Researchers have found a fern that can soak up deadly arsenic from soil with staggering efficiency. The brake fern, Pteris vittata, accumulates high levels of arsenic, making it a promising candidate for cleaning up contaminated soils. This discovery has great potential for remediating toxic waste sites around the world.
A study by UK fertility experts found that natural cycle IVF can achieve comparable results to conventional treatment in 60-70% of cases, while reducing costs and risks. The approach is suitable for women with regular menstrual cycles and fallopian tube problems, but not for those with irregular ovulation or ICSI requirements.
Researchers have identified a pivotal early event in breast cancer development, where mammary epithelial cells spontaneously surmount senescence and acquire genomic instability. This finding could lead to new targets for very early detection and treatment of breast cancer, as well as broader implications for understanding carcinogenesis.
Jayraman et al. used fluorescent indicators to measure ASL salinity in normal human and CFTR-/- mice, finding no significant difference between the two groups. This noninvasive approach may provide new insights into lung diseases with poorly understood ASL properties.
A study by Stock et al. reveals that genetic disruption of the PGE2 receptor EP1 significantly reduces pain behavior and blood pressure responses to inflammation. The findings suggest that NSAID treatment's analgesic effect can be explained by inhibition of signaling through this single receptor type.
Research by Wayne Ahr and his team seeks to improve recovery methods for mature oil fields, aiming to extract between one-third and one-half of the remaining oil. The team uses computer modeling, geological analysis, and detergents to force out residual oil from porous rocks.
The universe consists mostly of mysterious dark matter and dark energy, which make up 95% of its mass. Ordinary matter accounts for only 5%, a finding confirmed by observations of the cosmic microwave background.
The Gault site in Texas holds the most intensively occupied Clovis site currently known in North America, revealing a 500-700 year progression of the Clovis culture. This unique campsite has yielded five stratigraphically separate occupational events, providing valuable insights into the earliest occupants of Texas and North America.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission will attempt a controlled descent to the surface of asteroid 433 Eros on February 12, gathering close-up pictures of its boulder-strewn surface. The primary goal is to study the asteroid's composition and behavior, with a secondary aim of practicing maneuvers for future landing missions.
Research published in Human Reproduction has shown that ovarian stimulation impairs embryo development and implantation in mice. Only 12% of embryos from superovulated mice implanted compared to 25% from control donors, highlighting adverse effects on both quality and fetal development.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identify a new mechanism of breast cancer metastasis involving the growth of lymphatic vessels inside tumors. This discovery could lead to new approaches to treating and preventing cancer metastasis.
A preliminary study published in Operations Research found that free flight routing could lead to a significant reduction in mid-air collision risk, with a potential safety dividend of up to 69%. The study also suggests that shortened flight paths could result in reduced fuel consumption and increased flight frequencies.
UCB-Bioproducts is providing commercial quantities of bivalirudin for Angiomax, a thrombin-specific anticoagulant. The company's unique process technology enables the production of synthetic peptide-based APIs, and its regulatory support ensures compliance with FDA regulations.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have devised a method to stop light, utilizing the EIT phenomenon to slow down photons in a gas cell. This breakthrough could enable new applications for quantum computing and modern nonlinear optics.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have developed a new mouse model that shows gene mutations leading to 100% prostate cancer incidence. This discovery provides insight into genetic variations causing more severe forms of prostate cancer in humans.
Researchers have developed a new test, SUTI, that can accurately diagnose male infertility by detecting high levels of ubiquitin antibodies on the surface of sperm cells. This method could lead to more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatment for couples struggling with infertility.
Lehigh University will partner with industry leaders to advance research and commercialization of optical technologies, including Lucent, Corning, and Sycamore Networks. The $1 million grant from the PA state will be used to develop a multi-institutional enterprise that aims to transform the regional economy.
Researchers at UNC-CH have successfully developed vaccines using plasmid DNA that can prevent and even halt the progression of insulin-dependent diabetes in laboratory mice. The study's findings offer new hope for treating this growing health threat in humans, with potential annual injections required.
Nagyvary's work has concentrated on a chemical approach to the unique Stradivarius sound, focusing on wood quality, filler, and varnish. He believes chemicals are the prominent reason why a Stradivarius has such a distinct sound, with spectroscopic tests confirming his results.
