The MIT team has achieved a record-low temperature of 500 picokelvin, six times lower than the previous record of 3 nanokelvin. This breakthrough could lead to vast improvements in precision measurements and new insights into atomic physics.
A study by Harvard and Queensland universities found that 4.8 million deaths in 2000 were caused by smoking, affecting both developed and developing countries. The majority of these deaths were among men, especially in less-developed nations.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Health has made significant strides in healthcare delivery and policy planning, achieving 94% national coverage in measles vaccination. The country's example is seen as a potential blueprint for post-conflict reconstruction in other nations.
A single-dose nevirapine regimen significantly decreased the risk of HIV-1 transmission from mother to child by 47% compared to a zidovudine regimen. The regimen was found to be safe and effective in all study mothers up to six weeks after delivery and for all babies up to 18 months of age.
A new study analyzing 11,000 mammal, amphibian and bird species reveals major gaps in the global protected area system, placing over 700 species at risk of extinction. The analysis highlights urgent conservation priorities for tropical areas, islands, and specific endangered species.
A long-term study found that nevirapine sustained a 41% reduction in HIV infection risk compared to azidothymidine (AZT) in infants born to breastfeeding mothers. The regimen showed significant cost savings, approximately 70 times less than AZT treatment.
Researchers have discovered that Fe-TAML activators can break down toxic organophosphorus compounds found in pesticides, which can harm human health and contaminate water supplies. The technology has the potential to provide a safe alternative to existing methods of pesticide degradation.
Researchers are using genetically engineered cottonwood trees to remove hazardous materials from contaminated soil. The project aims to reduce mercury levels in the soil by twofold within 18 months through a process called phytoremediation.
The Brazilian state of Amazonas has announced the creation of six new protected areas, covering over 40% of its territory. These areas will help safeguard the region's rich biodiversity and support conservation initiatives.
A digital library is being developed to gather, preserve, and publicize historical and real-time data for archaeologists, humanists, and social scientists. The library will focus on ancient Near Eastern studies and include electronic tools like DigKit and DigBase to collect, record, and share data.
The Cornell researchers successfully developed a new technique to create ultra-small diameter fibers from cellulose using electrospinning. These nanofibers have potential applications in air filtration, protective clothing, agricultural nanotechnology and biodegradable nanocomposites.
Researchers found that total lymphocyte count and hemoglobin concentration decline rapidly in individuals who develop AIDS, with over 77% of study participants exhibiting these declines. This finding offers an alternative to current HIV diagnosis methods, which require expensive technology and equipment.
Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time produced by massive objects' acceleration. The detection of these waves will provide unique information about astrophysical systems like supernovae and black hole formation.
Scientists verify King Hezekiah's role in constructing the Siloam Tunnel by dating organic material and stalactites within the tunnel. The findings refute a recent claim suggesting a much later date for the tunnel.
A team of researchers used a computer game to study human navigation, identifying distinct brain cells responsible for spatial mapping (place cells) and goal-directed behavior (goal cells). The study demonstrates that humans use both visual and cognitive processes to navigate their environment.
Researchers suggest a similar eruption under the Indian Ocean before the dinosaurs' extinction had a devastating impact on the environment. The eruptions were caused by mantle plumes, which can last between one and two million years and eject over 1 million cubic kilometers of lava.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that prions, infectious proteins linked to diseases like mad cow and scrapie, can stick to certain soil types. This suggests that the environment may play a role in the spread of these diseases.
Research identifies critical role of innate immunity in lung transplant rejection, suggesting novel therapies may prevent acute rejection. Preschool children with asthma also exhibit abnormal pulmonary function, while patients with sleep apnea show periods of stable breathing.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that by coating a nickel mesh with molecules of fat, they can control the amount of light passing through using heat. This phenomenon, known as surface plasmons, allows for precise control over light transmission, enabling new applications in optoelectronics and lab tests.
NASA satellites sample critical 'ingredients' to predict hurricane formation, including sea surface temperature of at least 82 F, rotating winds, air temperature, and humidity. The data helps forecasters determine storm strength, location, and tracks.
