Researchers developed a genetic model for familial spastic paraparesis, identifying the role of spastin in nerve communication. The study found that pharmacological treatments can restore normal nerve function by stabilizing microtubule activity.
Scientists have developed a method to measure the blinking behavior of large quantities of quantum dots in just a few minutes, revealing new insights into their properties. The approach uses a mathematical tool to analyze light output patterns, allowing researchers to better understand the behavior of these nanocrystals.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic used a human antibody to stimulate dendritic cells and induce an immune response against malignant melanoma. The study showed that the antibody treatment resulted in consistently strong and often curative effects in mice, with 69% of treated mice being tumor-free.
Researchers created a mouse model with increased cAMP levels in eggs, leading to infertility. By blocking another protein, egg maturation was completed, revealing potential new contraceptive targets.
A new study suggests that aggressive antismoking campaigns and higher prices could save thousands of lives by reducing smoking prevalence. By raising cigarette prices and disseminating multimedia antismoking campaigns, smoking rates among adolescents could be reduced by up to 26%, leading to significant life-saving benefits.
Astronomers have directly measured the mass of a single star, the first time this feat has been accomplished for any star other than our own sun. The star, nearly 2,000 light-years away, was found to have one-tenth the mass of the Sun using a combination of old and new astronomical techniques.
The CryoCor system, developed by CryoCor of San Diego, has shown a 98% overall treatment success rate in international clinical trials. The technology uses ultracold temperatures to block abnormal electrical signals causing arrhythmia, providing a potential cure for the condition.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully formed pure zirconium metal into glass at temperatures one-third of its melting point and pressures over 50,000 times atmospheric pressure. This breakthrough could lead to the development of stronger materials for various applications.
A study by Cornell University researchers found Listeria bacteria on foods in 47 out of 50 retail food stores, with 34% showing persistent strains after re-inspection. The bacteria were also found in seven food-processing plants, highlighting the need for improved control measures to prevent food contamination.
Researchers have identified a new compound, BMS-354825, that successfully sidesteps the problem of Gleevec resistance in some patients. The compound prolongs survival of mice with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and inhibits the proliferation of bone marrow progenitor cells resistant to Gleevec.
Researchers have identified a way to exploit the body's natural protective mechanisms used by tumors to evade the immune system. By targeting an immunosuppressive enzyme called IDO, scientists may be able to create new cancer treatments that make tumors more vulnerable to the immune response.
A study of over 1,000 children followed into adulthood found a strong association between extensive TV viewing and increased risk of obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, and poor cardiovascular fitness. Parents are advised to limit children's TV viewing to 1-2 hours per day to prevent long-term health consequences.
A study found that adolescents who used a web-based intervention to learn about healthy eating had higher self-efficacy for healthy eating and more dietary knowledge compared to those in traditional classes. The results suggest that technology-based activities can be an effective way to promote lifelong healthy eating habits.
A recent study found a significant correlation between active Stat5 protein and high-grade prostate cancer. The research suggests that blocking the signals that turn on Stat5 may lead to effective treatment strategies for advanced prostate cancer.
The Geographic Tool for Visualization and Collaboration (GTVC) has improved incident planning and response for law enforcement and emergency management officials during the G-8 Summit. GTVC provided real-time information sharing, enhanced mapping capabilities, and secure encryption for communications.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has adopted a new NIST standard for across-the-road radar systems, which can detect vehicles traveling above a predetermined speed without requiring an operator. These systems are more reliable and less prone to being detected by speeders, providing enhanced safety for motorists.
A study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences confirms that dementia is often misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed in clinical settings. Researchers found that nearly 60% of patients with mild cognitive impairment and over 70% of those with moderate-to-severe impairment experienced adverse events, yet only a small perce...
Researchers discovered that human stem cells can replenish muscle fibers in mice with Duchene muscular dystrophy, offering a potential treatment. In contrast, elevated cyclic AMP levels halted egg maturation in females, while HIV protease inhibitors impaired osteoclasts leading to bone loss.
Researchers discovered a synthetic peptide that mimics a protein linkage crucial for melanoma cell migration and angiogenesis. The peptide inhibits this interaction, significantly deterring tumor cell growth and formation of new blood vessels.
A new method developed at NIST measures the strength and stiffness of thin-film samples in under 2 seconds, providing quantitative results for definitive comparisons. This technique has applications in evaluating materials for semiconductors, solar cells, fuel cells, coatings, magnetic storage devices and nanotechnology devices.