A new device that combines two sensors to measure glucose and insulin levels simultaneously could provide early warning for diabetics. This technology has the potential to help predict blood sugar changes and stave off complications such as kidney failure and heart disease.
Researchers found a significant association between chronic respiratory disease and periodontal disease in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Poor oral health worsens respiratory function and may increase risk of serious lower-respiratory-tract infections.
Researchers will examine genetic factors that might predispose people to ischaemic stroke, using a novel molecular strategy and data from 500 patients. The study aims to identify genes involved in stroke and develop new treatments, which could increase protection against subsequent strokes.
Research highlights ethnoracial differences in nicotine dependence among adolescent African Americans, suggesting culturally-relevant cessation treatment. Tobacco use disproportionately affects African Americans, increasing risk of smoking-related health issues.
A novel drug ALT-711 snips vascular collagen bonds, improving flexibility and reducing systolic blood pressure in older non-human primates. The treatment also increased blood flow through the heart, with effects persisting for over a year after administration.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have identified a link between faulty glycan construction and the onset of autoimmune diseases like lupus. Knocking out a gene involved in modifying sugar molecules on cell surfaces led to mice developing lupus-like abnormalities, including inflamed kidneys and autoreactive antibodies.
Researchers found that TV PSAs targeting teens with high sensation-seeking traits reduced their marijuana use by at least 26.7%. The campaigns also reversed the trend of more teens using marijuana as they get older.
Researchers engineered mice lacking a gene involved in iron metabolism and found progressive brain deterioration similar to Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Atrophy. Iron deposits in key areas of the brain suggest a causative role for iron in these disorders.
A new study found that eating one medium-sized persimmon per day can help reduce the risk of heart disease by fighting atherosclerosis. Persimmons contain significantly higher levels of dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds than apples.
Researchers found that women who exercised on their own had better aerobic results than those in supervised groups. Exercise improved physical functioning by 5.7 points, with significant weight loss among tamoxifen users.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have successfully produced a low-toxin white-vetch grain that can be safely consumed by monogastric species like pigs and poultry. The new variety has significant health benefits and marketing opportunities for farmers, offering a solution to previous export issues with toxic vetch grains.
The American Geophysical Union and the American Geological Institute conducted a survey of recent Ph.D. graduates in earth sciences, revealing significant shifts in job prospects and postdoctoral positions. 80% of geoscience Ph.D.s found jobs in the geosciences, with negligible unemployment rates compared to previous years.
Research found that periodontal disease may increase a person's risk for respiratory disorders like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients with poor periodontal health had nearly a one-and-a-half times greater risk of developing COPD. Improved oral health may help prevent the progression of COPD.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have identified a gene in mice that causes an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematous. The study found abnormal N-glycans in the mice, leading to SLE-like symptoms and organ damage, offering new insights into understanding autoimmune disease.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have demonstrated binary optical storage using nanoclusters of 2-8 silver atoms. The clusters can fluoresce when exposed to blue light, allowing for nondestructive reading with green light. This technique has the potential for high-density storage and parallel reading.
Researchers propose a new model of asthma that suggests epithelial cells play a crucial role in the development of the disease. They found that IL-12 p40 production is increased in airway epithelial cells during inflammation and is overactive in people with asthma.
A new sensing device developed by Virginia Tech engineers is set to reduce energy consumption and emissions in various industries. The self-calibrated interferometric/intensity based sensor has several advantages over existing semiconductor pressure sensors, including higher resolution and accuracy.
New theory proposes that iron-rich sediments are stuck to the bottom of the mantle, creating drag that throws off the Earth's wobble. Seismic waves slow down as they approach the core-mantle boundary, suggesting a thin layer of silicates may be present.
A UC Berkeley scientist proposes that chromosome reassortment, rather than genetic mutations, is the cause of cancer's tendency to develop drug resistance. This theory suggests aneuploid cells, with abnormal numbers of chromosomes, are more prone to producing drug-resistant cancer cells.
A protein called NR2B makes mice more aware of minor pain for longer periods of time, a phenomenon that mimics what happens in people with chronic pain. The researchers suggest that interfering with NR2B in humans might be a strategy for treating chronic pain.
A new study reveals that the BRCA2 gene, linked to breast and ovarian cancers, plays a previously unsuspected role in human cell division. Inactivating the BRCA2 protein delays cells' progress through mitosis, suggesting a potential new target for cancer treatment.
