Dr. Bushnell's laboratory uses human brain imaging techniques to study pain, finding four key brain regions involved in the experience. Activity in these regions is linked to emotional responses to pain, suggesting that psychological state can alter its perception.
Dr. Rachel I. Mayberry's research indicates that there is a critical period for sign language acquisition, guiding the learning of all first languages. This critical period emphasizes the importance of early childhood exposure and language acquisition in order to achieve optimal comprehension.
Genetically engineered rice can produce essential micronutrients to combat malnutrition. Biotechnology has the potential to improve the nutritional status of millions worldwide.
A study by Ohio State University's William Mitsch explores the performance of two experimental wetlands, one of which is 20% more productive but less diverse in plant species. Both wetlands contribute equally to reducing nitrates, but their long-term fate remains uncertain.
A landmark CU-Boulder study confirms that early detection and intervention for infants with hearing loss has a significant positive impact on their subsequent language abilities. Infants identified within the first six months showed improved expressive vocabulary development compared to those identified after six months.
Scientists are using bioinformatics to analyze the vast amounts of data from the Human Genome Project, identifying genes and understanding their functions. The development of effective computational techniques is crucial for tackling this complex task.
A new LSU study reconstructs past hurricane landfalls dating back 5,000 years and finds the US has a low incidence of major hurricane landfalls along the Gulf Coast over the past 1,000 years. The study provides concrete information on catastrophic hurricane landfalls in the US, with a likelihood of once every 300-600 years.
Researchers discuss new strategies for understanding ecosystems, managing water resources, and assessing environmental policies. Warren Washington, Kathleen Miller, and Roger A. Pielke, Jr. present key findings on tackling complex environmental challenges.
Researchers have developed an antitat gene therapy that blocks HIV replication in cells from infected patients, prolonging survival of immune system cells and potentially maintaining the virus in a dormant state. The approach combines genetic engineering and antisense technology, offering a promising new strategy for treating AIDS.
The physics of baseball involves understanding various phenomena such as the break of a curve ball, the flight of a home run, and the impact between bat and ball. The collision is highly inelastic, resulting in lost kinetic energy due to frictional heat and reaction forces that affect the bat's recoil.
Researchers analyzed 176 species of modern-day plants to determine the sources of carbon in the atmosphere hundreds of millions of years ago. However, their results suggest that fossil plants may not provide a direct link between ancient carbon levels and climate change.
A NASA-funded study on climate change and amphibian declines found no significant correlation between the two. However, researchers suggest that disease may be indirectly influenced by climate and environmental factors.
A leading expert warns that amphibian declines are a complex problem with multiple causes, including rising levels of UV-B radiation, pathogens, and pollutants. The lack of a single cause does not diminish the seriousness of this ecological phenomenon.
The study confirms the complex origins of Native Americans by analyzing craniofacial measurements of old and new skulls from around the world. The results separate the native inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere into several different groups, including those descended from Asian groups such as the Jomon people of Japan.
Penn State graduate student Ray Wakeland will demonstrate the fire organ, a heat-driven instrument producing musical sounds, and the daxophone, a unique sound-producing instrument. He will also showcase the Long String Instrument, a large bronze harp-type string instrument that produces ethereal music.
A large case-control study of nearly 1,000 Connecticut women found no significant association between PCBs or DDE exposure and breast cancer risk. The research suggests that previous studies on the topic have been inconclusive due to small sample sizes and lack of consideration for modifying factors.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that doctors predict their terminally ill patients will live 5.3 times longer than they actually do, leading to unsatisfactory end-of-life care. The study suggests that some improvements may be made by having disinterested doctors provide predictive second opinions.
A newly discovered quasar has surpassed the previous record holder as the earliest known structure in the universe, with a red shift of 5.50 and light journeying 13 billion years to reach Earth. The quasar's discovery sheds light on cosmic evolution and matter distribution at earlier stages of history.
Researchers explore methods to prevent nicotine dependence and mitigate its effects, particularly among adolescents. Studies suggest a vaccine may help prevent tobacco addiction, while depression and delinquency are linked to the progression of tobacco dependence in young people.
A Penn State researcher found that elementary school teachers face enormous time pressure, with those having children feeling the most stressed. Schools need to incorporate the value of teacher's work and family commitments into policy-making.
