Researchers at Stanford University are working on a permanent worldwide volcano early-warning network, utilizing advances in technology and communication to revolutionize volcanology. Tiny movements on the surface of a volcano often indicate magma build-up below, which can be detected by radar satellites orbiting the Earth.
A Yale researcher has found a gene believed to be linked to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a condition affecting one in 10,000 children. The study suggests that primary cilia, hair-like projections lining the kidneys' ducts and tubules, play a crucial role in the development of ARPKD.
Dr. Justin Congdon, a senior ecologist, has won the 2000 Longevity Prize for his groundbreaking research on Blanding's turtles, demonstrating traits that support evolutionary theory better than senescence theory. He will receive 100,000 French francs and deliver a lecture based on his work.
A new study suggests that increasing folic acid and vitamin B12 intake can lower homocysteine levels in the blood, which are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The researchers estimate that this intervention could lead to significant cost savings and potentially increase life expectancy.
A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco has discovered a novel mechanism by which the drug ribavirin kills viruses by generating excess mutations that overwhelm the virus. This unexpected finding may lead to the development of more effective anti-viral treatments for hepatitis C patients.
Researchers found that combining a long-acting AT1-receptor blocker with an ACE inhibitor reduces blood pressure and albumin excretion in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients. The study also showed that combined treatment is more effective than using either drug alone.
A 2000 study found that daughters of mothers exposed to the chemical polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) in contaminated Michigan feed experienced earlier onset of menstruation and pubic hair growth. The study, funded by NIH/NIEHS, linked high PBB exposure to an average age of first menstruation before 12 years.
Clemson researchers, led by Michael Pursley, are developing a wireless communication system that can transmit voice and digital data, making it more reliable and portable than current systems. The new system has the potential to revolutionize military communications and could also be used in disaster relief and fleet-based services.
Researchers have found a new bonding arrangement for carbon molecules, which could shed light on how carbon bonds with atoms to form molecules. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of carbon's basic structure and opens up new ideas about life's most basic element.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new simulation tool that predicts an innovative type of transistor, called the double-gate transistor, could keep Moore's Law in force until 2025. This would give scientists time to develop new technologies to replace traditional silicon-based integrated circuits.
Distributed computing is revolutionizing the way scientists solve complex computational problems, enabling breakthroughs in astronomy and biology. The Stanford-led project Folding@home has taken off, with over 10,000 volunteers contributing their home computers to protein folding research.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have found that the DNA-repair enzyme DNA-PK also plays a key role in innate immunity, protecting against internal and external threats. The discovery could lead to treatments for DNA instability caused by radiation or cancer treatment.
Researchers found that ribavirin increases the mutation rate of RNA viruses, pushing them into genetic meltdown and making them useless. This mechanism offers hope for designing more effective antiviral drugs.
Researchers have created filtration membranes with hydrophilic outer surfaces to resist fouling, increasing the amount of solution that can be passed through. The membranes also exhibit self-healing properties.
Researchers at U.S. Geological Survey and University of Denver have identified a new bird species, the Gunnison sage-grouse, through DNA analysis and genetic research. The study confirms the species' distinctiveness from the Greater sage-grouse and highlights concerns about its low genetic diversity and population decline.
Researchers found that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were significantly less effective at preventing heart attacks, heart failure, and cardiovascular events compared to ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics. The study analyzed over 27,000 patients and showed a 26% higher risk of heart attack among CCB users.
A minor earthquake occurred in the Evansville area with a preliminary magnitude of 3.9, according to the USGS. This region has been identified as having a potential for damaging earthquakes.
Researchers propose a new understanding of granite formation, suggesting it occurs in rapid, dynamic events that take between 1,000 and 100,000 years. This challenges the long-held view of slow, multi-million year processes, and has significant implications for our understanding of crust formation and economic ore deposits.
Urban sprawl is expected to expand by 46% in coastal metropolitan regions by 2025, consuming 5.8 million acres of land, according to a study. The growth is driven by population increase and advances in transportation technology, which has allowed people to demand semi-rural locations with reasonable commute times.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a crucial region of the hepatitis C virus protein NS5A, which plays an essential role in viral replication. This breakthrough discovery could accelerate the development of effective drugs and vaccines against HCV, a leading cause of liver disease.
