Scientists are detecting head-on collisions between gold nuclei in RHIC, producing insights into the structure of matter and the early universe. The collider aims to recreate conditions similar to the Big Bang, allowing for studies of quark-gluon plasma and its properties.
A new study by Cornell University and the University of Colorado found that state child-support guidelines increase the probability of unwed mothers receiving awards, often increasing their size. In contrast, guidelines for divorced or separated women with children have little impact on award levels.
A new mortality forecast suggests that life expectancy in G-7 industrialized nations may be greater than previously thought, with Japan expected to live up to 8 years longer than official estimates predict. This could lead to a higher dependency ratio, requiring re-examination of programs for old-age support.
The USGS has released the World Petroleum Assessment 2000, revealing a 20% increase in undiscovered oil and a slight decrease in natural gas. Potential additions to reserves from reserve growth are nearly as large as estimated undiscovered resource volumes.
Researchers discovered a new gene, neurofilament light, associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects peripheral nerves and leads to progressive weakness. The defect is linked to demyelination, resulting in axonal loss and muscle denervation, also seen in other neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism for genetic duplication, where duplicated regions are inserted into distant chromosomal sites. This new form of duplication implies that the human genome has more ways of rearranging itself than previously thought.
A study published in Neurology found that estrogen had no effect on improving memory and mental functions in postmenopausal women with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease after a 12-week period. Researchers suggest further trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of estrogen in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's.
The study found that 27.2% of HIV patients were resistant to all three classes of drugs, while 29.1% had resistance to two classes and 21.9% were resistant to one. This underscores the importance of resistance testing for treatment decision-making in HIV clinical practice.
A study suggests that physician recognition of mental health problems, such as depression, is affected by a patient's race and gender. Physicians were less likely to detect mental health issues in African Americans and Hispanics compared to whites, and also less likely to diagnose in men than women.
Researchers found that Avandia had a lower rate of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to placebo and other treatments. This suggests that Avandia is a valuable option for patients with type 2 diabetes, as it can help improve blood sugar control and potentially slow disease progression.
Researchers found that high-resolution ultrasound images can detect completely torn rotator cuff tendons with high accuracy. US is also a more patient-friendly option compared to MRI, taking less than 15 minutes and costing only one-fourth as much.
A new study published in Nature magazine suggests that warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are affecting the growth rates of white spruce trees in Alaska. The researchers found that drought-like conditions are inhibiting tree growth, leading to a reduced capacity for these trees to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
A University at Buffalo study found that men with testicular cancer are two-thirds less likely to have fathered a live infant and nine times more likely to have been diagnosed as infertile than healthy controls. The research contradicts earlier findings that showed no relationship between fertility and testicular cancer diagnosis.
Scientists have conclusively determined that European Neandertals were top-level carnivores who lived on a diet of mainly hunted animal meat. The team analyzed bone-chemistry and stable-isotope analysis to reconstruct the Neandertal diet, finding that they likely ate almost exclusively meat.
Researchers developed an experimental drug that reversed the effects of Fabry disease in mice, reducing glycolipid levels and eliminating toxic side effects. The treatment has potential applications for other lysosomal storage diseases affecting thousands of people in the US.
A nationwide consortium of nine institutions aims to improve treatment outcomes for children with neuroblastoma by testing new therapies and sharing research information. The project has already shown promising results in improving disease-free survival rates and may lead to faster development of effective treatments.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that smokers who receive a diabetes diagnosis are more likely to quit smoking, but some still continue despite the increased health risks. The study analyzed data from over 1,600 middle-aged adults and confirmed past findings that certain demographics, such as African American or ...
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine implemented an STD study program that set up booths in community gathering places to offer urine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The program identified 24 people with the diseases, most of whom were unaware they were infected, and successfully treated 90% of them.
Dr. Edus H. Warren, an immunologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is one of five recipients of a $1.2 million grant to support his research on understanding immune responses in leukemia patients. He aims to develop strategies for selectively enhancing the GVL effect without inducing GVHD.
Research debunks popular belief on family size and intelligence, suggesting no direct causal link between the two. Instead, factors like parental IQ and genetic heritage may influence children's intelligence.
