A study by Penn State researchers found that consuming larger portions of puffed-up food servings can reduce hunger and lead to a lower calorie intake. The study suggested using whipped foods like low-fat frozen desserts or air-popped popcorn as alternatives to manage weight.
Researchers at INEEL develop systems model to accurately assess greenhouse gas emissions from energy use. The model considers various factors, including energy efficiency and facility operations.
Research by Penn State and University of Nebraska found that moderate aggression is associated with a stronger immune system, particularly among CD4 cells. Men who reported engaging in occasional fights or aggressive acts had higher levels of lymphocytes, indicating a more rapid and intense response to pathogens.
Baltimore researchers will develop a new type of measles vaccine protecting infants younger than 9 months old, reducing global suffering and death rate from measles. A DNA vaccine approach using genetic material of the virus will be tested in humans to determine its effectiveness.
Researchers found that aerosol cyclosporine significantly reduced P-gp activity in lung transplant patients' immune cells, increasing effective drug absorption. The study aims to improve immunosuppressant therapy efficiency and reduce side effects.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that walking and weight loss reduced midthigh fat and improved glucose metabolism in older obese women. The intervention resulted in significant decreases in body weight, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels, as well as improvements in aerobic capacity.
A new process for making beta-lactam compounds could facilitate the creation of new antibacterial drugs, overcoming cost and chirality challenges. The process uses quinine as a catalyst to produce large batches of beta-lactams with desirable properties.
A large study of 191 nuns found no correlation between phosphorus and protein intake and calcium absorption. The researchers suggested that high protein diets may actually contribute to a negative calcium balance due to increased urinary calcium loss.
Researchers analyzed biologic, chemical, and genetic mechanisms to understand how SCA2 gene mutations cause damaged nerve cells. They found basic mechanisms in SCA2 cells differ from other genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting new treatment possibilities for ataxia and related conditions.
Researchers present innovative solutions for weight management, metal protection, and pharmaceutical advancements. A dietary supplement may help control weight, fat, and diabetes, while a new coating extends the life of metals tenfold. Additionally, a gentler form of aspirin is developed using polymers.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and the University of Cadiz have developed a method to extract antioxidants from grape seeds using carbon dioxide, producing an extract with greater potency without toxic chemicals. The new process takes 25% less time and can be fully automated.
A new polymer material could revolutionize treatment of broken bones by speeding up healing and reducing the need for invasive surgery. The biodegradable material is designed to degrade like a bar of soap, allowing for a gradual transfer of load from the degrading polymer to the healing bone.
Researchers have found that electrolyzed water is a deadly combination for bacteria, but great for consumers, killing bacteria on fresh produce and reducing bacteria up to a million-fold. The acidity and oxidation-reduction properties of the water contribute to its effectiveness in sanitizing food surfaces.
New research highlights pesticides, agricultural runoff, and animal by-products as major contributors to the Chesapeake Bay's ecological issues. Scientists examine the impact of endocrine disrupters, copper-based pesticides, and atmospheric ammonia emissions from swine farms on marine life.
Researchers highlight pressing issues with museum plastics and space suit polymers, discussing efforts to halt deterioration. Experts also explore collaborations between chemists and curators to preserve historical artifacts for future generations.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which prions replicate their structures in yeast, suggesting a general model for understanding protein aggregation in human diseases. The finding offers potential pathways to treatment and sheds light on the novel mode of inheritance used by yeast prions.
A fiber-optic laser system, designed by Johns Hopkins University engineers, will be launched into space to gather data on air pollution and atmospheric changes. The device uses ultraviolet light to strike gas molecules, providing critical information about the health of the atmosphere.
Researchers found that high-dose immune suppression and stem-cell transplantation can lead to long-term remission in lupus patients. The treatment approach has implications for the treatment of other immune disorders, including multiple sclerosis and some types of cancers.
Researchers discover that nerve cells use chemical scissors to clip off axon guidance receptors, controlling their navigation in the nervous system. Metalloprotease inhibitors enhance netrin activity by blocking receptor cleavage.
A new polymer additive, polyisobutylene, may dramatically increase mileage and engine power with less pollution. It can produce a 10 percent increase in horsepower and a 20 percent increase in mileage.