A recent study found that HIV clinicians with fatalistic attitudes are less likely to provide prevention counseling to HIV-positive patients. The study surveyed 618 patients and found a correlation between provider fatalism and reduced reporting of prevention services.
The HIV Structural Reference Database will aid in developing strategies to inhibit HIV protease activity and understand mutations that make the virus resistant to certain drugs. The database contains annotated structural data from published literature and laboratory contributions.
The university's new Laboratory for Quantum Control will enable original experiments at an internationally competitive level, focusing on controlling atoms and molecules using ultrashort light pulses. The lab aims to lead to increased computer capability, improved optical-fiber communications, and new forms of electronics.
A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the intricate process of morphogenesis, a crucial step in embryonic development. By studying convergent extension in frog embryos, they found that a single mechanism controls both cell differentiation and tissue elongation.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how proteins interact with DNA. Using NMR spectroscopy, Rutgers chemist Babis Kalodimos determined how proteins find their specific sequences among millions of non-functional ones. This breakthrough offers valuable insights into protein-DNA interaction and gene expression.
The new method produces uniformly sized metal nanospheres with improved safety compared to current production technologies. The solution contains a metal compound, water, and a solvent like methanol or ethanol, reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that a spike in hormone levels can induce changes in female fish's hearing sensitivity, allowing them to detect higher frequencies. This neural plasticity may affect all vertebrates and could have implications for human hearing loss.
Solid fuel particles may be a safer alternative to gaseous fuels for use in hazardous environments on Earth, as they burn more efficiently in microgravity. Researchers used the NASA 'Vomit Comet' aircraft to simulate weightlessness and measure burning characteristics of various solid fuel particles.
The global survey found that about half of anthropogenic CO2 is taken up by the upper 10% of the ocean. Rising CO2 levels may alter marine food webs and diversity, threatening calcifying organisms.
Researchers find that combining discodermolide and paclitaxel inhibits human lung cancer cell growth by 41 percent, while alone the drugs exert only 9.6% or 16% growth inhibition. The combination also induces programmed cell death in cancer cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for reducing undesirable side effects.
Research found that altering steroid hormone levels enhances a complex auditory system in female midshipman fish. The discovery suggests that estrogen hormones may play a role in shifting the sensitivity of the auditory system to prioritize social stimuli.
A comprehensive NIST study found that commercially available fingerprint matching systems can accurately identify individuals at a rate of over 99% in various tests, including single-finger and multi-finger matches. The accuracy of these systems improves with additional fingerprints and high-quality prints.
Researchers identified 671 genes with altered expression in prostate cancer tissue, revealing a high degree of similarity between benign adjacent tissue and cancerous tissue. The study found that genetic alterations occur throughout the gland, even in seemingly benign areas, providing new insights into prostate cancer progression.
A study published in Science reports the effectiveness of a new compound, BMS-354825, against Gleevec-resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) cells. The compound targets secondary mutations that allow cancer to evade therapy, offering hope for patients who have relapsed on Gleevec.
Researchers at Chiral Photonics Inc. have developed a new class of devices called chiral gratings that can filter light, sense temperature and pressure changes, and transmit information via powerful and inexpensive lasers. The devices were created with support from NIST and the National Science Foundation.
Researchers developed a novel vaccine by fusing patients' tumor cells with their immune system dendritic cells, resulting in increased T cell response against tumor cells. The treatment showed promise in reducing tumor growth and metastasis in late-stage cancer patients, with some experiencing significant regression of tumors.
A study found that intensive management of rheumatoid arthritis patients, involving monthly disease activity score assessment and tailored treatment, led to better outcomes compared to standard routine care. This approach resulted in higher response rates (82% vs 44%) and remission rates (65% vs 16%), without increased costs.
Internet expansion boosts Africa's health information access, enabling health workers to access information beyond capital cities. Regional urban hubs will be key points of dissemination for health info at district level.
A new paradigm for fishery management prioritizes ecosystem health over individual species, considering predator-prey relationships and habitat quality. The approach aims to reduce destructive single-species management, instead focusing on the entire food web.
Dr. Fauci is scheduled to deliver a lecture on the pathogenic mechanisms of HIV disease, highlighting the paradoxical nature of immune cell activation and viral replication. He will present new data on how immune cells can inadvertently facilitate virus persistence.
