Researchers at Penn State aim to improve flood prediction by evaluating past storms with different forecasting methods. They found that convective parameterization schemes can help forecast rainfall, but the best scheme varies depending on the season and atmospheric conditions.
Researchers found that El Niño events result in wetter oceans and drier land areas, with droughts more common than floods. Global precipitation patterns show an increase in rain over the Indian monsoon region and a decrease over central Africa during these events.
A new study assesses the effects of therapeutic doses of oral Ritalin on dopamine levels in healthy, adult male subjects, revealing increased dopamine levels and potential improvement in attention and focus for ADHD symptoms.
A recent study found that individuals clinically identified as substance abusers have an elevated risk of injury. Alcohol-and-drug abusers had the highest risk of injury, followed by those who abused only one type of substance.
Researchers propose a blood test to diagnose schizophrenia by measuring the levels of mRNA molecules encoding D3 dopamine receptors on white blood cells. This test may help assess the biological basis of the disease, which is still unknown.
Researchers develop new therapies targeting related virus proteins, aiming to neutralize the effects of smallpox. The US population is highly susceptible due to low vaccination rates and limited vaccine stockpiles.
A study by NASA researchers found that the eastern U.S. has cooled by 0.1° Celsius per decade, contrasting with global warming. The researchers attribute this cooling to increased cloud cover caused by warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific.
Research suggests that specific cognitive processes, individual characteristics, and environmental conditions influence alcohol's effects on behavioral control. Alcohol can impair cognitive control of response inhibition, but this effect varies among individuals.
Research reveals CPY26 degrades retinoic acid to establish uneven distribution, crucial for normal embryonic development. Elevated RA levels in Cpy26 mutant mice lead to severe developmental defects, highlighting the enzyme's protective role.
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has created nuclear matter with the highest energy density ever achieved, opening a new frontier in scientific exploration. The experiment also reveals striking differences from previous experiments, hinting at new phenomena and a possible transition to quark-gluon plasma.
Researchers have identified the three-dimensional atomic structure of a critical gene-regulating molecule, revealing its importance in human diseases such as cancers, autoimmune disorders, and developmental disorders. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments and therapies for these conditions.
As people age, they experience a decrease in muscle strength, but an increase in endurance. To address this issue, Maury Nussbaum and Laura Wojcik are conducting a study to understand how tasks can be adjusted to accommodate older workers' work capacity.
A Penn State researcher explains how atmospheric chemistry can alter the composition of air, affecting environmental quality, and how pollutants like acetone and formaldehyde contribute to ozone production. The study also explores the role of nitrogen oxide in complex chemical reactions that produce hydrogen oxides.
A laboratory study found that vitamin E concentrations did not interfere with the killing of cancer cells by radiation therapy. However, the study's limitations mean that the impact on real-world treatment outcomes is unclear.
Researchers found that aerobic exercise improved specific areas of cognitive function, including memory and executive functions, beyond what was expected after depression lifted. The study suggests that exercise may offset some mental declines associated with aging.
A California-based study found significant ethnic differences in DUI arrest rates and healthcare service utilization among Hispanic populations, particularly Mexican Americans. Despite higher rates of heavy drinking, this group tends to underutilize health services, with lower utilization among those born in Mexico.
A short, confidential questionnaire can detect adolescent experimental smoking and identify those at high risk of nicotine addiction. The survey correctly identified 92% of smokers and found that smoking frequency increases with grade level, social influences play a role in initiation.
Children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at increased risk for asthma and wheezing, with effects strongest among youngest children. Exposure also associated with school absences and low lung function in older kids, highlighting the importance of preventing smoking exposure through home and public restrictions.
A Duke University study reveals that long-term genetic instability in cancer cells can be induced by stresses beyond DNA damage, including nutrient starvation and heat. This persistent genetic instability may play a key role in carcinogenesis and could help explain the large number of mutations seen in cancer cells.
Columbia University researchers found that synchronizing light therapy with a person's biological clock doubles its effectiveness as a treatment for winter depression. The most effective time was 8.5 hours after melatonin onset, which can be estimated by examining the patient's sleeping pattern.
Researchers have identified a flavin monooxygenase-like enzyme central to auxin biosynthesis in plants, revealing an important pathway for auxin synthesis. The discovery offers clues that may aid researchers studying similar enzymes in mammals.
