Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an automated optical film-thickness measurement technique that is both inexpensive and nonintrusive. The technique uses light reflection to measure film thickness with an accuracy of one-hundredth of a millimeter.
A study by UCSF researchers found evidence of faulty DNA repair in some infertile men, similar to those with certain cancers. The study suggests that defective DNA repair may be a reason for male infertility and potentially increase the risk of offspring infertility and cancer.
A Yale study reveals that training low-income parents and inner city daycare teachers to engage three-to five-year-olds in make believe play can significantly strengthen children's skills for succeeding in school. This play-based approach enhances vocabulary, language usage, counting, fine motor control, and social/emotional growth.
Compton Gamma Ray Observatory's Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) discovered nearly 30 new exotic astrophysical objects and phenomena, rewriting astronomy textbooks. The instrument also contributed to 10 scientific prizes and 18 Ph.Ds.
Historical case of Eva Peron's secret surgery highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing medical care with social and political implications, according to Dr. Barron H. Lerner. Despite apparent openness in modern times, many confidential details remain hidden from public scrutiny.
Researchers discovered how brain fills in missing information to help us perceive objects, even when they're partially blocked. This process allows for consistency and continuity in our visual world, enabling us to recognize shapes and objects accurately.
A study by Kermyt Anderson found that stepfathers invest significant amounts of money and time in their stepchildren. Despite initial assumptions portraying stepfathers negatively, the research suggests they gain mating benefits and opportunities for lifetime reproductive success.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that adult memories of childhood events and relationships are no more accurate than chance, contradicting the idea that memory is a continuous tape. The study's findings have important implications for psychiatrists and mental health professionals who rely on patient reports.
Compressing coronary angiograms for delivery over telephone or computer lines can lead to diagnostic errors, according to researchers. Image quality is progressively lost with increasing compression, making it difficult for clinicians to detect subtle diagnostic features.
Researchers will discuss potential anti-cancer properties of selenium in broccoli and analyze human exposure to toxic chemicals through hair analysis. The meeting will also focus on the ongoing contamination of the Great Lakes by toxaphene, a pesticide banned in 1986.
A study found that the plasmin system, which regulates blood clots, may also play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest that destroying amyloid-beta protein deposits with tPA could be a potential treatment for the disease. Further research is needed to confirm this model and explore its effectiveness.
Researchers have found no evidence of gradual dinosaur extinction but rather a catastrophic event. Scientists also explore the formation of the Hawaiian volcanic Island of Hilo Ridge, which challenges previous theories on its origin.
Researchers found a significant increase in lobular breast cancer among postmenopausal women taking combined hormone-replacement therapy. The study reported a 2.6-fold increase in incidence among those who took the therapy for six months or more.
Scientists at the University of Illinois found that piezoelectric ceramics' properties decrease as they become thinner, affecting their performance in microelectromechanical systems. To optimize thin-film structures, researchers must understand the factors influencing material properties.
The Columbia University Asthma Coalition aims to improve asthma care among high-risk populations through a three-pronged approach. Researchers will implement culturally appropriate programs, increase public awareness, and form partnerships with primary care providers to ensure implementation of National Asthma Education and Prevention ...
Researchers discovered a direct link between apoE and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a leading cause of bleeding strokes in the elderly. Decreasing apoE expression may inhibit CAA buildup, lowering the risk for cerebral hemorrhage.
Crystals grown in space may produce better semiconductor materials due to reduced gravity effects. The 'detached growth' process, performed on the space shuttle, has produced pencil-thin crystals with uniform distributions.
Research reveals that individuals coping with HIV/AIDS exhibit diverse information-seeking behaviors, from avoiding information to seeking out multiple sources. Understanding these complexities is crucial in developing effective treatment programs, as uncertainty can be a natural part of life for some individuals.
A new study predicts that anal Pap smear screening every two to three years would detect pre-cancerous lesions among high-risk HIV-negative men and allow for early treatment of anal cancer. The analysis suggests that this simple procedure could save lives at a cost comparable to annual mammography.
Researchers have made the first direct observations of magnetic reconnection, a switch that allows energy to be transferred between solar wind and Earth. The phenomenon is responsible for aurora borealis, aurora australis, and occasional radio and satellite disruptions.
