Brown's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center will continue to perform fundamental research in mechanics of materials, exploring nanoscale electronics and complex microstructures. The grant also supports educational outreach programs, including summer research experiences for minority university students.
A study of 1,277 elderly people found no correlation between left-handedness and mortality rate. Instead, factors such as pressure to switch hands, gender differences, and adaptation to a right-hand world influenced the prevalence of left-handedness among older adults.
A national committee recommends a strategy focused on better tracking of HIV infections, coupled with funding the most cost-effective prevention programs. The approach aims to significantly cut new infections, particularly in high-risk populations.
The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory will use its powerful X-ray crystallography instruments to determine the three-dimensional structure of 2,000 proteins encoded by human DNA. This grant is part of a nationwide research effort to understand protein structures and functions.
Researchers at UCSD discovered an oxygen-isotope anomaly in soils that suggests atmospheric deposition of sulfates from sulfur-emitting marine algae is a significant contributor to the region's high salt concentrations. The study provides concrete evidence for biological activity as the primary source of salt in the Dry Valleys.
The study found that a Western diet pattern was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in middle-aged men, particularly those who smoked. In contrast, a prudent diet pattern was linked to lower risks, even when accounting for other factors such as smoking and family history.
The study will analyze marine life around eight oil platforms in the Santa Barbara channel, focusing on species with desired natural products. The research aims to determine the distribution, abundance, and genetic similarities of these organisms, as well as their potential for harvesting sustainably.
The Protein Structure Initiative aims to determine protein form and function, improving health and disease understanding. The project uses x-ray crystallography, NMR, and computation to identify protein structures in minimal organisms.
Five NYC research institutions join forces to develop high-speed methods to decipher 3D protein structures, focusing on disease-related proteins. The collaboration aims to provide a way for researchers to quickly translate genomic knowledge into promising drug targets.
A new genetic variation in the calpain-10 gene has been identified as a significant contributor to type 2 diabetes. This discovery provides new insight into the origins of the disease and its impact on patients' lives, offering potential therapeutic approaches for treatment.
The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health will operate a Central Appalachian Public Health Training Center, providing on-site and distance-based training programs for underserved areas. The goal is to assure high-quality performance of public health agencies by upgrading the skills of existing workforce members.
The study found that the global prevalence of overweight among infants and children aged 0-5 years is 3.3%, with some countries having very high rates of both overweight and wasting. Developing countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America have the highest prevalences of overweight.
Consumers who consumed high amounts of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods had lower serum concentrations of vitamins and micronutrients, as well as higher levels of homocysteine. This study highlights the need for new strategies to educate consumers on moderating their EDNP food intake.
A new endoscopic technique developed by Johns Hopkins surgeon William Dooley improves breast cancer detection and reduces the need for mastectomies. The procedure uses a novel endoscope to visualize breast tissue up to 60 times normal size, allowing for earlier detection of small lesions.
Researchers have successfully transplanted neuronal stem cells into a diseased rat retina, which integrated into the eye and extended into the optic nerve. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new therapy to restore vision in millions of people affected by retinal damage.
Research in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that around one in five young children were wheezy between 18-30 months, with the risk higher if the mother smoked during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy and environmental tobacco smoke are linked to an increased risk of wheezing and asthma in early childhood.
A study of 103 psychiatric patients found that those experiencing command hallucinations are more than twice as likely to be violent. The analysis controlled for other risk factors, suggesting the importance of assessing command hallucinations when evaluating violence risk.
Researchers have identified key molecules on the surface of blood cells that guide them to their rightful targets in the body's tissues. This process, known as cell trafficking, is crucial for the proper function of the immune response and helps prevent cancerous cells from spreading.
Researchers are developing microscopic chips called bioMEMS to monitor and treat serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes. These chips could contain stem cells, medication, or sensors to detect mutated genes or cancerous tissues.
According to a report by Lawrence S. Lerner, 31 states handle evolution adequately, but only nine explicitly cover human evolution and another nine do so by implication. The remaining 19 states receive poor grades for teaching evolution, with some even avoiding the term altogether.
