Researchers discovered that rapid lava eruption traps seawater, heating it to form steam bubbles trapped under glassy crusts. These findings support a subsurface biosphere and could alter lava flow dynamics.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting explored approaches to preventing, treating, and living with macular degeneration. Researchers presented updates on the effect of vitamin and mineral supplementation, surgical approaches, anti-VEGF drugs like Macugen, and visual rehabilitation.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are developing a nanoscale transistor by assembling molecules and building a functioning electronic switch. The team's pioneering work tackles critical issues in future materials for advanced molecule-based information processing.
Virginia Tech researchers are developing wireless video sensor networks that can provide real-time visual data in critical situations. The goal is to improve the government's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to natural and man-made disasters.
A study found that children identified by newborn screening required hospitalization at a lower rate than those clinically identified, and mothers experienced lower stress in the screened group. However, false-positive results were associated with increased risk of hospitalization and parental stress.
A study published in the American Journal of Physics found that the speed of a baseball bat when it hits the ball is the most important factor in hitting a home run. Curve balls are thrown with topspin, which automatically gives them backspin and lift upon impact, making them carry further than fastballs.
A new study reveals that Western perceptions of the Muslim world vary greatly depending on gender. Women tend to perceive Islamic culture as sensual and attractive, while men often view it as uncivilized and barbaric. This disparity highlights a complex interplay between cultural stereotypes and media representation.
A new study reveals that residents of Appalachia experience a disproportionate increase in cancer incidence, particularly lung, colon, rectum, and cervix cancers. The study found that rural residents had even higher rates of these cancers compared to the general population.
Cataract surgery is expected to increase due to its major cause of blindness globally. New technologies like implantable miniature telescopes, multifocal IOLs, and accommodating IOLs are being developed to enhance vision, especially for patients with defective irises or macular degeneration.
The University of Minnesota has been awarded a major NIH contract to bring new cellular therapies to human clinical trials. The project will focus on developing biological therapies using adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood, tumor vaccines, and genetically modified immune system cells.
Researchers found one presenilin gene mutation associated with variable age of onset AD (from 35 to 85 years old) and two new presenilin gene mutations linked to early onset AD at age 49 to 54 years old. The study confirms the clinical manifestation of PS1 and PS2 gene mutations in Alzheimer's disease is similar to other dementias.
Researchers have developed ultra-smooth diamond-like carbon that meets the requirements for ultra-high density magnetic storage devices. Additionally, scientists have used live pond snail nerve cells to implement neural memory on a semiconductor chip, while also studying how air bubbles slow sound waves in water.
The Virginia Tech 'X' supercomputer boasts 10.28 teraflops performance, a remarkable feat considering its construction took just two months and $5.2 million price tag. This achievement ranks X as the third fastest globally, outperforming many high-end supercomputers
A UCLA study has found that younger women with breast cancer often experience persistent energy loss and psychological difficulties, despite overall good quality of life. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support these subgroups.
Researchers have developed a novel method to measure the energies involved in DNA synthesis, providing insights into DNA damage and its repair mechanisms. The study's findings can inform the development of targeted external agents to halt incorrect DNA synthesis.
A joint project between UDOT, GE Driver Development, and the University of Utah aims to enhance snowplow driver skills using state-of-the-art simulation technology. The training will focus on controlling speed, maintaining tandem position, and communication with other operators in a simulated winter environment.
A substantial proportion of U.S. doctors support national health insurance, with 49% backing government-led legislation and 40% opposing it. Mammography screening is found to be cost-effective for women aged 65-80 with no serious health conditions, reducing death at reasonable cost.
A surgical 'sling' made from polytetrafluoroethylene has been used to lift tissues under the chin, reducing sagging and improving skin elasticity. The procedure has shown a high patient satisfaction rate of over 90%, with no requests for removal.
A recent study found that men are more likely than women to adopt healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and quitting smoking. Women, on the other hand, were less confident in their ability to make these changes. The researchers hope their findings can be used to assist both men and women with adopting healthier lifestyles.
The MIT team uses data mining to search for patterns in a large dataset, reducing the number of structures the computer needs to explore. This allows for more efficient discovery of new materials with desired properties.
