A new fund has been established to provide lifesaving surgery for European children, with generous contributions from private citizens in the US and Germany. The Children's Hope Fund, supported by NYU Medical Center, aims to save as many lives as possible through surgical interventions.
Virginia W. Stern, AAAS director of the Project on Science and Technology in Disability, receives the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring for her work promoting inclusion and opportunities for students with disabilities. The award recognizes her efforts to create family and community support systems and improve condi...
Researchers found that the most accurate method of detecting genetic mutations, direct nucleotide sequence analysis, is also the most expensive and labor-intensive. This method was used correctly to identify all previously identified mutations, while other methods, such as SSCP and CSGE, failed to detect over 20% of the mutations.
Researchers identify PPARbeta as a key gene regulator in the cellular response to inflammation and wound healing. The protein is crucial for keratinocyte differentiation and migration, enabling effective wound healing.
A study of 344 cardiac patients who experienced a near-death experience (NDE) after cardiac arrest found that younger patients were more likely to report NDEs, while deeper experiences were more common among women. Longitudinal follow-up revealed increased beliefs in an afterlife and reduced fear of death among those with NDEs.
Researchers found that hip laxity is a solid risk factor for canine arthritis, which affects an estimated 70-80 percent of dogs in certain breeds. Selective breeding to avoid high-laxity individuals could slash the incidence of canine arthritis within 10 years.
Researchers found that iron supplementation significantly improved motor and language development in rural African preschoolers, with benefits seen even in children with severe anemia. In contrast, anti-worm treatment had a small but non-significant positive effect on both motor and language development.
A geophysicist proposes that life on Earth may have originated from microorganisms that could survive in high-temperature environments, such as deep beneath the surface. This theory is supported by evidence of ancient organisms thriving in extreme conditions and laboratory experiments showing that microbes can survive in space.
Children who move away from polluted areas exhibit increased lung function growth compared to those staying in Los Angeles, while pollution levels affect growth rates differently. The study supports earlier findings that air quality impacts children's lung health.
Two conditional mouse models of human lung adenocarcinoma have been developed, shedding new light on the disease's development. The models replicate spontaneous mutations found in human lung cancer, enabling researchers to track cancer progression and test therapeutic agents.
Researchers successfully tracked stem cells implanted into a living rat using a magnetic resonance imaging technique, marking an important breakthrough. The iron-laden cells create a magnetic black hole easily spotted by MRI, allowing scientists to monitor the cells' behavior and movement without tissue removal.
The US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) has awarded $1 million grants to four Russian universities to improve their basic scientific research capabilities. The grant recipients include Moscow State Engineering Physics Institute, Perm State University, St. Petersburg State University, and Voronezh State University.
New geologic evidence from Antarctic mud deposits suggests that the continent experienced periods of extreme warming and cooling long before the invention of cars. These findings indicate a more complex climate history than previously thought, with cycles of warming and cooling caused by variations in solar activity.
120 million Americans suffer from chronic conditions, driving 75% of medical care spending. The current system is disorganized, with patients navigating multiple doctors and caregivers without help or coordination.
Scientists have successfully corrected sickle cell disease in mice using gene therapy by introducing an anti-sickling human beta-hemoglobin gene. The study, supported by the NHLBI, shows promising results with high expression of the gene in up to 99% of circulating red blood cells.
Researchers found that apolipoprotein B and A-I were strongly linked to increased risk of fatal heart attack in both men and women. Higher concentrations of ApoA-I had a protective effect, suggesting apolipoproteins may be valuable for diagnosis and treatment.
The USF report ranks 66 Florida counties based on overall health ratings, with top-scoring counties having better healthcare and lower poverty rates. The report also highlights deficiencies in high-performing counties, such as lack of health screening and primary care measures.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that parents of children with serious health problems are less likely to be employed. The study also highlighted the need for support services to meet the needs of chronically ill families, which often face increased costs and reduced income.
Researchers will track subsurface floats to measure temperature, pressure, and oxygen in a region extending thousands of miles west of Africa. By studying these dynamics, they aim to better understand ocean mixing processes and improve climate models.