The UK House of Lords amendment ignores evidence linking corporal punishment to aggressive behavior, mental illness, and child abuse. The editorial argues that children worldwide have the right to be protected from fear of physical abuse and receive access to proper healthcare.
The UK national cervical screening programme has saved approximately 5,000 lives annually by reversing the rising trend in cervical cancer deaths among women under 35. The programme's success has also led to a significant reduction in costs, with a cost per life saved of less than £40,000.
A vaccine targeting cancer-related antigens in glioblastoma cells appears to prolong patient survival by a median of 103 weeks. The dendritic cell vaccine generated an immune response against these antigens, significantly improving survival rates compared to patients without the treatment.
Chongwu Zhou's new method allows for the creation of dense arrays of ultrafine wires made of magnesium oxide coated with uniform, precisely controlled layers of TMO. The technique enables the production of nanocables with extraordinary properties, including high-temperature superconductivity and magnetic applications.
Researchers investigated acamprosate's interactions with alcohol in a six-week study. The findings suggest that acamprosate does not alter the rate of absorption or elimination of alcohol by the body, disrupting effects on performance tasks, or most mood effects. This suggests potential as a medication for treating alcoholism.
A study found that blacks were underrepresented on liver transplant waiting lists, with only 8.4% of the list being black despite 13.6% of the population being black. Blacks also had higher mortality rates while waiting for transplants and were less likely to receive transplants within 4 years compared to whites.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that light-to-moderate drinking has no significant effect on breast cancer risk, regardless of type of beverage. Heavy drinking increases risk primarily among premenopausal women.
A mobile testing van was introduced in Zimbabwe's Epworth and Seke areas, offering free rapid HIV tests with same-day results. The initiative reduced structural barriers by providing convenient access to testing and increased acceptance of rapid tests due to same-day results.
A study found that Type A alcoholics who took sertraline showed improved treatment response and maintained gains after treatment ended, while Type B alcoholics did not. In contrast, Type B alcoholics experienced increased heavy drinking after receiving sertraline.
Researchers will investigate safety issues and late-stage effectiveness of retinal cell transplantation in animal models before planning human clinical trials. The goal is to preserve vision in patients with RP who retain a small degree of central vision throughout their life.
A team of scientists has documented a new phenomenon where the seafloor creates a void that sucks in surrounding seawater. This discovery challenges scientific understanding of seafloor spreading and its impact on ocean crust. The researchers believe that the dilation of the ocean crust may lead to changes in water temperatures, chemic...
Researchers from the University of Houston are working on a plasma propulsion system called VASIMR, which aims to improve electric propulsion systems for deep space missions. The team has been studying the physics and engineering behind VASIMR since 1980 and recently received an award for their technical and scientific excellence.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have determined the three-dimensional structure of sortase, an enzyme that attaches proteins to bacterial pathogens. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this enzyme, which is essential for bacterial survival and iron acquisition.
HDA (helicase-dependent amplification) is a new DNA copying technique that mimics nature's method of replicating DNA using a helicase enzyme. This approach eliminates the need for thermocycling and expensive equipment, making it suitable for hand-held diagnostic devices.
Researchers at UNC found that 77% of red snapper samples were mislabeled as another species, including lane snapper and vermilion snapper. This widespread mislabeling threatens to distort fish stock estimates and fisheries management.
Italian researchers found a 40% relative reduction in endometriosis risk among women consuming higher amounts of green vegetables and fresh fruit. Conversely, high consumption of beef, other red meat, and ham was associated with an increased risk, potentially leading to a 3-4% decrease in prevalence if confirmed by future studies.
Researchers found that human p53 and Cep-1, a roundworm protein, bind to similar DNA sequences in their respective genomes but in different conformations. The study suggests that both proteins exist primarily as tetramers under normal circumstances, leading to a new understanding of how they interact with DNA.
A multi-site trial found that naltrexone injections significantly reduced drinking days and increased abstinence rates compared to placebo. The depot/injection form of naltrexone offered greater medication compliance, efficacy, and fewer adverse effects.
Researchers found a nematode's oxygen-sensing mechanism can regulate blood pressure. The discovery reveals that worms prefer lower oxygen concentrations, which may explain their unique behavior.
A recent study by researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology investigated potential superinfection involving variations within HIV-1B. The findings, presented at the XV International AIDS Conference, suggest that superinfection may be restricted to a short window period after seroconversion.