A new web site, ChemCollective.org, has been launched to improve chemistry education by providing virtual labs and scenario-based learning activities. Instructors can supplement existing textbooks with these interactive resources to help students approach chemistry like practicing scientists.
Researchers identified a genetic mutation in one gene that increases the risk of autism by approximately doubling it, according to Dr. Joseph Buxbaum's study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Research reveals leptin rewires neural feeding circuits by suppressing appetite-stimulating neurons and enhancing those that decrease hunger. The study suggests a cause-and-effect relationship between neuronal changes and behavioral changes, potentially contributing to obesity.
Researchers at UCLA have made a groundbreaking discovery about the biology of fear, finding that yohimbine accelerates the process of overcoming conditioned fear in mice. By enhancing the effects of natural adrenaline release, yohimbine allows mice to overcome their fear four times faster than those treated with vehicle or propanolol.
Researchers at OHSU discovered a possible connection between infant hormone exposure and obesity risk. The study found that early-life leptin surge affects brain development, particularly in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.
A team of researchers has successfully synthesized polyols from soy oil through air oxidation, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based chemicals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of biocompatible and biodegradable materials for various industries.
The European DataGrid (EDG) project has successfully built a test computing infrastructure capable of providing shared data and computing resources across Europe. GridPP resources contributed to the EDG testbed, developing important 'middleware' for efficient task distribution and security. The EGEE project will take Grid technology fu...
Researchers found that men with a family history of prostate cancer can accurately assess their lifetime risk and are more likely to use supplements to improve their health. The study also reveals that younger brothers of men with prostate cancer are nearly four times more likely to report using complementary or alternative medicine.
Researchers at UIC discovered a gene, Foxm1b, essential for the multiplication of cancer cells. A potential drug was created to block Foxm1b activity, starving tumor cells and preventing their growth.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that the human brain can recognize faces in blurry images when surrounded by contextual clues, such as a body. This finding has significant implications for the development of better machine vision systems and may also shed light on neurological conditions like autism.
Researchers found that leptin changes the wiring of the brain by controlling synapses, regulating feeding behavior. The hormone induces visible changes in synaptic connections and recordable changes in electrical activity of specific brain cells.
Researchers found that norepinephrine is critical for retrieving intermediate-term contextual and spatial memories, but not for forming or long-term consolidating emotional memories. The study used mutant mice lacking norepinephrine and rats treated with beta blockers to test this hypothesis.
This April 2004 journal from the American Academy of Ophthalmology presents numerous studies on eye conditions such as Mohs surgery, glaucoma intervention, cataract surgery outcomes, and more. The research findings cover a range of topics including diabetic macular edema diagnosis, retinal detachment, and keratoconic corneas.
By applying combinatorial techniques, scientists can test thousands of polymeric materials in a single experiment, reducing the time and effort required to develop new materials. This technology has the potential to revolutionize fields such as biomedical and electronic engineering.
Researchers at Harvard University developed world's smallest lasers for faster computers, while nanotechnology shows promise in cleaning up industrial sites and removing environmental pollutants. New biological sensors could lead to improved diagnostics and noninvasive imaging techniques.
Researchers discovered that deleting two related genes linked to inherited Alzheimer's disease causes memory loss, nerve cell death, and brain degeneration in mice. The study suggests that blocking the function of these genes may worsen the disease, providing a new perspective on its cause.
Scientists develop pentablock polymers that form micelles in response to changes in temperature and pH, resembling how biomolecules react. These stable polymers could be used to deliver drugs or gene therapies, and have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Mice with disrupted STAT3 proteins exhibit severe obesity and enlarged livers due to excessive fat deposits. The study also reveals a link between STAT3 and energy balance through its effect on leptin, which could lead to new therapeutics for treating obesity and infertility.
Researchers have successfully produced triacetic acid lactone (TAL) by combining the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway with glucose, offering an alternative to traditional methods using petroleum or chemicals. This breakthrough enables the production of TATB, a more stable and sensitive explosive than TNT.
Researchers propose experiments to test quantum effects in mechanical systems, achieving sensitivity close to the quantum limit. The goal is to understand how quantum and classical physics crossover, a long-standing scientific question.