Researchers propose a 10-year effort to understand Arabidopsis genes and their interactions. The goal is to build a complete "wiring diagram" of the plant's biological pathways and create a 'clickable plant' for interactive exploration.
A collaborative study found that media coverage of new medications tends to exaggerate their benefits, ignore their risks, and fail to disclose their costs. Only 40% of news stories citing experts with financial ties to the drug being studied disclosed this potential conflict of interest.
The FDA has approved a new cancer treatment using microscopic glass beads that deliver localized radiation to liver tumors. The treatment involves injecting radioactive glass beads into the liver, where they kill malignant cells with minimal side effects.
Researchers from Penn University School of Medicine investigated the safety of Viagra in men with severe coronary artery disease. The study revealed no direct adverse cardiovascular effects from Viagra use, but a small beneficial effect on coronary blood flow reserve was observed.
Researchers at University of Michigan and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology propose alternative theory on Earth's formation. They found that tungsten isotopic compositions of Earth do not match those of enstatite chondrites, supporting the idea that planets received materials from broad regions of the solar system.
Researchers at University at Buffalo develop a system that allows physicians to store information about their touch during an exam using virtual reality. This data can be accessed by other physicians, enhancing clinical palpation and enabling more accurate diagnoses.
A recent study by Dr. Mani Subramani and Eric A. Walden found that Internet firms can earn almost double the profits of brick-and-mortar firms through partnerships. This is due to their ability to form strong relationships with partners, increasing investment and output value.
Researchers studied ancient sediment samples to understand Antarctica's past environmental changes and their impact on global climate. The findings suggest a complex relationship between ocean circulation patterns and ice sheet stability, contradicting previous desert-like conditions in the region.
Researchers discovered that large female spiders in colonies compete for space by building their webs earlier, using a capitalist technique to pre-empt areas. This strategy allows them to secure private space for egg-laying and reduces conflicts with smaller spiders.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered a new potential target for compounds that may treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease. The receptor RAGE interacts with amyloid fibrils, accelerating fibril formation and inducing cellular dysfunction.
Scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science have shown that frequent observations do not freeze motion, but rather increase it. This contradicts Zeno's paradox, which suggested that repeated glimpses could stop an object in place.
Researchers suggest using ultrasound and audible sound waves to measure eye fluid pressure. This could enable glaucoma patients to monitor changes in pressure, taking medication accordingly.
A study published in The Quarterly Review of Biology suggests that morning sickness serves a beneficial function, shielding the mother and fetus from harmful foods and chemicals. Women who experience morning sickness are less likely to miscarry than those who do not, and their aversion to certain foods peaks during the first trimester.
A team of Boston University astronomers has captured new ground-based photos of Mercury's surface, revealing details similar to those on the Moon. The images, taken in August 1998, show bright craters and dark lunar mare-like markings, providing insights into Mercury's geology.
The NEAR Shoemaker mission suggests asteroid Eros is a primordial relic from the solar system's formation, with an elemental composition similar to chondritic meteorites. Studying Eros could help scientists understand how rocky planets evolved.
TacMedCS is a tactical medical coordination system designed to expedite assessment, treatment, and transport of injured personnel. The system uses radio-frequency tags to store and transmit medical information, freeing up time for corpsmen to treat more patients.
A new study found that a high glycemic load diet, which includes foods like rice and potatoes, increases the risk of coronary heart disease in US women. Women with higher glycemic load were 1.57 times more likely to have CVD than those with lower glycemic load.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that smoking is responsible for more than half of periodontal disease cases among adults in the US. Quitting smoking can gradually erase the harmful effects on periodontal health.
A Phase III study found that a combination of histamine dihydrochloride and lower doses of interleukin-2 improved overall survival, increased survival rates at 12, 18, and 24 months, and reduced time-to-disease-progression compared to IL-2 alone. The treatment was well-tolerated and had substantially less toxicity.
A study by French fertility experts found that long hours of driving can lead to higher scrotal temperatures, potentially affecting sperm formation and male reproductive function. The research measured scrotal temperature under normal driving conditions, revealing a significant increase in temperature over time.
