A study found that young users of smokeless tobacco lack awareness of its health risks, with only 74% knowing it's harmful to their health. The survey also revealed that users often describe themselves as 'cool' and 'macho', reflecting the tobacco industry's marketing efforts.
Scientists warn that living near active volcanic systems poses a significant risk due to unpredictability. Researchers are working to develop predictive models to mitigate the threat of volcanic eruptions, with some areas like Yellowstone and Long Valley Caldera still considered active systems.
Researchers at Monash University developed a noninvasive technique to predict the usable lifetime of rubber products using nuclear magnetic resonance. An Australian research team also created high-tech methods to detect insecticides and fungicides in wine and grapes, potentially leading to improved wine quality.
Researchers developed a new method to save lives and protect property in windstorm-prone areas using a laminated glass window unit with a sacrificial ply. The design concept is promising for enhancing hurricane resistance of windows and offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive shutters or boards.
New satellite-generated rain maps provide more accurate tropical rainfall measurements, helping manage water resources and understand El Niño-La Niña patterns. The TRMM satellite's high-resolution data also enables better weather forecasting and climate projections.
A new study of emu eggshells reveals that the arrival of grazing mammals and rabbits in Australia led to a significant reduction in plant biomass, with grasslands disappearing around 300 years ago. The research suggests that Australian ecosystems are fragile and may take a long time to recover even if exotic animals were removed.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $15.11 million grant to researchers developing new drugs for African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis. The five-year project aims to create a world-class academic and scientific consortium to target these two parasitic diseases, which kill millions of people in developing nations.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has received $1.34 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop seven plain-language booklets on biomedical research for public libraries as part of the Healthy People 2010 initiative.
Researchers suggest adopting conservation tillage, cover crops, and grazing management to reduce erosion and capture carbon in agricultural lands. By implementing these practices, farmers can create a net-positive carbon balance and help mitigate global warming.
Researchers in Japan discovered that avocados contain compounds that can slow down liver damage and improve liver health. The study suggests that avocado extracts may be a promising treatment for viral hepatitis, but further studies are needed to confirm the results.
A large US Air Force study found that early smoking onset is linked to higher nicotine dependence, particularly among European-Americans and Hispanics. This association highlights the importance of prevention strategies for these populations.
Texas A&M researchers Tom Whitworth and Alex Orsi are designing a customized cyber-atlas for the Southern Ocean, combining historical and recent data to generate tailored maps. The atlas will utilize WOCE data to establish a global ocean baseline for studying decadal variability.
Psychology research offers 20 strategies for managing negative emotions, including reminding oneself of positive aspects, helping others, and focusing on happiness through a ratio of positive to negative emotions. Researchers like Randy Larsen emphasize the importance of looking beyond negative mental health topics.
A recent study suggests that methionine, a chemical found in beta-amyloid protein, may play a role in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E's antioxidant properties appear to destroy free radicals produced by amyloid, providing a possible explanation for its link to slowing the disease.
Researchers have identified compounds in noni plants that can kill the bacterium causing tuberculosis, offering a potential alternative to existing treatments. The finding could lead to cheaper and more effective medications for this growing global health threat.
A new study found that low-cost self-help approaches, including mail and phone interventions, can help a sizable proportion of smokeless tobacco users quit. Phone counseling was particularly effective in aiding quitting, suggesting that verbal reporting of quit dates and use of oral substitutes may be key to success.
A new map of Mars' ionosphere reveals strong localized magnetic fields as a significant barrier to atmospheric erosion by the solar wind. The findings suggest that these crustal fields played an important role in the past evolution of Mars' atmosphere and could have protected it from being stripped away.
Researchers discovered a modified antioxidant enzyme that delayed onset and increased survival of mice with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). The study found that the polyamine-modified catalase better penetrated the blood-brain barrier, reducing levels of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide.
Researchers are developing a new mobile radar system called SMART-R to track tornadoes and hurricanes. The system will enable more accurate predictions of storm movements and intensities, helping to save lives by issuing warnings earlier.
Researchers have found that near-infrared light from LEDs accelerates wound healing in patients with diabetic skin ulcers, serious burns, and severe oral sores. The treatment uses a portable device emitting LED lights, which promote energy inside cells, leading to faster healing times.