Researchers have discovered that insects breathe rapidly in a manner similar to lungs, with tracheal compression and expansion exchanging up to 50% of air every second. This new technique, utilizing synchrotron x-ray beams, opens doors to studying animal functions, biomechanics, and movements.
International health experts urge the British Prime Minister to consider the humanitarian impacts of war on Iraq, citing estimates of 48,000 to 260,000 potential deaths. The letter highlights the long-term negative effects of collective violence and opposes military intervention in Iraq.
Researchers at UCSB and Pittsburgh have successfully controlled electron spins using electric fields, demonstrating a solid-state quantum logic gate that works with today's electronics. This breakthrough moves esoteric spin-based technologies closer to present-day possibilities.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that increased blood flow can cause cells to produce their own anti-inflammatory response. This effect is triggered by shear stress, which activates glucocorticoid receptors and leads to the production of genes that combat inflammation.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that administering small doses of carbon monoxide before a 'balloon-like injury' to mouse carotid vessels reduced arteriosclerotic lesions by 60-80 percent. This suggests potential benefits for patients undergoing angioplasty or heart transplant procedures.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that single-parent children are at a higher risk of experiencing severe health outcomes, including psychiatric disease, suicide attempts, injury, and addiction. Children in single-parent households were twice as likely to have psychiatric disease compared to those in two-parent households.
A new treatment, interleukin-11 (IL-11), has shown early promise in reducing the risk of infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy for blood cancer. Patients who received IL-11 experienced significantly fewer cases of bacterial infections compared to those who received a placebo.
The World Trade Organisation serves the interests of pharmaceutical companies and wealthy countries, hindering efforts to make affordable medicines available in poor countries. A proposed global deal aimed at increasing access to generic drugs has been rejected due to US opposition, prompting calls for a re-evaluation of the issue.
A new AIDS vaccine strategy has been developed by Emory University researchers and is now moving to human clinical trials. The vaccine, which employs two different components, aims to induce the immune system to recognize HIV's distinguishing features, providing a safer alternative for HIV prevention.
UT Southwestern researchers have identified a gene called twist that regulates muscle development in fruit flies and found it to be crucial in preventing cachexia in mice. The study suggests that the gene down-regulates proinflammatory cytokines, which are involved in various diseases including cancer, arthritis, and asthma.
A UCLA study used fMRI to scan brains while participants learned to associate names with faces, revealing areas of high activity during encoding and retrieval. The findings show that different parts of the hippocampus contribute to memory formation and retrieval in distinct ways.
Researchers investigated sleep regulation in mice lacking cryptochrome molecules, revealing a new model for understanding sleep mechanisms. The study found that these mice did not exhibit increased non-REM sleep duration after sleep deprivation.
Stanford biologists Paul R. Ehrlich and Marcus W. Feldman critique genetic determinism in their essay, arguing that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors rather than genes. They also challenge the concept of heritability, pointing out its limitations in predicting human behaviors.
Researchers found convincing evidence of sexual dimorphism in fossils from 252-260 million years ago, with male Diictodon having large tusks used as weapons for combat. The study suggests complex social behavior among ancient animals.
The proposed 'Millennium Highway' would disrupt the migrations and destroy calving grounds for Mongolian gazelles. The Eastern Steppe is home to Asia's last great spectacle of migrating hoofed animals, a ecosystem worth preserving.
Researchers at Princeton University found that the brain circuits controlling eye movements also amplify or suppress signals from specific locations, enabling attention to be directed towards one thing over another. This discovery could provide new insights into attention deficit disorder and other information processing disorders.
Researchers have discovered that many insects, including crickets and wood beetles, breathe using a mechanism similar to human lungs. The study used x-ray imaging to reveal rapid breathing cycles, producing air exchange rates of nearly 50 percent.
The patented SnifferSTAR device can analyze gases immediately, detecting nerve gases and blister agents with rapid analysis capabilities. It offers small, lightweight, low power, and fast analysis, making it ideal for use in various applications, including drone aircraft and building ventilation systems.
A team of researchers has identified a gene, Pet-1, crucial for serotonin neuron development, which is associated with abnormal anxiety and aggression in mice. The discovery provides a valuable animal model for understanding the causes of mood disorders and developing new treatments.