NASA has awarded four small businesses 90-day contracts to develop concepts and requirements for a potential backup capability to provide access to the International Space Station. The study aims to enhance the station's operational flexibility by launching within a week if primary delivery methods are unavailable.
Researchers from the American Chemical Society report that untested preservation methods are causing polymers in old paintings to fall apart, leading to cracks, yellowing, and warping. Chemists are now using computer models and simulating effects of temperature, humidity, and time to prevent irreparable damage.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have devised a method to combine chemical treatment with bacteria to remove cadmium from contaminated soil, leaving insoluble cadmium sulfide in place. This technique could be less costly than traditional methods and has potential for treating other metals like arsenic and cobalt.
Researchers develop a new method to fabricate optoelectronic devices using Fullerenes and positively charged polymers, generating a current from a negatively charged Fullerene and a positively charged polymer. This process creates a photovoltaic device without the use of toxic solvents or expensive instruments, under ambient conditions.
A recent study found that older women with high natural estrogen levels are less likely to suffer cognitive decline. The researchers measured free estrogen and loosely bound forms of the hormone, finding a 70% lower risk of cognitive decline in those with the highest levels.
Chemists at the University of Georgia have developed a new approach to synthesizing key components of Heparin, a widely used anti-coagulant. This method could lead to novel ways to fight disease or improve human health by understanding the structure-function relationships of Heparin.
Researchers discovered that nicotine uses a mechanism responsible for learning and memory to enhance neural connections and induce an enduring memory trace. This finding suggests new targets for drugs designed to block nicotine craving.
Agricultural copper transport and toxicity in runoff from tomato fields to estuaries remains a significant concern, with sedimentation basins offering only partial solutions. Researchers found that even with reduced copper concentrations, bioavailable forms still pose harm to aquatic life.
A national team of over 150 researchers will study air pollution in the Houston region, combining data from six research aircraft and 60 ground-based monitoring stations. The goal is to identify cost-effective ways to control pollutants and protect public health.
Researchers discovered a striking similarity between proteins involved in early stages of Alzheimer's disease and mad cow disease using computer modeling. The study suggests a common molecular mechanism underlying the initiation stages of these neurodegenerative diseases, potentially leading to new preventive drug targets.
A team of six Brown University professors will explore the human brain's function using tiny electronic structures, potentially enabling computers to mimic human capabilities. The five-year grant aims to develop nanotechnology that can stimulate and record brain cells.
OHSU researchers have successfully recorded individual nerve cell transmissions for the first time, revealing how synapses enable cells to communicate. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of neural communication and has potential implications for understanding neurological and mental diseases.
Researchers have discovered a protein called p110g that suppresses colorectal cancer growth in mice and human cell cultures. The absence of the protein leads to spontaneous development of colorectal cancer, while its presence stops tumour growth.
A Cornell University computer scientist has concluded that the key to finding people in a network lies in its structure, which can provide fundamental cues for navigation. By using an "inverse square" pattern of connections, messages can travel faster and more efficiently through networks.
A potentially safer, more potent form of aspirin made from polymers called PolyAspirin could eliminate stomach irritation and other side effects. The polymer-based drug consists of linked aspirin molecules that break down in the intestine, allowing for efficient delivery and reduced side effects.
Virginia Tech researchers have made advances in creating biocompatible magnetic fluids to treat retinal detachment. The new material, made of silicone magnetic nanoparticles, can be injected into the sclera and used with a magnetized buckle to push the retina back against the underlying choroid.
In a large-scale study, researchers found that doctors frequently miss opportunities to address patients' emotional and social concerns. Patients offered clues roughly half the time, with primary care physicians more likely to ignore these cues than surgeons. Positive responses from doctors can significantly lengthen visits.
Researchers from around the world will gather at Ohio State University for the first comprehensive international conference on micro- and nanotechnology. Highlights include new techniques for building tiny blood vessels in the heart and a skin patch containing microscopic needles that inject medication painlessly.
Researchers used antisense oligonucleotides to block defective genes responsible for producing hemoglobin, restoring correct production of beta-globin and enabling cells to produce more hemoglobin. The correction could last for months and may be a simpler therapy than gene therapy.
Physicists have calculated a property known as Cooper instability that produces superconductivity in electrons, suggesting composite fermions can achieve quantum superconductivity. The research, published in Nature, provides convincing evidence for the formation of magically mobile Cooper pairs.