Replacing refined grains with whole grains may significantly reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in women, with even a daily increase in whole grain consumption offering benefits. The study of over 75,000 female nurses found that higher whole grain intake was associated with a 43% lower risk of ischemic stroke.
A Rutgers-led consortium has received a five-year, $25 million NIH grant to determine the structures and functions of proteins. The project aims to develop integrated technologies for high-throughput protein production and 3-D structure determination.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing a non-destructive test to detect small flaws, latent flaws, and general degradation in commercial aircraft wiring. The FAA is funding the $450,000 grant, which aims to improve aircraft safety by identifying critical degradation levels of aging wiring without removal from its location.
Boston University will create an international science and medical journalism center with a $1.1M Knight Foundation grant. The center aims to improve the quality of medical journalism, train journalists to report on scientific advances, and increase global coverage.
Research in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that babies whose mothers smoked were twice as likely to experience colic. Breastfed infants were less prone to colic when their mothers smoked, highlighting a potential risk factor for smoking mothers.
The Midwest Center for Structural Genomics aims to cut the cost of determining protein structures from $100,000 to $20,000, reducing analysis time from months and years to days and hours. The center will select protein targets from various kingdoms of life to study disease-causing proteins.
Researchers at Ohio State University are investigating ways to re-grow tiny blood vessels to keep damaged heart tissue alive after a heart attack. They have demonstrated that endothelial cells can grow in grooves carved in the surface of a soft transparent gel in the laboratory, paving the way for future transplants.
Researchers used fMRI to probe the roots of a longstanding hypothesis in memory research. They found that recalling sensory-specific experiences activates brain regions responsible for processing those experiences. However, they also discovered that high-level perception areas are selectively reactivated during remembering, suggesting ...
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered a new gene, AXIN2, linked to colorectal cancer development. Mutations in this gene elevate Beta-catenin levels, contributing to the disease.
The NIGMS Structural Genomics Awards will support seven research centers in determining the structures of thousands of proteins over the next decade. The project aims to advance our understanding of biological processes and develop new treatments for diseases.
Using I.T. to reduce lead times and increase shipment frequency results in a significant 21% supply chain improvement for smaller batch manufacturing. In contrast, relying on electronic data interchange and early alerts yields only a 2.2% average supply chain gain.
Rutgers researchers have received significant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study plant genomes. Dr. Eric Lam will lead a project focused on charting chromosome sequences in Arabidopsis, while Dr. Joachim Messing will investigate maize endosperm development and gene function.
The International Development Research Centre presents four case studies on ICTs in Latin America, highlighting their impact on civil society organizations and indigenous communities. These projects showcase the potential of technology to bridge development gaps and promote social change.
Researchers aim to unlock cellular communication secrets using air traffic control principles and develop new instrumentation for analyzing complex biological systems. The goal is to understand how genes function and design intricate electronic circuits, applying insights from computation and engineering.
A UF pilot study shows that massage and relaxation techniques can safely and effectively reduce pain, tension, and fatigue in patients with sickle cell anemia. The treatments improved blood flow and reduced muscle tension, providing relief from debilitating episodes of severe pain.
Researchers transplanted skeletal muscle cells directly into a damaged area of the heart in a Phase I trial to test their potential to repair and strengthen heart contractions. The goal is to improve cardiac function and determine cell survival.
The average American consumes 27% of their daily energy from junk foods, which can lead to nutritional and health issues. The study found that those who consumed more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop heart disease.
A new study found that nearly 80% of depressed teenagers do not receive necessary psychiatric medical treatment, which can lead to a repeat bout of major depression and involvement in substance abuse by early adulthood. Especially at risk are depressed teenage girls who clash with parents or have a family history of recurrent depression.
Researchers have developed a chemically switchable approach to study kinases, crucial for signal transmission in all cells. The technique allows precise experiments to determine the specific function of hundreds of kinases without disrupting overall cell function.
A study suggests that disposable nappies lined with plastic can increase scrotal temperature in boys, potentially leading to impaired normal testicular cooling mechanisms and increased risk of male infertility. The research found that rectal temperatures were significantly lower than scrotal temperatures when cotton nappies were worn.
Scientists have identified a portion of the HIV genome that remains unaffected by mutations, providing a potential therapeutic target for preventing viral spread. By blocking this site, researchers believe they can inhibit viral replication and develop a new treatment approach.
Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 smokers and found that teenagers, women, and whites experience higher rates of nicotine dependency symptoms. The study suggests that these differences in sensitivity to nicotine may reflect varying thresholds for determining nicotine dependence among different groups.
A comprehensive program involving exercise, weight loss, and joint protection principles is necessary for effective osteoarthritis management. Over-the-counter acetaminophen may be the only required medication for mild-to-moderate pain relief.
A new study found that silver-coated catheters could reduce urinary tract infections by 47% and bacteremia by 44%. The cost savings could be substantial, with estimated average savings of $4 per patient catheterized.
Hernandez Engineering, Inc. will deliver management, personnel, equipment, and supplies for safety and mission assurance at NASA's Marshall Center. The contract value is up to $35.9 million, with a focus on reducing space launch costs and improving flight safety.
Northwestern University has received nearly $1 million in NSF funding to develop special robots called cobots that assist humans in heavy materials handling. Researchers also plan to create a technology to distribute computer software for large-scale optimization problems via the Internet.
A new study suggests that regular exercise is as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression rates. Participants who exercised regularly showed lower relapse rates, even six months after treatment ended.
A new study evaluates the efficacy of using shade-grown coffee as a bird conservation measure. Researchers found that while shade coffee habitats support many birds, some sensitive forest species still need forests to survive. Protecting canopy shade trees in these plantations is crucial for conservation.
Researchers have demonstrated that human fetuses can hear by the eighth month of pregnancy, with cardiac and motor responses to computer-generated white noise detected at around 30 weeks. The study's findings suggest that the fetus's auditory system is developed enough to detect sound, but the exact nature and impact of this experience...
Researchers discovered that snapping shrimp produce sound by collapsing bubbles from their snapping claw. The bubbles collapse and generate a shock wave that stuns prey, using cavitation damage previously thought to be harmful to ship propellers.
The program aims to connect kids with both sports and academics, helping them learn math and science while participating in sports. The Sport Science program will expand over the next three years to include 540 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade girls from six Philadelphia schools.
A new study suggests that social support during pregnancy can positively impact fetal growth and birth weight. Women with multiple sources of support during pregnancy had higher birth weight infants. The research also found that social support may inspire healthier behaviors and improve treatment outcomes for pregnant women.
Geneticists discover a highly conserved mechanism in zebrafish and fruitfly eyes that controls nerve cell formation, forming the basis for eye development. This shared mechanism strongly argues for a common evolutionary origin of animal eyes.
Researchers have discovered a virus with an armored coat made of interlocking rings of protein, similar to medieval chain mail suits. The discovery could lead to new designs for nanotechnology, as the unique structure allows for stability while maintaining mobility.
A nine-year study of over 12,000 men at high risk for coronary heart disease found that those with regular annual vacations had a lower risk of death. Vacations were more protective against death from coronary heart disease than diseases like cancer, possibly due to stress reduction and engagement in restorative behaviors.
A study by Elissa Epel found that lean women who experience high levels of stress are more likely to accumulate excess abdominal fat, which increases their risk for certain diseases. The researchers suggest that this type of fat is linked to greater heart disease and diabetes.
Physicists have discovered that entangled photons, a phenomenon in quantum physics, can create smaller features on lithographic masks than classical physics allows. This breakthrough could enable manufacturers to continue miniaturizing and speeding up computer chips, potentially breaking the Moore's law barrier.
The NEAR mission has provided definitive mass and density measurements of asteroid 433 Eros, confirming it is an undifferentiated, homogeneous structure. The asteroid's surface features spectacular images and movies showing ridges, pits, troughs, and grooves that provide fascinating clues about its history.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a compact disc that can analyze blood samples and store medical information, using tiny reservoirs and channels to mix fluids. The technology enables the CD to measure glucose levels, store data, and even calibrate sensors.
A new study found that continued exercise significantly reduces the chances of depression returning, with only 8% of patients in the exercise group relapsing compared to 38% and 31% of the drug-only and exercise-plus-drug groups. Researchers suggest that exercise may be beneficial due to its active role in improving mental health.