A study by Texas A&M University researcher Dr. Jeff Guidry reveals that non-treatment problems hinder successful cancer treatment and cure for patients in rural areas. The study shows that barriers to overcoming cancer include lack of transportation, proper information, access to treatment, and a support system.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions have identified key shapes and sizes used by the brain to build internal models of reality, enabling humans to learn and control movements. The study reveals fundamental limitations to what is learnable by the human brain, shedding light on how our brains 'think'.
Researchers found that gay men with dysthymia reported having unprotected sex at a higher rate than those without the condition. This is linked to low self-esteem associated with depression, which may lead to a lack of concern for one's safety.
The Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM) at Penn has received a $17 million NSF grant to continue its cutting-edge materials research. This investment will support innovative projects developing materials with unique properties, including synthetic proteins, carbon fibers, and electronic materials.
A study at Northwestern University aims to assess whether an experimental drug can reduce carcinogens produced by cigarette smoke, potentially preventing lung cancer. Participants must be heavy smokers with a history of failed quit attempts and no medical problems.
Dr. Oliver Manuel proposes that the sun and planets formed from debris of a massive supernova explosion, contradicting conventional astrophysics theories. Recent data from NASA's Galileo probe supports his claims by detecting traces of strange xenon gases in Jupiter's atmosphere.
Researchers found American astronauts and mission control personnel reported lower emotional health scores compared to their Russian counterparts. The study suggests steps NASA can take to boost morale, such as rotating leadership roles among three-person crews.
A new book examines the human aspects of environmental restoration, exploring moral and ethical questions, conflicts over nature definition, and the role of stakeholders. The study suggests ways to resolve restoration conflicts and highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement in sustaining projects.
Dr. Sherwin's research suggests that estrogen replacement therapy prevents some of the decline in verbal memory and ability to learn new material in postmenopausal women. This effect has been observed even in women who underwent surgical removal of their ovaries, which led to a sudden drop in estrogen levels.
The Dartmouth Flood Observatory uses satellite images from NASA's Terra spacecraft to pinpoint flooded areas and provide precise mapping accuracy, aiding United Nations World Food Program staff. The new composite surface images have been used to identify the worst-hit areas of the current flooding in Southeast Asia.
Golgi lipids play a crucial role in regulating protein trafficking, disrupting the organization of the Golgi apparatus and blocking certain proteins from being trafficked. The study found that PLA2 overexpression causes the fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus, similar to changes during mitosis.
A group of Puebloans from the Mesa Verde region is believed to have settled in three ruins on the west side of the Rio Grande River, exhibiting characteristics of the Mesa Verde culture. The site, Pinnacle Ruin, was inhabited by a large group who made a 250-mile journey south after Four Corners collapsed.
A new study found that professional ballet dancers experience injury rates comparable to those of athletes in collision sports, with an average time lost due to injury of 10.5 days. Anxiety and stress management programs can help identify at-risk dancers and reduce injuries.
A six-year study found inhaled steroids to be safe and effective for children with mild-to-moderate asthma, reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits by up to 43%. The treatment also improved lung growth and reduced symptoms, contradicting previous concerns about long-term risks.
Students from Granby's Sacré-Coeur high school will demonstrate simple water quality tests using lettuce seeds, onion bulbs, and other methods. The demonstration is part of AQUAtox 2000, a global network of students conducting experimental research on water toxicity.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins find that people with repeated sinus infections may carry a mutated CFTR gene, which could increase their risk of chronic sinusitis. The study suggests that patients carrying this mutation may benefit from targeted treatments for sinus infections.
A study by Cornell labor experts found that global capital mobility and ineffective labor laws create a climate where employers threaten to close plants or move investments to avoid unionization. This leads to increased job insecurity and no real wage gains for workers, despite the longest economic boom in US history.
Researchers have measured the comparative bending strength of tiny carbon nanotubes using a technique based on mechanical resonance induced by an oscillating electrical voltage. The study provides information that will help materials scientists select the best variety of nanotube for new applications.
Cystic fibrosis patients' lungs are infected primarily with bacterial biofilms, which are resistant to antibiotic treatment and cause damage to the lungs. A new test developed by University of Iowa researchers shows that Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces signaling molecules indicative of a biofilm state.
