Leading medical schools and research institutions criticize a US-sponsored HIV vaccine trial in Thailand due to the absence of independent expert input. The trial's high cost of $119 million has also raised concerns about its scientific merit.
The article presents a long-awaited debate on school vouchers, focusing on estimation and conceptualization in assessing the effects of vouchers. The authors, prominent scholars in social sciences, discuss the role of theory in experimental research and the limitations of field experimentation.
Researchers discovered that the alternative outer surface protein OspC facilitates Borrelia burgdorferi's invasion of tick salivary glands. Inhibiting OspC with antibodies can prevent B. burgdorferi from invading and transmitting to new hosts, offering a potential approach to reducing Lyme disease incidence.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have verified that female Anopheles mosquitoes contain receptors responding to one of the chemical compounds found in human sweat. This discovery may lead to better ways to repel deadly insects and uncover additional chemicals that either attract or repel them.
The Lancet article reveals that inadequate funding for effective treatments like ACT is contributing to the increase in global childhood malaria deaths. Inappropriate drug distribution by WHO and GFATM is being criticized for wasting international aid money and potentially killing patients.
Researchers have identified four key characteristics that reliably distinguish Lewy body dementia (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD). These include daytime drowsiness, falling asleep during the day, staring into space, and disorganized speech. The discovery aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of DLB.
A new technique developed by UCSD researcher Virgil Woods employs DXMS to identify unstructured regions in proteins that interfere with crystallization. Removing these regions through 'molecular surgery' enables proteins to crystallize well, overcoming a major obstacle in structural genomics.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have contributed to the development of a better electron accelerator that uses laser light. The STELLA experiment successfully accelerated electrons to high energies while keeping them tightly bunched together, enabling more efficient and compact acceleration technology.
The research team, led by Chi-Huey Wong, discovered a way to make homogeneous pools of glycosylated proteins in E. coli, overcoming previous bottlenecks and challenges. This new method has the potential to be more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective than existing technologies.
Researchers have found that nerve degeneration in spastic paraplegia is associated with abnormal mitochondria and impairment of axonal transport, highlighting a potential target for therapeutic interventions. The study suggests that preserving mitochondrial function may help prevent axonal loss in this devastating condition.
Scientists at Northwestern University developed a method to construct flat or curved nanoscale structures using hybrid gold-polymer rods. The controlled assembly process holds promise for creating new materials with unique electronic and optical properties.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologist Rosemary Gillespie found that Hawaiian spiders diversified to fill a wide range of habitats on the Hawaiian Islands. The research suggests that evolution plays a key role in shaping communities on these islands, similar to mainland processes.
A European study has identified major risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including prone sleeping positions and household smoking. These avoidable risk factors suggest a basis for further reductions in SIDS incidence rates through changes in infant sleep arrangements and environmental habits.
The GEMS consortium presents the largest contiguous color image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, comprising over 40,000 galaxies. The team uses this image to investigate how large galaxies evolved over the last nine billion years.
Research suggests that changes in brain chemistry are more likely responsible for memory problems associated with normal aging, rather than cell loss. Analyzing data from past studies and ongoing research, experts aim to find cost-effective ways to extend knowledge on maintaining general brain health.
Researchers at Yale University demonstrate that OspC is critical for Borrelia burgdorferi's ability to invade tick salivary glands and be transmitted to humans. Meanwhile, studies on hereditary spastic paraplegia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis reveal potential new targets for treatment.
Researchers found that taking vitamin E supplements with food, especially those containing fat, increases its bioavailability. The study suggests that people may not be getting enough vitamin E from their low-fat diets.
A new study suggests that using CT scans to measure coronary artery calcium scores can help evaluate risk and determine preventative therapy for patients at middle risk of coronary disease. This improvement allows doctors to make faster and more aggressive treatment decisions, such as prescribing drugs or lifestyle changes.
The Assistment system, developed using Carnegie Mellon's Cognitive Tutor technology, provides individualized tutoring and adapts to students' knowledge gaps. The system aims to improve student performance on standardized tests in Massachusetts and beyond.
New research reveals that Siberian peat bogs originated suddenly around 11,500 years ago and have been absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide while releasing large amounts of methane. The findings suggest that thawing permafrost could release these trapped gases, leading to a significant shift in climate trends.
