Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories discovered that dancing tin crystals can convert chemical energy into forward motion, overcoming friction between tin and the copper surface. This phenomenon could lead to surprisingly efficient nanomotors that can be controlled externally and refueled.
A comprehensive study found a high prevalence of pelvic floor disorders in the general population, affecting up to 50% of older women. The research highlights the need for increased medical attention and awareness about these often-stigmatized conditions.
Biomolecular motors powered by ATP and spinning nickel propellers have been successfully built and tested, enabling the creation of ultrasmall robotic devices. The technology holds promise for developing nanonurses and smart pharmacies that can detect chemical signals from body cells and precisely dispense drugs.
Researchers have identified a new fast serotonin receptor in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans that can inhibit neuronal activity. This discovery raises hopes for developing new treatments for disorders caused by serotonin imbalance, such as mood disorders and obesity.
In a study on arctic ground squirrels, researchers found that females severely reduced reproduction and most died over winter when populations reached maximum capacity. This regulation helps control population growth and maintain survival rates.
Researchers have successfully cloned a female adult cell and reset its developmental clock, resetting X-inactivation. The study provides the first molecular evidence for the egg's ability to reprogram an adult cell back to its embryonic state.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered that Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, uses an ancient agent to sever vital cell signaling pathways. This mechanism is shared by both plant and animal bacteria, including those that cause black rot and other diseases.
A recent CSIRO Australia trial found genetically modified lupins increased wool growth by eight percent and live weight gain by seven percent in Merino sheep. The modified protein stimulates the production of sulfur amino acids, essential for growth, making it a valuable boost to Australian wool production.
Researchers have developed a method to directly observe three-dimensional nanostructured glass, which has the potential to solve macro-level problems in technology and the environment. The material can be used for various applications such as optical fibers, coatings for computer chips and sensors for detecting biotoxins.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered a link between a bladder gene and vesicoureteral reflux, a condition that causes urine to flow backward into the kidneys. The study suggests earlier detection and treatment of the condition could prevent kidney failure.
A team of Virginia Tech chemists and colleagues have created a family of fullerene molecules that break the sacrosanct isolated-pentagon rule. The new structure has only 68 carbon atoms, which are stabilized by three metal atoms, allowing for a molecular cluster of four atoms to be encapsulated.
Arthur Gossard, a professor at UCSB, has received the James C. McGroddy Prize for his contributions to molecular beam epitaxy, a key technology for compound semiconductors used in wireless and fiber-optic devices. The prize honors his work on device applications and physical understanding of low-dimensional structures.
Healthcare personnel working in poorly ventilated general hospital rooms were at risk for sero-conversion of tuberculosis. Improving ventilation to at least two air exchanges per hour can help prevent this risk. Additionally, a program using an educational videotape and brochure increased colon cancer screening rates among patients.
A group of scientists and policymakers are convening a conference to develop a federal science policy blueprint that addresses critical national issues. The conference aims to link basic science research with vital areas of public interest, such as education, energy, and global climate change.
The new guidelines recommend making both Zyban and nicotine replacement therapy available on NHS prescription to help smokers quit. The guidelines also suggest that hospitals should become totally smoke-free zones and provide training and resources for healthcare professionals to support patients in quitting smoking.
Neurons control connection strength by removing or inserting receptors for glutamate, a key neurotransmitter. The discovery reveals a 'shuttle' system that rapidly regulates receptor numbers, allowing neurons to adjust connection strength.
A study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital found that over 90% of young women with anorexia nervosa suffered from significant bone loss. The research highlights the importance of regaining and maintaining a healthy weight in preventing or reducing bone loss.
A Yale study of over 51,000 participants found that taking aspirin daily reduces the risk of a first heart attack by 32%. However, it did not significantly reduce overall stroke or cardiovascular death rates, and may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Researchers from the University of Florida and Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that oxidative stress is involved in kwashiorkor, leading to high levels of free radicals destroying healthy cells. The study suggests giving children antioxidant supplements may help increase their life spans.
