Researchers developed a model predicting increased cancer cure rates by 15-70% using genetic radiotherapy, combining radiation and viral infection. The technique makes tumor cells more sensitive to x-rays, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
A study of internal tobacco industry documents reveals that companies profited from both tobacco and nicotine replacement therapies, undermining efforts to combat smoking addiction. Researchers argue that such financial conflicts of interest should be made public to ensure greater corporate responsibility.
Researchers identified 15 BCR-ABL mutations that cause resistance to Gleevec, a common treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. These mutations alter the enzyme's flexibility and conformation, making it difficult for the drug to bind and inhibit its activity.
A Wayne State and Virginia chemist has won a national award for his work on developing anti-parasitic compounds by mimicking the structure of sugar molecules. Researchers have learned that these molecules serve as 'ID tags' on cell surfaces, which can be used to identify target tissues and prevent infections.
A study by Oregon State University has found that changing children's attitudes towards TV violence may be easier than directly changing their viewing habits. The program, called Project REViEW, teaches kids to become television detectives and analyze logical and illogical consequences of TV events.
Luesch will receive the $45,000 fellowship to investigate new cancer drugs at The Scripps Research Institute. He completed his Ph.D. work this summer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa under Richard E. Moore, Ph.D., and will join Peter G. Schultz, Ph. D.
A new study found sertraline to be both safe and effective in treating depression among hospitalized heart patients. The trial showed a 23% reduction in life-threatening cardiovascular events, although not statistically significant, indicating potential benefits of sertraline for this population.
Grubbs's specialty is designing catalysts that can selectively target specific parts of molecules, critical for making pharmaceuticals. The award recognizes his work on improving the precision and control of these catalysts.
The Osteoarthritis Initiative will recruit 5,000 participants aged 50+ at high risk for knee osteoarthritis. The project aims to establish a natural history database for osteoarthritis, allowing researchers to identify potential new disease targets and develop tools for understanding disease progression.
The DuPont team developed the BAX system, which detects harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella in just five hours, reducing reporting time by one to two days.
Researchers from DSM High Performance Fibers have developed a super-strong polyethylene fiber called Dyneema, which provides maximum protection at minimal weight. The material is used in armored gear, safety products, and sports equipment, offering significant contributions to protecting human lives.
Richard W. Rees, a Wilmington researcher, has been awarded the Hero of Chemistry title by the American Chemical Society for his work on laminated safety glass technology that protects people from flying glass shards and other debris in explosions.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that patients classified as optimists reported better physical and mental functioning, and scored higher on quality-of-life assessments. Researchers believe this may be due to the long-term health implications of explanatory style, an assessment of patients' attitudes towards life.
Researchers will investigate how wetland landscape, circulation features, and restoration strategies affect fecal pollution levels. The study aims to resolve the controversy over whether coastal wetlands generate or filter out fecal pollution, with potential implications for beach water quality and habitat preservation.
A Harvard chemist has developed molecular mimics that rival the complexity of nature using innovative cell screening techniques. The approach involves attaching a natural protein to a fluorescent tag and then screening molecules for their ability to perturb cellular processes.
A study by Georgetown University researchers found that initially recommended drug dosages are often too high, which can lead to unnecessary overdosing. This discrepancy has significant implications for patient safety and healthcare costs. Further research is needed to address the issue of dose-selection in drug development.
A new study has shown that patients with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can survive for up to 13-14 months when treated with the drug combination of pemetrexed and carboplatin. This is an improvement over previous treatments, which only offered a six-to-eight-month survival rate.
A St. Louis chemist has won a national award for developing innovative materials, including durable ship coatings that repel barnacles without polluting the environment. Her research also explores degradable polymers for medical applications, such as transporting cancer drugs to their targets.
James R. Moran, a fellow at Solutia Inc., has developed a laminated safety glass that can absorb blast pressure and energy, protecting people from flying glass shards and debris in explosions. This technology was recognized by the American Chemical Society's Heroes of Chemistry program for its contribution to improving public safety.
Joullie's groundbreaking work with didemnins, compounds isolated from marine animals showing anticancer properties, has made significant contributions to understanding their structures and enhancing their activity against tumors. Her innovative approach and problem-solving skills have been recognized with the Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award.