A new vaccine has shown promise in boosting immune responses against HER-2/neu protein in patients with breast and ovarian cancer. Researchers have identified a key protein fragment that can trigger an immune response, leading to sustained detectable immunity up to two years after vaccination.
UCSD School of Medicine scientists have successfully cultured human beta cells that can produce insulin indefinitely. The immortal cell line holds promise for treating people with diabetes through transplantation, potentially offering an unlimited source of insulin-producing tissue.
A self-help program using patented software increases smokers' success rates when combined with nicotine replacement therapy, shows a 56% increase in quitting at 12 weeks compared to standard materials. The Committed Quitters program provides tailored behavioral materials to support individuals in their quit attempt.
Researchers have developed a new technique for detecting atypical cells in breast ducts, which could identify pre-cancerous abnormalities years before mammographically detectable lesions develop. A device that retrieves ductal cells has shown promising results in clinical trials, identifying abnormal cells in 15% of the population.
A new power company software suggests that major power emergencies like California's statewide conservation alert might be averted if the industry adopts predictive software. The software would simulate load flow, dispatch options, weather factors, and contingencies to help power plant operators predict the future.
Two studies found that voluntary counseling and testing significantly reduces unprotected intercourse among HIV individuals and couples, with behavior changes maintained over time. The studies also estimate the intervention's cost-effectiveness, finding it averts infections and saves lives at a lower cost than other HIV interventions.
Researchers found that Avandia improves beta cell function, as measured by proinsulin to insulin ratio, indicating potential benefits for long-term glycemic control and disease progression. The study's results support the use of Avandia in type 2 diabetes treatment and suggest its potential to delay disease progression.
Scientists at the University of Manchester and the Natural History Museum in London found water-bearing salt crystals within the Zag meteorite that may have formed just two million years after the solar system's birth. This discovery could indicate that hospitable conditions for life might have arisen earlier than previously thought.
A new computer model has shown early success in predicting toxic blue-green algae blooms up to four weeks before they occur. The model uses artificial neural networks to learn key factors contributing to algal outbreaks, enabling accurate forecasts and better understanding of the factors involved.
Researchers identified a new axon guidance receptor, Dscam, found in the tips of growing neurons that can exist in over 38,000 different forms. This unprecedented diversity may provide a fundamental code for precise wiring of trillions of neurons in the brain.
A new study found that cancer genetic testing can impact marital satisfaction, with couples experiencing increased anxiety and distress when discussing the process. Supportive spouses play a crucial role in mitigating these effects, while unsupportive responses can exacerbate relationship strain.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that triggering an anti-tumor immune response significantly potentiates the effects of the anti-angiogenic drug endostatin. The study showed that half of treated animals experienced complete and permanent regression of tumors, suggesting a highly effective cancer therapy.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed an optical system that gives people unprecedented eyesight, improving even those with 20/20 vision. The technology, using adaptive optics, detects subtle visual distortions and corrects them for improved low-light conditions.
Researchers found that administering low to moderate doses of kappa-opioids in conjunction with naloxone causes profound, prolonged pain relief in both men and women. This discovery provides a significant alternative to morphine with minimal side effects.
The UCSD Superfund program will conduct projects on 20 toxic contaminants, studying their effects on humans, animals, and the environment. Researchers will use molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology to develop tools for evaluating health risks and minimizing hazardous risks.
A Stanford study supports a U.N. proposal to give rich nations an economic incentive to finance tropical forest conservation programs in poor countries. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) plan aims to help protect the planet from global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at UNC-CH's Odum Institute are conducting studies on the social effects of Hurricane Floyd, including oral history investigations and strategies to help low-literate adults cope with natural disasters. The projects aim to preserve regional history and provide insights for disaster relief efforts and future recovery.
A University of Florida research team discovered parts of the Antarctic ice sheet were unstable during Northern Hemisphere warming spikes. The findings suggest polar ice can undergo huge and rapid changes tied to climate, implying potential future instability.
Researchers propose two theories to explain the origin of neutron star kicks: the 'mass rocket,' which suggests a mass ejection asymmetry, and the 'neutrino rocket,' which relies on the intense magnetic field surrounding the newly formed neutron star. These theories aim to explain the observed high speeds of pulsars and the asymmetrica...
The Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) will convene in Baltimore to share frontline reports on current and emerging patterns of drug abuse. Researchers from across the US will present data on localized drug use problems, providing valuable insights into national trends.
