Astronomers launch RoboNet, a global network of robotic telescopes using intelligent software to rapidly observe sudden changes in astronomical objects. The project aims to discover Earth-like planets and study Gamma Ray Bursts, exploiting the large size of the telescopes and sensitive instrumentation.
A recent study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has discovered a highly toxic byproduct in chloramines-treated water. Iodoacids have been found to be DNA-damaging and more toxic than previously regulated DBPs, raising health concerns and prompting calls for a delay in EPA's Stage 2 rule.
Research finds that rates of drinking among American youth have remained relatively stable since the 1990s, with high prevalence rates among 8th-12th graders. The study highlights the need for new approaches to reduce alcohol use and its associated risks.
According to a recent study, youth drinking rates have stabilized in the US since the early 1990s, with over 80% of adolescents consuming alcohol by age 12th-grader. The stable prevalence rates are concerning, highlighting the need for continued efforts to prevent underage drinking.
A new study found the public spending gap between children and elders increased by 20%, with three times as many children living in poverty than elders. The major component of social welfare spending for children is education, while for elders it is Social Security.
Researchers use custom-built microscope to manipulate cobalt atoms on a copper lattice, observing and controlling atomic motion. The 'hip hop' sound effect is generated by converting electronic signals into audio, allowing real-time monitoring of atom position.
A Dartmouth College study found that groups are less segregated at work than at home in greater Los Angeles, with interracial contact increasing during the workday. Notably, African Americans remain highly segregated both at work and home, while immigrants from Mexico and whites disperse more during the day.
UCSB researchers have discovered that changes in lipid composition of myelin lead to the unraveling of MS. The study shows how myelin basic protein acts as a patch to fill holes and maintain insulation from the sheath. This new knowledge may suggest methods for treating MS before it progresses.
A new study found that prostate cancer treatment can significantly impact men's quality of life, with both radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy causing declines in sexual function, urinary incontinence, and bowel issues. The study, which followed over 1,100 men with clinically localized prostate cancer, suggests that the treatments d...
A study of 236 women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations found that MRI screenings detected 77% of cancers, compared to 36% for mammography. The addition of annual MRI and ultrasound to mammography improved the sensitivity of breast cancer surveillance.
Researchers found no clear association between atrazine exposure and cancer in a large cohort study. Additionally, studies on alcohol consumption and gastric cancer incidence revealed mixed results, while an animal study demonstrated the potential of mammaglobin-A immunotherapy as breast cancer treatment.
Researchers have developed a simpler design for x-ray detectors that offers 30 times better energy resolution than existing detectors, enabling more accurate identification of elements. The new design combines normal and superconducting metals into one layer, reducing fabrication steps and increasing sensor stability.
Researchers develop 'slow MAS' technique to study metabolism, diagnose diseases and observe cell physiology without harming animals. The non-invasive method uses pulsed radio waves to separate signals from unwanted spinning side bands.
A new portable field laboratory will enable researchers to sample subsurface life from diverse marine environments, including estuaries and deeply buried sediments. The facility will aid in the training of young scientists and enhance existing research on extremophilic communities.
Heavy alcohol consumption can compromise multiple domains of executive functioning early in abstinence. This study found significant differences between male veterans with and without a history of heavy drinking on cognitive tests such as abstract reasoning and memory discrimination. Researchers suggest that developing therapies to cap...
A novel experiment revealed that experts in fine visual distinctions can process faces and other objects using the same neural networks, contradicting previous theories. This discovery has implications for our understanding of autism, national security, and expert recognition abilities.
Eliminating disparities in children's healthcare will require a broad quality improvement effort involving federal oversight, increasing public insurance coverage, data collection, and workforce diversity. Key areas of focus include improving care for children in public programs, community health centers, and private physicians' practi...
The study estimates over 200,000 annual respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations associated with influenza in the US. Influenza rates increased among elderly over two decades due to population aging.
Researchers found that recovering alcoholics show significant deficits in executive functioning during abstinence's first weeks, impacting treatment compliance and daily life. This impairment can last for weeks after quitting drinking, requiring clinicians to adjust expectations.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that energy drinks like Red Bull do not improve physical performance when consumed with alcohol. The researchers surveyed Brazilian nightclub-goers and found that the combination of energy drinks and alcohol did not reduce depressant effects or increase stim...
