Researchers at Rosetta Inpharmatics used high-quality gene expression data and computational methods to identify novel gene functions. The company's approach enables the deciphering of previously uncharacterized genes, with applications in new drug discovery and development.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is seeking entries for its Science Journalism Awards competition, including a new online news category. The awards recognize excellence in science writing for a general audience and will support journalists covering emerging media platforms.
Scientists from Max Planck Institute report correlation between impaired RNA editing and epilepsy. Genetic manipulation in mice reveals that correcting the defect can lead to improved brain function and reduced seizures. The study suggests a potential link between human genome sequence and neurological disorders.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $50.3 million to 53 colleges and universities to expand and update laboratories, recruit new faculty members, and provide research opportunities for undergraduates. The grants support interdisciplinary programs linking biology and other fields, as well as programs attracting biology major...
The Blueprint for TB Vaccine Development identifies the TB crisis as a global health priority and encourages an international collaborative effort to develop a vaccine. The report details three different vaccine concepts currently being developed: live, attenuated vaccines; subunit vaccines; and naked DNA vaccines.
A team of scientists at Cornell University has discovered a genetic connection between the evolution of plump fruits and vegetables and the growth of human cancer cells. The study identified a single gene called ORFX that plays a key role in plant fruit development, similar to the human oncogene c-H-ras p21.
A meta-analysis of 23,410 participants found increased left-handedness in gay men and lesbian women compared to heterosexual individuals. This suggests that early developmental factors may play a role in the origins of homosexuality.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that HIV patients require at least 95 percent adherence to antiretroviral therapy for the drugs to work. The study also revealed that physicians often misjudge their patients' adherence, which could have serious consequences.
Researchers from UNC Chapel Hill present new approaches to HIV vaccine development, improved diagnostic training, and a method for identifying high-HIV transmission areas. They also reveal the role of Epstein-Barr virus in mouth disorders associated with AIDS.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new type of electrolyte that increases electrical conductivity while reducing costs and toxicity. This innovation has the potential to improve rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for use in electric and hybrid vehicles, addressing a significant barrier to widespread adoption.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have elucidated the 3-dimensional atomic structure of an enzyme that enables a transposable genetic element to 'jump' between DNA strands. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanism of transposition and its potential implications for HIV-1 treatment.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have clarified the molecular gears that drive biological clocks, revealing a simple model with striking parallels. The study found that light and dark cycles reset the clocks, but are not required to run them, and identified fundamental properties shared among all living clocks.
The Harvard Ocean Prediction System (HOPS) is a modular system that provides forecasts of ocean weather and information about ocean life. HOPS has been used to predict the location of crash debris from EgyptAir Flight 990 and identify promising waters for commercial fishing.
A recent UCSF study found that older women experiencing frequent urge incontinence are 26% more likely to fall and 34% more likely to fracture a bone. This increased risk is attributed to the need to frequently urinate at night, leading to trips and falls.
The study found that low-income African-American women are unaware of the high risk of cardiovascular disease among black women and do not consider it a health priority. They understand the link between diet and heart disease but lack knowledge about obesity, diabetes, and smoking's impact on cardiovascular disease.
Dr. David Suzuki will speak at the Ecological Society of America's annual meeting, discussing his efforts to prevent ecological crises and find ways for humans to live in balance with nature. He focuses on Climate Change and Pacific Salmon Forests, aiming to educate the public about urgent strategies for reducing global warming.
A recent study analyzing the data behind an Institute of Medicine report suggests that medical errors had no estimable effect on death rates. The authors argue that the patients studied were already quite ill before entering the hospital, making it difficult to isolate a critical determinant of death.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully used a heat-sensitive gene to slow down tumor growth in mice by 300-400 times over baseline. The gene therapy, which uses hyperthermia, also boosts the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
An international team is investigating archaeological sites in the Kuril Islands, searching for clues about early human migration to the Americas. The research aims to determine if seafaring people from the islands connected with Alaska's Aleutian Islands, potentially providing insights into the peopling of the continent.
Purdue researchers are developing automotive and portable air-conditioning systems that use environmentally friendly carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. Carbon dioxide is promising for small and light-weight systems, such as automotive or portable air conditioners.
