Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created a vaccine using a weakened rabies virus to carry an HIV envelope protein into cells, prompting the immune system to produce anti-HIV antibodies. The successful test in mice lends promise to eventually developing a human vaccine against HIV.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researcher Edward Suarez found that stress triggers an immune response in people with low serotonin levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Subjects with normal or high serotonin levels showed no increased immune response under stressful conditions.
A Harvard study finds that regular vigorous exercise lowers leptin levels in both normal-weight and overweight men, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. Men who were more physically active had lower leptin levels, regardless of their weight or diet.
A new population of non-native Asian swamp eels has been found in south Florida, near the eastern border of Everglades National Park. The eels' genetic differences from previously discovered populations suggest a separate introduction and raise concerns about their potential to disrupt native species and food webs.
Researchers found that high cholesterol levels did not indicate serious blockage of coronary arteries in patients who underwent bypass surgery. Elevated oxysterol levels were present in those with blocked arteries, highlighting the need for further heart disease screenings.
Hanif Sherali, a Virginia Tech professor, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his significant contributions to engineering system design. He is recognized for his invention of the Reformulation-Linearization Technique, which has been applied to various complex real-world problems.
Researchers found that the artifacts at Cahokia were made from Missouri flint clay deposits, indicating a local production process. This new evidence suggests that the Cahokia society focused on a local rather than long-distance acquisition process for their ceremonial objects.
A new test using a urine sample and written survey can help doctors identify adolescents who smoke cigarettes, allowing for early intervention. The test also identifies 'experimenters' - young people who smoke occasionally but haven't committed to the habit full-time.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing interactive, three-dimensional displays to visualize the complex data associated with the power system network. These tools aim to facilitate informed, fast decision-making in electricity markets, where congestion can affect thousands of elements and power transfers.
Researchers discovered that HIV attaches to immature immune cells called dendritic cells on mucosal surfaces, allowing it to infect the rest of the immune system. A specific dendritic cell receptor called DC-SIGN is identified as the key entry point for the virus.
A University of Illinois researcher has shed light on the formation of silica-rich glasses in xenoliths by studying the chemical interaction between sodium and mantle rocks. The study reveals that sodium diffusion can significantly alter magma composition, leading to anomalous mineral ratios found beneath mid-ocean ridges.
A study by Wake Forest University researchers found that the longer heart surgery takes, the more tiny particles of fat enter the bloodstream and circulate to the brain, blocking tiny blood vessels. This can cause brain deficits that may be permanent in ten to thirty percent of affected patients.
Researchers found that field refuges made of non-Bt plants can prevent insects from developing resistance to Bt-engineered crops. The study demonstrated the importance of carefully managing insects within these refuges to ensure their effectiveness.
Wayne Purcell, an agricultural economist, and Y.A. Liu, a chemical engineering professor, have received the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award for their contributions to education, research, and community service. They are among 11 faculty members recognized for their impact on the state's agriculture industry.
Feline infectious anemia has been identified as caused by Haemobartenella felis, a previously suspected but now confirmed mycoplasma organism. The discovery of this tiny parasite provides hope for developing a diagnostic tool and potentially a vaccine to combat the disease.
The Transcendental Meditation (TM) program was shown to decrease atherosclerosis and risk of heart attack and stroke in hypertensive African Americans. The study found that TM practitioners had a significant reduction in carotid intima-media thickness, comparable to lipid-lowering medications and intensive lifestyle modification programs.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new technique to improve the accuracy of genetic testing for cancer and inherited diseases. The method separates human chromosomes and allows for independent analysis of each copy, detecting key mutations that were previously missed.
A Boston study found that marijuana smoke increases the risk of a heart attack by nearly five-fold within the first hour, but the effect decreases rapidly over time. The study used a multicenter design and included 3,882 patients who survived heart attacks.
Leading American sociologists offer practical solutions to pressing social problems like genocide, homelessness, and poverty. They suggest changes to cherished institutions and grade their performance based on solid research.
Scientists have developed a method to convert bulk silicon into ultra-small, nano-sized particles with potential uses in low-power electronics, nonvolatile memories, and optical displays. These nanoparticles can also form the basis for novel semiconductor lasers and serve as fluorescent markers for biologically sensitive materials.
The Mars Global Surveyor's Thermal Emission Spectrometer has mapped the mineral composition of Mars' surface, revealing a primarily volcanic surface with distinct differences between southern and northern hemispheres. The survey provides valuable insights into Martian geology and may help explain changes in the planet's interior.