A recent trial found that day-care services for pregnant women with high blood pressure or ruptured fetal membranes offered no clinical benefits but improved satisfaction and reduced hospital stays. The study suggests that day-care services could be a viable option for other common complications like diabetes and hyperemesis.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that nerve damage in one area can cause a loss of skin nerve endings on the opposite side, suggesting a previously unknown communication between nerve cells. The study used rats and demonstrated precise communication between matching nerves.
University of Arizona mathematicians have developed models to reproduce fingerprint patterns and explain the arrangement of repeated units in plants. The research found that patterns in nature, such as those seen in fingerprints and cacti, are influenced by forces imposed during ridge formation.
Scientists at Georgia Tech are testing compounds that may inhibit the enzyme essential for the HTLV-I virus's reproduction, with potential as treatments for the fatal adult T-cell leukemia. The research aims to develop better inhibitors of the protease enzyme, which could lead to a new pharmaceutical agent in about five years.
A genetic marker has been identified that predicts with 100% accuracy individuals at risk of severe adverse reactions to the anti-epilepsy drug carbamazepine. This discovery highlights the promise of pharmacogenomics in avoiding serious side effects and may lead to advances in clinical trials for new drugs.
The University of Cincinnati researcher explores how the baseball industry's ties to tobacco date back to the 1840s, influencing societal attitudes and advertising strategies. The use of baseball imagery in cigarette ads was a key factor in normalizing smoking among young men.
The editorial critiques tropical medicine's focus on external solutions, emphasizing the importance of local voices and transparent research. It highlights concerns about undemocratic supranational agencies and corporations, as well as the need to put research at the heart of policy development.
A 365-million-year-old fossil discovery in Pennsylvania provides insight into the evolution of limbs from fins. The humerus specimen shares features with both primitive fish fins and true limb bones.
A stable cluster of aluminum atoms, Al13, demonstrates properties similar to those of a halogen, retaining its properties during chemical reactions and in reaction products. The research uses experimental evidence and theoretical calculations to show that the cluster can be considered a 'superhalogen' atom.
Chemists at PNNL have found that maintaining alkalinity and frequent wetting and drying cycles can increase soil's natural ability to soak up carbon dioxide. This approach could help slow global warming by utilizing the soil's potential reservoir of four times more carbon than the atmosphere.
Researchers found that higher doses of imatinib were more effective in achieving complete cytogenetic response (CCR) and complete molecular response, with a CCR rate of 90% compared to 60-75%. The high dosage was also well-tolerated with similar side effects as standard dose imatinib.
The ACS national meeting showcased significant discoveries in nanotechnology, including potential vaccine for diabetes and snake venom that removes blood stains. Researchers also explored the benefits of daily honey consumption on heart disease prevention and the impact of adult bone marrow-derived cells on brain and brawn repair.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory create single-enzyme nanoparticles (SENs) that remain active for up to 143 days, thanks to their protective caging. The nanostructure preserves the enzyme's shape and allows it to interact with substrates, enabling applications in toxic waste cleanup, biosensing, and medicine.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that southern India has the world's highest rates of suicide among young people, particularly young women. The study found that suicide accounted for between half and three-quarters of deaths among young women, highlighting a need for urgent intervention.
Scientists have designed two-dimensional arrays of cadmium selenide nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots, to change their optical and light-emitting properties. These nanostructures can be used as waveguides or lasers.
A new study found that only 41% of schizophrenia patients take their antipsychotic medication on a regular basis. Non-adherence is linked to higher medical costs and hospitalizations, with African-Americans and Latino patients more likely to be non-adherent than Caucasians. Living independently or being homeless are also associated wit...
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed an electronic nose that can recognize and capture ten different smell groupings, including fruits, coffees, gases, and spices. The device connects to a PC and uses inexpensive electronic parts to solve the complex challenge of capturing smells.
A new small molecule drug, CX-3543, effectively reduces cMyc mRNA expression in colorectal tumor animal models, inhibiting growth of prostate and pancreatic tumors. Sun exposure is linked to a 53% reduced risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with higher childhood outdoor time showing the greatest benefit.
The PNNL team has developed a synthetic material that can absorb 99.9% of mercury from waste water, surpassing expectations and meeting regulatory limits. The technology, known as SAMMS, is tailored for specific tasks and can be adapted to target other toxins.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have discovered that green tea's epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) component can help kill leukemia cells by disrupting their ability to survive. The study found that EGCG interrupted survival signals, prompting leukemia cells to die in eight of ten patient samples tested.
