Computer-aided text analysis software can quickly identify trends in public opinions on current issues, paralleling survey results at a fraction of the cost. Researchers can extend analysis back in time to establish trends and examine rate and direction of change.
Studies found that medications like clonidine and propranolol can significantly increase the risk of tooth decay in individuals with dry mouth. The research suggests that antihistamines, antidepressants, and other medications can alter saliva composition, making it less effective at neutralizing acids and remineralizing teeth.
Philip Benfey has identified a gene that governs how plant cells proliferate and organize to form root systems. The research, published in Cell, has implications for both biology and bioengineering, including improving crop tolerance to salinity and fertilizer reliance.
Researchers demonstrate that different concentrations of transcription factor PU.1 control blood cell progenitor development into B lymphocytes or macrophages, two distinct types of white blood cells. High levels of PU.1 block B cell development and promote macrophage formation.
The congress examined the development of sciences and humanities from 1910 to 1960, exploring interactions between science and politics. The DFG President emphasized the importance of understanding the organization's role in science during the Third Reich.
A University of Iowa biologist is studying the application of new acoustic technologies to manage gas production and potentially eliminate odors in large-scale pork production facilities. The goal is to reduce environmental impact and improve nutrient value of hog manure used in fertilizer.
A NYU team has developed a molecule with switchable chirality by adding copper ions to methionine, which can be repeatedly switched and polarize light in opposite directions. This discovery could have significant implications for molecular computing and chiral material applications.
A team of researchers used the High Energy Transmission Grating to study a powerful gas flow surrounding a giant black hole. The wind is driven by intense radiation and contains elements such as oxygen, neon, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, argon, and iron.
Dr. Yoav Horn founded the West Bank Cancer Program in 1978, helping to establish two oncology treatment centers and train Palestinian physicians. The program improved early cancer treatment and saved lives, according to data from a computerized registry of over 7,000 patient records.
Research finds African Americans and others with lower education and income levels have delayed access to HAART, highlighting the need for improved healthcare services. Traditional vulnerable groups, including injection drug users and minority populations, are less likely to receive timely treatment.
A Cornell University study reveals that a naturally occurring disease can regulate a wildlife population, with house finches experiencing a dramatic drop in numbers after an epidemic began. The research provides insight into the dynamics of other host/disease systems and has implications for understanding diseases like AIDS.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new method for detecting buried land mines by using sound waves to create tiny soil disturbances and precision radar to measure the resulting movement. This technique can differentiate between mines and other buried objects, reducing false alarms and increasing detection accuracy.
John J. Ney received the 1999 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Fisheries Society for his long-term research on reservoir fish communities and their trophic relationships. His work has significantly impacted fisheries productivity, particularly in manmade waterbodies.
Air New Zealand won the INFORMS Edelman Award for its optimized crew scheduling project, which improves passenger service and reduces costs by over $15.6 million annually. The project uses advanced optimization methods to efficiently utilize crew resources, addressing a significant issue faced by airlines.
Dr. Robert Pinkel, a leading researcher in acoustical oceanography, has received the prestigious Walter Munk Award for his groundbreaking contributions to Doppler methods and sector scan sonar technology. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of small-scale ocean structure.
A new study suggests that biofeedback training can significantly reduce the number, intensity, and duration of migraines in children. The training helps children learn to control their brain's slow cortical potentials, reducing the likelihood of future migraines.
A recent UI study found that long-term exposure to radon in the home is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The study, which included 1,027 Iowa women, found that close to 60% of homes exceeded the EPA's action level for radon, leading to a significant increase in lung cancer risk.
Jeppesen Sanderson was awarded the Franz Edelman Award for its successful implementation of optimization-based decision support tools, resulting in annual cost reductions of $3 million. The company achieved this through flexible planning and technology management, strengthening its competitive position and increasing operating profits.
Ford's Prototype Optimization Module (POM) reduced prototypes by one fourth, cutting weeks and millions of dollars from development. The module also promoted wider customer-oriented dialogue among design and test engineers and management.
Nine companies have been selected to participate in a $15 million NASA Research Announcement effort titled the Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle Risk Reduction Definition Program. This research will explore possible Earth-to-orbit launch vehicles, in-space orbit transfer vehicles, and ground and flight operations.