A breakthrough in nanolithography transforms dip-pen nanolithography into a parallel process, paving the way to mass-producing tiny nanostructures. The new eight-pen nanoplotter can create identical patterns with consistent line widths and requires only one feedback system.
Researchers create a new type of antibiotics that bind to bacterial protein-making machinery, preventing resistance. The approach could yield an antibiotic approximately 1,000 times more effective than the original, offering hope in combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers from OSU discovered that some Hawaiian sea mounts were influenced by the existence of a mid-ocean ridge subducted under present-day Siberia. The findings provide more evidence on how volcanic hot spots interact with tectonic plates.
A UC Berkeley study reveals that geckos' tiny foot hairs can create an adhesive force 10 times stronger than needed to pull a gecko off the wall. The unique spatulae on each hair allow for rapid attachment and detachment.
UC Irvine molecular biologists have discovered a key protein interaction that regulates cholesterol levels in cells, which may provide insights into heart disease and stroke prevention. The study found that a regulatory protein called Sp1 recruits a co-regulating protein to activate genes that balance cholesterol levels.
Researchers found taxi drivers are significantly more likely to be murdered on the job than other occupations. Self-employed workers and minorities were also disproportionately affected by workplace homicides.
Researchers develop tailor-made polymers to optimize OLED devices, increasing efficiency and reducing operational lifetime. By adjusting the degree of oxidation, they achieve better hole injection and improved color emission.
Astronomers use NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to study the growth of Perseus A, a supergiant galaxy at the center of a large galaxy cluster. The research reveals that Perseus A has accumulated hundreds of billions of stars by cannibalizing gas and smaller galaxies in the vicinity.
A team of researchers at Penn State's College of Medicine has isolated and characterized a gene, BRMS1, that plays a role in blocking tumor cells' ability to spread. The gene provides a target for developing therapies to keep cancer localized and may aid in proper diagnosis.
The Fender's blue butterfly requires specific nectar and host plants to complete its reproductive cycle. A new study by University of California, Santa Barbara researcher Cheryl B. Schultz found that the species needs approximately 20 milligrams of wild flower nectar per square meter to support its population.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that a program combining observations by janitors and housing staff with psychiatric nurse skills can significantly increase seniors' mental health and stability. Residents in the test sites scored 17% higher in general mental health tests than those without the program.
Researchers have produced complete maps of CO emission in IC 10, a nearby dwarf irregular galaxy. This observation may offer insights into the formation of stars in the early universe. The team discovered that molecular gas generally lies near dense atomic hydrogen and young, recently formed stars.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified eotaxin as a critical protein in the development of food allergies. By blocking eotaxin, new drugs may prevent allergic reactions in the gastrointestinal tract, providing hope for those affected by food allergies.
Researchers found that long-term anticoagulant use doesn't reduce venous thromboembolism or death after knee or hip surgery. A new study shows promise in treating scleroderma with recombinant human relaxin, reducing skin thickening and improving mobility.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that female medical school faculty perceive gender discrimination and sexual harassment, with 77% reporting bias and 30% of men experiencing similar issues. Despite this, women who report discrimination are as productive but less satisfied with their careers.
Mouse cells lacking nonhomologous DNA end-joining (NHEJ) pathway show high levels of chromosome breakage and genetic material rearrangement, highlighting its critical role in maintaining genomic stability. The study also reveals that NHEJ is essential for repairing damaged chromosomes induced by ionizing radiation.
The NHLBI's IMPACT study will investigate whether patients with mild asthma require daily anti-inflammatory medication. The trial, which started recently, will compare the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers.
Fred Schubert's Photon Recycling Semiconductor Light-Emitting Diode (PRS-LED) combines up to three wavelengths of light to produce highly efficient, long-lasting white light. The PRS-LED is 15-20 times more efficient than conventional bulbs and has a lifespan predicted to last up to 50 years.
Researchers are testing two vaccines, using vaccinia and fowlpox viruses, to treat prostate cancer that has spread beyond the gland. The goal is to boost the patient's immune system and eliminate cancer cells before they become symptomatic.
Researchers at NYU and MIT have created a peptide-based scaffold that supports living nerve cells, enabling the growth of functional synapses. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for repairing damaged nervous systems, including spinal cord injuries.