A meta-analysis found that female primary care physicians engage in more partnership behaviors, positive talk, and psychosocial question asking compared to male counterparts. Medical visits with female physicians were about 10% longer than those with male physicians.
The region's labor force growth rate was the second-lowest among nine geographic divisions, with women accounting for all 100% of growth during the 1990s. Declining native-born male workers have contributed to record low unemployment rates and growing labor shortages.
Researchers found that low potassium intake increases stroke risk, while increasing potassium in the diet may help prevent strokes. Diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions were also linked to an increased risk of stroke in people with low potassium levels.
A new study suggests that women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and their siblings with hormone problems have the same gene defect. The study found that approximately 50% of PCOS sisters had elevated androgen levels, while PCOS brothers had significantly elevated DHEAS levels.
Dr. Laura Hawryluck argues that administering neuromuscular blockers can blur the lines between palliative and euthanasia care. She suggests that physicians should prepare family members for the reality of a dying patient's breathing and bodily reactions.
Researchers have developed a new technique to improve earthquake resistance in highway structures using epoxy and flexible materials like glass or carbon fibres. This method can strengthen concrete structures up to five times and extends their lifespan, providing crucial seconds for evacuation during earthquakes.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created the world's smallest electroluminescent light source using individual silver molecules. The technique can lead to new optical interconnects, microscopy, and lithography applications. By applying high-frequency alternating current, they observed a dramatic enhancement in response.
The new technology uses small electric crystal chips that can be embedded into products and read by electromagnetic scanners, providing unique identification for individual items. The tags can be used for tracking, inventory management, and logistical tasks, offering possibilities such as checkout-free shopping.
Scientists at ONR have created a novel technique to hide information within the naturally occurring fluctuations of light polarization in optical fibers. The signal is modulated onto these variations, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized parties to intercept and decode the message.
Researchers suggest that the concept of teenagers emerged between the 13th and 17th centuries in western Europe. Young people in this age group engaged in various activities such as sports, education, and work, but also faced societal pressures like marriage and violence.
Researchers used DNA sequences to identify hybridization and introgression in Phlox species, tracing the Eurasian source of invasive Tamarix species. The study found that a novel hybrid plant genotype is contributing to the invasion's spread, affecting biodiversity and hydrology in fragile environments.
Scientists have created mice that can eat rich, high-fat diets without accumulating fat or risking diabetes. The mice lack the SCD-1 gene, which produces an enzyme required for fat tissue production. Instead of storing excess fat, the mice metabolize it, increasing energy expenditure and oxygen consumption.
A seven-year study found that elderly individuals with depressive symptoms were more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and experienced rapid cognitive decline. The risk of developing AD increased by 20% for each additional symptom.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that brain music reduced anxiety and improved sleep in subjects with insomnia lasting at least two years. The customized music created specific brain wave patterns, leading to more pronounced effects than placebo music.
Research by Dale Rublee and colleagues suggests that treating patients with sepsis with antithrombin III improves quality of life but not survival chances. Patients treated with the drug show marked improvements in social and psychological functioning, highlighting a new focus needed in clinical research.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have found that a potent experimental drug called 2C4 slows tumor growth in both breast and prostate cancer tumors in mice, even when small amounts of HER-2/neu are expressed. The study's findings may lead to a new way to treat breast and prostate cancers.
A new compound is being developed to target specific types of hearing loss, with the goal of repairing and regrowing injured or damaged auditory hair cells. The treatment aims to prevent hearing loss by bolstering the inner ear's antioxidant defenses and may offer hope for some patients with sudden hearing loss.
Researchers have found a gene mutation that causes acute megakaryoblastic leukemia in children with Down syndrome, increasing their risk by 10-20 times. The discovery highlights the importance of GATA1, a transcription factor regulating red blood cell and platelet production.
A study explores the implications of financial compensation for past injustices, considering indicators of wealth and assets to determine reparations amounts. The author argues that reparations could help address ongoing racial inequality in America.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of the yeast proton ATPase, revealing a dynamic mechanism of ion pumping. The study provides important clues about regulating the pump's activity, and its inhibition could lead to the development of new fungicides.
A $45 billion annual investment in preserving large tracts of wild nature could yield an annual return of $44 to $52 trillion in ecosystem services. The market economy fails to capture the full financial value of natural goods and services, leading to a lack of information and harmful development policies.
