Esther H. Freeman, a chemistry teacher at Tabb High School in Virginia, has received the Southeast Regional High School Chemistry Teaching Award from the American Chemical Society. Her innovative teaching style, which incorporates music and hands-on laboratory experiences, encourages students to participate in science fairs.
A new study by Princeton University researchers shows that switching from leaded to unleaded gasoline can reduce blood lead levels to an average of three micrograms per deciliter, well below the 10 ug/dL threshold considered cause for concern in the US. This reduction is significant, especially in countries still using leaded gasoline.
Researchers have developed an assay that identifies specific combinations of gene variations linked to heart disease. The assay allows quick access to individuals' genetic profiles, enabling precise diagnostic tests for heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
A study by Robert Hegele and colleagues has discovered a genetic link between the GNB3 gene and obesity in the Canadian Inuit. The researchers found that individuals with a common variant of the GNB3 gene had significantly higher body mass index, waist, and hip girth, indicating a strong association with greater body fat.
Scientists have discovered a new species of camel, dated two million years ago, with mountain goat-like features. Additionally, researchers have found dinosaur nesting grounds in Patagonia, providing insights into sauropod reproductive biology and behavior.
A captive breeding program aims to replenish the nearly decimated population of white abalone by leveraging their unique reproductive needs. The mollusks require close proximity with an opposite sex for fertilization, hindering effective reproduction and making conservation efforts challenging.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing nanomolecular 'smart bombs' that can detect pre-malignant and cancerous changes in living cells. These devices use synthetic polymers called dendrimers to transport anti-cancer drugs and sensing agents into cells.
A study found that 15% of dental patients with periodontal disease have undiagnosed diabetes, while 56% have high cholesterol. The study highlights the importance of routine physical examinations and preventative care for patients with risk factors.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that smokers have lower success rates with periodontal treatment, requiring further treatment nearly 43% of the time. Quitting smoking can improve oral health and reduce risks associated with heart disease and cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed HARP MRI to provide detailed heart muscle images in minutes, not hours. The system uses harmonic phase magnetic resonance imaging and software modifications to produce high-quality images of heart function.
Researchers use satellite altimetry to analyze warm ocean features and predict hurricane intensification, helping forecasters identify areas most at risk from storm surges. A study found that hurricanes crossing warm eddies intensified their winds by up to 70mph in just nine hours.
A UCSF study found that physicians who ask victims of domestic violence if they are being physically abused can provide the first step towards helping them find a way out. The study showed that a validating and gentle approach, rather than seeking a yes or no answer, is more effective in identifying victims and providing support.
A new NIAMS-funded study will enroll 5,700 men aged 65+ to investigate the relationship between bone mass, structure, lifestyle, and fractures. The research aims to determine if high bone mass increases the risk of prostate cancer.
Scientists have identified a network of cellular receptors in the spinal cord that transmits sensations of chronic pain. Blocking their activity may provide a new strategy for pain management. The discovery suggests that pain can be caused by pathways normally not painful.
A Mayo Clinic study highlights the importance of autopsy in diagnosing Parkinson's disease, suggesting low autopsy rates and nonrandom patterns may skew research findings. The study analyzed 235 deceased patients with parkinsonism diagnoses, revealing important factors influencing autopsy decisions.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have cloned the gene responsible for primary hyperoxaluria type II, a rare inherited form of kidney stone disease. The discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, which can cause severe kidney failure and early death if left untreated.
Researchers have identified an enzyme, PKCe, that could be a target for treating alcoholism. Mice genetically engineered to lack the enzyme were less likely to drink and showed increased sensitivity to alcohol and benzodiazepines in the brain.
Seven research centers will study tobacco use, prevention, and treatment using a transdisciplinary approach. The centers aim to accelerate development of effective tobacco control interventions and reduce tobacco-related deaths.
The American Chemical Society's Southeast Regional Meeting will be held in Knoxville, featuring a variety of topics including environmental and medicinal chemistry. Over 600 scientific papers will be presented during the event.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is establishing a prestigious new Clinical Nutrition Research Unit with $4.7 million in NIH funding. The unit will focus on enhancing the use of laboratory discoveries in population-based and clinical research, as well as educating health professionals about nutrition.
