Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that rats can rapidly and accurately discriminate odors with just one sniff. The study, led by Zach Mainen, reveals vital new information about how the human brain processes information and guides behavior, suggesting that smell is a fast sense rather than a slow one.
Researchers identified 25 genes involved in termite caste development, including muscle function and cellulase production. Treatment with juvenile hormone can convert worker termites into soldiers, potentially leading to colony decimation.
A study by USC researchers found that engaging in leisure activities can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Among female twin pairs, those who participated frequently in intellectually stimulating activities showed a reduced risk of Alzheimer's. The research controlled for genetics and early life experiences.
Researchers analyzed a large dataset of prostate cancer patients treated with radiation therapy alone. The study examined multiple definitions of biochemical control and found three alternate definitions that offered more accurate predictions of treatment failure.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have received a $2.5M grant to develop software framework for analyzing high-resolution digital images from fluorescence microscopes, enabling the extraction of detailed biological information.
The University of Minnesota is sequencing the Medicago legume genome with a $10.8 million NSF grant, led by Professor Nevin Young. The goal is to understand nitrogen fixation and health-promoting compounds in legumes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have discovered a gene silencer that blocks cancer cells' ability to repair themselves after chemotherapy and radiation. By reducing the production of targeted repair proteins, the silencer enables cancer cells to become susceptible to therapy.
A recent study published at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that breast cancer patients who did not smoke had significantly better long-term outcomes than those who smoked after undergoing lumpectomy and radiation treatment. The study of over 1,000 patients showed that smoking cessation is crucial in managing breast cancer.
The EMIST project will test defenses against worms, denial-of-service attacks, and routing computer attacks. The experiments will run on the Cyber Defense Technology Experimental Research network (DETER), a new testbed built by UC Berkeley and USC.
Scientists at Rice University develop a new technology that uses disordered nanowires and organic molecules to create functional memory devices. These 'NanoCells' can store information for more than a week without refreshment, far longer than traditional DRAM.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that 22% of seniors over 75 have cognitive disorders, with multiple factors contributing to the condition. The study highlights the importance of good medical care in preventing brain disease and identifying risk factors for cognitive impairment.
Recent studies question the volume-outcome relationship, suggesting that patient characteristics and hospital quality may play a greater role than previously thought. Additionally, topical nerve growth factor shows promise in treating pressure ulcers, with significant healing outcomes reported.
Statistics expert Utts identifies seven common ways statistics are misinterpreted in news reports, including confusion about cause-and-effect relationships. She advises readers to consider possible alternate explanations when interpreting observational studies.
Researchers found that gay and lesbian couples start conflicts with more positivity and less negativity compared to straight couples. They also show more positive emotions during discussions and are less domineering.
Researchers found that IQ test renorming influences which children are diagnosed with mental retardation regardless of cognitive ability. This can lead to students losing access to special services or being misclassified due to changing test norms.
University of Alberta engineers have created a new source of clean, non-polluting electric power using tap water and microchannels. The technology has vast potential for powering small devices and could rival wind and solar power in the future.
Researchers found that blocking laminin-8 gene expression significantly reduced glioma cells' ability to invade neighboring tissue. The study supports the hypothesis that laminin-8 is involved in tumor spread and suggests a potential target for intervention strategies.
Researchers found that bilingual speakers' brains actively use both languages when speaking, not suppressing one over the other. This challenge traditional views on how languages are managed in the brain. By presenting subjects with pictures and tones, the study demonstrated that both languages are active at once.
The inaugural report highlights key findings on technology alignment, IT security, and business prospects, providing a dynamic tool for organizations to sharpen their technology strategies. The GTCI report covers five major categories, including General Economic and Globalization, Human Capital, Technology Alignment, Technology Innovat...
Researchers at Penn State have created innovative design methods for a new class of antennas composed of fractal-shaped tiles, offering improved bandwidth and radiation patterns. The fractile arrays are generated recursively and offer advantages over conventional square boundaries.
A study by Dr. Emilie Phillips Smith found that family, school, and community factors play a significant role in shaping children's racial-ethnic attitudes and academic achievement. The research used interviews and questionnaires to assess the attitudes of African American child and parent pairs in South Carolina.
