Four students from Boston, Connecticut, Ohio and Minnesota are named as the US Physics Olympiad winners. The team members have demonstrated exceptional knowledge of physics through extremely challenging exams. They will be attending top universities next year.
Researchers found that people don't remember individual web pages as much as they do categories, leading to confusion on corporate websites. Designers should focus on organizing information in a way that is consistent with how users mentally organize it.
The robotic microscope enables repeated analysis of cellular changes, allowing scientists to identify factors predicting cell fate and guide investigation into neurodegeneration. With the microscope, researchers can analyze 300,000 cells in just 15 minutes, reducing laborious tasks and eliminating bias.
Two new drugs, PKC412 and CT53518, have shown promising results in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a deadly form of blood cancer. The drugs, which target the FLT3 receptor, have been effective in killing leukemia cells and prolonging survival in mouse models.
Researchers found a lack of information available to asylum seekers and host communities, hindering effective integration. The study highlights the need for better communication, public relations campaigns, and coordinated services.
An undergraduate student can win a $4,000 scholarship and travel stipend to the Gerontological Society's Annual Meeting. The award is based on academic performance and must be nominated by faculty from their institution.
Pisciotta has inspired students throughout Montgomery, Carroll, and Prince George's Counties for over 30 years. She is recognized by the ACS Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching for challenging and inspiring her students.
Princeton students have created a comprehensive map of the US's natural hazard risks, revealing that large events like hurricanes and earthquakes drive costs. The data also suggests a 30-year east-to-west oscillation in hurricane tracks, potentially shifting their trajectory northward.
UC Davis' entry, Yosemite, is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that doubles fuel economy and reduces tailpipe emissions below California's strictest SULEV standards. The FutureTruck project, a joint government-industry initiative, aims to raise the environmental performance of popular SUVs while keeping their amenities.
A recent study published in Science finds that the genetic variation of the nene bird species decreased significantly between 160-850 years ago, likely due to human expansion on the island of Hawaii. The researchers used DNA analysis from ancient specimens and modern captive birds to draw this conclusion.
A new brain-scan study confirms fibromyalgia patients do experience severe pain, with measurable pain signals in their brains. The study uses fMRI scans to identify areas of the brain most active during pain, providing a road map for future research on the disease.
Researchers from The Neurosciences Institute and Arizona State University successfully implanted electrodes in monkey brains to decode neural signals controlling arm movements. This breakthrough technology aims to restore movement to individuals with paralyzed arms through a 'neural bypass'.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new tool to write nanopatterns with DNA inks, enabling the creation of miniaturized gene chips with an array of diagnostic tests. This technology can produce spots of DNA down to 50 nanometers in diameter, reducing cost and time.
Researchers use new microscopy techniques to observe immune cell behavior in living tissues, revealing prolonged contact between T cells and dendritic cells. This study paves the way for future work on T-cell activation and provides a new glimpse into key steps in early immune responses.
Researchers discovered that RING Finger proteins play a crucial role in targeting cellular molecules for proteolysis during the cell cycle. This process is essential for regulating cell growth and preventing cancer. The study provides new insights into how cells recognize which proteins to eliminate and when.
Researchers found that a therapy combining electrical stimulation with bilateral movement significantly improved motor skills in stroke patients compared to unilateral movement or physical therapy alone. The study suggests that involving the unaffected limb can help restore function and create new neural pathways.
A 100,000-year climate cycle linked to the sun's magnetic activity has been discovered. The study found that periods of high solar magnetic activity correlate with warmer climates and vice versa.
The study identified the gene responsible for producing ear wax as being located on chromosome 16, near another gene linked to paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis. This discovery may shed light on the development of apocrine glands and their secretory products.
Researchers found that large volcanic eruptions, like the 1991 Pinatubo eruption, can temporarily cool the Earth and reduce plant growth due to increased aerosols in the atmosphere. This 'greener greenhouse' effect is partly caused by reduced sunlight and carbon dioxide emissions.
Scientists have identified a crucial protein called DE-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion, or 'cell glue', which enables stem cells to locate their niche and receive essential instructions for survival. The discovery sheds light on the importance of microenvironment in determining stem cell fate.