Helen M. Berman and Wilma K. Olson receive the honor for their major contributions to molecular biophysics, with a focus on nucleic acids and macromolecular solvation. The awards recognize their dedication to advancing knowledge in biophysics and education.
A recent UB study found no association between high-normal iron levels and risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease or heart attack. However, black men with low levels of excess iron were at three times the risk of death from any cause.
Streptococcal bacteria use the bacterial capsule containing hyaluronic acid to bind to epithelial cells of the pharynx and cause sore throats. Suppression of CD44 levels or use of antibodies/ exogenous hyaluronic acid can block this interaction.
Research demonstrates that increased Akt1 function is sufficient to produce tetraploid smooth muscle cells in hypertensive or aging arteries. Cyclin B degradation is prematurely triggered in these cells, allowing for extra rounds of DNA synthesis and cell growth.
Researchers have sequenced the Ureaplasma urealyticum genome, revealing a novel metabolic system and 652 genes with unknown functions. The discovery will aid in understanding how the bacterium causes disease and may lead to better treatments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center outline a method for securely collecting sensitive medical research data via the Internet. This approach enables faster and cheaper data collection with the same level of security as traditional methods.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer who have used early oral contraceptives, particularly those introduced before 1975, may be at heightened risk of developing breast cancer. The study found a 3.3-fold increased risk for first-degree relatives, especially sisters and daughters.
The Puget Sound Oncology Consortium is partnering with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project to evaluate Herceptin therapy in women with early stage breast cancer. The trial, Protocol B-31, aims to assess the safety and efficacy of combining Herceptin with chemotherapy in treating node-positive breast cancer patients.
A study of caregivers' goals for Alzheimer's treatment reveals that maintaining quality of life is more important than extending lifespan. Most caregivers are willing to accept risks to slow the disease and would prioritize benefits such as preserving memory, communication, and daily function over additional years of life.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute successfully directed human embryonic stem cells to differentiate into three germ layers: ectodermal (brain, skin), mesodermal (muscle) and endodermal (liver and pancreas). The study suggests that a combination of growth factors may be needed to achieve specific cell lineages.
David Julius, PhD, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the capsaicin receptor, VR1, which mediates responses to painful stimuli. His work builds on the pioneering research of Edward R. Perl, who first identified nociceptors as responsible for pain perception.
A recent NIH study discovered that gene alterations associated with cystic fibrosis may also contribute to chronic sinus problems in some individuals. The study found that nearly five times more patients with sinusitis carried CFTR alterations than those without the condition.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that a significant proportion of people with epilepsy may also have undiagnosed sleep apnea, which can disrupt brain function and exacerbate symptoms. The study suggests that addressing sleep apnea through lifestyle and medical interventions may help improve seizure control and quality of...
A new study published in Neurology reveals that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients lose cognitive ability and report increased mental fatigue after repeated testing. Researchers attribute this decline to fluctuations in glucose supply and metabolism, which affect brain performance.
A study found that caregivers' problem-solving skills and positive expectations have a modest but potential clinical importance in reducing asthma symptoms. Caregivers with superior problem-solving skills helped children wheeze for fewer hours, while positive expectations improved functioning ability.
A new study by Georgia Tech finds that industrializing countries in Asia are catching up with the US in technology exports, thanks to an information-based economy. The US remains the leader but faces tougher competition, particularly from China and India.
Researchers find that higher prices and perceived risks of harm lead to lower marijuana use among high school seniors, while declining risk leads to increased use. The study utilizes nationally representative data to explore the relationship between price, perceptions, and marijuana use trends.
A University of Washington survey found that national sex surveys under-represented women working as prostitutes, leading to a disparity in reported sexual partners. Factoring in the prostitutes' high number of partners explained the difference between men's and women's reports.
Researchers at UIC College of Medicine are developing a powerful new prenatal diagnostic technique to detect genetic abnormalities in fetal blood cells. The technique, using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), will identify defects in individual genes and could potentially be used by all women who wish to undergo screening.
UI researchers find that a simple sugar, xylitol, can enhance the natural defense system of the body, potentially preventing deadly bacterial infections in CF lungs. The study shows that xylitol lowers the salt concentration of the airway surface liquid, favoring antimicrobial agents and killing invading bacteria.
Researchers have discovered 18 planet-like objects drifting free of a central star in the Orion constellation. The objects' cool temperatures suggest they may be planets or brown dwarfs, challenging current theories on planetary formation.