The FAA was recognized by INFORMS for its Ground Delay Program Enhancement project, which has reduced delays by 90,000 hours and saved the airline industry over $150 million. The project uses collaborative decision-making tools to allocate arrival slots and issue ground delays.
A recent DOE study suggests adopting new command and control software to predict future energy demand, potentially averting major power emergencies. The software tools would include various mathematical models to simulate load flow, weather factors, and contingencies, helping to stabilize the grid and prevent outages.
A new study on tropical trees shows that most species are clumped together, rather than randomly dispersed, across the landscape. The findings have significant implications for designing nature reserves, selecting native trees to reforest degraded areas, and determining biologically sustainable harvest rates for timber.
IBM was recognized by INFORMS for its supply chain management project, 'Matching Assets with Demand in Supply Chain Management with PROFIT at IBM Microelectronics.' The project improved asset utilization by $80 million and customer responsiveness to under one day. The award is the second time IBM has received this honor.
A study published in Radiology found that Gulf War veterans experienced significant brain-cell loss, particularly in the brain stem, right basal ganglia, and left basal ganglia. The loss of functioning brain cells was linked to various symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, and mental confusion.
Researchers from the University of Toronto and Texas A&M University suggest that a belt of open water near the equator may have supported life during the Snowball Earth era. This region could have provided refuge for early multi-celled animals, enabling them to survive and thrive in the face of extreme climate conditions.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a global network to develop and test preventive HIV vaccines. The network, known as the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), will provide a comprehensive framework for conducting clinical trials globally.
The partnership aims to create lightweight materials using distributed porosity technology, improving fuel efficiency, safety, and comfort. The collaboration will also develop manufacturing systems and facilities for commercial-scale production of RMT-based products.
Scientists have discovered a gene in yeast that plays a key role in regulating the aging process. The SIR2 gene helps slow down aging by silencing certain genes, and its activation can extend the life span of yeast cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-aging therapies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed an easy and inexpensive index to measure the severity of Alzheimer's disease. The index correlates a simple lab test determining platelet Alzheimer's plaque protein (APP) in blood with cognitive decline, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Exam.
A study found that nearly half of e-mail users make fewer long-distance calls due to the convenience of online communication. E-mail excels in scheduling conflicts, while telephone is preferred for emotional expression and companionship.
The study identified metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a key player in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The researchers found that MMP-9 production was significantly reduced in patients who took doxycycline, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing aneurysm expansion.
Researchers developed a battery-operated pen that can disinfect drinking water using a salt solution, inactivating parasites, viruses, and bacteria with dramatic results.
A Yale study reveals that plants adjust their growth patterns to optimize photosynthesis based on light intensity, direction, and wavelength. This breakthrough could lead to more resilient crops in less favorable light conditions.
A novel treatment for dyslexia significantly improves reading skills in children and shows brain changes as they learn. The study's findings suggest that with the right instruction, dyslexic brains can become more efficient at processing language, leading to improved reading abilities.
A recent study suggests that aspirin-like drugs could be useful in treating cancer by reducing tumor growth and angiogenesis. The researchers found that eliminating the gene for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) or using COX-2 inhibitors significantly slowed down lung tumor growth in animal models.
Researchers have developed a battery-powered disinfecting pen that can inactivate waterborne parasites, viruses, and bacteria within minutes. The device generates mixed oxidants from a salt solution, delivering safe drinking water even better than plain chlorine.
The Biomedical Informatics Research Group created a Java-based Problem List Generator learning tool to help veterinary students develop higher-order thinking skills through case-based problems. The technology has shown success and is being funded by the US Department of Agriculture for further development.
An Australian-led team has captured the first picture of the sky in which the Milky Way no longer blocks our view of the Universe beyond. The new survey, HIPASS, used CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope to detect large numbers of small and faint galaxies, as well as giant clouds of gas that give off no light.
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients treated with Aptosyn experienced a clinically significant reduction in precancerous colon polyp formation after six months of therapy. Over 18 months, patients showed an overall 75% reduction in polyps, highlighting the compound's potential as a treatment for FAP.
