According to a report by Lawrence S. Lerner, 31 states handle evolution adequately, but only nine explicitly cover human evolution and another nine do so by implication. The remaining 19 states receive poor grades for teaching evolution, with some even avoiding the term altogether.
Replacing refined grains with whole grains may significantly reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in women, with even a daily increase in whole grain consumption offering benefits. The study of over 75,000 female nurses found that higher whole grain intake was associated with a 43% lower risk of ischemic stroke.
A Rutgers-led consortium has received a five-year, $25 million NIH grant to determine the structures and functions of proteins. The project aims to develop integrated technologies for high-throughput protein production and 3-D structure determination.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing a non-destructive test to detect small flaws, latent flaws, and general degradation in commercial aircraft wiring. The FAA is funding the $450,000 grant, which aims to improve aircraft safety by identifying critical degradation levels of aging wiring without removal from its location.
Boston University will create an international science and medical journalism center with a $1.1M Knight Foundation grant. The center aims to improve the quality of medical journalism, train journalists to report on scientific advances, and increase global coverage.
Research in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that babies whose mothers smoked were twice as likely to experience colic. Breastfed infants were less prone to colic when their mothers smoked, highlighting a potential risk factor for smoking mothers.
The Midwest Center for Structural Genomics aims to cut the cost of determining protein structures from $100,000 to $20,000, reducing analysis time from months and years to days and hours. The center will select protein targets from various kingdoms of life to study disease-causing proteins.
Researchers at Ohio State University are investigating ways to re-grow tiny blood vessels to keep damaged heart tissue alive after a heart attack. They have demonstrated that endothelial cells can grow in grooves carved in the surface of a soft transparent gel in the laboratory, paving the way for future transplants.
Researchers used fMRI to probe the roots of a longstanding hypothesis in memory research. They found that recalling sensory-specific experiences activates brain regions responsible for processing those experiences. However, they also discovered that high-level perception areas are selectively reactivated during remembering, suggesting ...
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered a new gene, AXIN2, linked to colorectal cancer development. Mutations in this gene elevate Beta-catenin levels, contributing to the disease.
The NIGMS Structural Genomics Awards will support seven research centers in determining the structures of thousands of proteins over the next decade. The project aims to advance our understanding of biological processes and develop new treatments for diseases.
Using I.T. to reduce lead times and increase shipment frequency results in a significant 21% supply chain improvement for smaller batch manufacturing. In contrast, relying on electronic data interchange and early alerts yields only a 2.2% average supply chain gain.
Rutgers researchers have received significant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study plant genomes. Dr. Eric Lam will lead a project focused on charting chromosome sequences in Arabidopsis, while Dr. Joachim Messing will investigate maize endosperm development and gene function.
The International Development Research Centre presents four case studies on ICTs in Latin America, highlighting their impact on civil society organizations and indigenous communities. These projects showcase the potential of technology to bridge development gaps and promote social change.
Researchers aim to unlock cellular communication secrets using air traffic control principles and develop new instrumentation for analyzing complex biological systems. The goal is to understand how genes function and design intricate electronic circuits, applying insights from computation and engineering.
A UF pilot study shows that massage and relaxation techniques can safely and effectively reduce pain, tension, and fatigue in patients with sickle cell anemia. The treatments improved blood flow and reduced muscle tension, providing relief from debilitating episodes of severe pain.
Researchers transplanted skeletal muscle cells directly into a damaged area of the heart in a Phase I trial to test their potential to repair and strengthen heart contractions. The goal is to improve cardiac function and determine cell survival.
The average American consumes 27% of their daily energy from junk foods, which can lead to nutritional and health issues. The study found that those who consumed more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop heart disease.
A new study found that nearly 80% of depressed teenagers do not receive necessary psychiatric medical treatment, which can lead to a repeat bout of major depression and involvement in substance abuse by early adulthood. Especially at risk are depressed teenage girls who clash with parents or have a family history of recurrent depression.
Researchers have developed a chemically switchable approach to study kinases, crucial for signal transmission in all cells. The technique allows precise experiments to determine the specific function of hundreds of kinases without disrupting overall cell function.