The five-year grant will fund five major research projects, including studies on animal models, brain imaging techniques, and clinical trials. The goal is to improve tobacco addiction treatment by understanding why current treatments fail and developing new behavioral and drug treatments.
A new nutrition intervention program aims to improve eating habits and increase calcium consumption in healthy children, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis and bone-related health issues later in life. The program will test whether behavioral modification and education can lead to long-lasting changes in diet.
The University of Southern California has received a $12.8 million grant to establish a national center studying tobacco use and prevention among teen-agers from Pacific Rim cultures. Researchers will investigate how culture, immigration, and adaptation affect smoking habits and design effective ways to discourage smoking.
Harvard researchers have created the first atomic-resolution image of a donut-shaped enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix for replication. The structure reveals how six individual polypeptide lobes arrange themselves to look like a ring of bread buns, providing new insights into the molecular motor's mechanism.
Heart cells secrete substances to regulate oxygen-rich blood flow, triggering vessel constriction or dilation as needed. Research reveals an optimal oxygen concentration of 6%, with narrow permissible windows above or below this level.
SPARC's Scientific Communities Initiative has awarded grants worth half a million dollars to Columbia University Press's Columbia Earthscape, the California Digital Library's eScholarship, and MIT's CogNet. The grants aim to stimulate and accelerate digital science publishing ventures based in academia.
A new sequencing technique allows scientists to determine the linear order of building blocks in complex sugars, a crucial step in understanding their biological functions. This breakthrough could lead to significant advances in fields such as glycosaminoglycans and tissue development.
A new DNA chip method has been developed to identify and classify tumor types, offering a promising approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The technique uses gene expression analysis to distinguish between different types of leukemia, such as AML and ALL, and may also be used to predict clinical outcomes.
A Johns Hopkins-led study of over 600 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that photodynamic therapy reduced vision loss risk by 67%, compared to 39% for those receiving a placebo. The treatment targets abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue, offering hope for slowing disease progression in selected patients.
Researchers found that microbial pathogens induce atheroma plaque formation in mice lacking anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The study suggests that exposure to air-borne pathogens multiplies plaque formation by a factor of 10 in IL-10-deficient mice, making the plaque more likely to rupture.
RADM Gaffney is recognized for his efforts to promote quality, forward-looking and innovative research administration through the Gulf Coast Initiative of 1998 and industry-academia partnerships. His work resulted in new partnerships and increased dialog between regions and ONR.
Researchers are tracking 5,700 men to determine the relationship between bone mass, structure, and lifestyle with fracture risk in men. The study aims to provide knowledge for designing prevention and treatment approaches for male osteoporosis.
A panel of GMO experts will discuss the differences between genetic engineering and traditional breeding methods, as well as the regulatory frameworks for GMOs in the US and Europe. Key findings include varying attitudes towards labeling and education about rDNA technology across regions.
Researchers have successfully developed an immunotoxin that kills over 99% of latent HIV-infected cells using a monoclonal antibody and ricin. The treatment targets CD45RO molecules found on the surface of memory T cells, which are difficult to target due to their low abundance.
Brian Gerke, a 1999 Williams College graduate, has won the LeRoy Apker Award for his research on the effect of light on retinal molecules. His work could potentially help design optical computer memories and sensors.
A randomized clinical trial showed that combining bone marrow transplant and high-dose chemoradiotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival in children with neuroblastoma. The addition of vitamin A-derivative treatment further increases survival rates by nearly three-fold.
A national research project will investigate how insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes and obesity, is inherited in three generations of family members. The study aims to identify specific genes responsible for these conditions.
Researchers developed a model to predict bird flight patterns, enabling pilots to adjust their routes and altitudes. The model can forecast bird locations and altitudes hours in advance, reducing the risk of bird strikes and damage to windshields and turbine engine blades.
Dr. Karen Kwitter's research focuses on the chemical composition of planetary nebulae, which can reveal information about the life cycle of stars and the evolution of our galaxy. By analyzing light spectra from these clouds, she aims to refine models of galactic chemical evolution.
A study by Purdue University found that vegan diets lack sufficient calcium, even with dairy-free alternatives. Experts recommend drinking milk or adding fortified foods/supplements to meet the daily calcium requirement. Vegans may need to consume large amounts of calcium-rich vegetables like broccoli and kale to get enough.