Leishmaniasis, a deadly tropical disease, has been cured with nearly 100% effectiveness using the oral treatment Miltefosine. The new therapy was discovered in India and shows promise for treating visceral leishmaniasis, a particularly fatal form of the disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine verified Down syndrome in a genetically modified mouse model, finding identical skull and facial deformities as seen in humans. The study used sophisticated statistical techniques to match the mice' data with well-established characteristics of DS patients.
A new Cornell University study reveals that childless couples working for the same employer face unique challenges, including job dissatisfaction, depression, and blurring of work-life roles. Coworking women without children are particularly vulnerable, while coworking men under 50 experience stress due to their job demands.
The BioOne Board will guide policies and progress, comprising ten individuals from collaborating organizations. The aggregation will offer cross-journal searches and inter-journal linking, with a broad selection of journals from AIBS member societies.
Researchers at Arizona State University have identified a viral infection as the likely cause of mass salamander deaths in various regions. The iridovirus, typically found in insects, was detected in infected salamanders across North America and Australia.
Studies suggest that eating chocolate can contribute to a healthy diet, thanks to its antioxidant properties and potential to reduce inflammation. Researchers found that chocolate consumption resulted in increased blood antioxidant capacity and decreased platelet activation within two hours after consumption.
Recent research by Dr. Endel Tulving suggests that episodic memory is essential for human cultural advancement, enabling awareness of the future. Functional neuroimaging studies have identified regions in the frontal lobes linked to past and future awareness.
A new transgenic mouse model has been developed to simulate Parkinson's disease and related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. The model shows impaired motor function and protein deposits in specific brain regions associated with the diseases, offering a new tool for studying and treating these conditions.
Global warming accelerates human disease outbreaks, malnutrition, and environmental degradation due to increased pollution and crop losses. As populations grow, crowded cities will become breeding grounds for diseases like dengue fever, while waterborne illnesses spread unchecked.
Astronomers have created an energy spectrum of hot gas surrounding a giant black hole using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The study reveals a warm blanket of gas expanding rapidly away from the black hole and provides insights into the complex nature of inflowing and outflowing gas in galaxies.
The Keck Graduate Institute will host a workshop on post-baccalaureate alternatives for science and math majors, exploring new M.S. professional degrees in the biosciences. The program aims to equip students with promising career opportunities in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical industries.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute and Munich University have successfully trapped individual photons in a resonator, achieving a milestone in quantum physics. The experiment demonstrates Planck's oscillators, predicting the existence of photons over 100 years ago.
A Johns Hopkins University undergraduate has developed a computer model that simulates damaged heart tissue, confirming earlier findings on coronary artery disease. The new testing method aims to detect irregular electrical activity in the cardiac muscle, allowing for early treatment and prevention of permanent heart damage.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new method to study protein dynamics in transition states, shedding light on the structural changes during activation. This breakthrough could lead to new drug development and insights into conditions like congenital myasthenia syndrome.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a technology called Conversion that dramatically improves the accuracy of genetic tests for cancer risk. The technology separates alleles, allowing for individual analysis and detection of previously missed genetic alterations.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have made a groundbreaking discovery about how marine bacteria acquire iron from seawater. The marinobactin and aquachelin siderophores, produced by these bacteria, exhibit a unique ability to bind to iron and form vesicles, raising questions about their physiological role.
The Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America will address regional geoscience news on climate change, coastal hazards, and extinction events. Papers will explore links between climate change and ocean-atmosphere forcing, as well as the impact of sea-level changes on coastal communities.
Researchers developed a new laboratory method to improve genetic diagnostic tests for colon cancer and inherited diseases. The technique detects defective genes that are masked when one copy is normal, increasing the accuracy of testing. This could lead to increased detection rates for many genetic diseases.
Researchers found that tiny mussels on whale bones and wood fragments are closely related to giant vent mussels, suggesting they could be evolutionary intermediates. The study suggests rotting whales may provide a missing link between vent and shallow-water mussel species.
Research reveals airline pilots experience a 10-fold increase in skin cancer rates, with international routes and longer flights posing the greatest risk. Lifestyle factors like sunbathing may also contribute to the higher incidence of skin cancer among long-haul pilots.
A study of 616 middle-aged men from Finland found that those experiencing high levels of hopelessness were three times more likely to develop hypertension. The link between hopelessness and cardiovascular disease is considered a critical factor in increased risk, independent of other known risk factors.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is funding seven asthma coalitions in communities with high asthma death rates to develop innovative programs for improving asthma care. The coalitions aim to eliminate disparities in asthma morbidity and mortality among children, minorities, and low-income individuals.