A study suggests that disposable nappies lined with plastic can increase scrotal temperature in boys, potentially leading to impaired normal testicular cooling mechanisms and increased risk of male infertility. The research found that rectal temperatures were significantly lower than scrotal temperatures when cotton nappies were worn.
Scientists have identified a portion of the HIV genome that remains unaffected by mutations, providing a potential therapeutic target for preventing viral spread. By blocking this site, researchers believe they can inhibit viral replication and develop a new treatment approach.
Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 smokers and found that teenagers, women, and whites experience higher rates of nicotine dependency symptoms. The study suggests that these differences in sensitivity to nicotine may reflect varying thresholds for determining nicotine dependence among different groups.
A comprehensive program involving exercise, weight loss, and joint protection principles is necessary for effective osteoarthritis management. Over-the-counter acetaminophen may be the only required medication for mild-to-moderate pain relief.
A new study found that silver-coated catheters could reduce urinary tract infections by 47% and bacteremia by 44%. The cost savings could be substantial, with estimated average savings of $4 per patient catheterized.
Hernandez Engineering, Inc. will deliver management, personnel, equipment, and supplies for safety and mission assurance at NASA's Marshall Center. The contract value is up to $35.9 million, with a focus on reducing space launch costs and improving flight safety.
Northwestern University has received nearly $1 million in NSF funding to develop special robots called cobots that assist humans in heavy materials handling. Researchers also plan to create a technology to distribute computer software for large-scale optimization problems via the Internet.
A new study suggests that regular exercise is as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression rates. Participants who exercised regularly showed lower relapse rates, even six months after treatment ended.
A new study evaluates the efficacy of using shade-grown coffee as a bird conservation measure. Researchers found that while shade coffee habitats support many birds, some sensitive forest species still need forests to survive. Protecting canopy shade trees in these plantations is crucial for conservation.
Researchers have demonstrated that human fetuses can hear by the eighth month of pregnancy, with cardiac and motor responses to computer-generated white noise detected at around 30 weeks. The study's findings suggest that the fetus's auditory system is developed enough to detect sound, but the exact nature and impact of this experience...
Researchers discovered that snapping shrimp produce sound by collapsing bubbles from their snapping claw. The bubbles collapse and generate a shock wave that stuns prey, using cavitation damage previously thought to be harmful to ship propellers.
The program aims to connect kids with both sports and academics, helping them learn math and science while participating in sports. The Sport Science program will expand over the next three years to include 540 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade girls from six Philadelphia schools.
A new study suggests that social support during pregnancy can positively impact fetal growth and birth weight. Women with multiple sources of support during pregnancy had higher birth weight infants. The research also found that social support may inspire healthier behaviors and improve treatment outcomes for pregnant women.
Geneticists discover a highly conserved mechanism in zebrafish and fruitfly eyes that controls nerve cell formation, forming the basis for eye development. This shared mechanism strongly argues for a common evolutionary origin of animal eyes.
Researchers have discovered a virus with an armored coat made of interlocking rings of protein, similar to medieval chain mail suits. The discovery could lead to new designs for nanotechnology, as the unique structure allows for stability while maintaining mobility.
A nine-year study of over 12,000 men at high risk for coronary heart disease found that those with regular annual vacations had a lower risk of death. Vacations were more protective against death from coronary heart disease than diseases like cancer, possibly due to stress reduction and engagement in restorative behaviors.
A study by Elissa Epel found that lean women who experience high levels of stress are more likely to accumulate excess abdominal fat, which increases their risk for certain diseases. The researchers suggest that this type of fat is linked to greater heart disease and diabetes.
Physicists have discovered that entangled photons, a phenomenon in quantum physics, can create smaller features on lithographic masks than classical physics allows. This breakthrough could enable manufacturers to continue miniaturizing and speeding up computer chips, potentially breaking the Moore's law barrier.
The NEAR mission has provided definitive mass and density measurements of asteroid 433 Eros, confirming it is an undifferentiated, homogeneous structure. The asteroid's surface features spectacular images and movies showing ridges, pits, troughs, and grooves that provide fascinating clues about its history.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a compact disc that can analyze blood samples and store medical information, using tiny reservoirs and channels to mix fluids. The technology enables the CD to measure glucose levels, store data, and even calibrate sensors.
