Researchers have developed an automated approach to identify which molecules in a cell physically interact with each other, a crucial task for understanding life's functions. The new method enables scientists to track the 'conversations' between thousands of molecules simultaneously.
A team of scientists, including INEEL microbiologist Mark Delwiche, drilled into the ocean floor off Japan in search of methane-producing microorganisms. The goal is to understand how fast these microorganisms produce methane and potentially unlock a new renewable energy source.
The XMM-Newton satellite is now operational, sending home images of celestial objects and observing bright binary stars, pulsars, and cataclysmic variables. It will study massive black holes and exotic stars, mapping the cosmos to greater distances.
A study led by MGH researchers found that androstenedione supplementation increases testosterone levels in healthy young men, with estrogen levels also rising at both 100 and 300mg doses. Long-term effects of androstenedione on hormone levels and athletic performance are unknown
A new study by Cornell University found that ergonomic chairs do not significantly reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist injuries in computer users. Despite being designed for use during keyboarding, typists extended their wrists beyond recommended angles in all tested chairs.
OHSU researchers successfully delivered chemotherapy across the blood-brain barrier for patients with primary central nervous system lymphomas. The study showed that 93% of treated patients achieved a complete response and participating centers outperformed OHSU in blood-brain barrier disruptions.
John P. Holdren receives Tyler Prize for his leadership in research and policy on global energy and environmental issues. His work has shaped new understanding and policies on sustainable development, climate change, and nuclear nonproliferation.
A qualitative study of gay and lesbian physicians in training found that those coping with first awareness of themselves were especially vulnerable to negative reactions. Proactive training programs acknowledging diversity and using professional role models can improve the situation.
The nasal spray flu vaccine protected young children against the A/Sydney flu strain with an 86% efficacy rate, reducing disease severity and middle-ear infections. The two-year study showed overall protection of 92% and significant cross-protection against other strains.
A University of Florida researcher has developed a genetically altered bacteria strain, called an effector strain, that can permanently prevent tooth decay. The new strain, constructed from the naturally occurring bacterium Streptococcus mutans, breaks down food sugars and thrives on high-sugar diets.
A recent study found that communication drives the use of the Internet at home, with individuals using e-mail in more sessions and consistently than they use the World Wide Web. The study, which tracked 229 people's behavior over a year, shows that social uses of the Internet are strongly favored by novice users.
The NEAR spacecraft is set to embark on a historic asteroid rendezvous with Eros, the largest near-Earth asteroid discovered so far. Using its instruments, scientists will study the asteroid's chemical and physical features, evolutionary history, and magnetic field to gain insights into asteroids' origins.
A new treatment combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin has shown encouraging results in a clinical trial, achieving a 62% response rate and a projected 72% one-year survival rate. The treatment, which is compatible with prior anthracycline therapy, offers additional benefits for women with metastatic breast cancer.
The composite liquid oxygen tank is the largest ever made and will be the first to fly on a launch vehicle, aiming to reduce launch costs from $10,000 per pound to $1,000. The X-34 flying laboratory is being developed to demonstrate technologies for safer and more efficient reusable launch vehicles.
The article highlights the need for synergy between the Internet and evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, citing examples like the Cochrane Collaboration. The authors argue that technological advancements will enable multisensory modes of communication and ubiquitous computing, revolutionizing health initiatives.
Researchers have developed a new technique called Doubly Vibrationally Enhanced (DOVE) Four Wave Mixing, which uses two infrared lasers to study molecular connections and vibrations. This method allows chemists to gain insights into complex scientific problems, such as bacterial resistance to antibiotics and soil weathering.
A study of 9-month-old Cree infants found that one-third were anemic, with breast-fed babies facing higher risk. The authors recommend supplementing breast milk with iron after 6 months to prevent severe neurologic and developmental effects.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and CIBA Vision Corp. have identified a natural chemical substance responsible for blinding blood vessel growth in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The study found that blocking this substance can completely stop abnormal vessel growth, offering new potential treatments for the condition.
Researchers found that people living near industrial hog farms in North Carolina reported more frequent symptoms such as headaches, runny noses, and eye irritation. The study also showed that the quality of life for these residents was significantly reduced compared to those living near cattle farms or without livestock operations.
A Penn State study found that serving larger portions to 5-year-olds but not 3-year-olds leads to increased food intake and calorie consumption. This early learning period marks a significant milestone in children's eating habits, highlighting the importance of portion control for healthy development.