Asthma airway remodeling begins in childhood and continues into adulthood, affecting lung function and increasing the risk of respiratory complications. A new study found that 7.4% of children with asthma developed structural abnormalities in their airways at age 18, a rate similar to adults with asthma.
Researchers found a link between abnormal retinal blood vessels and cognitive decline, potentially providing an early warning system for dementia. Low vitamin C levels in the blood were also associated with increased stroke risk, particularly among hypertensive men.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that percutaneous vertebroplasty can be performed safely without venography in most cases. The study showed that 205 consecutive procedures without venography resulted in no major complications or cement leakage, with over 80% of patients experiencing major pain relief.
A genetic polymorphism in the PON1 gene has been found to significantly increase stroke risk in young adults by a factor of 4.10 compared to those without the abnormality. The presence of this genetic abnormality also interacts with other risk factors, such as smoking and high blood pressure, to multiply stroke risk.
Recent Smart Start studies show significant improvement in child-care quality, with more classrooms rated 'good' to 'excellent' and nationally accredited centers increasing. The report also highlights the positive impact on children's health outcomes, including increased vaccinations and developmental screenings.
Researchers at UF found that combining therapies with mild electrical stimulation and motion training to both arms improved motor recovery in people with chronic weakness and partial paralysis. Participants regained significantly more motion, reaction times, and sustained muscle contractions.
A Stanford team has discovered a permanent signal that controls the growth of axons in neurons, which can lead to paralysis. This finding suggests that age is not the key to an axon's inability to regenerate, but rather an outside signal from retinal cells.
A large-scale study in Scotland found that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of childhood obesity, persisting even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. The relative reduction in risk was 30% when obesity was defined as the 98th percentile or higher for BMI.
A randomized trial found that virtual outreach services, where patients and GPs attend a video conference with specialists, resulted in more follow-up appointments (52%) and fewer tests ordered compared to standard outpatient referrals. Patients expressed greater satisfaction with virtual outreach consultations.
The IU Pediatrics Training Program, funded by a $2.5 million Anne E. Dyson Foundation grant, focuses on patient advocacy and community-based care. Pediatric residents will work with families served by organizations such as the Hispanic Education Center and Julian Center to improve their health outcomes.
Researchers at Temple University discovered that the Rb2 gene's lack of expression could be an early indicator of prostate cancer. A study found lower expression levels of Rb2 in prostate tissue as it progresses from normal to cancerous, suggesting its potential use as a diagnostic marker.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a gene linked to male infertility in mice, which may also be associated with human infertility. The study found that the miwi gene plays an essential role in sperm production and its deficiency can lead to complete sterility in mice.
Researchers found that KNOX1 genes are expressed in all plants with complex leaves, such as tomatoes and ferns. The study revealed that some simple-leaved plants, like maize, have previously grown complex leaves but evolved to have simpler ones.
New measurements show that Greenland ice sheet flow speeds up from 31.3 cm/day in winter to a peak of 40 cm/day in summer, correlated with surface melting timing and intensity. The observed process may have contributed to the demise of past ice sheets and could impact sea level rise.
Global Aerospace Corporation wins NASA award to develop DARE system, which uses autonomous balloons to explore planetary atmospheres and surfaces from atmospheric altitudes. The system can deploy micro probes to study the atmosphere, surface, and subsurface, offering high-resolution imaging and direct measurements.
Researchers found that diverse plant communities are more effective at excluding invasive weeds due to complete utilization of space and limited resources. This implies that biodiversity can also provide local resistance to invasions.
A Princeton-led study found that 62% of marine iguanas on a Galapagos island died within a year after an oil spill. The researchers believe that beneficial microorganisms in the iguana's guts were killed by the oil, leading to their deaths.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that giant loops of hot, electrified gas linked to sunspots near the equator may cause polar reversals. The findings help predict violent solar flares and eruptions that interfere with Earth's communications.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that genetic testing using breast cells can accurately predict breast cancer risk. The Gail model, a computer-based predictor, was correlated with DNA deletions and precancerous changes in cells, suggesting an individualized approach to risk assessment.
Dr. Katherine High, a leading gene therapy researcher, has been chosen by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for her groundbreaking work on treating hemophilia B. Her research holds promise for delivering therapeutic genes directly into patients' cells to improve blood clotting and quality of life.