A study has identified a specific human gene variant, nicknamed 'met,' that affects memory and hippocampal function in humans. Individuals inheriting at least one copy of the 'met' version showed lower verbal episodic memory scores compared to those with two copies of the more common 'val' version.
Dutch researchers found a possible link between IVF and eye cancer in children. The study suggests that IVF children are 5-7 times more likely to develop retinoblastoma, a rare form of childhood eye cancer. Researchers are now calling for closer follow-up and monitoring of IVF-conceived children.
Research suggests that parents who discuss issues related to television with their older children are more likely to influence what they watch. Discussing without lecturing is key, according to expert Amy Nathanson.
A recent study found that a rare genetic disease is caused by the shortening of telomeres, leading to premature aging symptoms like hair loss and slow wound healing. The researchers discovered that telomere dysfunction disrupts chromosome function, resulting in cellular chaos and organ failure.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality found that compost can reduce lead levels in contaminated soil by 20-38%. This approach has been implemented in pilot programs in Baltimore and East St. Louis, showing promising initial results.
A study found that iron supplements improved iron status and reduced sick days in anemic children, regardless of the presence of upper respiratory tract infections. The research showed no increase in gastrointestinal side effects from supplementation.
The World Legacy Awards honor three tourism projects for their exceptional balance between nature conservation, heritage protection, and social responsibility. Wilderness Safaris in South Africa, ATG Oxford in Italy, and the REST Project in Thailand were recognized for their contributions to sustainable tourism.
The American Physiological Society recognized 12 prominent researchers with its 2003 Distinguished Lectureships, honoring their groundbreaking contributions to physiology. The awardees delivered lectures on April 11-14, 2003, at the Experimental Biology meeting.
A study in rural Uganda found that domestic violence affects nearly half of women, with those whose partners consume alcohol facing a higher risk. The research highlights the connection between domestic violence and HIV risk, suggesting that addressing domestic violence may be crucial to preventing HIV transmission.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have successfully grown cells known as Tr1 cells in the laboratory, which can suppress immune responses. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as provide insights into infectious diseases like measles and meningitis.
Research found that mail reminders significantly improved adherence rates among patients taking antidepressants, particularly those on SSRIs. The study suggests that the $30,000 spent on this intervention could be cost-effective compared to the estimated cost of lost productivity in depressed workers.
Researchers found that cockatiels and turtledoves generate more power in linear flight than magpies, attributed to their tail and wing structure. The study provides insight into how muscles are used to produce power for flight at different speeds.
The University of California, San Diego's IGCC will establish a six-year program for training Ph.D. students in nuclear threats and public policy issues. The program aims to address the scarcity of experts in these areas, particularly following the retirement of Cold War-era strategic thinkers.
Researchers have found a link between improved memory and the use of neurofeedback, with volunteers showing a significant increase in recall from 70.6% to 81.6%. Neurofeedback allows individuals to watch their brain activity and learn to control it, leading to improved cognitive performance.
The study found that ocean circulation plays a less significant role in climate change, while atmospheric circulation has a major impact on temperature differences between Europe and North America. The Rocky Mountains contribute significantly to the temperature contrast by creating a persistent wave in winds downstream.
Rapamycin's impact on dendritic cells suggests potential therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases and cancer. The drug may also promote tolerance of transplanted organs.
The Nutrigenomics Center will investigate how different foods interact with genes to increase the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The center aims to identify genes controlled by naturally occurring chemicals in food to improve health management for individuals based on their unique genetic makeup.
A new study by UF researchers has shown that mycophenolate mofetil significantly decreases the risk of late acute rejection and increases kidney survival after transplantation. The drug also appears to prevent the severe scarring of the kidney, a common cause of organ malfunction or failure.
A study led by Dr. Donald Redelmeier found a 41% increase in driving fatalities after the Super Bowl, with a peak during the first hour after the game ends. The researchers suggest avoiding unnecessary night driving and consider trauma centers adding more night staffing to combat this risk.
Researchers found that food producers responded positively to fortified products after government-led advertising campaigns, leading to widespread compliance. The study highlights the importance of governments as large food purchasers influencing industry behavior.
Archaeologist Walberg uncovers Late Bronze-Age tomb in Bamboula, yielding over 200 artifacts, including a rare jar containing unburnt human bones. The findings also shed light on the presence of dogs in ancient Greek society.
