Scientists at Millennium and the Whitehead Institute discovered a novel protein FATP4 that plays a role in transporting fatty acid molecules from the intestine into the body. Inhibiting its function may provide new approaches to treating obesity.
A study by OHSU researchers found improved quality of care to be the major factor behind declining hospital mortality rates for heart failure patients in Oregon. The study analyzed data from 1991-1995 and concluded that better treatment and care were key contributors to the lower death rate.
Researchers aim to uncover principles of coordinated group motion and apply them to designing autonomous underwater or airborne robots. They will create a database recording fish school movements and test robotic versions of biological models.
A Cornell University research team led by Paulette Clancy is developing novel semiconducting materials using polymers, which could lead to cheaper and more portable 'throwaway electronics.' The project aims to create new materials for light-emitting diode displays and flexible laptop screens.
Researchers found that atovaquone was 100% effective in keeping volunteers bitten by mosquitoes carrying Plasmodium falciparum from developing the disease. Pairing atovaquone with proguanil, an older malaria-fighting drug, provides protection while avoiding drug resistance.
Scientists at OHSU have discovered a mechanism in the brain that controls weight, named the adipostat, which acts as a fat thermostat. The discovery could lead to medications that help regulate patient weight and prevent excessive caloric intake.
Scientists are working on developing new technologies to store, access, and search large volumes of data. The team aims to improve data management for next-generation science projects like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which will produce 40 terabytes of data.
Researchers are developing tiny, chip-based laboratories to speed up the search for new medicines by analyzing thousands of compounds simultaneously. This microscale analysis will enable faster, more cost-effective discovery in the fields of materials science and chemistry.
A team of researchers has produced high-resolution images of a complete ribosome complex using the Advanced Light Source (ALS), revealing more about its structure than previous observations. The new crystallographic images provide insights into how transfer RNA interacts with the ribosome and the molecular mechanisms of protein synthesis.