A Yale University study suggests that individuals who quickly escalate their cocaine intake are more likely to become addicted. The research identified a key behavioral feature: excessive craving responses, which correlated with dramatic increases in cocaine intake before abstinence.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft has captured the chemical composition of asteroid Eros, indicating it is a primitive relic from the solar system's emergence from a cloud of gas and dust. The data suggest that Eros has remained largely unchanged since its initial formation.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends a more aggressive approach to treating high blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. This is based on studies showing significant reductions in diabetes-related strokes, small blood vessel damage, and deaths when blood pressure is brought under control.
Researchers at the University of Iowa discovered a link between genetic mutations in the TLR4 gene and differences in human response to inhaled endotoxin. The study found that individuals with specific mutations were less responsive to endotoxin, but may be more susceptible to blood-borne infections.
Canadian physicians consider whether adolescents should be allowed to make health care decisions, citing the concept of proportionality and competency. Most adolescents are deemed capable of making competent health care decisions, warranting respect for their autonomy.
A significant decline in Arctic ozone was due to larger and longer-lived polar stratospheric clouds. The clouds' formation and persistence are influenced by greenhouse gases, which may delay the recovery of the Arctic ozone layer.
A study of 1424 pregnant women in Newfoundland and Labrador found that less than 4% had deficient serum folate levels, but 27% had low red blood cell folate. The findings highlight a significant public health issue that should be addressed through daily folic acid supplements.
The new land cover maps will provide more precise assessments of land use types, including residential development, wetlands, forests, and crop lands. The maps will help improve estimates of polluted water runoff into the Chesapeake Bay by identifying pasture land and different crops.
A study using robotic microarray technology has identified 55 genes involved in cardiac hypertrophy, including 30 previously unassociated genes. The research also discovered eight genes associated only with recovery from hypertrophy, providing new insights into the complex relationship between heart stress and gene expression.
A study found that folic acid supplements and fortified breakfast cereals are effective in lowering plasma tHcy, with significant decreases of 24% and 21% respectively. Increased consumption of folate-rich foods had a lesser effect on homocysteine levels.
The $16.3 million grant will fund a Neuroscience Mutagenesis Facility to create at least 50 new mouse models annually for neural diseases such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders. The program aims to address the 'phenotype gap' in human disease study by utilizing powerful genetic tools like genome-wide mutagenesis.
Researchers analyzed food marketing trends over three decades, finding increases in energy-dense foods and portions. This shift is believed to contribute to the growing prevalence of overweight Americans.
Researchers found that Asian immigrants working in ethnic-oriented businesses tend to have lower educational levels and poorer English skills. This can lead to social isolation, potentially hindering their long-term economic prospects.
Scientists at HSC have successfully reversed fatal pulmonary hypertension in an animal model using an elastase inhibitor, which stops disease progression and restores normal blood vessel function. This breakthrough research may lead to new treatments for other cardiovascular conditions.
A U of T engineer has devised a method to control vibrations in robots assembling or repairing objects in outer space. By entering a 'corrected' equation into the system, scientists can reduce deformations and complete tasks more quickly.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have discovered a receptor molecule that can facilitate the introduction of corrected genes into cell nuclei, paving the way for potential gene therapy treatments. The study uses a G-protein-coupled receptor to enable weakened viruses to enter cells, carrying therapeutic payloads.
A new study of ancient stone tools in Eritrea reveals that early humans harvested seafood in Africa around 125,000 years ago. The discovery suggests a widespread adaptive strategy in early human behavior that spread across the continent between 115,000 and 125,000 years ago.
A new study published in Behavioral Neuroscience found that exposure to a paired scent and milk can condition newborn rats to suckle on a surrogate nipple. The researchers observed an 80% suckling rate in pups exposed to lemon odor and milk, compared to 20% in control groups.
Scientists discovered that a specific protein controls the developmental destiny of white blood cells. Increasing or decreasing this protein's levels can direct the cells' fate, raising hopes for new therapies.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center will present new findings on the impact of urbanization on photosynthetic production, climate change in coastal regions, and Arctic warming. These studies provide valuable insights into the effects of human activity on the environment.