The 'shoelacing' technique allows for quick activation of emergency phone service by connecting surviving phone system links and Internet links. By the end of the ATP project in Spring 2005, TeleContinuity plans to develop an enhanced version with advanced Web-based controls.
A population-based case-control study found no association between SV40 exposure and increased risk of NHL. SV40 seropositivity was detected in 7-10% of patients and less than 2% of controls, indicating a possible cross-reactivity with related human polyomaviruses.
Research suggests a combination of sweet liking and novelty seeking can predict alcoholism in individuals, particularly children of alcoholic fathers. Sweet likers with high novelty seeking are more likely to develop alcoholism due to related brain function and sensitivity to rewarding effects.
A genetically modified bacterium, Lactococcus, has been engineered to produce a therapeutic protein that protects the epithelium and heals intestinal tissues. The bacteria shows great promise in treating both acute and chronic intestinal inflammation, including Crohn's disease.
Researchers found that racial segregation patterns diverge between home and work life, with blacks being the most segregated, while whites and Mexican immigrants work over wider areas. Workplace diversity is increasing due to immigration, potentially leading to reduced residential segregation in the future.
Researchers have found that astrocytes play a key role in regulating blood flow within the brain, and may hold promise as a target for new therapies to treat strokes. The study, funded by CIHR and Canadian Stroke Network, could lead to new treatments within 5-10 years.
Pediatrician Paul Wise finds that chronic illnesses like asthma and obesity are increasingly common in children due to improved medical treatments for acute conditions. Current policies fail to support chronically ill children beyond age 18, exacerbating disparities in child health.
The Idaho National Laboratory's (INEL) RELAP5-3D training module aims to enhance nuclear reactor safety worldwide. The five-DVD set includes a Russian translation, allowing students in countries like Slovakia and Lithuania to develop independent safety thinking.
A study finds that two-thirds of chronically ill patients cut back on prescription drugs due to cost concerns, but few inform their doctors. The researchers recommend healthcare providers take the initiative to ask patients about cost issues and educate them on necessary medications. Most patients who spoke up received help through fre...
The Lewis and Clark expedition successfully traversed the new frontier due to a favorable climatic window that allowed for abundant food sources. If they had traveled during an intense drought, their journey might have been significantly impacted, potentially altering the course of U.S. expansion into the West.
The Privacy Rule, introduced in April 2003, restricts what health professionals can do with patient information, hindering the recruitment of participants for clinical trials. As a result, researchers must spend months compiling registries or devising alternative approaches to contact potential study subjects.
A recent study found that people with mild Alzheimer's disease are more likely to make driving errors during a route-following task, including wrong turns and safety errors. However, those familiar with the area drove safely, suggesting that familiar routes may be exempt from restrictions for drivers with early dementia.
The USGS and NASA have surveyed the islands, providing detailed elevation maps of the 'first line of defense,' which is less than half the average east coast elevation. The maps show that up to 70% of the first line of defense would be inundated by storm surge associated with Categories 1-5 hurricanes.
A team of scientists has identified a protein called Dasm1 that plays a crucial role in regulating dendritic spine growth and synapse maturation. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying brain development and memory formation, suggesting a potential control molecule for both processes.
A study of 660 chronically ill adults found that many patients with high medical expenses underuse essential medications, leading to increased emergency department visits and poorer health outcomes. Despite this, healthcare providers often fail to address medication costs, leaving patients vulnerable to financial burden.
A recent study found that cancer survivors are less likely to receive recommended medical care for their chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and strokes. The authors conclude that cancer patients' other medical issues may be ignored due to a focus on the prior malignancy.
The Center will focus on designing biodegradable tissue engineering scaffolds and novel bioreactors to optimize stem cell responses toward new tissue formation. It will also host collaborations with other laboratories to enhance core projects, such as tissue engineering of human ligaments using transfected adult stem cells.
Researchers discovered that the Hmx gene, which was previously thought to only develop the central nervous system in fruit flies, can also direct development of the inner ear and hypothalamus in mice. This suggests that old genes can be repurposed for new functions through regulatory element shuffling, enabling evolutionary advancements.
The NIAID has formed a clinical consortium to improve the success of organ transplants by identifying genetic factors and developing new immunosuppressive drugs. The consortium aims to minimize complications and increase long-term survival rates for transplant patients.