Researchers identified SAANDS compounds as a potential new drug target for inducing apoptosis in abnormal cells. The compounds inhibit cGMP phosphodiesterases, triggering programmed cell death in cancerous and precancerous cells.
A plant-based vaccine has successfully triggered human immunity to the Norwalk virus, causing widespread food-borne illness in the US. Researchers at Cornell University and the University of Maryland have developed a transgenic potato vaccine that shows promising results in clinical trials.
A community education study increased ambulance use among heart attack patients but showed no improvement in delay time. The REACT study found a 20% increase in emergency medical services usage without a corresponding decrease in Emergency Department visits.
Researchers found that women are less likely to receive early treatment following a heart attack, including aspirin and thrombolytic therapy. Despite this, there is no apparent effect on 30-day mortality rates when accounting for severity of illness and other factors.
Scientists at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft developed a simple electrochemical procedure to fabricate three-dimensional microstructures. The innovation lies in applying ultrashort voltage pulses between the electrodes, which confines the electrochemical reaction to a small region and enables precise micromachining.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that nearly 90% of high-risk patients received antibiotic instructions, while only 60% of moderate-risk patients did. The study also revealed that 25% of low-risk patients incorrectly received antibiotics and 13% chose not to take them.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new anti-inflammatory drug decreased kidney function at the same rate as an older medication. Prompt treatment with three powerful antiretroviral drugs after HIV exposure prevented infection in a young girl, according to researchers.
A broad analysis by UC San Francisco researchers found that oral contraceptives generally double the risk of stroke, especially with high estrogen doses. The added risk is miniscule and remains low even when doubled, but caution is advised for smokers and those with high blood pressure.
A study found that a specialized nurse intervention significantly reduced asthma hospitalizations and missed work days, while also lowering healthcare costs. The program provided social support and education to patients, resulting in improved quality of life and substantial cost savings.
A recent study found that a biological clock gene in honeybees is more active in older bees, especially foragers who perform jobs outside the hive. The discovery suggests molecular connections between the division of labor and biological clocks in social insects.
Researchers found that certain genes in blood vessels produce a protective protein called HO-1, which inhibits atherosclerosis. This discovery provides new leads for treating and preventing heart disease by targeting these genetic pathways.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed visual inspection procedures to assess corrosion damage in deck beams, evaluate the remaining service life of bridges, and identify potential safety risks. The new standards aim to improve public safety by reducing the need for premature bridge replacements.
A study by Jefferson researchers found that blocking the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protein can prevent diabetic kidney disease in mice. The antibody treatment prevented kidney scarring and renal failure, offering hope for a new treatment option for humans with type 2 diabetes.
A recent UB study found that the 'healthy worker effect' can skew results of health studies involving workers, particularly among female nuclear-weapons workers. The study suggests that this bias must be taken into account to obtain accurate results, emphasizing the need for appropriate comparisons and consideration of unexposed workers.
A new study has found that frail and elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation are less likely to receive stroke-preventing drugs. Warfarin lowers the risk of stroke, heart attack or death by one-fourth in this population, but underuse is common.
Farmers perceive scientists as 'insensitive outsiders,' but researchers found that understanding their social and environmental practices can help improve watershed management. Farmers see beauty in modified, geometric landscapes that also harm biodiversity.
The ACM SIGCOMM 2 000 conference was held in Stockholm, Sweden, gathering researchers from USA and Europe to discuss network security, Internet telephony, and other topics. Notable speakers included Prof. André Danthine, Dr. Radia Perlman, and Professor Henning Schulzrinne.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered a way to spontaneously assemble chemicals into ribbon-like tubules that resemble bacterial cell walls. These micrometer-sized tubules have potential applications in drug delivery systems and as templates for synthesizing inorganic nanostructured materials.
Researchers detect significant amount of deuterium in Sagittarius A cloud, 30 light years from Milky Way's center. The findings suggest that deuterium was created in the first few minutes after Big Bang and is not produced by stars or stellar activity.
The American Sociological Association will host its 95th Annual Meeting in Washington D.C., focusing on themes of oppression, domination, and liberation. The meeting will feature over 500 presentations on topics including inequality, race and racism, work/labor markets, education, and health issues.