A study found pesticide residues on floors, toys, and hands of children living in farm worker households, posing a significant health risk. The research team detected six agricultural chemicals and 11 residential pesticides in the homes, highlighting the need for further study on this population's exposure to pesticides.
A simulation study by Penn State found that underride guards with diagonal struts increase impact resistance, while a height of 16 inches provides the best balance between risk reduction and vehicle penetration. The study aimed to inform the development of rear crash protection devices for heavy trucks.
A recent study found that levels of newly produced CD8+ T lymphocytes, known as recent thymic emigrant (RTE) CD8+ T cells, are crucial in determining age-dependent mortality and outcome in brain tumor patients. High RTE CD8+ T cell levels were associated with improved patient response to immune therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have identified protein biomarkers that accurately diagnose ALS with near 100% specificity and sensitivity. The findings may lead to a new test for early-stage ALS, enabling faster diagnosis and monitoring of treatment efficacy.
Researchers found that buckwheat extract can reduce blood glucose concentrations in rats with chemically-induced diabetes by 12-19%, suggesting its potential as a management aid. The active component chiro-inositol may play a role in this effect, although further studies are needed to confirm the results.
A marriage promotion plan should prioritize social science research, acknowledging that single-parent families can be beneficial for children with adequate support. Cherlin's research highlights the limited value of traditional programs and the importance of addressing underlying factors such as lower income and mental health issues.
A 11-week study showed lanthanum carbonate significantly reduced serum phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients, meeting the new K/DOQI guidelines. Sixty percent of patients achieved target levels, with lower calcium x phosphate product.
A new delivery system uses short chains of arginine to ferry drugs across membranes and into cysts of Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled microorganism that causes toxoplasmosis. The discovery opens the possibility of treating active and latent infections in the eye by applying a lotion containing triclosan.
BigBangwidth's Lightpath Accelerator accelerates large file transfers and real-time backups for UCSD researchers on OptIPuter network, enabling faster collaboration and data analysis. The system provides up to 10 Gigabits-per-second connections with minimal latency and high security.
Decitabine, an antimetabolite drug, has been found to improve fetal hemoglobin levels and reduce symptoms in patients with sickle cell disease who are resistant or intolerant of hydroxyurea. The study suggests that decitabine could be a viable alternative therapy for these patients.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have made significant progress in developing hollow and solid microneedles that can deliver proteins, nanoparticles, and large molecules through the skin with minimal pain. The technology has potential applications in treating various diseases, including diabetes.
A new treatment using 15% azelaic acid gel has been shown to be more effective than metronidazole gel in reducing rosacea symptoms. Patients who used the azelaic acid gel experienced a greater reduction in redness and lesion count compared to those who used metronidazole gel.
A Purdue University earth scientist has discovered that damaging winds within thunderstorms can form on the north side of a storm's path, rather than at its apex. This finding could lead to more accurate storm warnings and improved public safety.
A study by Dartmouth College finds black business owners are denied credit twice as often as similarly qualified white applicants. When approved, they typically face much higher interest rates than white borrowers.
A new investigational vaccine to prevent hepatitis C has been tested in humans for the first time, offering a promising breakthrough against the deadly virus. The study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of three different strengths of the Chiron Corporation's vaccine.
A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that people with psoriasis are at a higher risk for developing certain types of cancers, including lymphoma. The research suggests an almost three-fold increased rate of lymphoma in patients with psoriasis compared to those without the condition.
The C. briggsae genome sequence enhances biologists' ability to mine C. elegans for biological insights, revealing new genes and functional elements. The study also highlights the rapid evolution of C. elegans and C. briggsae genomes compared to mammals.
A study by Ohio State University found that financial stress was a significant contributor to depression in breast cancer patients, even stronger than grief from a loved one. Researchers analyzed data from 210 women with stage II or III breast cancer and found a strong link between money-related stress and depressive symptoms.
Researchers developed MVAPICH, a software that connects traditional supercomputing software with InfiniBand technology, enabling faster data flow. The innovation allows scientists to study climate change and other complex phenomena more efficiently.
The demand for kidney transplants is soaring due to type 2 diabetes and hypertension, but the number of available donors is low. Experts at the American Society of Nephrology conference discuss the pros and cons of paid donations, weighing the need to increase the transplant pool against ethical concerns.