A new study reveals English schoolchildren enjoy learning and teachers the least, while Danish children are more positive about their educational experience. In contrast, French schools emphasize academic objectives, leading to a stronger sense of social identity among pupils.
A genetically modified monkey, ANDi, carrying an extra gene may suggest a way to speed new treatments for human conditions. The modification method used could lead to laboratory animals carrying genes associated with specific medical conditions.
Researchers have pinpointed the first human gene that controls circadian rhythm, a discovery that raises hopes for treating sleep problems in adolescents, the elderly, and shift workers. The study found a mutation in the hPer2 gene, which is responsible for familial advanced sleep-phase syndrome.
Scientists have developed a novel approach to inhibit protein kinase enzymes, which play a crucial role in triggering cancers, hardening of the arteries, and autoimmune diseases. The researchers' bisubstrate analogs effectively prevent these enzymes from working, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for various diseases.
The article highlights the risk of biological warfare, citing the existence of frozen stocks of smallpox virus and conventional biological agents. Genetic engineering also poses a threat, as microbiologists' knowledge could be used to create novel, deadly pathogens.
Researchers discovered a plausible mechanism for a cancer-causing gene found in aberrant bone marrow cells. The study reveals the function of SET, a protein that helps regulate gene activity and protects cell integrity.
Researchers have discovered a crucial genetic element that regulates alpha-synuclein protein activity, which is involved in both inherited and non-inherited forms of Parkinson's disease. By identifying this element, scientists hope to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of the devastating disease.
Researchers used 'gene chips' to analyze the effects of two antibiotics on bacteria, revealing distinct gene signatures that can aid in developing novel antibiotics. This technology helps classify and combat increasingly resistant bacterial strains.
Scientists have successfully created a liquid form of DNA, which can be processed in various ways and may improve genetic engineering and microelectronic circuitry. The liquid DNA is also soluble in several solvents that ordinary DNA is not, enabling new scientific studies.
University of Iowa researchers found that long-term treatment with verapamil can prevent heart muscle damage in mice without serious side effects. They also identified a specific biomarker, cardiac troponin I, to detect early diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in patients with muscular dystrophy.
Engineers at Johns Hopkins University invented a globe-shaped motor that can rotate in any direction, giving robotic arms greater flexibility and precision. The device could also be used to create a computer mouse that interacts with the user, or as a three-dimensional wheel with omnidimensional characteristics.
Weixiong Zhang developed an algorithm to tackle the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), a classic planning and scheduling problem, and found it to be the best solution for half of the tested problems. The algorithm has real-world applications in logistics, business, and even biological data analysis.
Researchers at NASA Langley studied various aspects of atmospheric science, including the tropical radiation energy budget, climate classification, and the impact of increased aircraft traffic on climate change. The study used data from the NASA Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) to analyze the effects of weather and climate para...
Researchers have synthesized a protein called 5-Helix that jams the HIV grappling hook, preventing infection. The protein is stable and resistant to degradation, making it a promising candidate for injectable therapy.
Scientists study seismic waves to understand tectonic plate dynamics, aiming to resolve the long-standing 'great plate debate'. They use data from seismometers worldwide to characterize wave origins and time delays, creating a X-ray image of the planet's internal structure.
Researchers have identified a brain region involved in planning movement, which also controls gain control of eye movements. This finding provides new insight into how the brain adjusts to moving objects, allowing for smooth image display.
Familial Dysautonomia, a devastating disorder, has been linked to mutations in the IKBKAP gene. The gene's disruption leads to poor development and degeneration of sensory and autonomic nervous systems, resulting in symptoms such as abnormal sweating and insensitivity to pain.
A University of Michigan study finds that ancient human fossils from Australia and Europe show distinctive characteristics to an older African population, contradicting the 'Eve theory'. The research suggests that multiple groups of humans survived and thrived globally, rather than a single ancestral group replacing others.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that Gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus use cholesterol-dependent cytolysins to inject toxins into host cells, paving the way for entry of other proteins. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Researchers have discovered a gene that makes mousepox virus deadly to lab mice, raising concerns about its potential misuse in biowarfare. The technique could be used to strengthen biological weapons based on viruses affecting humans.