Researchers studied 99 adults with mild hypertension, finding reduced heart function during exercise and at rest if they delivered less oxygen per beat. This study suggests oxygen pulse during exercise could be a useful screening tool for identifying heart issues in these individuals.
Cystic fibrosis patients with inhaled antibiotics show improved lung function and reduced bacterial growth. Effective antibiotic therapy is essential for managing CF lung disease.
A study found that teenagers face challenges in accessing relevant health information online, with common barriers including poorly designed websites, lack of targeted content, and ineffective search strategies. To improve access, researchers suggest teaching better search skills and designing websites more tailored to users' needs.
A study analyzing data from 2,016 congregation members found that altruistic actions are associated with improved mental health. People who give help to others may be less likely to focus on their own anxieties and depression, leading to better mental well-being.
A study by Joslin Diabetes Center shows that care ambassadors can significantly improve blood sugar levels and reduce complications in children with type 1 diabetes. The program helps families establish patterns of lifelong diabetes management, leading to fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
A study of 83 heart attack patients found that 12% did not exercise at all over the next year, despite completing a cardiac rehabilitation program. The number of people exercising decreased significantly, with most sessions lasting only 35-45 minutes and averaging only 28.2% time spent in the targeted heart rate zone.
Nitric oxide inhibits endothelial cell release of inflammatory substances by targeting a specific protein, thereby regulating exocytosis and preventing inflammation. Researchers have developed a novel drug that blocks this process, showing promise as an anti-clotting agent for various diseases.
Researchers identified a new link in the chain allowing HIV to overcome cellular resistant factor and infect human cells. Disruption of Cul5-SCF function reduces HIV infectiousness by 90%, paving the way for new therapies.
Researchers found a significant reduction in breast cancer risk among women taking statins and non-statin lipid-lowering drugs. The study analyzed data from over 7,500 older white women and found a 60-70% lower risk of developing breast cancer.
The study found that mortality rates are significantly lower for patients with a vascular surgeon performing the operation. High-volume surgeons and hospitals resulted in better outcomes, suggesting that experience counts when it comes to treating aortic aneurysms.
Researchers uncover two neighboring genes, Rsl1 and Rsl2, that repress male-specific liver gene expression in female mice. This discovery sheds light on the genetic basis for gender differences in liver function, revealing a complex interplay between multiple genes.
Researchers have developed nanoscale helical 'nanosprings' from zinc oxide that exhibit piezoelectric and electrostatic polarization properties. These structures could be used as sensors to detect small fluid flows, strain forces, and air flows, and as actuators in micro-systems. The new materials also display unusual electrostatic pol...
The NIH has launched a $200 million grant initiative to tackle 14 grand challenges in global health, including creating effective vaccines, controlling insect-borne diseases, and improving nutrition. The program aims to engage creative minds globally to develop practical solutions to pressing health issues.
UCSD researchers have developed a new estimator that outperforms the historic Good-Turing formula under all conditions. The new estimator, called attenuation, evaluates the highest possible ratio between the probability assigned to each symbol in a sequence by any distribution and the corresponding probability assigned by the estimator.
Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded the Best Online University by the Sloan Foundation, a prestigious recognition for its high-quality online programs. With over 2,250 graduate enrollments in online courses and a revenue of nearly $4 million from its online students, Stevens demonstrates its leadership in online education.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a quantum model to predict nanophotonic behavior, making it easier to design new optical materials and devices. The study shows that plasmons in nanoparticles hybridize with each other, allowing for the prediction of properties in complex metallic nanostructures.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory have created a super-hard form of graphite that can rival diamond in strength. The new material was made by subjecting graphite to extreme pressures and studying its atomic structure using high-intensity X-rays.
A multi-center study led by Fox Chase Cancer Center oncologist aims to develop an interactive internet-based tool to assess patient values and information needs, providing education on cancer treatment and communication skills training. The goal is to improve doctor-patient communication and patient satisfaction.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Sharyn Endow at Duke University Medical Center has discovered the power stroke that drives molecular motors, which transport nutrients around cells or herd chromosomes during cell division. This breakthrough could help understand diseases like Down's syndrome and prevent them.
