A report by U of T professors Anthony Doob and Cheryl Webster finds that harsher sentences do not reduce crime, citing the likelihood of apprehension as a key factor. The researchers argue that more resources are needed for social and educational programs to help children and youth thrive in school and prevent crime.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a new mechanism for gene silencing that involves multiple enzymes and histone modifications. This discovery could lead to the development of new cancer therapies by re-silencing inappropriately activated genes.
A study by Dr. Joel Ray found that folic acid fortification has no immediate effect on the incidence of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) in Canada. Research suggests that genetic mutations may occur before fetal development, making folic acid supplementation less effective in preventing the condition.
Researchers from Imperial College London and UCLA have visualized the structure of lactose permease, an enzyme in E. coli that pumps lactose into cells. The structure data reveals a possible mechanism of action for this protein family, which plays critical roles in depression, stroke, and diabetes.
The US Navy is developing a powerful free-electron laser that can transmit infrared light for use in ship-defense systems. The laser has the capability of generating extremely short pulses, sub-picosecond pulses, and breaking records for tunable high-average power lasers.
Researchers found that in-car traffic guidance systems cause a temporary increase in accident risk after drivers are informed of traffic congestion and change their routes. However, the accident risk drops significantly when safety measures such as route selection criteria are added to the system.
Research by Richard Mattes and Corinna Alper found that regular peanut consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease without causing significant weight gain. The study involved three trials where participants added peanuts to their diet, with no increase in body weight detected despite adding 500 calories a day.
A recent CDC study reveals that elderly individuals are at a higher risk of severe complications from dengue infection, including hospitalization and hemorrhagic fever. Clinicians must conduct thorough clinical examinations to avoid delayed diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to further complications.
A study by James Lloyd-Smith and colleagues found that hospital-wide infection controls are crucial in preventing disease transmission. The research highlights the importance of general infection control measures over specific precautions for known cases, particularly in developing countries where resources may be limited.
Researchers have successfully expressed a variant of the maize anthranilate synthase (AS) gene in soybean seeds to increase tryptophan content. The modifications aim to improve the nutritional value of soybeans, but further testing is needed to confirm results.
Recent studies highlight the importance of addressing weight concerns without stigmatizing obese patients. The American Thoracic Society Journal reports on innovative approaches to weight loss treatment and sheds light on previously unexplored phenomena such as chimerism in human lung tissue after stem cell transplantation.
MaNIS improves access to natural history specimen data, facilitating conservation hotspot identification, ecosystem change monitoring, disease tracking, invasive species management, and biodiversity studies. The distributed database network provides researchers with millions of specimens' information online.
A NASA scientist has discovered a new species of organism that thrives in a salty, alkaline environment without oxygen. The Spirochaeta americana microorganism can survive in conditions inhospitable to humans and is of great interest to astrobiologists studying the possibility of life on Mars.
Researchers found a strong association between increased hostility and depressive symptoms and elevated IL-6 levels in healthy men. These findings suggest that psychological factors may contribute to the development of heart disease through inflammation. Further studies are underway to investigate this relationship in women.
Researchers have created a triple-transgenic mouse that exhibits both plaque and tangle lesions, allowing them to study the relationship between the two and develop drugs targeting both. This model could lead to a single class of drugs for treating both inherited and sporadic forms of Alzheimer's disease.
Johns Hopkins researchers found deformation twinning in nanocrystalline aluminum, explaining how it deforms under high loads. This discovery will help build models to predict the performance of these materials in real-world devices.
Researchers found an inverse relationship between Pin1 abundance and degenerative damage susceptibility. Pin1-deficient mice developed a neurodegenerative disease similar to Alzheimer's, highlighting the protein's role in regulating proteins critical for cell division.
Researchers at UCLA created a 30-cm diameter plasma laser by applying a nonuniform magnetic field. Meanwhile, scientists have made rapid advances in detecting dark matter using weak gravitational lensing experiments. A paper also examines the emerging behavior of complex systems in electronic bidding on online auction sites like eBay.
The Binding Interface Database is an extensive, searchable internet site that brings together all known information on protein interactions. The database currently contains 245 interacting protein pairs and over 1,500 key interaction areas, providing a valuable resource for researchers to study complex biological systems.