Researchers analyzed data on over 1,200 cardiac patients and found that negative affect and hopelessness were strong predictors of survival. These symptoms were linked to a 40% increased risk of death compared to those with little negative affect.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute uncovered how retroviruses like HIV make their escape from infected cells by using ubiquitin and a viral segment called the late domain. This study sheds light on previously unknown aspects of viral assembly and budding, potentially leading to new techniques for arresting viral spread.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that sleeping the first night improves task performance and memory consolidation. Despite two additional nights of sleep, those who stayed up all night initially showed no improvement.
A study of over 1,300 elderly participants found associations between early sexual abuse and increased risks of breast cancer, arthritis, and thyroid disease. The study also noted unexpected findings, such as an association between early sexual abuse and a reduced risk of hypertension.
The University of California, San Francisco has launched a groundbreaking Spanish/English smoking cessation research program on the Internet. The program aims to recruit bilingual smokers from around the world and provide them with a comprehensive online resource to help them quit smoking.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers shows that watching a videotape explaining colon cancer procedures can increase screening rates by at least 15%. This could lead to significant reductions in deaths from colorectal cancer, with over 47,000 Americans dying annually.
Research in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that general practitioners prescribed nearly 3,500 off-label medications to over 1,200 children aged under 12. The most frequently used off-label drugs were systemic antibiotics and anti-asthmatic medications. GPs claim they are not at fault but lack adequate product license information.
A study found that a genetic variant of the IL-8 gene is carried by over half of the UK population and increases the risk of developing severe bronchiolitis in children. The research suggests a possible genetic basis for the common childhood infection, which affects nearly all children by their second year.
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that low-risk women who have had previous cesarean deliveries may benefit from trial of labor, which can reduce maternal fevers and need for transfusion or hysterectomy, while increasing small risk to the baby
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a technique to measure defects in materials with picometer accuracy, enabling the design of advanced materials. The new technique uses interferometry in coherent electron diffraction and is particularly suited for investigating tiny areas of materials.
A new treatment for spinal cord injuries is being tested in a human clinical trial at Indiana University and Purdue University. The trial uses electrical fields to promote regeneration of injured nerve fibers, with dogs showing partial functional recovery.
Researchers analyzed data from over 7,000 men and women in their 50s and 60s and found that obesity was associated with significantly lower net worth for middle-aged women. The economic cost of obesity on women's wealth is substantial, ranging from $135,670 in 1998 for moderately to severely obese women compared to non-obese peers.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified ubiquitin as crucial to budding, a process allowing viruses to exit host cells and infect new ones. The study's findings suggest that ubiquitin plays a key role in the maturation and release of viral particles from the cell surface.
A recent study found that proteins in T cells play a key role in the spread of HIV. By blocking these proteins, scientists hope to develop new treatments for the virus. The research, led by Ulrich Schubert, reveals how HIV manipulates T cells to spread and infect other cells.
The Arid Zone Recovery Project successfully re-introduced Greater Bilbies to a 14 square kilometre exclosure, with estimates suggesting around 20 bilbies now living in the site. The project also reintroduced other species, such as Burrowing Bettongs and birds like the Bush Thick-knee and Plains Wanderer.
The George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis has received a 5-year, $1.9 million grant to fund the Comorbidity and Addictions, Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Center (CAP-IT). The center will support groundbreaking research on addictions interventions for underserved populations and improve...
Researchers developed a tissue culture system that mimics normal cell growth, allowing them to study gene transfer techniques in greater detail. They found that cancer cells can be easily infected while normal cells are poorly infected, suggesting a potential target for gene therapy.
The symposium aims to provide state-of-the-art information on breast cancer research. Five plenary speakers will discuss various topics, including targeted therapies and hormone replacement therapy.
A new study in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found a low overall drug error rate in a pediatric teaching hospital in the UK, with one mistake for every 662 admissions. However, a significant proportion of parents were not informed about medication errors, with 48% of cases going unreported.
A study examining 700 fifty-year-olds born between 1943 and 1947 found that those whose mothers starved during early pregnancy were three times more likely to develop heart disease. The researchers also discovered that the effects depend on the timing of maternal starvation during gestation.
A new study found that individuals with a sensation-seeking personality are more sensitive to nicotine's mood-altering effects, particularly at lower doses. This increased sensitivity may be a key factor in their risk of becoming smokers.