The Geological Society of America will hold its 112th annual meeting in Reno, Nevada, from November 13-18. The event features eight Pardee Keynote Symposia and a record number of technical sessions covering topics such as active tectonics, oceanic island volcanism, and environmental geoscience.
A report by economists suggests that the Federal Reserve should raise interest rates when asset prices rise above fundamentals, to stabilize inflation and prevent economic instability. The strategy aims to keep bubbles from developing in the first place, rather than bursting them once they form.
Scientists create first bi-directional molecular motor by changing a single amino acid, disrupting the sense of direction in another. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding diseases caused by incorrect chromosome distribution during cell division.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have synthesized a novel acrylic blend using water instead of organic solvents, allowing for the production of polymers without solvent use. The new blend is made possible by introducing carbohydrates to solubilize hydrophobic monomers, enabling their formation in water.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that ondansetron, a serotonin-based medication, reduced drinks per day and increased abstinence rates in patients with early-onset alcoholism. The researchers suggest that ondansetron may ameliorate an inherited serotonergic abnormality in this subtype.
Researchers at Purdue University have created microspheres that protect medicines from stomach acid and allow controlled release in the intestines. The microspheres use polyacrylic acid, a superabsorbent material, to absorb liquids and release medicine in the small intestine.
A research team at Johns Hopkins University has designed four different versions of vitamin D and tested them on mice, showing that one candidate can reduce tumor incidence by 28% and number of tumors by 63%. The results demonstrate the potential effectiveness of a chemically modified version of vitamin D in preventing cancer.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of polydienes with the highest molecular weights ever reported, improving thermal and mechanical properties for enhanced performance. The material also exhibits unique optical disk and optical fiber applications due to its high refractive index.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a highly potent memory-enhancing compound by joining two fragments of the Huperzine A molecule with a molecular tether. This simplified fragment can be easily produced from cheap, commercially available chemicals and has been shown to improve memory in animal tests.
Chemist L.C. 'Bud' Rubens of Midland, Mich., is recognized for his groundbreaking work on gaseous blowing agents and their role in creating polymer foams with unique properties. He has obtained 58 U.S. patents and continues to be an active consultant at 80 years old.
Young children view violent events in emotional and dramatic terms, while older children see violence in a more intellectual and detached way. The study found that younger children focus on human emotions, such as hate and fear, whereas older children analyze the events using abstract concepts like just war principles.
A major study found that hormone replacement therapy did not slow the progression of heart disease in older women, despite improvements in cholesterol levels. The Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis (ERA) trial used cardiac catheterization to measure narrowing in the heart's arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are using in-situ infrared spectroscopy to monitor the molecular structure of materials during chip manufacture, enabling the creation of smaller and more complex components. This new level of quality assurance is crucial for the development of next-generation computer chips.
Researchers have created nanodecoy cells that can bind to viruses with sialic acid receptors, preventing them from infecting actual cells. This decoy approach could be used as a drug or on mucosal surfaces to defend against biological warfare agents, and has shown promising results in laboratory testing.
Researchers found a strong association between high calcium scores and heart disease in people with Type 1 diabetes. The study suggests that a non-invasive heart scan may identify patients at high risk for heart disease earlier, allowing for potential interventions to lower their risk.
The DASH diet, known for its blood pressure-lowering effects, also reduces homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease. Participants on the DASH diet had lower homocysteine levels compared to those on a control diet or one rich in fruits and vegetables.
Virginia Tech researchers create supramolecular complexes with multiple capabilities, including new DNA binding properties and solar energy conversion potential. The complexes are formed by connecting metal-based molecules using polyazine ligands, allowing for the creation of diverse systems with unique properties.
A large multi-center study is testing the life-saving potential and cost effectiveness of public access defibrillation (PAD). PAD involves placing defibrillators in community locations, where trained volunteers can access them, to improve emergency treatment for sudden cardiac arrest victims.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a new gene therapy system that uses DNA and bacterial proteins to deliver genes to specific places in human DNA, avoiding viruses and their associated immune reactions. The technique shows promise for treating genetic diseases such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia.
Researchers have successfully transplanted laboratory-grown neuronal cells into the brains of stroke patients, showing promise for recovering lost abilities. Six months after transplantation, six patients showed significant improvements in motor skills and metabolism, suggesting integration with existing tissue.