The US CRDF is launching a fast track research competition to engage scientists from the former Soviet Union in the fight against terrorism. The Competition aims to minimize the effects of terrorist acts on civilian populations and will offer support to U.S. industry, scientists, and engineers teamed with researchers from FSU.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed tiny, piezoelectric fans that can cool future electronics without producing electromagnetic noise or consuming excessive electricity. The fans use a ceramic material to move blades in alternate directions, reducing temperatures by up to 8 degrees Celsius.
UCSD researchers identified a gene, KChIP2, that regulates critical electrical currents in the human heart and is associated with increased vulnerability to arrhythmias. The study found that a defective version of this gene can lead to malignant heart rhythms and sudden death in patients with heart failure.
Researchers found that collagen in bone contains sacrificial bonds that rupture when stretched and reform when healed, allowing bones to recover quickly. The study suggests these bonds may contribute to the toughness of bone and could have implications for human health and technology.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that a nutritional supplement called EM Power+ can successfully treat bipolar disorder. The supplement, developed by the Synergy Group of Canada, contains natural dietary minerals and vitamins.
A team of students and researchers from Clemson University test eight houses in coastal South Carolina to determine the most effective hurricane retrofits. The study uses various methods, including cranes and vacuum chambers, to simulate real-life conditions and evaluate the performance of different retrofit measures.
Researchers surveyed 5,000 middle school students and found that those exposed to more movie smoking were 2.5 times more likely to start smoking than those with minimal exposure. The study also showed strong correlations between on-screen actor endorsement of cigarette brands and increased likelihood of smoking.
The Texas A&M University Institute for Countermeasures against Agricultural Bioterrorism aims to develop research tools to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on agriculture. The institute will utilize cutting-edge technologies such as surveillance networking, satellite imaging, and biotechnology to create a proactive defense system.
New research suggests earthquakes destroyed fortified buildings, changed river courses and made elite rulers vulnerable to attack in ancient civilizations. Scientists at Stanford University are painting a picture of an ancient world where earthquakes played a crucial role in shaping history.
Researchers at UMass are working on sensors that can identify bioterror agents more accurately by connecting small 'keys' to large molecules. The team is using nanoparticles and gold structures to solve the complex problem of detecting larger molecules, which have a difficult time fitting into traditional chemical sensors.
A unique partnership between Imperial College London and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative aims to combat the HIV epidemic. The laboratory will evaluate work from worldwide HIV/AIDS vaccine trials, promoting standardization and facilitating the development of effective vaccines.
A new study from Duke University challenges the common assumption that small lung tumors represent early-stage cancers. Despite their small size, these tumors can still be advanced stages of cancer with a high chance of spreading.
A study of 928 children with Hodgkin's disease found a 45-fold increase in breast cancer risk for girls, particularly those diagnosed with early-stage disease. The increased risk may be linked to treatment protocols and radiation dosages.
Aquaporins regulate water flux in various tissues, including the kidney, eye lens, and brain. Recent computer simulations revealed a 'dance' of water molecules through aquaporin channels, controlled by protein parts that increase permeation rates while blocking proton passage.
Researchers are studying the chemical signatures of lavas from the Rift Valley in Turkana to understand the evolution of mantle plumes and how continents split apart. The study suggests that a mantle plume was present in the area 35 million years ago, contributing to the formation of the African Rift Valley.
A study of 2,600 Americans found that between 1-2% have a compulsive gambling problem, with rates higher among minorities and lower-income individuals. Problem drinkers are 23 times more likely to also have a gambling issue.
Eating at least two apples per week and higher selenium intake may reduce adult asthma incidence. Farm childhood experiences also lower risk of allergic reactions to cat dander and Timothy grass, reducing nasal congestion symptoms.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that clearance of antipersonnel mines can result in severe injuries, with 15% of incidents being fatal. Limb injury is a common occurrence, with 30% resulting in amputation.
Dr. Richard B. Alley suggests that past climate records indicate abrupt changes, particularly near poles and away from them. He proposes a threshold-based approach to climate change, which could lead to more realistic predictions of future climate shifts.
Researchers have created a zeolite material that expands when subjected to increasing pressure, allowing it to trap larger molecules and pollutants. This unusual property has potential applications in controlling chemical or radioactive pollutants by locking them inside the expanded pores.
A new gene therapy method has successfully corrected sickle cell disease in mice by transferring an anti-sickling gene to bone marrow, preventing the formation of deformed red blood cells. The therapy, developed using a viral delivery system, resulted in up to 99% expression of the new gene in circulating red blood cells.