Researchers have completed a high-quality draft sequence of the laboratory rat genome, which will facilitate studies on cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cancer. The comparison of the rat genome with that of humans and mice will provide insight into biological differences and evolution.
Astronomers using the Very Large Telescope have secured new data that provide the strongest constraints to date on the possible variation of the fine-structure constant. The study shows no evidence for a time-dependent change in this fundamental constant, contradicting previous claims.
Researchers analyzed E. coli's chemotaxis system to understand signal transduction networks, a universal design principle in nature. They found that individual variability can be regulated and carried important information about molecular mechanisms.
The NIAID-developed DNA vaccine significantly reduced SARS virus levels in infected mice, with antibodies alone responsible for the dramatic reduction. This breakthrough demonstrates the effectiveness of a novel vaccine approach against SARS, paving the way for future human clinical trials.
Archaeologists discovered ochre pencils, bone artifacts, and ostrich egg shell beads at a site in the Serengeti National Park, indicating early development of modern cultural behavior. The findings suggest that symbolic thinking may have emerged earlier than previously thought, around 280,000 years ago.
A study found that 45 first-year psychology students reported elaborate false memories of a fictional event after being told three stories about their grade-school experiences. The presence of a real class photo doubled the rate of false memories compared to studies without photographs.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to clean up toxic plumes by using solid forms of organic material containing potassium permanganate. These time-released chunks slowly dissolve over weeks and months, controlling the distribution of pollutants in wet soil. The method has shown promising results in laborat...
Researchers found evidence of Heterobasidion annosum pathogen originating from eastern North America, likely hitching a ride in untreated lumber from infected trees. The pathogen has since established itself in the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano, killing large swaths of stone pine trees.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that Big Red chewing gum reduced anaerobic bacteria in saliva by over 50% and eliminated bad breath-causing bacteria. The gum's cinnamic aldehyde content proved effective against halitosis, a common oral health issue.
Research reveals that beavers' selective herbivory affects plant types in their community, favoring hybrid cottonwoods with lower tannin levels. This study suggests a link between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through genetically-based plant traits.
The Rat Genome Sequencing Project Consortium has completed the genome sequence of the common laboratory brown rat, sharing approximately 825 non-repetitive DNA sequences with humans and mice. The study reveals unique genetic differences between rodents and humans, shedding light on evolutionary processes.
The completed human Chromosome 19 sequence offers significant revelations about the complex interplay between human health and the environment. The sequence contains critical regulatory networks of genes that control DNA damage repair, detoxification, and excreting chemicals foreign to the body.
Researchers at Northwestern University successfully induced embryonic stem cells to develop into precursor bone marrow and blood cells in genetically mismatched mice. The technique could lead to a renewable alternative to donor bone marrow transplantation, reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease.
The study reveals that granular materials exhibit complex rheology, making it challenging for continuum theory to predict their behavior. The enriched continuum model offers a new level of predictive capability, capturing the key transition mechanism and shear bands.
A study led by Michigan State University scientists found that lyophilization does not improve the safety of bones and tissues for transplantation, contradicting current clinical beliefs. The researchers tested five samples each of infected bone and tissue through lyophilization and found that the virus survived the process.
Researchers at PNNL accelerate soil aging using supercritical fluid, simulating decades of contaminant exposure in just a few hours. The technique enables monitoring of soil-absorption rates and trapping of volatile organic compounds.
Researchers found that ferns diversified in response to low-light conditions created by the rise of flowering plants, leading to over 10,000 living species. The study, funded by NSF, uses genetic and fossil analysis to reveal the evolutionary history of ferns and angiosperms.
Researchers found that acute stress symptoms were common among injured children, but only a small percentage met criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study suggests that more research is needed to develop better predictors of PTSD in children.
Players suffered from infections by Aeromonas hydrophila after playing in mud prepared with stagnant river water. Organizers advised precautions to protect players against infection, including using treated water and disinfectants.
University of Michigan's approach to teaching ethics in chemistry research involves providing students with critical thinking skills to handle sticky situations. By focusing on analyzing options and principles, students become more conscious of their actions and are better equipped to make informed decisions.