A new airborne infrared search and track system, called Risk Mitigation Sensor (RMS), recently passed a key test detecting the launch of a Black Brant missile. The RMS technology has applications in various military aircraft and systems, potentially entering Fleet use within five years.
More than 400 information professionals gathered for the conference to explore topics such as web contact center software, virtual reference networks, and digital resources for agriculture. Keynote speakers Michael B. Eisenberg and Charles R. McClure presented on the role of digital reference librarians in online environments.
Sverdrup Technology has been awarded a $300 million contract by NASA to provide engineering, scientific and technical services at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The contract covers support for space transportation systems, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
The new Marshall Institute is a concept for delivering training to employees, based on a commitment to lifelong learning. It will feature a catalog of courses, an advisory council, and partnerships with industry and academia to keep employees abreast of the latest learning processes and technologies.
Researchers used Hubble data to study Io's mantle, finding similarities with Earth's. The study suggests Io may have undergone differentiation in a process similar to Earth's, indicating a similar oxidation state in the mantle.
The Knowledge Wall is an ONR-funded concept using commercial technology to display relevant data on a single wall. It was installed onboard the USS CORONADO, addressing issues faced by naval decision-makers.
A new self-adhesive device called StatLock was found to reduce infection rates and dislodging of catheters compared to traditional methods. The device also eliminated the risk of accidental needlesticks associated with suturing.
The US Navy is adopting new green LEDs in traffic lights that can deliver up to 10 times more power at microwave frequencies as traditional silicon semiconductors, promising improved radar systems performance. Gallium nitride-based materials are being used to replace vacuum tubes in high-power military microwave systems.
Researchers show that the transcription factor E2F-1 activates both p53 and p73, playing a crucial role in cell death. This finding raises the possibility of using activators of E2F-1 to tip the balance towards apoptosis, potentially leading to new cancer therapies.
Scientists develop a method to precisely adjust nanopore sizes using ultraviolet light, enabling the creation of tunable zeolites for enhanced membrane-based oxygen-nitrogen separation. This technology has potential applications in sensor arrays, nanoreactors, and optical devices.
A new study aims to improve adolescent girls' fitness levels and reduce their risk of obesity. The Trial of Activity in Adolescent Girls (TAAG) project will test whether structured physical activity programs can increase fitness and prevent decline, with a focus on underrepresented groups.
Researchers at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center are testing an immunotherapy treatment that involves collecting stem cells from a patient's sibling to attack the cancer. The trial aims to confirm previous NIH study results and explore its potential in treating solid cancers, including prostate and melanoma.
Researchers identify Dmrt1 as a crucial gene for normal mammalian testis development, providing insights into human testicular degeneration syndrome. The discovery also highlights surprising molecular conservation between vertebrates and invertebrates.
Researchers at UCSF and Compugen identified a new chemokine CXCL16 that recruits immune cells to sites of infection. The novel molecule binds to the CXCR6 receptor, which is exploited by HIV viruses for entry into human cells.
US presidential nominees Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore express differing views on global warming, environmental policies, and education reforms in their responses to the Science questionnaire. They agree on supporting research funding and tax credits for biomedical research.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a gene responsible for hereditary benign intraepithelial dyskeratosis (HBID), a rare eye disease primarily among the Haliwa-Saponi tribe. The gene causes a 'founder's effect,' leading to abnormal growths on mucosal linings, affecting vision and bloodshot eyes.
Archaeologists may use sound waves to survey potential building sites for significant cultural artifacts. The high-resolution acoustic system can detect and image small buried objects, improving on current ground-penetrating radar methods that struggle with wet soils or non-metallic objects.
The Jackson Laboratory has received a $14 million NIH grant to create a center for mouse models of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. The center aims to develop new models and databases for biomedical researchers worldwide, as well as advance understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying healthy function and diseases.
A more thorough evaluation of energy costs can increase the value of an energy conservation project, allowing companies to carry out plans that might otherwise appear too expensive. By considering overlooked savings such as reduced maintenance and internal costs, energy managers can recoup costs faster.
Researchers found that bacteria thrived in around a third of common pesticides, with Shigella, E. coli, and Salmonella growing best on chlorothalonil. The risk of food poisoning could increase one-thousandfold if contaminated water is used on crops.