Astronomers studied 37 nearby galaxies using Hubble Space Telescope images in ultraviolet light, finding that faraway galaxies may not be inherently odd-shaped. The survey suggests that astronomers are detecting the 'tip of the iceberg' of very distant galaxies, and that their shapes may be influenced by incomplete observations.
Researchers have successfully introduced a new gene into the unfertilized eggs of rhesus monkeys, resulting in several pregnancies and live births. The breakthrough technology has the potential to develop animal models of diseases with greater resemblance to human conditions.
Researchers have discovered a 4.4-billion-year-old zircon crystal that suggests the early Earth had a low-temperature environment with water and conditions suitable for life. The findings contradict conventional wisdom, which predicted a magma ocean, and may indicate the Earth cooled faster than thought.
Children's adjustment problems after divorce depend on their temperament and mother's parenting style, according to a study. Impulsive children at risk of depression if mothers are inconsistent with rules and discipline.
Researchers design 5-Helix protein to block HIV entry into human cells, offering a promising alternative to current treatments. The protein has potential applications as a broad-spectrum inhibitor against various viruses and could serve as a model for generating antibodies against HIV.
The discovery confirms the existence of an event horizon around the massive black hole Cygnus XR-1. The data shows chaotic fluctuations in ultraviolet light from swirling gas, consistent with theories of what scientists predict to see when matter falls close to the event horizon.
Researchers found that gene Rb2 inhibits angiogenesis, a critical process for tumor growth. The study suggests that Rb2 may be used to treat lung cancer and glioblastoma by blocking blood vessel formation.
The Idaho National Laboratory's Rapid Solidification Process (RSP) Tooling has been recognized by the Department of Energy for its innovative approach to fabricating precision tooling. This process enables mass-produced items to be created more quickly and cheaply, reducing production costs and turn-around time.
The Idaho National Laboratory's lithium battery solid electrolyte has been recognized by the DOE as a top consumer product, offering substantial savings and improvements in safety. The technology promises longer-lasting rechargeable batteries with reduced waste, making it suitable for applications such as space exploration and pacemakers.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center found a faulty releasing hormone receptor gene in three families with isolated growth hormone deficiency type 1-B, the most common type of growth hormone-deficient dwarfism. The study suggests that this condition is not caused by a defect in human growth hormone production.
A new computer recycling model developed by Purdue University's Julie Ann Stuart can help recyclers determine the economic viability of processing bulk materials. The model takes into account factors such as metal prices and helps prevent financial losses for recyclers.
A new $1.85 million grant-funded study will investigate how African-American and white patients develop, maintain, and change self-care behaviors over time. The study aims to identify how these racial differences affect health outcomes and long-term quality of life.
Eye attacks, also known as Ischematic Optic Neuropathy (ION), are a sudden lack of blood flow to the eye resulting in painless but catastrophic consequences. A new multi-center clinical trial aims to determine whether neuro-protection can minimize collateral damage and prevent second eye involvement.
A new study suggests that discussing advance care directives with patients can enhance the patient-doctor relationship and improve visit satisfaction. More than half of patients who had such a discussion rated their primary care visits as excellent, compared to 34% of those who had not discussed advance care directives.
Researchers found that malignant melanomas often lose the protein Apaf-1, leading to resistance to chemotherapy drug adriamycin. Restoring Apaf-1 in melanoma cells rescues their ability to kill themselves in response to adriamycin.
A team of researchers has discovered a new species of early bird, Apsaravis ukhaana, in Mongolia, which sheds light on the evolution of modern birds. The fossil, dated to 80 million years ago, reveals that early modern birds were not restricted to near-shore environments and were instead small terrestrial flyers.
Glenn Agnolet's research uses Self-Assembled Tunnel Junctions (SATJs) to distinguish molecules based on their vibrational modes. By studying acetylene molecules on platinum, he found that the coupling between the molecule and electrons is ten times larger than expected.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that a protein called parvalbumin can improve heart function in laboratory rats by restoring normal relaxation rates. The researchers hope to one day use this protein as therapy for progressive heart failure, a growing medical problem affecting millions of Americans.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has developed a low-cost method to fabricate scale models for aerodynamic wind tunnel tests. The alternative approach uses non-metallic materials like engineering polymers and thermoset resins, enabling program managers to obtain high-quality data at a fraction of the cost of trad...