A new study found that continued exercise significantly reduces the chances of depression returning, with only 8% of patients in the exercise group relapsing compared to 38% and 31% of the drug-only and exercise-plus-drug groups. Researchers suggest that exercise may be beneficial due to its active role in improving mental health.
Researchers found that urban living increases the risk of asthma among black children in the US, while highly active antiretroviral therapy reduces TB and Mycobacterium avium complex infections in HIV patients. Prenatal corticosteroid treatment also boosts surfactant production in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers aim to design technology that allows users to create profiles of their information interests, enabling customized information services and efficient data recharging on portable devices. The team plans to develop a profiling language and middleware techniques to track users' online needs.
The extinction of the Miss Waldron's red colobus monkey is a warning sign of an impending ecological disaster in West Africa. The loss of large-bodied monkeys, including primates and forest antelope, threatens the region's biodiversity, highlighting the need for improved law enforcement, protected areas, and conservation education.
The Congressional briefing explores how neighborhoods affect health risks, school achievement in children, and discrimination's impact on quality of life. Three experts share research findings about the importance of understanding and addressing neighborhood conditions.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed tiny artificial muscles that can dispense medication through microscopic holes in a prototype 'smart pill' implant. The capsules measure only a few micrometers across and can be used to power micro-sized medical devices or separate chemicals.
A Brown University research team is creating innovative visualization tools to help scientists better analyze and understand complex data. The project combines techniques from painting, sculpture, and graphic design with perceptual psychology to provide more effective pictures of huge amounts of data.
A McGill University research project demonstrates streaming high-quality multichannel audio over the internet from Montreal to Los Angeles. The demonstration features renowned recording engineers mixing 12 channels of audio in real-time.
Researchers are developing BioMEMs, implant materials and devices that integrate micro- and nanoscale features to affect cellular function. These therapeutic systems use chip technology, material science, and bioengineering to grow heart cells in culture and protect implanted cells with precision.
Researchers create micropatterns of polyethylene glycol to glue biological entities to computer chips, enabling rapid detection of substances. The technique has potential applications in laboratory screening, implantable medical devices, and diagnostic devices.
Astronomer Joseph Veverka's team observed a 'saturated' surface with tiny craters and abundant blocks of ejected debris on asteroid 433 Eros. The low gravity is puzzling, as most ejecta would be expected to escape into space.
Researchers found that female mice lacking IRS-2 protein are infertile due to defective ovaries and abnormal hormone production. The study suggests an evolutionarily conserved pathway linking energy metabolism and fertility in humans and animals, with potential implications for diabetes treatment.
University of Maryland researchers successfully created a new brain circuit that takes over damaged vision functions in newborn hamsters. The study suggests that surgically created neural pathways might one day be used to treat brain damage and restore lost functions like vision or hearing.
Researchers found that bees can deliver a biological fungicide to strawberry blooms more effectively than mechanical sprayers, reducing infected strawberries by 72 percent. The bee-delivered natural fungicide was as effective as chemical sprays at preventing gray mold, a common disease in strawberries.
Researchers found that a Tat-specific killer T cell response can effectively contain simian immunodeficiency virus during early infection, leading to a massive immune response. The study suggests a new approach to designing HIV vaccines by stimulating immune responses against virus proteins produced within hours of infection.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is developing a new strategy for obtaining plants with desirable genetic mutations using the TILLING method. This approach allows for rapid and large-scale analysis of mutations without introducing genetically modified material.
A study has confirmed that VirtualPhenotype can accurately predict HIV therapy response using genetic resistance information, outperforming expert interpretation. This standardized approach offers a reliable alternative for optimal treatment decision-making.
The American Geophysical Union is seeking nominations for the 2001 Sullivan and Perlman Awards, which recognize outstanding reporting in science journalism that makes geophysical science accessible to the general public. Nominations must be submitted by January 13, 2001.
Researchers found that children with a parent who had a premature heart attack showed structural and functional abnormalities in their arteries as young as 6 years old. These changes included thickened vessel walls and decreased reactivity, which can lead to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart disease.
Researchers have discovered a potentially promising approach to attack the AIDS virus, opening new vaccine directions. The study found that infected individuals make immune responses that the virus cannot tolerate, and that these responses could be mimicked in an HIV vaccine.