Researchers found that Hedgehog signaling is greatly activated in prostate cancers, distinguishing them from benign ones. The study's findings suggest that targeting the Hedgehog pathway may lead to new treatments for human disease.
Researchers found that methane formed through reducing carbon in calcite at temperatures and pressures of about 1000 degrees F and less than 70,000 times atmospheric pressure. The study's implications are significant for the ecology and economy of our planet if abiogenic hydrocarbons are produced in the deep Earth.
The study found that central corneal thickness significantly impacts clinical management decisions for patients with glaucoma. Adjustments in therapy, including eye drops, laser therapy, and surgery, were made based on CCT measurements, affecting approximately 8-10% of patients.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, even if symptoms are absent. Elevated hs-CRP levels may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks.
A new approach to assessing glaucoma risk, inspired by the coronary heart disease model, aims to identify individuals at risk and guide treatment decisions. This initiative has the potential to shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention and earlier intervention for those at risk.
Patients with IBS experience worse health-related quality of life due to factors like frequent physician visits and chronic stress. The study identifies specific clinical predictors of mental and physical HRQOL that may facilitate efficient assessment and targeted treatment.
Researchers found that a blood test, CA125, was 2.6 times more accurate than CT scans in predicting patient survival. The study suggests that tumor-marker guided response criteria like CA125 may be superior to imaging-based response criteria in predicting treatment outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that DNA stimulates the activity of a viral enzyme, providing a potential new target for antiviral drugs. The discovery could help prevent adenovirus infections, which can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and eye infections, including blindness.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Education found that nearly half of patients with high blood pressure at a dental clinic had never been diagnosed. The researchers advocate for regular blood pressure screening in dental offices, which could help identify hypertension early and prevent related health issues.
Researchers have developed a mathematical algorithm called TANGO that can predict the likelihood of proteins sticking together incorrectly. This could lead to new diagnostic techniques for diseases caused by misfolded proteins, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and more efficient production of therapeutic proteins.
A team at Georgia Institute of Technology has developed heat-controlled drug implants that can release medication over an extended period, targeting conditions like diabetes. The films, made from microparticles, could be triggered by blood glucose monitors to administer insulin or other medications.
Researchers found that prolonged, sustained exercise preserves ventricular compliance and may reduce the incidence of diastolic heart failure in the elderly. Lifelong exercise training completely prevented stiffening of the heart muscle thought to be an inevitable consequence of aging.
Sea urchin research sheds light on fertilization among mammals, revealing a key role for carbohydrate molecules in regulating reproduction. The discovery could lead to new approaches to contraception and a better understanding of human reproductive issues.
The study reveals that VAMP8 is essential for the normal functioning of pancreatic acinar cells, which produce digestive enzymes. Mice lacking VAMP8 showed reduced levels of digestive enzymes and partial resistance to pancreatitis, suggesting a potential link between VAMP8 and this condition.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered the structure and function of the 'tail' of a protein essential for cell replication, revealing potential targets for new anticancer drugs. The study found that a slight modification in the protein's shape can create unique enzyme activity.
Researchers uncover a novel mechanism regulating cell shape changes during somitogenesis, a process crucial for vertebrae and muscle formation. Cdc42 plays a central role in this transition, with activity levels influencing mesenchymal cells' ability to become epithelial cells.
A study of 72,417 women found that many began mammography between ages 35-40 and delayed follow-up. Women without insurance or a primary care doctor faced longer delays in starting screening. The authors suggest encouraging prompt return to screening may be more critical than initial start.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully grown a single-wall carbon nanotube, reaching a world-record length. This breakthrough has the potential to enable new types of nanoscale electro-mechanical systems, including micro-electric motors and nanoconducting cables.
A study led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers found that imidazole-4-acetic acid-ribotide may be a primary cause of high blood pressure and a molecular link to diabetes. The molecule binds to receptors in the brain, leading to elevated blood pressure, which can also impair insulin release.
A study of healthy individuals aged 60-64 found a significant relationship between high homocysteine levels and changes in deep white matter hyperintensities in the brain, which may be related to mild cognitive impairment. However, HCY levels were not associated with brain atrophy.
Researchers found that Hedgehog activity in localized prostate tumors is significantly lower than in metastatic cancers. Blocking the Hedgehog signal with cyclopamine slowed tumor growth and even reversed aggressive cancer progression in mice experiments.