Researchers have identified a system in a mutant arabidopsis that signals cells to pause during stressful situations, allowing plants to regulate themselves and adjust before growth resumes. This discovery may lead to breeding plants with improved stress handling techniques and enhanced drought tolerance.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that paricalcitol, a newer vitamin D formulation, has a significant impact on improving survival rates among dialysis patients. The study showed a 16% better survival rate for patients taking paricalcitol compared to those taking calcitriol.
A recent study by North Carolina State University researchers found that a gene variant in the Dopa decarboxylase enzyme is associated with variation in fruit fly lifespan. The study's results suggest that this genetic variation may also play a role in human longevity, with potential implications for pharmacological interventions to im...
A study published in the journal AIDS found that HAART therapy can significantly prolong survival for AIDS patients with central nervous system lymphoma, with median survival of at least 22 months. This is a significant finding, as previously diagnosed patients had only a few weeks to months after diagnosis.
A recent study suggests that rising ozone levels could lead to a significant loss of $21 million annually in US soybean production over the next 30 years. Researchers found that soybeans suffer from reduced photosynthesis and biomass, resulting in fewer seeds and pods, and decreased seed weight.
A three-year study of 193 healthy older adults found that social environment, including home and family, was the most important factor in determining quality of life. Good mental faculties and personal optimism also played a significant role.
Researchers found that top managers skillfully manipulate director selection to create an image of board independence while retaining a supportive board that seldom challenges their decisions. The study suggests giving stockholders more direct representation on boards to prevent corporate fraud and deception.
A boy was diagnosed with acquired osteopetrosis after being given high doses of bisphosphonates to treat weak, painful bones. The condition results from excessive bone formation and can lead to fractures., Researchers emphasize the importance of carefully monitoring medications like bisphosphonates, especially in children.
Transgenic rice seeds expressing a thermotolerant and bi-functional starch hydrolase produce high-protein flour and sugar syrups. The unique feature of heat-activated rapid autodrolysis eliminates the need for commercial enzymes, improving efficiency and production cost.
The Protein Data Bank has released the three-dimensional structure of the SARS virus protease, which will accelerate the search for effective treatments. The rapid processing enabled by PDB's technology will enable more efficient paths to developing drugs for treating SARS.
This study found that elevated tropospheric ozone concentrations inhibit photosynthesis in soybeans, leading to decreased growth and yield. The results suggest a potential annual loss of $21 million for the US soybean industry based on current production levels.
Researchers have found that the enzyme Pin1 plays a crucial role in protecting neurons from age-related degeneration and tangle formation in Alzheimer's patients. By understanding how Pin1 works, scientists hope to develop new therapies to prevent or slow down neurodegenerative processes.
A study by Taiwanese researchers found that swimming exercises can improve bone density and mechanical properties in growing rats, similar to weight-bearing exercise. However, the benefits of non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming on long bone biomechanical properties were not significant.
Self-referred whole-body CT scanning has grown rapidly, with 88 imaging centers nationwide and prices ranging from $795 to $1,215. Researchers caution that the technology's effectiveness is uncertain and potential risks include radiation exposure and false-positive results.
A study of college smokers found that many reported feeling 'invulnerable' to the negative health effects of smoking, despite recognizing general risks. The survey also revealed that these smokers often underestimate their own personal risk and may not associate certain respiratory problems with smoking.
A new computer-based system, ACASI, was tested with Zimbabwean women, yielding more accurate data on key HIV risks. The tool helped overcome cultural issues and social desirability bias in face-to-face interviews.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new type of sensor that can detect hydrogen levels with incredible sensitivity. The titania nanotube sensors are 200 times more sensitive than previously used materials and offer several advantages, including high response rates and minimal interference from other gases.
The American Physiological Society (APS) has awarded over $33,000 to its 2003 undergraduate research fellows. The fellowships provide stipends and travel funds to support the research of talented young scientists.
A study of 181 sexually active Zimbabwean women found that diaphragms can be used without a partner's knowledge to prevent HIV transmission. The researchers suggest that this method could provide an additional tool for HIV prevention, particularly for women who do not have access to condoms or other forms of protection.
