A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that routine preoperative tests do not improve outcomes or reduce complications from cataract surgery. The researchers analyzed data from over 19,000 patients and found no benefit to the testing, which adds an estimated $150 million to Medicare costs each year.
The 2000 AAAS Annual Meeting will bring together experts from various fields to share research news and discuss key topics such as nanotechnology, genome strategies, and social behavior among primates and humans. The meeting will also feature a special plenary address by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
The PSLQ algorithm has found surprising relations in mathematics and physics, including a formula for calculating any binary digit of pi without prior calculations. This breakthrough uses high precision arithmetic to discover new mathematical relations among numbers.
University of New Orleans researchers have developed a nontoxic corrosion inhibitor for aluminum that inhibits corrosion as much as chromium without hazardous materials. The coating is environmentally acceptable and applies easily, making it safer for workers and the environment.
Researchers at UCSF discovered that prions, known for being deadly to cattle and humans, might serve a beneficial role in some organisms, including humans. They found evidence of prion-forming proteins in yeast species spanning 300 million years of evolution, suggesting prions aid survival.
A University of North Carolina Health Care study led by Lee Graves clarifies how cells grow and suggests new drug targets for cancer cells. The research focuses on the MAP kinase enzyme and its role in regulating cell growth.
University of Michigan physicists have created a database that stores and retrieves data in atomic quantum phase, a new approach to data storage. The study uses cesium atoms and ultrafast lasers to store and retrieve data, confirming theoretical predictions made by L.K. Grover.
Researchers found that genes involved in male reproductive processes, such as sperm production and morphology, have evolved at a faster rate than non-sexual genes in humans. This accelerated evolution is attributed to sexual pressure, including competition for mating success and internal sperm competition.
Archaeologists have uncovered a large Middle Kingdom temple in the Nile Delta, with traces of five earlier temples dating back to around 3100 BC. The discovery includes ritual objects and burial grounds, providing insight into ancient Egyptian temple rituals.
Butterflies have developed ultrasound-sensitive ears on their wings to detect bat calls and exhibit evasive flight manoeuvres. The study found that rare nocturnal butterfly species in Panama possess this unique adaptation, protecting them from bat predators.
A new trial found that lowering copper levels with a cheap compound called tetrathiomolybdate stabilized tumors and prevented their growth in five out of six patients. The copper strategy targets angiogenesis, a process allowing tumors to expand beyond a cluster of cells. Researchers hope it could contribute to cancer eradication in th...