Robert Criss has developed a new method to date water using oxygen-18 isotopes, providing a distinctive fingerprint for each water sample. This technique allows researchers to trace the age of water, track pollutant emissions, and understand the behavior of river systems.
Researchers at Brown University and the Marine Biological Laboratory have observed herpes simplex virus traveling from nerve endings to nerve cell bodies within living nerve cells. The discovery of a single transport mechanism could lead to better treatment options for potentially lethal viral infections.
Experts recommend changing guidelines for collecting forensic evidence from young children, citing discomfort and low yields from body swabs. Instead, clothing and household linens are a more promising source of evidence.
A new study reveals that Americans are more likely to acknowledge feeling overwhelmed by life, with shifts in perceptions of mental health and coping mechanisms over the past four decades. The percentage of respondents reporting a 'nervous breakdown' increased from 19% in 1957 to 26% in 1996.
Over 5,000 experts worldwide support the Durban Declaration, stating that HIV is the cause of AIDS and urging governments to focus on prevention efforts. The declaration aims to eliminate misinformation and mobilize the world to combat the devastating consequences of AIDS.
HIV patients who see empathetic physicians report higher satisfaction rates, with continuity of care and medication adherence being critical factors. Patients who feel less empathetic or uninformed about the disease are more likely to be dissatisfied.
A national survey of 2,326 physicians found HMO physicians are less satisfied with their jobs compared to those in group practices or solo private practices. Time pressure is a major source of dissatisfaction among all physicians, with HMO physicians wanting additional time with patients.
Researchers at Rosetta Inpharmatics used Flexjet DNA microarray technology to analyze the role of changes in chromosome number on gene expression, showing large-scale biases that affect cellular processes. The study provides a novel tool for evaluating aneuploidy and its potential applicability to human cancer cells.
Researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center have developed a more reliable way to measure physical fitness in elderly people. The new method, called OUES, calculates oxygen uptake efficiency slope and can be completed without requiring maximum effort, making it suitable for patients with heart disease or kidney failure.
Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center are conducting a clinical trial using a genetically engineered protein fragment to stimulate the immune system to recognize and kill breast cancer cells. The goal is to treat advanced breast cancer, where the disease has spread beyond the breast.
Scientists have developed a fruit fly model to study malaria parasite development, which may lead to the creation of mosquitoes resistant to malaria. The research could also pave the way for better anti-malarial drugs and transmission-blocking vaccines.
Scientists at Max-Planck Institute report strong violations of classical constraints on electron mean free path in metallic fullerenes, challenging the semi-classical approach. The study suggests that metallic behavior can occur with a mean free path less than atomic distance, indicating a breakdown of the semi-classical picture.
Researchers found that trans-Resveratrol modulates NF-kappa B activity, turning off a natural protective mechanism that prevents cancer cells from being killed. The study suggests that consuming more grapes and grape products may help prevent or treat certain cancers.
A 10-year study of 4,162 elderly adults found that whites are nearly three times more likely to be prescribed antidepressant medications than African Americans. The disparity jumps to seven times more likely if only selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered.
The new microrobots, made of gold and polypyrrole, can function in salty broths, blood, and other liquids. They may be useful for fundamental studies, manufacturing small devices, or minimally invasive surgery, according to the researchers.
Scientists have developed a chimeric receptor in rice cells that enables the switch on of disease-resistance machinery when exposed to brassinolide, a potent growth-promoting hormone. This breakthrough technique offers a promising approach to understanding plant signaling hormones and receptors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a compound called C75 that rapidly turns off appetite in mice, causing significant weight loss. The substance works by blocking the production of neuropeptide Y, a key hormone involved in appetite regulation.
Zebrafish have revolutionized the study of brain development, revealing new genes that control the formation of nerve cells and the backbone. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding human diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and spina bifida, which may be linked to incomplete embryonic development.
A woman's personal search for medical research information led her to a cure for infertility and miscarriages. The proposal of an online archive for all biomedical research would give free access to latest medical findings, benefiting patients and scientists alike.
The National Library of Medicine is providing $102,000 to the Medical Library Association to strengthen programs for recruiting minorities into medical librarianship and increasing scholarship opportunities. The goal is to improve diversity in health sciences librarianship by attracting more minority applicants.