A new operations research model helps planners resolve conflicting demands by developing alternate relocation plans statistically, diagrammatically, and spatially. The most desirable policies generate incentives for stakeholders, including landlords, to participate in the housing mobility program.
A team of researchers, led by Keith Cooksey from Montana State University, is on a mission to find microorganisms that can naturally lower carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. They plan to use the heat-loving microbes found in Yellowstone National Park's hot springs to scrub CO2 from industrial exhaust.
The UNC-CH AIDS clinic in Robeson County offers treatment and care to HIV-positive patients near their homes, addressing a significant problem in the area's high sexually transmitted disease rates. The clinic is supported by a $100,000 grant and covers costs for indigent patients through Medicaid and private insurance.
Yale researchers have identified virtually all of the gene targets for a key protein, known as transcription factors, using new DNA chip technology. The study reveals that these proteins control cell proliferation in yeast and can be used to understand how cells become specialized.
Researchers have identified a protein in fruit flies that resembles the molecule targeted by cocaine, offering insights into its addictive properties. The discovery of this protein, called dDAT, could lead to genetic manipulation and behavioral studies.
Research by Penn State specialist Dr. W. Larry Kenney highlights the strain on older hearts when exercising in heat stress, increasing mortality rates among those over 65. Regular exercise and hydration countermeasures can mitigate effects, but individual factors like fitness level and medication impact thermoregulation.
A new study on Lake Titicaca reveals dramatic changes in the lake's water level and precipitation patterns over the past 25,000 years. The research suggests that natural climate variability, including changes in Earth's orbit around the sun, may be influencing global climate change.
A new study by Yale anthropologist Harvey Weiss suggests that abrupt climate changes played a significant role in past societal collapses. The research analyzed recent archaeological and paleoclimatological data to understand the impact of natural climate events on human societies.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are studying the life cycle and migration patterns of female blue crabs to ensure long-term sustainability. They aim to discover environmental cues that initiate their journey to spawning grounds, which is crucial for understanding the species' ecology and conservation.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center present findings on Gulf War illnesses, finding similarities to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Cognitive-behavioral therapy improves treatment success rates by 48 percent for symptoms of both conditions.
A team of researchers led by Bradley and Yale archaeologist Harvey Weiss found that sudden climate changes were often present in societies that collapsed during the past 10,000 years. The study suggests that climate change was a major factor in the collapse of several societies around the world.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that breastfeeding for two or more years significantly reduces breast cancer risk among Chinese women. The study showed a 50 percent reduction in breast cancer risk for women who breastfed for more than 24 months, compared to those who did not.
The new mathematical method drastically speeds up the time it takes to calculate the behavior of how drops form as they come out of a nozzle or faucet. This breakthrough has broad applications in improving industrial processes such as inkjet printers, photographic films, and analytical devices.
A study by Oklahoma State University researchers found that changes in the American Great Plains have affected birds, with some species benefiting from woody habitat and others declining due to habitat loss. Management options such as prescribed fire and grazing animals may help mitigate these impacts.
Biologists from UCLA and Swedish universities have uncovered the history of how wild horses were domesticated, revealing widespread interbreeding across multiple regions. The study found that genetic diversity was much higher than previously thought, suggesting a more complex process of domestication.
A team of scientists analyzed sediment core samples from Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru, revealing a 25,000-year precipitation record that suggests tropical South America was wet during the last Ice Age. The findings challenge traditional views that the region was dry during this time period.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that stimulating a mother's immune system can increase growth factors in the fetus, reducing birth defects. The study suggests a new role for maternal immunity in fetal development, potentially unlocking secrets to reversing certain birth defects.
The $54 million Substance Abuse Policy Research Program aims to produce information on ways to reduce harm caused by tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. The program has awarded over 131 grants totaling $25 million, with a focus on public and private interventions to address substance abuse.
Purdue University researchers have developed a method to sort and isolate chemical compounds as they are made, identifying the most biologically active compounds among millions of candidates. The new method combines state-of-the-art imaging technology and combinatorial chemistry, reducing screening times by four to 12 times.
Researchers at Lehigh University have successfully made droplets of water move at faster rates by utilizing surface tension gradients and fast condensation, showing potential applications in heat transfer and microfluidic devices