Researchers found a specific protein, OX2, that controls inflammation in the brain. OX2 deficiency may lead to chronic brain inflammation, associated with Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS-related dementia.
A Texas A&M University research team is counting Bowhead whales in the Okhotsk Sea to estimate their population size and understand the impact on the ecosystem. By using photo identification and genetic testing, researchers hope to gather information on the whales' feeding behavior and determine if their food supply is dwindling.
A USGS study links agricultural contaminants to declining amphibian populations in California's Sierra Nevada. Pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon, were found to suppress enzyme activity in frogs, leading to population declines.
Researchers found a way to grow hepatitis C virus in labs, enabling genetic studies and potential vaccine development. The breakthrough could speed up progress against the disease, which affects 170 million worldwide.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a new drug therapy that appears to be effective in reversing symptoms of Ménétrier's disease, a rare and premalignant stomach disorder. The treatment, which blocks activation of the EGF receptor, showed promising results in a patient with severe vomiting and protein loss.
Researchers at UNC Health Care have identified the crystal structure of a key protein interaction involved in cancer cell spread. This discovery aims to develop targeted therapies against invasive cancer cells with minimal side effects.
Jonathan Scheuer, pioneer in marine natural products research, is being honored for his work on developing treatments for incurable diseases. His research has led to the discovery of compounds like Kahalalide F, a potential cancer treatment.
University at Buffalo chemists found that nitric oxide is highly reactive with ethanol, making it a potentially more insidious pollutant. The study's findings provide new insights into how solvation affects chemical reactions and could help scientists better tailor lab experiments.
A growing global problem: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is on the rise, with penicillin and macrolide antibiotics showing high levels of resistance. Telithromycin, a new ketolide antibiotic, has shown promise in combating treatment-resistant respiratory tract infections.
A recent UT Southwestern Medical Center study found that substituting regular margarine for butter can lower LDL cholesterol levels by up to 11% in adults and 9% in children. The study also confirmed that a margarine-based diet is healthier than a butter-based diet, reducing heart-disease risk.
A comprehensive study found that women who underwent tubal sterilization have no greater risk of menstrual abnormalities than those who did not. However, the study also reported a secondary finding of reduced menstrual pain and bleeding among sterilized women, which may be due to chance or unknown factors.
A new study led by UCSF researchers suggests that prescribing beta-blockers to most people who have had heart attacks could save seven times more years of life than mammography screening over 20 years. The study projects 4,000 lives saved and 3,500 averted heart attacks at a reasonable cost.
A study analyzing health data from nearly 3,000 patients found that obesity is associated with lower physical functioning levels and worse perceptions of health. Patients with higher BMI values were also limited in basic activities due to their weight, according to lead author David A. Katz.
Ecologists developed a new mathematical model that uses just a few factors to capture the essentials of predator-prey battles, predicting population cycles and dynamics. The model was tested in a laboratory microcosm with single-celled algae and microscopic animals, showing results consistent with predictions.
A Phase II study demonstrates the efficacy of non-surgical radiologic intervention using heat in treating kidney cancers. Dr. Jonathan Lewin has successfully 'ablated' tumors in six patients with no recurrence, surpassing the normal three- to-six-month recurrence rate.
The Human Genome project has a limited representation of global genetic diversity due to an inadequate sample size from sub-Saharan Africa. This exclusion ignores the worldwide genetic variation and evolutionary history of the human species, according to anthropologist Todd R Disotell.
A new technique called constraint-induced movement (CIM) therapy has been shown to improve motor functions in stroke patients, even after 14 days. CIM therapy encourages use of the impaired arm and has been found to improve overall arm strength and coordination.
A study found that a common newborn hearing test may give false positives in as many as 35% of cases, leading to unnecessary worry and costs for follow-up tests. In contrast, a more complex test gave normal-hearing babies a passing grade nearly all the time.
Scientists have found a novel gene, JM2, that causes an inherited form of type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity in boys. The mutations affect the protein's function, leading to hyperactive immune cells that destroy islet cells, resulting in diabetes and allergies.
A new UB study reveals a significant association between breast cancer risk and physical characteristics of insulin resistance, including abdominal fat distribution and higher-than-normal male and female sex hormones. Women with increased waist-to-hip ratio and oily skin are at greater risk of developing breast cancer.