Researchers at CWRU's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing are studying the effects of a new intervention program on cardiac patients' exercise habits. The CHANGE program uses small-group counseling and behavior modification techniques to help patients maintain long-term, positive exercise habits.
Researchers from the University of Florida College of Medicine have developed a new therapy using bacteriophages to treat Vibrio vulnificus infections. Most mice injected with both the bacterium and a deadly bacteriophage survived what would normally be a fatal infection, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
A study found that 40% of cancer patients use unconventional medical therapies and do not report this information unless specifically asked by their physicians. These therapies, such as mega-doses of vitamins and herbal supplements, can potentially interfere with radiation treatment.
Introgen presents Phase I trial results on RPR/INGN 201, showing safety and expression in ovarian cancer, lung carcinoma, and glioblastoma patients. The therapy has demonstrated significant potential in treating these life-threatening conditions.
Researchers train embryonic stem cells into oligodendrocytes, which can rewrap nerve axons and remyelinate damaged spinal cords. The study demonstrates a potential approach to restoring neurological function in patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.
Researchers found that estrogen use reduced cognitive decline in women with e2 and e3 ApoE alleles, but not in those with e4 variants. Estrogen also showed protective effects on carotid wall thickening and atherosclerosis.
Dr. Achilles A. Demetriou will present information on the bioartificial liver (BAL), an external device that cleanses blood plasma through synthetic and biologic materials, during Digestive Disease Week. The BAL has completed a Phase I clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai and is now in a large multi-center study.
A new minimally invasive radio-guided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) technique allows surgeons to remove parathyroid glands with fewer complications, reducing surgery time from several hours to just 30 minutes. This outpatient procedure also enables patients to go home within a few hours, compared to days of hospitalization.
Abarelix depot-M successfully suppresses testosterone levels, achieving suppression by day 8 and maintaining it from day 29 through day 85. The studies validated PRAECIS' core technology and demonstrate a potentially new treatment option for prostate cancer.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that 31% of recent popular press articles on epilepsy contained gross mistakes, including inaccurate science and exaggerated treatment claims. The print media often reflect and shape views about epilepsy, but also perpetuate misconceptions that can shame patients.
The study confirms that M-Vax increases the survival rate of patients with advanced Stage III melanoma, even after disease recurrence. Patients who developed an immune response against their melanoma had a far better outcome, with a five-year survival rate of 65%.
Matthew Warman, an assistant professor of genetics and pediatrics at CWRU, has been selected as a Hughes assistant investigator by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He will receive funding for his research on rare and common human genetic diseases, aiming to improve human health.
Researchers studied rhesus macaques from birth to young adulthood, finding that those with high cortisol levels responded more strongly to stress and drank more alcohol as adults. The study's findings suggest early life stress can influence later alcohol consumption and offer a promising biological marker of risk.
A new Ohio University study found that weight training does not increase cholesterol levels in healthy young men and women, but reduces body fat and increases muscle strength. The research counters previous studies and news reports giving weight lifting a bad name.
A study found that faucet handles and phone receivers are high-risk areas for transferring bacteria and viruses to hands and faces. This could lead to diseases like diarrhea and infection if proper hygiene is not practiced. The researchers also highlighted the potential for household items like sponges and telephones to spread infections.
A Phase III trial shows long-term hormone suppression can control recurrence and improve survival in prostate cancer patients. The treatment significantly reduces disease-free survival, local progression, and freedom from distant metastasis.
A new study found that elderly men who rate their health as poor are more likely to die than women with similar ratings. Men's perceptions of their health are a better predictor of death risk, while women consider emotional distress from various factors, reducing accuracy in predicting mortality.
Researchers used a mouse model to identify changes occurring in nerve cells before the onset of Huntington's disease. They identified several signaling molecules that could be targeted for future therapies.
Researchers discovered a sub-group of alcoholics who self-medicate low serotonin levels with carbohydrates when not drinking. Carbohydrates increase serotonin levels, similar to alcohol, and this study provides insight into treating alcoholics with disturbed serotonergic function.
The company presented Phase II data of tgDCC-E1A, a lead cancer therapy, which showed a 45% objective response rate in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Preclinical studies also demonstrated the ability of E1A to sensitize tumors to radiation and chemotherapy.