A two-year study of 741 elderly patients found that those receiving general anesthesia had improved mobility and daily functioning compared to those with spinal anesthesia. The researchers are unclear about the underlying reason for this difference, but suggest potential nerve damage may be involved.
Researchers develop a new fuel that combines thorium and uranium to increase reactor runtime, potentially saving the industry $1 billion annually. The fuel could also generate less waste than traditional all-uranium fuel, while improving resistance to nuclear proliferation.
A new medical test using pulse oximetry can accurately diagnose obstructive sleep apnea in children, reducing equipment and staffing costs. The test also enables early treatment for children with breathing obstruction related to tonsils or adenoids, improving respiratory health outcomes.
Researchers have identified two new grouts for bonded post-tensioning applications, which may increase the service life of bridges up to twice as long. The grouts, with specific water-cement ratios and admixtures, can prevent corrosion in coastal and inland environments.
Researchers found that controlled amounts of supplemental oxygen do not worsen retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants. However, the study suggests that it may help prevent the disease's progression to severe stages, potentially reducing the need for invasive surgery and long-term side effects.
Raymond Davis Jr.'s groundbreaking work on detecting solar neutrinos led to a significant discovery of the sun's energy production and sparked ongoing investigations into the cause of the solar neutrino deficit. Masatoshi Koshiba's contributions to neutrino astronomy with his Kamiokande detectors also earned him the Wolf Prize.
The Charter of Paris Against Cancer aims to improve cancer care, research, and treatment worldwide. The initiative brings together global partners to fight cancer, with a focus on patient involvement and advocacy.
The Tuberculosis Research Unit at CWRU will work with seven basic science sites and three clinical sites to evaluate new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tests. The unit aims to alleviate the burden of TB, which affects 1.7 billion people worldwide.
Researchers found that honeybees rely on image motion to monitor flight distances of hundreds of meters in natural environments. Bees were also affected by visual cues such as tunnel decorations and walls, with some patterns amplifying their perception of distance.
Case Western Reserve University has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the NIH to continue AIDS research that began 13 years ago. The grant enables area residents to participate in studies offering free HIV testing and newly developed drugs for treatment.
A global alliance for cancer research has been formed to accelerate progress against the disease, with six priorities including creation of national registries, increased funding for research, and international clinical trials. The Alliance aims to unite scientists, governments, and corporations in a coordinated effort to combat cancer.
The Virginia Tech/Clemson project aims to develop low-cost carbon fiber for automotive use, reducing costs from $8 per pound to less than $5 per pound. The project involves developing a new polymer precursor to reduce production costs and increase the percentage of carbon in the final fiber.
Researchers at University of Illinois find that brain cells respond differently to rapid sound pulses compared to slow ones. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the hearing system and could lead to more efficient building blocks for better hearing aids.
University of Pittsburgh researchers discovered a link between a genetic defect in mitochondria and the development of hereditary paraganglioma tumors. The study found that a defective gene on chromosome 11q23 causes cells to incorrectly sense oxygen levels, leading to chronic stimulation and tumor growth.
Hopkins researchers identified a dysfunction in HD that affects brain movement correction, leading to jerky movements. The study suggests that subtle jerkiness may appear before clinical symptoms, potentially providing an early diagnostic tool.
University of Illinois researchers simulate compressible foam to predict a dramatic morphological transition. They found that increased surface tension compresses most bubbles, forcing the remaining to expand and fill the space, leading to two distinct phases of foam.
A study by psychologists at the University of Warwick found that even with good academic knowledge of road safety rules, young children often miss danger signs when crossing roads. The researchers discovered that video materials are more effective in teaching children about road dangers than simple line drawings.
Researchers created a DNA microarray called Lymphochip to analyze gene expression in normal and malignant cells, revealing two distinct forms of DLBCL with different clinical outcomes. The study improved diagnosis and treatment of these lymphomas by providing a detailed molecular portrait of the disease.
A study published in Science demonstrates the utility of ARIAD's RAPID technology, which allows for rapid and regulated delivery of therapeutic proteins. Human insulin was successfully delivered to diabetic mice via this method, correcting blood sugar levels within minutes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that fluorine can significantly enhance boron combustion in energetic propellants. The addition of fluorine reduces ignition delay time and total combustion time, leading to improved rocket performance and increased payload capacity.