Research in Tobacco Control found that young healthy smokers took more time off work than non-smokers, with a significant increase in hospital admissions and lost workdays. Men smokers were more likely to take time off work and be admitted to hospital, while women smokers had higher admission rates as well.
A new trial found that a radioactive compound called MIBG can not only image but also help kill neuroblastoma tumors. In the Phase I trial, 11 children with advanced neuroblastoma had positive responses and few side effects when treated with MIBG combined with chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill experts finds that back belts do not reduce workplace back pain or worker compensation claims. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing psychosocial elements to mitigate back pain, a leading public health issue in industrialized countries.
A new operation developed at Johns Hopkins improves vision for nearly half of the first 100 patients treated with early-stage macular degeneration. Six months after surgery, 48% of patients could read an additional two lines on a standard eye chart or had vision of 20/100 or better, enough to legally drive in Maryland.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that adopting more ambitious UK smoking cessation targets could avoid over 14,500 fewer heart attack admissions by 2010 compared to current targets. Achieving these targets is expected to save the NHS £1.14 billion.
A recent study from Ohio State University found that stress levels can weaken the immune system's response to pneumonia vaccinations. After six months, vaccinated individuals who were highly stressed showed a weaker immune response compared to those with lower stress levels.
A team of researchers found that the protein alpha1-antichymotrypsin doubles the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease-associated amyloid plaque in mice brains, indicating a potential therapeutic target. The study suggests that reducing or inhibiting this protein's activity could help prevent plaque formation and brain damage.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new mechanism for an existing antiviral drug that can alter the genetic makeup of RNA viruses. The discovery uses ribavirin to change the structure of viral RNA, preventing the virus from producing faithful copies and ultimately leading to its collapse.
A cost-effectiveness study finds radiofrequency ablation effective in treating supraventricular tachycardia, improving quality of life and reducing hospital visits. However, the online availability of hydrazine sulfate, touted as a cancer treatment with few side effects, has raised safety concerns after a fatal case report.
The study predicts a significant shortage of critical care specialists, with demand for their services rising rapidly while supply remains near constant. By 2020, the shortfall is expected to reach 22%, increasing to 35% by 2030, posing a substantial challenge to healthcare systems.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered a web browser design flaw that allows sites to collect users' recent browsing histories. This technique, dubbed a 'timing attack,' is undetectable and defeats most available privacy measures.
Two pivotal trials of Zevalin radioimmunotherapy show overall response rates of 80% and 74%, with patients achieving complete responses to therapy. Toxicity was primarily hematologic, transient and reversible.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that each mating strategy in side-blotched lizards has its advantages and vulnerabilities, allowing them to coexist and perpetuate. The aggressive orange-throated males, loyal blue-throated males, and sneaky yellow-throated males all have a reasonable chance of reproductive success.
A study of over 8,000 Scottish children found that under-6s are at high risk of injury from bunk bed falls. Most injuries were classified as significant and included fractures, head trauma, and lacerations.
A new report emphasizes the importance of counting salmon to validate conservation strategies, as most current programs rely on habitat conditions without evidence of impact. Validation monitoring involves tracking fish before, during, and after changes in buffers or comparing waterway numbers with or without buffers.
The Columbia Glacier, the world's speediest glacier, is on a course to disintegrate due to rapid calving. Researchers expect significantly increased calving events into Prince William Sound, posing a potential hazard to ships.
Scientists at UNC Health Care have successfully used gene-therapy to produce high amounts of a clotting protein in animals, bypassing a major hurdle for treating hemophilia. The new method could potentially yield sustained factor IX production in humans, eliminating the need for daily injections.
A survey of 300 smokers and nonsmokers aged 14-22 found that concern for others' health is a stronger motivator to quit smoking than fear of one's own health. The study suggests educating young people about secondhand smoke's effects and encouraging nonsmoking teens to speak out should be key elements of anti-tobacco programs.
Researchers have developed a new screening process to detect human parvovirus B19 in blood plasma, ensuring its safety for transfusions. The discovery has already led to improvements in plasma processing and the voluntary recall of contaminated lots.
Hall's innovations improved EPDM's stability and allowed its use as a dispersant in motor oil, protecting engines from combustion by-products. He developed a method for producing low-molecular-weight EPDM, enhancing the oil's performance.