A recent study of five baboon groups found that male baboons overwhelmingly sided with their offspring in disputes, suggesting paternal care may be an ancient trait in primates. The study, which monitored 75 juvenile baboons for whom fathers were clearly identified, provides new insights into the evolution of complex social behavior.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Fe-TAML(R) activators that can decolorize textile mill wastewater with high efficiency and safety. The technology has the potential to save millions of gallons of water yearly over the entire industry by enabling manufacturers to recycle water used in textile dyeing.
Researchers at UIC aim to develop new drugs to combat engineered strains of Bacillus anthracis, a serious threat that can cause widespread disease and death. The four-and-a-half-year program will integrate multiple strategies to find novel antimicrobials and direct inhibitors against the anthrax toxin.
The Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws program has led to increased state agency involvement and enforcement efforts, including retail outlet crackdowns and public education campaigns. However, results show no significant reductions in alcohol use among youth, highlighting the need for continued intervention and analysis.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered a fruit fly pheromone receptor that plays a crucial role in courtship and mating. The study found that male flies lacking this receptor struggle to recognize females and initiate successful matings.
A new software tool, LoopDA, allows architects and engineers to determine the size of natural ventilation openings needed for desired airflow rates. The program uses an engineering-based design process to control indoor air quality and thermal comfort.
The ISTS report highlights vulnerabilities in the financial sector to large-scale physical events and targeted cyber attacks. The sector's reliance on critical infrastructures such as telecommunications and transportation systems increases its vulnerability to disruptions.
A new study from UC Davis finds that the debris pile at Ground Zero released toxic metals, acids, and organics for at least six weeks after the 9/11 attacks. The conditions were brutal for those working without respirators.
A new study using sediment cores from the Cariaco Basin reveals three large, rapid shifts of 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit in tropical temperatures on time scales of a century or less. These changes were synchronous with warming and climate changes recorded in Greenland ice cores.
A recent study by Jefferson and Brigham and Women's researchers has found that blue light plays a vital role in regulating the body's internal clock. The discovery highlights the importance of blue wavelengths in controlling melatonin production, which is essential for maintaining circadian rhythms.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who receive adequate anticoagulation therapy have a reduced risk of stroke severity and complications. INR levels between 2.0-3.0 significantly reduce the risk of stroke, while lower levels increase the likelihood of fatal or debilitating strokes.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered a new Fe-TAML activator that works with oxygen to oxidize organic and inorganic chemicals. This discovery has the potential to extend the use of Fe-TAML activators for environmental remediation and modify industrial processes to make them more efficient.
A recent archaeological discovery at a site in Colchester, Vermont, has shed new light on the presence of Native Americans in the region 9,000 years ago. The find includes fragments of Agate Basin points, which were used during the Late Paleoindian period and suggest that people from different regions shared cultural traits.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a method to create complex patterns in photonic crystals using hydrogel nanoparticles. The technique uses a photo-patterning method combined with self-assembly, allowing for the creation of optically transparent materials with unique properties.
TM has shown promising results in treating Wilson's disease by reducing copper levels, while also inhibiting tumor growth and inflammation in various cancers. The drug's potential to treat inflammatory fibrosis diseases is being explored through ongoing clinical trials.
The award recognizes the vision and leadership of Francis Collins and Ari Patrinos in completing the human DNA sequence. Their collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy's Office of Science led to a groundbreaking biotechnology revolution.
Researchers discovered that glucocorticoid steroid hormone promotes pleasure-seeking behaviors, including eating high-energy foods, in response to chronic stress. This finding suggests that comfort food could be a natural way to curb chronic stress and its negative effects on the body.
The World Parks Congress has established a new reserve in Brazil that supports local communities and balances conservation with development. The Piagaçu-Purus Sustainable Development Reserve is part of six new reserves totaling 10.4 million acres, doubling the Amazonas State protected area system size.
A prototype system using NIST-patented microheater technology and artificial neural networks can reliably identify trace amounts of toxic gases. The sensors can detect compounds like sulfur-mustard gas and nerve agents at levels below 1 part per million.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Fe-TAML activators that can substantially decontaminate a cultured, benign simulant of anthrax. The technology has the potential to be used in water disinfection and environmental remediation, with applications extending beyond biological warfare agents.