The program aims to control the raccoon rabies epidemic by delivering oral vaccines through baits. The goal is to protect citizens and companion animals from exposure to the deadly virus.
Scientists find that cryptochrome, a blue-light photoreceptor, may play a role in processing visual clues from the magnetic field and staying on course. The discovery was made using chemical experiments and computational modeling.
Researchers found that children whose parents scored high on dietary restraint or disinhibition had greater increases in body fat over time. Parents' impulsive eating habits also had a strong effect on their child's body fat level.
A study found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scans are significantly better than traditional risk factors in categorizing heart disease risk. Combining EBCT with risk factors improved the ability to assess an individual's heart disease risk, making it a useful tool for early treatment and prevention.
Researchers have identified a family of proteins that bind to human sperm, which may help explain why sperm that haven't passed through the epididymis fertilize eggs poorly. The discovery could lead to identifying potential targets for male contraception, including a contraceptive vaccine.
Research by Injury Prevention found that toughened glassware in bars led to a 60% higher injury rate among staff compared to annealed glassware. The study also showed that the toughened glasses tended to break spontaneously, leading to multiple injuries.
A UMass exercise scientist is conducting research into how aging affects upper-body motion and balance while walking. The study will examine age-related changes in the upper half of the body and develop models for environment perception as people walk.
A phase II clinical trial of ENBREL (etanercept) in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis has shown promising results. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ENBREL to treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a new indication for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
The Phase I/II study of NUVANCE in adult patients with moderate asthma demonstrated the potential of IL-4 inhibition to improve lung function and control asthma symptoms. Dr. Jonathan Corren and Dr. Jan Agosti presented results at the AAAAI Annual Meeting.
Researchers have identified a crucial molecule, DC-SIGN, that enables the AIDS virus to hijack dendritic cells, transporting it to immune system tissues where it infects T-lymphocytes. This breakthrough offers new avenues for developing treatments and potentially vaccines to prevent HIV infection.
Researchers propose a coordinated model for DNA repair, recombination and replication processes in cell division, revealing a link between DNA replication and recombination. The study uses E. coli as a model organism to understand the role of primosome assembly proteins in restarting replication.
A study found that mothers with alcohol and drug problems tend to be more punitive towards their children, using aggressive disciplinary strategies. This research highlights the need for interventions that address not only individual substance abuse but also family dynamics.
A study by UB neurosurgeons found that cigarette smoking is associated with larger brain aneurysms, which can lead to life-threatening complications. The research, published in the journal Neurosurgery, showed that smokers were more likely to develop large aneurysms than non-smokers.
A high dose of estrogen administered soon after a stroke can prevent substantial brain damage in laboratory animals, with a 60% decrease in brain cell death. The study builds on observations that postmenopausal women who take estrogen replacement therapy are more likely to survive stroke.
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Stellenbosch isolated six chemical compounds with antimicrobial activity in chewing sticks used in Namibia, demonstrating their effectiveness in removing plaque and massaging gums.
A study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections reports that over one in five women attending genitourinary medicine clinics have experienced sexual assault. Long-term distress is common among these survivors, with those who disclosed their experience to multiple people reporting more severe emotional impact.
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has determined the atomic structure of cytochrome P450cam, an enzyme that performs several important chemical jobs in the body. The research could lead to new cancer therapies, pollution cleanup, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
Research suggests that home screening kits for Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection, could be a useful tool in preventing lifelong infertility. The study found that men and women aged 18-35 were willing to participate in urine test kits, with higher participation rates among those from Avon than London.
A new study published in the American Heart Association finds that eating legumes, such as beans and peas, at least four times a week can lower the risk of heart disease by 19%. The study examined data from over 11,000 men and women and found that frequent bean-eaters had a 9% reduced risk for all forms of cardiovascular disease.
Middle-aged and elderly marijuana smokers increase their risk of a heart attack by more than four and a half times during the first hour after smoking, according to a recent study. The study found that the risk of a heart attack is highest in the first hour after use, but drops significantly after two hours.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have discovered a defensive molecular mechanism launched by the body to protect against oxygen deprivation on the heart. HIF and VEGF, two angiogenesis genes, are activated in response to ischemia or infarction, attempting to increase decreasing blood flow.
A preliminary study found that 38% of HIV-positive people in low-income hotels took over 90% of their medication, adhering well to combination anti-viral therapy. The researchers also discovered a close relationship between medication adherence and viral suppression, with levels of HIV doubling for every 10% of missed pills.