Researchers created light-emitting materials combining fluorescence and phosphorescence, increasing efficiency production of light. This breakthrough allows developers to choose from a wider range of materials, adding flexibility and reducing costs for products such as laptops and cell phones.
The Cornell University-led Comet Nucleus Tour mission aims to conduct close-proximity comet flybys, studying the comets' geology and composition. The spacecraft will be launched in July 2002 and explore Comets Encke, Schwassmann-Wachmann-3, and potentially others.
Scientists have mapped the structure of a protein complex believed to influence cancer cell transformation, enabling potential development of unique cancer-fighting drugs. The Cdc42/GDI complex is a key regulator in both normal and cancerous cells.
A recent study by NYU Neurolinguist Diana Van Lancker explores the neurological patterns found in swearing, shedding light on its emotional, behavioral, and cognitive processes. The research reveals that swearing is selectively preserved in individuals with brain injuries or disorders, highlighting its complex role in communication.
A recent study by the Massachusetts General Hospital found that young, productive researchers are more likely to be denied access to data and materials. The survey of 2,366 scientists revealed that junior faculty members and those publishing multiple articles were at a higher risk of being withheld from resources.
A new study of borehole temperatures reveals that the 20th century was the warmest of the past five centuries, with Earth's temperature increasing about 1 degree Celsius since 1500. The analysis, which combined data from over 600 sites worldwide, found a greater warming trend in the Northern Hemisphere than previously estimated.
A USGS study shows that larger streams and rivers in the Midwest and Ohio Valley states deliver more nitrogen to the Gulf of Mexico than smaller streams, contradicting previous assumptions. Nitrogen pollution is naturally removed from water in small streams through denitrification, a process that significantly affects its delivery to t...
A recent NIH-funded study found that overweight breastfeeding mothers can safely lose weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise without harming their infants. The study showed an average weight loss of 5 kilograms in the intervention group, while the control group experienced variable results.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that brain neurochemicals, not gender, play a crucial role in shaping social behavior in fish. The study found that isotocin and vasotocin, equivalent to oxytocin and vasopressin in mammals, modulate electrical output of the brain establishing social behaviors typical of females.
Researchers used a scanning tunneling microscope to visualize the electron clouds around impurities in copper oxide superconductors, shedding light on their behavior and potential applications. The study provides new insights into the mechanism of high-critical-temperature superconductivity.
Researchers at the University of Washington found a strong correlation between the diversity of plants, algae, and bacteria in an ecosystem. The study suggests that altering biodiversity can have far-reaching effects on the entire food chain.
Dr. John Craig Venter and Professor Edward Wilson were awarded the Science prize for their work in biology, while Dr. Cynthia Kenyon won the Medicine prize for her research on aging. Their discoveries have led to significant advancements in understanding human genomes and developing hormone-based treatments.
Researchers identified a link between genetic mutations in the cathepsin C gene and severe gum disease and periodontitis. The study found that individuals with normal functioning of the cathepsin C gene tend to have healthy gums, suggesting dietary, bacterial, and other genetic factors can compromise its function.
A new study reveals that sleep disruption is a primary reason older adults with arthritis seek medical care, outweighing other symptoms like reduced mobility. The research suggests addressing sleep issues can be crucial in managing arthritis, particularly for those who may not connect their pain with sleep disruptions.
Steven J. Swoap, an assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $497,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to investigate the mechanism of how restricting caloric intake lowers blood pressure. He will also receive a $95,783 NIH award to study why skeletal muscle becomes more fatiguable under disuse.
A new study finds that subclinical hypothyroidism, a condition prevalent in older women with no observable symptoms, is a strong indicator of risk for hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. Additionally, low-birthweight babies and babies of underweight mothers have a high risk for a diabetic condition.
The new facility will enable researchers to conduct major studies on HIV-1C, a subtype responsible for more than half of the world's infections. The lab aims to identify prevention and treatment strategies to combat the spread of this devastating virus in southern Africa.
Researchers found that a brief deprivation of vitamin A in developing chicken embryos can generate severe craniofacial deformities, which could be reversed with targeted protein treatments. The study suggests that carefully timed protein therapies in human fetuses might repair cleft palate and other birth defects.