Researchers have developed a new procedure that treats spinal tumors more effectively by using intensity modulated radiation and image-guided techniques. This allows for precise treatment with minimal exposure to healthy tissue, resulting in rapid symptom relief within two weeks.
Studies reveal steady rate of oceanic lithosphere creation over past 180 million years, contrasting with decreasing estimates. Researchers analyze structural investigation of San Juan thrust system and kinematic history of central Andean fold-thrust belt to build high plateaus.
The Cornell team will study the chemistry of inorganic-organic interfaces and develop fabrication methods to overcome difficulties in connecting wires to organic transistors. Their goal is to produce testable devices with useful properties, tackling challenging problems in molecular-based electronics.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered a new activator protein Est1 that plays a key role in telomere capping. This finding contradicts existing theories and may offer a new target for cancer treatment. Est1 works by sweeping in with precise timing to activate the telomere-building process.
A study by researchers at the University of Southern California found that obesity and weight gain in Hispanic women are associated with a nearly two-fold increased risk of breast cancer. The risk was elevated regardless of menopausal status, and particularly among those who gained substantial weight after age 18.
Research at Cornell University found that cooking sweet corn increases its antioxidant activity by up to 53% and ferulic acid content by 900%. This boost is due to the release of bound ferulic acid during high-temperature cooking.
A recent study published in Science suggests that conserving wild nature can generate significant economic benefits, with intact ecosystems providing up to 75% more value than converted ones. The research estimates a global network of nature reserves could provide $4.4 trillion in additional economic benefits annually.
Researchers have developed a three-way drug delivery system using vesicles, allowing for the simultaneous release of different materials in a single vehicle. This innovation could minimize toxic side effects and enhance the effectiveness of medications.
Research suggests that consuming flying foxes, foraged on cycad seeds with high neurotoxin levels, may be a source of ALS-PDC. Economic changes in Guam led to increased hunting and trade of bats, contributing to the disease's rapid spread and decline.
The Lancet Seminar highlights the role of adverse environmental factors in childhood obesity and advocates for straightforward solutions. Comprehensive measures targeting energy intake and expenditure are necessary to prevent and treat obesity in children.
Researchers have discovered that LINE-1 elements, which make up 17% of human DNA, can cause broad-spectrum mutations by deleting genetic material. In cultured human cancer cells, these elements can delete large segments of DNA, including regions as big as the BRCA1 gene.
Researchers have pinpointed the cause of hepatitis A virulence by identifying two key genes, 2C and VP1/2A. The discovery may lead to the development of a live, attenuated HAV vaccine that could be more effective and affordable for widespread use.
Researchers have developed a potential treatment for limb ischemia by injecting bone marrow cells into the affected area, stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. This process can reduce pain and improve ulcer healing rates, offering a promising alternative to surgical interventions.
B-lymphoproliferative disorders, such as lymphomas, cause almost a quarter of cases of massively enlarged spleens in tropical countries. Malaria is the most common cause, but unexpectedly, B-lymphoproliferative disorders are also prevalent, particularly in women younger than 40 years without raised absolute counts of lymphocytes.
Research at six experimental field sites found that trees and shrubs invading grasslands in wet environments can lead to significant losses of soil organic carbon, offsetting the carbon stored in growing wood. This challenges previous estimates suggesting that woody encroachment could balance emissions.
The US Department of Energy approved funding for the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, which will serve as a gateway to Los Alamos and Sandia national labs. The CINT collaboration aims to integrate nanotechnology into the macroscopic world, with potential applications in sensor development, security measures, and nuclear deterrence.
A recent study has found that exposure to bacteria significantly increases the expression of genes involved in immune response, reducing the risk of developing allergies in children who grow up on farms. This discovery highlights the potential benefits of living on a farm for children's immune system development.
Phytoplankton levels have dropped by over 30% in the North Pacific Ocean and 14% in the North Atlantic since the mid-80s, while summer plankton concentrations rose by 50% in the Northern Indian and Equatorial Atlantic Oceans. These changes are linked to regional climate shifts, including warmer sea surface temperatures and reduced winds.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can absorb all visible light but reject invisible light, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. This technology has the potential to make solar energy dirt cheap to produce and competitive with fossil fuels.