The study found that over half of the centers offering full-body scans were located on the east and west coasts, with California and New York having the largest concentrations. The researchers recommend stricter regulation to protect healthcare consumers from unregulated repeat exams and unwarranted expenditures.
UCSB scientists propose a new model for neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting tau dysfunction leads to abnormal microtubule dynamics. This new theory has important implications for developing effective drugs to treat the disease.
The July/August 2003 Annals of Family Medicine issue addresses health care disparities and promotes evidence-based interventions to improve breastfeeding rates. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends structured educational classes and behavioral counseling to support breastfeeding, with programs combining these elements sho...
A new study provides a precise formula to lower CT radiation doses for pediatric patients, reducing abdominal doses by up to 80%. The technique charts offer guidance for both head and body CT scans for children from infancy to adolescence.
A study found that job stress may be a missing link between workplace exercise and heart risk. Leisure-time exercise benefits were substantial, with moderate exercisers having slower atherosclerosis progression than sedentary individuals.
A new anthrax inhibitor being researched by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute may be able to prevent the toxin from binding to human cells, thereby hindering its damage. This breakthrough could enable successful treatment of anthrax at later stages and save more lives.
Researchers found that reducing salt concentrations shrinks DNA toroids by shrinking both diameter and thickness. This discovery could improve gene delivery efficiency in gene therapy and DNA-based vaccines.
The ozone layer is showing signs of slowing down its destruction due to the global ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), according to a new study. The research team found that ozone depletion in the upper stratosphere has slowed since 1997, but the trend is not reflected in the lower stratosphere.
A recent UC Riverside study shows that glaciers once existed in the southernmost region of North America, as recently as 5,000-10,000 years ago. This finding has implications for understanding past climate change and testing the validity of computer models predicting future climate change.
A recent study reveals that physician assistants and primary care specialists like family physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives are more likely to work in underserved areas. The researchers found a strong correlation between these professions and the provision of healthcare services in rural and urban shortage areas.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully treated seven out of 12 children with complete DiGeorge Syndrome using a thymus transplant procedure. The transplants enabled the children's bodies to form new immune systems, leading to improved survival rates and reduced infections.
A study by K. Michael Cummings found that retailer compliance with laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors more than doubled, from 35% in 1994 to 73% in 1995. However, the difference in smoking behavior between high and low compliance communities was small and not statistically significant.
A new technique uses interleukin-6 to store and transport fatty liver organs, potentially reducing damage and improving function after transplantation. The findings could increase the availability of liver transplants in the US, where approximately 40% of adults have fatty livers.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $102 million in grants to small businesses for innovative research projects focused on energy, environmental, and national security. The selected companies will explore the feasibility of their proposed innovations over the next year and may apply for further funding.
A study found that large amounts of Ki-67 antigen in cancer cells predict the growth and return of pilocytic astrocytoma, a common childhood brain tumor. The presence of this protein increases the risk of cancer recurrence or growth.
Researchers found that bacteria in mazes congregate in small rooms and dead-end pathways, suggesting a survival mechanism. This active seeking behavior could lead to new drugs disrupting the congregating behavior of harmful bacteria.
Researchers found that caspase cleavage of tau promotes the formation of abnormal filaments resembling tangles. This discovery provides a new link between amyloid-beta and tau tangles, suggesting a common cause for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study aims to reduce juvenile delinquency in rural areas by providing home-based, family-oriented health services and early intervention. The Rural Appalachia Project will work with opinion leaders to change social context and improve mental health treatment for children aged 9-17 with serious conduct problems.
A new study found that larger exposures to anthrax spores require longer antibiotic therapy. In low-exposure cases, sixty days of antibiotics provide adequate protection, but four months are needed for high-exposure situations.
Scientists discovered a single gene, PHAN, that regulates leaf shape in plants. The study found similar patterns of PHAN gene expression and leaf shape in over 500 plant species, suggesting a limited number of ways to change leaf shape.
Twelve invasive marine species have grown larger by up to 40%, including European green crabs and Chinese mitten crabs. The findings suggest that these animals are no longer held back by predators or parasites, leading to increased size.
The EU's Europe Against Cancer Programme has shown promising results in reducing cancer deaths across most European countries. However, tobacco use still poses a significant threat to public health, with many countries experiencing declining trends in cancer death rates while others struggle with rising rates.