defective low-rise buildings in the US lead to high annual losses from windstorms, with recent hurricanes causing $70 billion in damages. A symposium aims to develop a national plan for wind-hazard mitigation and improve building codes.
The MIT plasmatron device has been successfully installed in a commercial car engine, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by two orders of magnitude. The next step is to integrate the system into an actual vehicle, with the team aiming to install it on a bus within a year.
A new theory suggests that solar eruptions originate below the Sun's visible surface, rather than in its outer atmosphere. The proposed 'solar flux rope' model could improve forecasting and preparation for electrical disruptions on Earth.
A team of scientists has developed a method to identify common human single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in active genes. By comparing sequences from cDNA libraries across 50 individuals, they found 201 coding SNPs that could provide valuable insights into genetic differences between people.
A recent study found that nearly half of South Bronx adolescents feel unsafe at home due to exposure to violence, including physical and emotional abuse. The young people reported taking proactive steps to mitigate the violence, such as resolving conflicts peacefully and seeking protection from friends.
Researchers propose a novel mechanism for pericentromeric duplication, which has pulled disparate genes to the central regions of hominoid chromosomes. This process may have created new human genes and contributed to evolutionary divergence from Old World primates.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving a single dose of Alexion's 5G1.1 showed significant reduction in joint pain and symptoms compared to placebo-treated patients, with 50% achieving an ACR20 score. The company is currently enrolling up to 200 patients in a Phase II efficacy trial employing multiple doses of 5G1.1.
A new CRADA and licensing agreement have been signed between NREL and Arkenol Holdings, which could further bring down the cost of making ethanol from biomass and boost the US biofuels industry. The agreements focus on developing new strains of genetically altered bacteria for use in converting rice straw to ethanol.
The Chiba City Project aims to advance highly scalable open source software development using state-of-the-art Linux clusters. The 512-CPU Linux cluster will be opened to the U.S. research community for collaborative development.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that illness severity, rather than age, is a key predictor of death among seriously ill patients. The research analyzed data from over 9,000 hospitalized patients and found that those with the sickest conditions were at highest risk of dying within six months.
Researchers from Brown University School of Medicine and Miriam Hospital found that individuals with a history of depression can successfully quit smoking, with an average reduction in smoking rate by 80%. However, those who quit may be at a higher risk of later relapse if depressive symptoms persist.
A new survey of 8,865 Texas middle school students found that parents' attitudes towards fighting have a significant impact on their children's aggressive behaviors. The study also identified three other family factors and practices that are indicative of how likely kids will be involved in fighting and aggressive behaviors.
A new study suggests that gamma tocopherol in vitamin E may contribute to the development of knee osteoarthritis. In contrast, higher levels of alpha tocopherol, a common ingredient in vitamin E supplements, may help prevent the condition, particularly in African Americans.
Researchers at Cornell University developed new tests to measure the true bioavailability of aging toxins like DDT, which may overestimate the risk to living organisms. The new tests meet standards set by common earthworms and provide a more realistic reflection of potential harm.
A new auto device called plasmatron cuts pollution drastically in all kinds of vehicles, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. The device is fully compatible with present engine technology and could offer many benefits envisioned for alternative vehicles sooner and at lower cost.