Researchers found that ozone reduces soil carbon formation, a key process for storing organic matter. The study suggests forests may be less effective at cleaning the air of excess carbon dioxide when ozone levels are high.
The Lancet editorial questions the qualifications of key health officials in Iraq, while noting progress in hospital funding. The article warns that donors must prioritize the health and security of all Iraqi people before it's too late.
High rates of uninsured Hispanics and unstable coverage put them at risk for preventable health problems. One quarter of Hispanics aged 50-64 went without needed care due to costs.
Research on blue tits found that extra-pair copulations with distant males lead to more heterozygous offspring, resulting in improved survival and reproductive success. This study suggests that females can benefit from promiscuity by increasing the genetic quality of their progeny.
A multicentre trial involving 351 patients found that anaemia treatment with epoetin beta did not improve cancer control or survival rates. Instead, patients receiving epoetin beta had a 60% better chance of progression-free survival compared to those given placebo.
A recent study found that patients with a genetic subtype of diabetes have a significantly greater response to sulphonylurea drugs compared to those without a defined cause. This discovery highlights the importance of individualizing treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes, depending on their underlying cause.
Conotoxins have extraordinary promise for developing powerful new drugs, including treatments for pain, cancer, epilepsy, and depression. However, habitat loss and uncontrolled exploitation threaten the extinction of cone snail species, which are a valuable source of these medicines.
Fossilized ghost crabs, up to 110,000 years-old, have been found on area beaches in central Florida. The rare discovery suggests that beach erosion, possibly caused by the construction of Port Canaveral, has exposed fossils that were previously hidden by dunes.
Georgetown University Medical Center has received a $6.5 million NIH grant to develop an innovative medical surveillance system that connects DC emergency rooms during crises. The system, known as Project Sentinel Collaboratory, will utilize the InSight real-time data repository and analyze de-identified medical information, weather, t...
Patients with achalasia often experience impeded digestion due to reduced muscle contraction and sphincter relaxation. Research finds that nerve cell loss may cause constipation in these patients, which persisted even after treatment for achalasia.
Researchers discover PPAR-delta pathway that curbs atherosclerosis development and reduces heart disease by half. The pathway could be used to develop drugs to treat heart disease, currently the number one killer of Americans.
For the first time, a US patient's entire aortic arch has been successfully repaired using this technique. The procedure minimizes complications and allows patients to recover quickly, with a lower risk of death or complications compared to traditional open surgery.
The reconnaissance round is a novel device that allows infantry soldiers to see past obstacles from a vertical perspective. It transmits images of nearby terrain back to a laptop computer, enabling soldiers to view the enemy's position in real-time.
A recent study by UF management professors Timothy Judge and Daniel Cable found that being tall comes with significant financial benefits, including higher pay and increased respect at work. The research analyzed data from thousands of participants and showed that every inch of height can add up to thousands of dollars in annual earnings.
The study found substantial survival increases after HAART, with death rates reduced by 50% in 1997 and over 80% by 2001. Injecting drug users had four times higher death rates than those infected through homosexual contact. Earlier diagnosis maximizes treatment gains.
Primary progressive aphasia is a rare form of dementia that affects language abilities while preserving memory. Patients may struggle with word-finding and speaking, but can still recall recent events and maintain complex hobbies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that the timeless gene is essential for regulating the 24-hour circadian rhythm in mammals. Blocking its functional ability disrupts the clock's activity and leads to an uncoupling effect, where other clock genes are no longer able to function properly.
NF-kappaB plays a complex role in atherosclerosis, both promoting and inhibiting inflammation. In mice deficient in LDL receptors and NF-kappaB activation, lesions were larger and more advanced, containing more necrosis and macrophages.
A new treatment approach combines a tailored medication regimen with the RAINBOW psychotherapy program to alleviate symptoms of bipolar disorder in children. The program has shown promising results, with 94% of children improving after treatment.
Researchers at UCSF have identified nearly all proteins in yeast, shedding light on their activity, location, and quantity. The study provides the most comprehensive picture yet of protein activity in higher organisms, offering new tools for understanding gene regulation and disease relationships.