Researchers have discovered that bone formation in a regenerated forelimb combines elements of embryonic development and adult wound healing. MicroCT imaging reveals that bone formation does not occur in the same order as previously thought, but rather follows a pattern similar to normal fracture recovery.
A new report by the London School of Economics predicts a 66% rise in people with cognitive impairment, leading to increased long-term care costs. The study suggests that demand for long-term care will rise faster among those with cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that monkeys learned and applied strategies to distinguish order in image sequences with high accuracy. The study revealed two distinctive properties: distance effects and magnitude effects, which mimic human responses to memory tasks and number discrimination tasks.
Researchers found that a minority of homicides are reported in national newspapers, with a substantial bias towards covering untypical cases. The report highlights the need for responsible reporting to showcase real dangers and avoid manufacturing fears.
New mapping data reveals dramatic changes in Earth's crust beneath Lake Vostok, indicating a faultline and supporting the idea that thermal energy comes from tectonic processes. The lake's unique ecosystem may contain microorganisms with distinct adaptations to extreme environments.
Researchers found that variable rate technology (VRT) with GPS and zone soil sampling reduces lime need by 60% and improves soil pH variability. The study suggests a combination of these technologies provides reasonable and efficient management of soil acidity and lime application.
AVANT Immunotherapeutics awarded subcontract to develop oral combination vaccine against anthrax and plague using proprietary technologies. The vaccine aims to offer rapid, effective protection from multiple biological agents with a single dose, eliminating the need for protracted dosing regimens.
A UF study revealed that children enrolled in government-subsidized preschools had limited access to literacy activities, such as reading aloud and writing. This may be due to factors like excessive regulations, social class segregation, and uncertified teachers.
The MdBioLab offers state-of-the-art facilities and online access to resources, reaching up to 20,000 students and 100s of science teachers annually. The mobile lab will inspire interest in bioscience and expose students to cutting-edge technology.
Researchers at Tufts University found that 1-year-olds can pick up on emotional signals from TV and make decisions based on them. Infants as young as 12 months old are able to use information from televised emotional reactions to guide their interactions.
A study of over 12,000 physicians found significant variation in career satisfaction across 12 local markets, with Phoenix having the highest dissatisfaction rate and Syracuse seeing a notable increase. The study suggests that market-level changes, such as capitated contracting and regulatory changes, contribute to these variations.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that preschool programs can significantly reduce the risk of childhood abuse and neglect. The study, which followed over 1,000 low-income children, found that those who attended a preschool program had a 52% lower rate of maltreatment compared to those who did not attend.
A large Australian twin study found that early marijuana users were two to five times more likely to develop problems with other drugs and alcohol. The study controlled for genetic and familial factors, suggesting a complex relationship between early marijuana use and later substance abuse.
The study found that physician groups use only 32% of recommended care management processes, leaving many patients without optimal care. External incentives from health plans and large purchasers can encourage the adoption of these processes.
Research at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reveals that kids who hang out with peers who bully tend to do more bullying themselves. The study's findings support the 'homophily hypothesis,' which suggests individual behavior is influenced by groups they're part of.
A new animal study reveals regional differences in brain activity during sleep, contradicting previous theories on sleep deprivation. The study found that different parts of the brain regulate sleep intensity, with frontal cortex involvement and hemispheric asymmetries playing a crucial role.
Research confirms that US food portion sizes have increased significantly over the past two decades, leading to a growing health threat of obesity and related diseases. The study analyzed data from 63,380 people aged 2 and older, revealing large increases in portion sizes for certain foods, particularly at fast-food establishments.
Researchers found increased vascular resistance in paralyzed legs of humans with long-term spinal cord injuries. However, a short period of training led to a marked decrease in vascular resistance, suggesting that deconditioning is the primary cause of the increase in vascular resistance.
A study found that intensive pharmacy consultations reduced drug-related deaths by 8% among patients taking high-risk medications, while lower hospitalization rates were observed in certain groups receiving any type of consultation. The research implies that pharmacist interventions can substantially reduce medication-related mortality.
Researchers discovered that jaw stiffness significantly impacts speech production, causing variability in motion as sounds are made. The study measured jaw stiffness and its effect on kinematic variability during speech production, revealing a relationship between the two.