Researchers are studying the molecular pathophysiology of FSHD using genome-wide approaches and developing animal models to understand the disease. The goal is to gain insight into the cellular and molecular processes leading to neuromuscular system dysfunction in FSHD patients.
A genetic test targeting cattle could help control sleeping sickness by detecting the SRA gene, which allows T b rhodesiense to survive in human serum. The test has potential for targeted control of T b rhodesiense in livestock reservoirs, reducing public health burden.
Researchers found that two statins, atorvastatin and simvastatin, significantly reduced remnant lipoprotein (RLP) cholesterol levels, while pravastatin had no effect. This suggests that these drugs may have additional mechanisms for reducing cardiovascular risk beyond just lowering LDL cholesterol.
Researchers used a dynamic global ecosystem model to simulate the response of vegetation to engineered climate conditions, finding a decrease in biomass production in tropical forests and boreal forests but an increase in mid-latitudes.
Researchers explore how hormones impact glucose production in fat cells, shedding light on metabolic health. Key findings reveal complex interactions between hormone receptors and glucose metabolism pathways.
The two new processes, RAM-DSM and RAM-TSM, provide a comprehensive approach to securing dams and transmission systems by evaluating vulnerabilities and consequences of attack. These methodologies are based on formal risk-assessment tools and techniques used by Sandia to protect U.S. nuclear weapons facilities.
A study by Ohio State University found that former caregivers continue to show levels of depression and loneliness similar to current caregivers even three years after their spouse's death. The negative effects of long-term caregiving for a spouse with dementia may persist beyond the caregiving years.
Researchers at Ohio State University recommend using lower doses of penicillin during labor to protect newborns from group B strep infections. A study found that a single dose of 0.5 grams provides sufficient protection against sepsis, potentially reducing antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new model for vulcanian eruptions, which they validated using data from the Soufriere Hills volcano. The model suggests that water vapor leakage plays a crucial role in determining the rate and force of these explosive events.
Researchers developed a superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme mimetic that significantly reduced inflammation and tissue damage in an animal model of colitis. The SOD mimetic M40403 also reduced elevated cytokine levels and diarrhea, marking promising results for potential clinical candidates.
A study by the University of Chicago found that saw palmetto can improve urinary symptoms in men with enlarged prostates. After six months, men who received saw palmetto had a significant reduction in their urinary symptom score, while those on placebo showed only half the improvement.
The STAT intrusion detection system utilizes real-time packet analysis to identify patterns of attacks, aggregating individual alerts to provide an overall pattern of intrusion. The system's modular design enables centralized monitoring and control, allowing for flexible configuration and response to locally detected intrusions.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals a critical role for RAGE protein in glomerular fibrosis, a major driver of chronic kidney disease. The research sheds light on potential therapeutic targets to mitigate this devastating condition.
Brookhaven National Laboratory scientists have developed strains of bacteria that can live in harsh environments and convert ordinary coal to a cleaner resource. These microbes remove sulfur and heavy-metal contaminants from coal, producing fewer environmentally undesirable by-products when burned or converted into fuel.
Researchers aim to develop new enzymes and biodegrade toxic contaminants using cold-loving microbes. They plan to build a regional biotech industry and preserve fragile environments.
Scientists at University of Toronto have discovered that copper oxide materials conduct heat and electricity independently, violating the Wiedemann-Franz law. This finding opens a new window into understanding superconducting materials and their potential to revolutionize industries like electronics and energy.
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) produces nitrotyrosine in the subendothelial space, indicating oxidative damage to endothelial cells. This finding suggests MPO may contribute to vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.
Measles researchers used statistical techniques to pinpoint epidemic patterns in cities, revealing a two-year cycle, with larger cities catching on faster. The disease spreads through waves at about 5 kilometers per week, primarily carried by school children.
A Phase II trial found an overall response rate of 78% with the combination, compared to 75% with single-agent treatment. The addition of Navelbine to Herceptin was well-tolerated, with no severe side effects reported.
Researchers predict Alaska's Columbia Glacier will double its rate of retreat and lose nearly 10 miles over the next decade due to increased calving speeds. This is driven by the glacier's terminus being thinner on average and being in deeper water, allowing it to flow faster.