The study found an association between a specific GABA receptor gene and alcohol dependence, suggesting a potential genetic link. The findings support the idea that brain overactivation may contribute to predisposition to alcoholism.
Researchers found that regular ecstasy users experienced mainly long-term memory difficulties and were 23% more likely to report problems than non-users. Those who also used cannabis reported up to 20% more memory problems due to the 'double whammy' effect.
A team of scientists has successfully used a 'robot scientist' to discover the function of about 30% of genes in baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), which could lead to major medical breakthroughs. The robot, trained on biochemistry knowledge, designed experiments and analyzed data using plate readers.
The study found that selling untreated used oil as fuel causes high levels of heavy metal emissions, including zinc and lead. Recycling and re-refining programs are recommended to reduce this environmental burden and promote safer alternatives.
A study found that adolescent rodents experience less anxiety and recover faster from a hangover than adult rodents. In contrast, adolescents tend to drink more in social situations due to the lack of aversive effects, which may lead to dependency.
According to a new study, 32% of autistic children use complementary and alternative medicine, with Latino children more likely to do so. The researchers caution that some CAM treatments may alleviate associated problems but not core autism symptoms.
A new study reveals that a significant part of the aquatic food chain is supported by terrestrial organic matter originating on the shoreline. Aquatic plants produce organic carbon through photosynthesis, which supports fish and invertebrate populations.
The SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite provides ocean surface wind speed and direction measurements, leading to improved storm predictions at sea. This increased accuracy brings economic savings and reduces weather-related loss of life, especially in global shipping.
Researchers discovered that rats bred to prefer alcohol were healthier and lived longer than those bred to avoid it, regardless of drinking habits. The study found that genetic factors, rather than alcohol consumption itself, contributed to the longevity difference.
A study found that genetic variation can influence motivation to drink alcohol, particularly to alleviate social anxiety and improve mood. This can lead to enhanced behaviors that increase the risk for alcoholism. The study suggests a link between genetic factors and drinking motives, providing insight into the biology of alcoholism.
A team of LSU researchers is contributing to the largest-ever cosmic-ray experiment, analyzing data from a $100 million facility in Argentina. The project aims to understand the origin and properties of high-energy cosmic rays, which have puzzled scientists for years.
A study of 51 heavy smokers found that over 90% believed quitting was more threatening than the dangers of smoking. Many smokers feel angry and see themselves as victims who have been duped into smoking. The study also revealed that social pressures, stress relief, and fear of withdrawal symptoms hindered their ability to quit.
Corn earworm moths travel at varying heights influenced by air currents, affecting their migration patterns. By analyzing wind patterns and weather forecasts, researchers aim to forecast the arrival of these pests and develop targeted insecticide strategies to reduce damage.
A study by Pace and colleagues found that 40-55% of lake plant production supports resident aquatic life, while 2250% of zooplankton is derived from terrestrial sources. The results suggest that aquatic food chains are supported not only by in-water production but also by organic matter from surrounding watersheds.
A telephone counseling program was found to be more effective in helping smokers quit than a less-intensive mailing plan. The study showed that participants who received the phone counseling had a reduced chance of smoking after one year, with a significant association between the type of counseling and smoking behavior.
A UMHS study found that heavy drinkers with chronic back pain showed less physical disability than light drinkers on functional tests. Women were underreported for heavy drinking, suggesting doctors should be more vigilant about prescribing narcotic pain relievers.
Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology are developing new models to understand hacker tactics, with the goal of creating defensive techniques against cyber attacks. The project aims to break the cycle of cat and mouse games between hackers and defenders.
Researchers have identified a consistent association between alcohol dependence and the GABRG3 gene, which may suggest a genetic predisposition to increased risk of developing alcoholism. The study found that this gene plays a role in influencing the risk for alcoholism by altering brain state and circuit activity.
Researchers discover transgenic mosquitoes are severely impaired in development and reproduction, laying fewer eggs and having lower egg-adult survivorship. This finding has major implications for the competitiveness of transgenic mosquitoes against non-engineered wild-types.
Researchers at Penn State have created a new form of supersolid matter by freezing helium-4, exhibiting properties of both solids and fluids. The discovery, funded by the National Science Foundation, suggests that under certain conditions, some fraction of the helium atoms can move through the lattice like a superfluid.
A report by Dr. Simpson and Denise Dougherty highlights the need for pediatricians and parents to collaborate on improving children's health care, focusing on quality indicators and evidence-based practice. The authors recommend creating an information technology system to track health care indicators and provide better care for children.