A UCSF study found that women who perceived themselves higher on the social ladder reported better physical health, lower stress levels, and less abdominal fat. The researchers suggest that this perception is linked to a lower cortisol response to stress, which can contribute to metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
Research suggests that a woman's optimism during pregnancy can lead to healthier birth outcomes for her baby. Women with an optimistic outlook tend to exercise more frequently and have better nutrition, resulting in lower birth weight infants. Additionally, women who perceive themselves as higher on the social ladder report better phys...
A study published in Heart found that children born to mothers who starved during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy were three times more likely to develop coronary heart disease as adults. They also had higher blood pressure, weighed more, and a higher adverse cholesterol profile.
Research reveals that aggressive young children often feel rejected by their friends, school, and parents. The study challenges the assumption that aggressive kids have high self-esteem.
Researchers found that 82% of complications from angioplasty occurred within 18 hours, with most happening at the time of procedure. The study aimed to identify the temporal spectrum of ischemic complications, and their findings have implications for hospital length-of-stay policies.
A new UNC-CH study found that the supply of dentists per 10,000 residents dropped in almost two-thirds of North Carolina counties over the past 20 years. Conversely, the number of physicians increased significantly, with 64 counties experiencing a decline and 24 ranks improving from 36th to 24th in physician availability by 1998.
Researchers discovered that STI-HAART can train the immune system to control HIV by developing a stronger response against the virus. The study provides a potential recipe for further research on restoring HIV-specific immunity after acute infection.
An international research team aims to fill knowledge gaps on whale, seal, bird, turtle, fish and squid behaviors. The Census of Marine Life project tracks animals using sophisticated electronic sensors.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new gel-like material that can be used as a drug-delivery system, potentially replacing multiple daily medications with a single dose. The superporous hydrogels expand rapidly in the stomach, allowing medications to be absorbed more efficiently by the body.
Scientists discover a solution to protect healthy human liver cells from destruction by the promising cancer treatment TRAIL, opening up a new direction for clinical trials. The treatment triggers a sweeping death response in its target, destroying cancerous and pre-cancerous cells.
UCSF researchers identified PSD-95 protein as key link between nerve cells, suggesting possible target for treating mental retardation and nerve damage. The protein stimulates maturation of synapses, enabling brain development, learning, and memory.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine isolated the gene responsible for autosomal dominant hypophosphataemic rickets, a rare disorder affecting bone development. The discovery was made possible by using online resources from the Human Genome Project, paving the way for potential new therapies.
Researchers at University of Illinois used polymerase chain reaction to detect microbes in water, rock, and air samples from hot springs. They found evidence of life in new springs, suggesting microbes may have been transported by wind-borne steam or existing waters.
The study found that cold, wet springs decrease survival rates of adult owls, while a mixture of old growth forest and other vegetation types promotes high survival and reproductive output. Habitat quality also buffers owls during unfavorable weather periods, but current logging practices do not generate the observed mosaic.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have developed a new method to study language development in Spanish-speaking populations, enabling early identification of hearing-impaired infants and providing effective interventions. The study involved over 130 Spanish-speaking children, showing positive effects on their subsequent language abilities.
The U-M program has been shown to boost the use of key therapies in hospitals, with 98% of eligible patients receiving clot-busting drugs and over 94% on beta blockers. The program's success is due to its multi-faceted approach, including care standards, educational materials, reminders, and patient empowerment.
A University of Toronto researcher found a polar lake in the Arctic has recovered significantly despite decades of sewage dumping, using diatoms as effective bio-monitors. The phosphorus levels have declined sharply since 1972, tracking the decrease in population at a former Canadian military base.
Researchers found that most women (70%) are in their fertile window before day 10 or after day 17, leaving few universal 'safe' days for natural birth control. The study also revealed that late ovulation can occur even in women with regular cycles, increasing the chances of pregnancy during the fifth week.
A Yale physician has performed five endoscopic procedures using high-definition television (HDTV), increasing image sharpness by more than double. The miniaturized HDTV camera system provided the best image ever seen, enabling accurate and minimally invasive surgeries with reduced costs and rapid recovery times.
Scientists have identified a common mode of action among gene-activation molecules linked to cancers, according to a study published in Molecular Cell. The researchers found structural similarities among the molecules, suggesting they may share a unified mechanism of action despite chemical dissimilarities.