Researchers have identified multiple families with a genetic mutation causing gout and kidney failure, developing in teenage years and progressing to end-stage kidney disease by the 40s or 50s. The team hopes to find family members who may be unaware of their condition and develop improved treatment for this rare disease.
A study at Dartmouth College suggests that harboring racial bias makes negotiating interracial interactions more cognitively demanding. The researchers found that brain activity in response to black faces predicted performance on cognitive tasks after actual interactions.
Non-directed kidney donations have the potential to save thousands of lives, but raise important ethical considerations. Transplant centers are developing policies to evaluate and allocate these kidneys, addressing issues like allocation and donor expenses.
Researchers found that more socially involved female baboons had higher reproductive success rates and lower infant mortality. This contradicts the long-held assumption that social relationships are only beneficial for mothers.
Scientists discover conditions for cracks to propagate supersonically in brittle solids, challenging classical theories on fracture speed. Hyperelasticity governs dynamic fracture under extreme deformation, with a characteristic length scale near the crack tip.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered two genetic regions linked to heart function and survival in patients with heart failure. The study found that genetic variations on chromosomes 13, 18, 2, and 4 affect cardiac function and survival, providing potential targets for new therapies.
Two independent studies successfully selected and expanded gene-corrected human stem cells using a novel drug-resistance gene. This breakthrough may be useful in human clinical trials of gene therapy for bone marrow transplantation settings. Additionally, upregulation of Irs2 promotes beta cell growth, survival, and insulin secretion, ...
Research finds that heavy use of analgesics for at least nine years prior to irreversible kidney failure is associated with anatomic changes of SICK. Over 7% of dialysis patients had SICK, with 33% having overused analgesics preceding dialysis start.
A new study by the Society for Women's Health Research has found that spleen cells can rapidly regrow adult islet cells without embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough discovery opens up a new approach to treating Type 1 diabetes, which develops when the immune system attacks insulin-producing islet cells.
The GRAM program combines data sets on gene regulatory pathways and messenger RNA levels to determine causal relationships between regulators and genes. By processing these data sets together, researchers can identify regulators that switch genes on or off across the entire genome.
Researchers from NCAR's Research Applications Program developed the NCAR Efficient Spectral Processing Algorithm (NESPA) to aid pilots in navigating turbulent storms. The algorithm achieved an impressive accuracy rate of over 80%, detecting turbulence encounters with very few false positives.
A randomized study found that physostigmine reduces sleep-disordered breathing in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, particularly during REM sleep. The results suggest a possible new treatment for the condition.
A study analyzing 62 movies across four continents found that epilepsy is often stereotyped, with males shown as violent and females as exotic and vulnerable. The dramatic potential of seizures may contribute to these portrayals.
Researchers found naked mole-rats naturally lack Substance P, a neurotransmitter that sends pain signals to the central nervous system. Introducing Substance P restored pain signaling in these animals, sparking hope for new therapies to treat fibromyalgia.
Researchers have linked genetic factors to severe kidney disease in blacks, with evidence pointing to genes on chromosome 18 and another unidentified region. The study involved a large African-American cohort and could pave the way for targeted therapies.
A new study suggests that maternal circulating cells can migrate to the heart of infants, potentially causing a damaging immune response. The research, led by Dr. Anne Stevens, found that these cells were present at higher levels in the hearts of babies with neonatal lupus syndrome, which can cause severe heart damage.
Researchers successfully transferred and expressed MGMT into relatively few hematopoietic stem cells using a lentivirus vector, enabling gene-corrected cells to repopulate the hematopoietic compartment. This breakthrough has significant implications for human clinical trials of gene therapy in bone marrow transplantation settings.
Researchers discovered that mantis shrimp use fluorescent markings to enhance signaling in deep, blue ocean waters. The stomatopod's characteristic spots fluoresce yellow-green to increase visibility in the dim light.
A Phase II study found dronabinol significantly reduced behavioral agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The medication also improved caregivers' burden and daily living skills.
Researchers discovered subtle brain damage in HIV patients taking antiretroviral drugs, despite no apparent symptoms or viral suppression. The study used brainwave recordings, neuropsychological testing, and MRI scans to compare 39 HIV-positive individuals with 35 control subjects.