Researchers Chan and Kim create a supersolid by compressing helium-4 gas into a glass disk with miniature pores at extremely low temperatures. The experiment suggests that all three states of matter can enter the 'super' state, known as Bose-Einstein condensation.
This year's flu season is severe due to a mutated virus that has changed slightly since last year's vaccine was designed. Young children are at higher risk of getting seriously ill as they haven't encountered the virus before and lack immunity. Experts recommend vaccinating all children aged 6 months to 23 months to prevent complications.
Two LSU professors are working to develop survivable sensor networks that can collect valuable data during disasters, which could be used in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and national security projects. The researchers also aim to ensure secure data transmission through methods like anonymous email tracking.
A research team led by OHSU scientists is studying metal homeostasis and its disruption in human cells, focusing on copper and iron concentrations. The project aims to understand the regulation of metals in cells and their impact on disease progression.
A mathematical model helps determine necessary mosquito control levels to prevent West Nile virus outbreaks, reducing economic and environmental damage. The model takes into account regional factors such as mosquito life span and crow biology.
Researchers developed a new ultrasound probe at Mayo Clinic that allows for better visualization of PFO defects, enabling more effective closure with catheter techniques. The results show a 93% success rate in closing the defect without complications.
A new interdisciplinary brain research project has been launched at the University of Illinois, using a $1.5 million Keck Foundation grant to develop tools for understanding and correcting problems in brain circuitry. The goal is to identify natural chemical signatures to restore proper wiring and functioning in malfunctioning brains.
A Stanford team has developed a simplified method for generating siRNA molecules to disable genes, overcoming the technique's limitations in expense and labor. The new protocol allows researchers to create libraries of siRNA molecules for all known genes, enabling the identification of genes that play critical roles in stem cell function.
The chemical industry is expected to experience increased production and demand, leading to historic levels of growth in the US, Canada, and Asia-Pacific. In contrast, European chemical industries are forecasted to exhibit modest growth due to economic constraints.
A randomized, double-blind study found that dietary supplements containing ephedra and caffeine increased the QTc interval duration and systolic blood pressure in healthy volunteers. The authors recommend patients avoid these supplements until more information is known about their safety.
A study published in PLOS Biology discovered a common genetic signature linked to the progression of various cancers, including prostate and liver cell carcinomas. Patients with tumors carrying this signature had an increased risk of metastasis and death compared to those without it.
A study led by Bruce Lahn found that the Abnormal Spindle-Like Microcephaly Associated (ASPM) gene shows strong evidence of accelerated evolutionary changes in the primate lineage leading to humans. These changes are most prominent after humans parted ways from chimpanzees, suggesting a possible key role for ASPM in human brain evolution.
A University of Illinois study highlights the growing tension between farmers and newcomers to rural areas like Elburn, Kane County. Farmers see farmland as a means of livelihood and family heritage, while newcomers view it as public amenity. This clash is leading to erosion of community trust and decline in farming practices.
A study of Medicare-eligible patients with lung, breast, colorectal, and gastrointestinal tumors found a rise in chemotherapy use and emergency room admissions near death. However, an increase in hospice care usage suggests that improved palliative services may reduce aggressive end-of-life treatment.
Research suggests that direct-quality indicators based on patient mortality are more effective in selecting high-performing hospitals for VLBW infants. The study found that hospitals with lower past mortality rates had significantly better outcomes, implying that volume-based standards may not accurately predict quality.
A joint research effort discovered Mars-like soils in Chile's Atacama Desert, which are depleted in organic materials and would have been missed by NASA's Viking missions. The team found that the conditions in this environment represent a limit for microbial life on Earth.
Native C4 plants faced disastrous consequences during prolonged severe droughts in the middle Holocene, contrary to expectations. Weedy C3 plants adapted well due to their ability to exploit limited water resources, highlighting a key difference between C3 and C4 plant responses.
Researchers successfully remyelinated nearly entire mouse brains with human stem cells, producing thousands of times more myelin than previous experiments. This breakthrough offers potential treatment for diseases like Canavan disease and Tay-Sachs disease.
Researchers have identified wound-healing genes that are active in prostate and liver cancers, which are more aggressive and likely to spread. This discovery could lead to personalized treatment options by matching patients with specific drugs targeting these abnormal proteins.