Researchers have discovered that electrons in conducting-insulating materials interact strongly when excited, allowing them to move between planes and exhibit metal-like behavior. The critical temperature for this change ranges from -100 to -300 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the material.
The Ohio University team, dubbed the 'Robobcats,' has developed soccer-playing robots that employ artificial intelligence to devise play strategies. The technology also has practical applications in disaster response and space exploration.
Researchers found that acute stress symptoms were common among injured children and their parents, with nearly four-fifths experiencing at least one significant symptom. Pediatricians should support distressed parents to help them cope with traumatic injuries.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researcher Haifan Lin discovered that 63 percent of men with the overactive form of the hiwi gene are at risk of developing seminoma, a type of testicular cancer. The hiwi gene is highly correlated to seminoma, and its overexpression can lead to an increased risk of testicular cancer.
The study found significant variations in cancer prevalence across European countries, with high rates in Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany, and low rates in Poland, Estonia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The research team suggests that cancer prevalence is closely linked to economic development and survival rates.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that methamphetamine exposure can dramatically increase the replication of lentiviruses like FIV and HIV in astrocyte cells, a type of nerve cell. This could lead to new insights into how these viruses spread in the brain and may impact dementia treatment.
UT Southwestern researchers have developed two blood tests that can predict central nervous system infection in infants born to mothers with syphilis. These tests, which detect neonatal antibodies and DNA of the syphilis organism, were found to be effective in identifying all cases of CNS infection in a study of 148 infants.
Researchers found that cord blood cells improved neurological function in rats with traumatic brain injury, suggesting a new approach for treating this condition. The cells helped promote brain self-repair by stimulating trophic factors and cytokines, which led to better movement, balance, and reflex responses.
A study of 906 individuals between 40-49 years old found no cancer cases despite low-risk profiles. Age is identified as a good predictor of colorectal cancer risk, with 7% of cancers occurring in individuals under age 50.
The ASU School of Social Work has received a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to strengthen and expand social work research on drug use. The consortium, led by Flavio Francisco Marsiglia, will focus on historical cultures of the Southwest and community-based needs assessments.
Two studies found high discordance between local laboratory tests and central testing facilities, raising concerns about patient eligibility for trastuzumab trials. These discrepancies could lead to unnecessary costs and cardiotoxicity. Trials have since modified their criteria to require central laboratory testing to confirm HER2 status.
Researchers found that most articles reporting new treatment results only used the most favorable statistic. Only 18 out of 359 articles reported 'absolute-risk reduction', and none reported 'number needed to treat'. Complete reporting is crucial for informed patient decisions.
Kodali and Nivens have developed a series of commercial lubricants, Agri-Pure 500, made from modified vegetable oils that overcome gelation and degradation issues. The oils can be used in environmentally sensitive areas and as base oils for hydraulic fluid and crankcase oil.
A new report by Dartmouth and VA researchers has introduced simple, low-tech risk charts that place cancer mortality in context. These charts show the 10-year chance of dying from various causes, such as heart disease, stroke, or breast cancer, side-by-side for men and women of different ages and smoking statuses.
Climate change is projected to increase extreme weather events, displacing millions and fueling conflict in low-lying countries. Biogeographical redistribution of pathogens and organisms via globalization poses a growing threat to global security.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have identified genes needed by cancerous liver cells but ignored or used at different levels by normal liver cells. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments and screening tests for liver cancer in Asian populations, who are 10 times more likely to develop the disease due ...
Researchers observed supernova remnants in two neighboring galaxies, providing new insight into gas shocked by blast waves and material structure between stars. The findings expand our understanding of a star's long-term evolution and how elements are redistributed into interstellar space.
A study found that 39 out of 147 research presentations received prominent newspaper coverage, despite being preliminary findings. The publications record for these presentations was almost identical to the overall publication rate, highlighting the need for scientists to emphasize limitations when interviewed by media.
Harden McConnell, a renowned Stanford University chemist, has been awarded the 2002 Welch Award for his pioneering discoveries about cell membranes. His work has provided new insights into how the body regulates cholesterol and activates its immune system.
A study by University of Virginia researchers reveals that journals and authors are protected by various measures, including court rulings, state shield laws, and constitutional provisions. This protection helps prevent corporate power and pressure from tainting peer review.