Researchers discover sea animals can spontaneously clone themselves, providing new insight into chordate evolution. The larvae of echinoderms form an outgrowth that pinches off and grows into a second, normal-looking larva, a process that was previously unrecognized.
Researchers found that male baboons give priority care to their own genetically related offspring, despite multiple males mating with the same female. This discovery raises questions about how male baboons recognize and distinguish between their genetic and behavioral offspring.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon develop Fe-TAML activators that rapidly convert recalcitrant sulfur compounds into easily extracted substances, resulting in nearly sulfur-free fuel. The technology has the potential to aid in the development of cleaner burning and more fuel-efficient automobile engines.
A new quick screening methodology developed by Los Alamos scientists can identify isotopes in dirty bomb debris in as little as six hours. The procedure uses standard chemical analysis and can characterize Plutonium-239, Uranium-238, Americium-241, Curium-244 and Neptunium-237.
Two NSF-backed public television science programs, 'Galileo's Battle for the Heavens' and 'The Secret Life of the Brain,' won Emmys in Historical Programming and Outstanding Science categories, respectively. The programs were funded under NSF grants and explored unique stories of science that would have taken volumes to tell.
Fe-TAML activators, developed at Carnegie Mellon, show promise in removing color and chlorinated byproducts from paper and wood pulp manufacturing using hydrogen peroxide. The process reduces color production by nearly 30% and has the potential to replace chlorine-based bleaching processes.
A recent Jefferson Lab experiment, E00-116, has set a new record for the most female scientists on an experiment. The research investigated quark-hadron duality and was led by two female spokespeople, with a female postdoctoral fellow overseeing data analysis.
Studies suggest schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have reduced expression of genes responsible for myelin development in brain cells, potentially linked to environmental issues or infections. This discovery may enable early treatment before symptoms emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Researchers investigate how excess fat contributes to hypertension by increasing blood volume, as opposed to constricting it. Studies show impaired sodium handling mechanisms lead to prolonged elevated pressures in obese individuals.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered an important intermediate step in the artificial photosynthesis process using robust transition metal complexes like rhenium. By studying these reactions over short and long timescales, they found that two energetic metal complexes are involved in activating one CO2 molecule.
Research found that moderate-intensity physical activities like walking, biking, or swimming can reduce breast-cancer risk in postmenopausal women by about 20 percent. Regular exercise also offers a similar protection among high-risk groups, such as those with a strong family history of breast cancer.
Lee Marek, a renowned Chicago chemist, has been awarded the Helen M. Free Award by the American Chemical Society for his outstanding contributions to public outreach in chemistry. His work includes chemistry demonstrations on TV, radio, and stage shows, as well as leading workshops and courses around the world.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a process to create acrylic fibers without solvents, reducing processing time and environmental impact. The new method uses a photocrosslinkable group that reacts with UV light, allowing for faster and more efficient production of carbon fibers.
A recent UNC study found that over 90% of internet cigarette vendors sold cigarettes to minors despite warnings about age restrictions. The researchers also discovered that many vendors did not verify the age of buyers and left packages unattended at recipients' doors.
Ohio State University researchers developed a three-tiered biowarfare agent detection system for Navy ships, using portable hand-held assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. This allows for quick detection of suspected biological agents, enabling medical personnel to provide timely treatment.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to break down toxic organohalides using sunlight-powered hemin and titanium dioxide. The new technique shows promise for efficiently degrading these pollutants, which are linked to environmental problems like ozone depletion and climate change.
A randomized trial found that increased physical activity reduced breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, with longer duration providing the most benefit. Moderate-intensity physical activity also promoted significant weight loss and improved cardiorespiratory fitness, with benefits sustained for a year.
Experts from USDA, Texas A&M University, and the National Food Processors Association will present on strategies to protect America's agriculture and food supply from terrorism and biological threats. Initiatives include improved communication, rapid detection, and emergency response planning to prevent outbreaks and ensure food security.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report that pioglitazone and rosiglitazone can cause or exacerbate heart failure and pulmonary edema in certain patients, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing practices.
Purdue biologists will conduct basic research on viruses and develop antiviral compounds using advanced technology, aiming to enhance the national defense effort and address emerging infectious diseases. The grants could also support the creation of a new facility for structural biology at Purdue.