Lung cancer treatment disparities between blacks and whites are attributed to racial attitudes and biases, affecting surgical resection rates and survival outcomes. UCSF specialists emphasize the importance of addressing these inequities through improved communication, screening tests, and clinical trials.
Researchers found that a muscle protein rapidly disappears from synapses when not receiving nerve signals, supporting the idea of rapid molecular changes in learning. This discovery may explain why withdrawal of certain agents can be fatal to patients on respirators.
Two new journals, New Journal of Physics and Internet Journal of Chemistry, have received SPARC's Leading Edge program endorsement. These peer-reviewed electronic journals offer wide dissemination of top-quality research at zero cost, improving accessibility for scientists and libraries.
The Yale Cancer Center will conduct a clinical trial of a new compound, indole 3 carbinol, to suppress HPV infections and prevent cervical cancer. A $1.3 million grant from the NCI will fund the study in 200 participants with chronic HPV infections.
A University of Florida study found that rising sea levels are causing cabbage palms and other coastal trees to die due to saltwater exposure. The phenomenon may be more immediate than thought, with small increases in sea level affecting large areas of flat coastline on the west coast.
Penn State engineers have developed a new mini-thruster that draws only 80 Watts of power but produces more thrust than any system in its class. The thruster uses microwave technology to create a free-floating plasma, which generates thrust when released through a nozzle.
A 40 million-year-old fossil from Myanmar, Bahinia pondaungensis, sheds light on the origins of anthropoids, a group that includes monkeys and apes. The discovery suggests that these primates may have originated in Asia, rather than Africa, with similarities to tarsiers found in dental anatomy.
Researchers are changing treatment methods for gum disease to focus on treating bacterial infections. This approach can save many teeth that were previously considered 'hopeless' and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Researchers identified a critical two-week window for surgical decompression to improve facial function in patients at risk of permanent damage. Electrical testing and EMG analysis helped pinpoint the optimal patient population, revealing a 91% recovery rate through surgery within this timeframe.
Researchers at Northwestern University create a new technology called nano-plotter, which enables precise placement of multiple molecules on a solid substrate. This innovation could lead to advancements in molecule-based electronics, molecular diagnostics, and catalysis.
Researchers found that adult monkeys have new neurons added to their cerebral cortex, reversing a dogma nearly a century old. This discovery suggests new ways of explaining how the mind accomplishes basic functions, such as problem-solving and learning.
Increasing folate levels prior to conception could reduce Down syndrome risk, according to a study funded by the FDA. Folate deficiency at conception increases neural tube defect risk, including spina bifida, which is the leading cause of childhood paralysis.
Researchers at Cornell University will use acoustic monitoring to count forest elephants in Africa, providing crucial information on population numbers and health. The project aims to support conservation efforts by tracking endangered species such as gorillas and rhinos.
Researchers discovered that high levels of alcohol during late fetal development kill Purkinje cells, which act to filter and synthesize information. Alcohol deprives these cells of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), necessary for their survival.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have identified a new way to halt herpes simplex virus reproduction by targeting its molecular tracks. The study found that inhibiting JNK protein kinase reduces viral yield in cells by up to 70%.
The article explores the idea that time is an illusion, proposing a timeless universe where all configurations exist simultaneously. This concept is rooted in Einstein's general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, suggesting an eternal, four-dimensional structure called Platonia.
Researchers found that Australopithecines used less energy while walking than modern humans, thanks to their shorter legs which took less energy to move. The analysis suggests that Lucy's anatomy was well-suited for her environment and not a hindrance.
Researchers found a three-stage unbinding profile of cadherins, which suggests a 'ratcheting' mechanism that prevents abrupt failure of adhesive junctions. This discovery may lead to the development of gene therapy for diseases associated with malfunctions or mutations of the cadherin protein.
A recent study found that the majority of Americans with alcoholism do not receive treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. The research identified distinct characteristics among those who did receive treatment, suggesting that treatment options may need to be tailored to address specific needs.
A recent University of Georgia study suggests that retroviruses, including HIV, may have an ancient origin. Researchers analyzed the genome of a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans and found evidence of retroviral-like elements in its DNA. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the evolution of complex retroviruses.