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.