Physicists at the University of Illinois have made new measurements that provide information about how different flavors of quarks in a proton generate its magnetic moment. The results suggest that the contribution from the strange quark is significantly positive, contrary to most theoretical models.
The companies identified a family of proteins called Potassium Channel Interacting Proteins (KChIPs) that regulate A-type potassium channels, which control brain electrical signals. These KChIPs may lead to the development of new therapeutics for CNS disorders with minimal side effects.
A recent study found that breastfeeding protects against infectious diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhea, resulting in a significant reduction in infant mortality. The protection diminishes with advancing age, but is greater for infants of women with low educational status. Exclusive breastfeeding may also reduce mother-to-child tra...
Researchers suggest a genetic expansion in the development of limbs, allowing early vertebrates to develop toes and fingers. The discovery sheds light on how nature has reused existing genes to create new adaptations for life on land.
A study published in The Lancet found that El Nino increased diarrheal disease admissions by 200% in children from 1993-1998. Diarrhea causes one billion episodes and three million deaths annually in children under five worldwide, and the researchers estimate a significant increase in cases with each degree of temperature rise.
Researchers used harmonic radar to track honey bees during orientation flights, revealing they learn to navigate by flying faster and visiting more areas. The study suggests that orientation flights allow bees to adapt to new environments, but the scientists still want to know why some bees take more or fewer flights.
A Purdue University engineer is working on software tools that can prevent design conflicts and improve the efficiency of e-workers. The tools use 'neuro-fuzzy' programs to identify conflicts and provide fine details about their nature, enabling a resolution.
The University of Illinois at Chicago's bioengineering department has received a $990,000 grant to strengthen its programs in interfacial molecular bioengineering. With the funding, UIC plans to develop new curriculum and prepare graduates with skills to understand both biology and science in emerging technologies.
New research reveals poaching's significant effects on forest plants, including increased palm regeneration despite reduced mammal populations. The study found that poaching increased beetle predation of dispersed seeds, while rodent predation decreased.
Researchers successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a new oral form of ganciclovir to treat CMV retinitis, a blinding disorder that affects AIDS patients. The experimental valganciclovir offers a simpler treatment option with fewer pills needed per day.
A study of postmenopausal women in Los Angeles County found that long-term use of hormone replacement therapy combining estrogen and progestin increases breast cancer risk by 24%. The risk was highest for sequential therapy, but continuous combined therapy showed lower risks. Researchers suggest lowering doses to decrease disease risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that elderly people with divorced parents are less likely to receive care from their children and stepchildren. Biological children provide more financial and informal support than stepchildren, but even they often rely on other caregivers.
A study by Harvard University's Richard Forman estimates that US roads directly affect the ecology of nearly 20% of U.S. land, blocking animal migrations and spreading non-native species. Traffic noise also reduces bird populations, making it harder for them to communicate with their young.
The Carnegie Mellon University's Nomad robot successfully completed its mission to find meteorites in Antarctica, classifying seven specimens as meteorites. The robot achieved this feat autonomously and without prior knowledge of the samples, marking a significant milestone in robotics and scientific inquiry.
AIDS patients with CMV in their blood are at increased risk of death, a new study suggests. The study found that 90% of UNC's AIDS patients have CMV exposure, and those with detectable virus levels had an 11-fold increased risk of death.
Tubeworms living in cold, calm hydrocarbon-seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico have surprisingly long life spans, growing up to 2 meters over 170-250 years. In contrast, their cousins at hot and dynamic hydrothermal vents grow just one meter in a year. The researchers aim to understand why these animals live so long and grow slowly.
Research finds that combining AIDS drugs with cesarean delivery can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to babies. The study, conducted in North Carolina from 1998 to 1999, showed a significant decrease in HIV transmission rates after these interventions were implemented.
A new study finds that carefully monitored medication treatment alone can be as effective as combination therapy in reducing ADHD symptoms. The research recommends a personalized approach, combining optimal medication doses with monthly office visits and teacher input to maximize treatment effectiveness.
A University of Hawaii research team has discovered a new class of myoglobin-like proteins in ancient microorganisms, which may be the evolutionary ancestors of proteins involved in oxygen sensing and transport. These proteins help sense oxygen, allowing the organism to find a more favorable oxygen environment.
Researchers compared two measuring techniques to quantify the effects of atmospheric particles on climate change. They found agreement between methods within 20% during polluted conditions, paving the way for more accurate global measurements.