Penn State's new thermoacoustic chiller uses helium gas to keep ice cream in delicious condition without damaging the atmosphere. The technology has potential for widespread use in applications where chemical refrigeration is difficult or banned due to global warming.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill are working on a new program to improve employment in long-term care facilities, focusing on recruitment and retention strategies, including better pay, recognition, and training. The project aims to address staffing shortages and improve the quality of life for nursing home residents.
Researchers at U-M and Amherst College used chemical signatures of water to identify areas with microbial gas deposits, a relatively inexpensive analytical tool compared to other methods. This method has potential not just in Michigan but also globally for finding natural gas resources.
Researchers recorded mantis shrimp's club-shaped front leg striking prey at peak speeds of 23 meters per second, generating forces over 100 times the shrimp's body weight. The unique saddle-shaped structure acts as a spring, storing energy until release propels the strike.
Drs. Thal and Nitsch receive the Potamkin Prize for their groundbreaking research on effective therapies to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Their work has revitalized hopes for a vaccine and slowed cognitive decline in patients.
A study in rats found that prenatal nicotine exposure leads to a decline in brain activity and loss of brain cells, worsening the effects of nicotine withdrawal. This may drive teens to self-administer nicotine, increasing the likelihood of long-term addiction.
Researchers found that administering opioid growth factor (OGF) to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer improved their quality of life and survival rates. OGF was shown to be non-toxic and did not cause common side effects associated with chemotherapy, such as hair loss or nausea.
A recent study found that environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can significantly impact LASIK surgery results. The study of 191 patients revealed that indoor humidity had the largest impact on whether enhancement surgery was required, while outdoor temperature and humidity in the weeks before surgery also played a role.
Researchers explored the potential of 7-oxo DHEA to enhance T-cell function in human lymphocytes, a key component of the immune system. The supplement may play an important role in restoring immune function in elderly individuals, improving quality of life.
Dr. Xiaodong Wang, a professor of biochemistry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his groundbreaking research on cell death and apoptosis. His discoveries could lead to treatments for cancer and neurological diseases.
Penn State engineers developed a concept for morphing airplane wings that can reduce drag and power, varying with flight speed. The design features a small-scale compliant cellular truss structure, segmented skin, and tendon actuation, enabling efficient flight over a broader range of speeds.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Maryland found that over 8.2 million people in the US have misused prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in the past year. Problem users are often characterized by symptoms such as difficulty cutting down on use, withdrawal symptoms, or impaired cognitive function.
Researchers created a system to convert 3D CAD parts into a simplified skeletal graph, enabling easier part reuse and saving companies time and money. The new system uses complex software algorithms to convert voxels into the skeletal graph, representing the bare bones of a part's shape and features.
A randomized, controlled trial among 2163 adult smokers at eight primary care clinics found that clinicians following the AHRQ Guideline offered more assistance to those who wished to quit. This led to improved rates of smoking cessation, with test site patients reporting abstinence from smoking at higher rates than control site patients.
The US Commission on Ocean Policy released a preliminary report outlining bold and broad-reaching recommendations to reform the nation's ocean policy. The report emphasizes ecosystem-based management, strengthening science and education to inform decision-making, and enhancing regional goals and priorities.
A team of U.S. and German scientists used carbon-14 dating techniques to determine that most Arctic carbon is young and unlikely to affect the global climate balance. However, they warn that an Arctic warming trend could lead to the release of ancient carbon, enhancing the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming.
A study by Ferreri et al. found Chlamydia psittaci DNA in 80% of ocular adnexal lymphoma samples, suggesting a potential role in the disease's development. No association was found with C. trachomatis or C. pneumoniae.
University of Michigan researchers have developed an ultra-fast laser technique that enables precise nanoscale machining. The method uses femtosecond pulses to selectively ablate features as small as 20 nanometers, making it possible to machine a wide variety of materials on the nanometer scale.
A new study warns that increased gas development in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is putting long-distance migratory species like pronghorn antelope at risk. The authors suggest establishing protected migration corridors to safeguard these traditional migrations.
Researchers at Cornell University Institute for Health and Productivity Studies estimate that presenteeism costs companies up to 60% of total worker illness expenses. Common conditions such as allergies, headaches, and mental health problems incur significant on-the-job productivity losses.
A study by Purdue University researchers found a strong association between lawn chemical exposure and increased cancer risk in Scottish terriers. The study suggests that the genetic predisposition of this breed makes them ideal 'sentinel animals' to uncover potential carcinogenic substances.
Researchers at UC Davis suggest using transposons to introduce genes that block malaria in mosquitoes, which could spread through the population via natural selection and eventually eliminate malaria transmission.
A large international consortium has successfully annotated over 21,037 human genes using publicly available resources. The study provides a reliable systematic network of human-curated relationships between genes and their biological functions, setting the standard for analysis of gene expression and human diseases worldwide.
Researchers found two primitive protoglobulins in ancient archaea species, offering clues to the evolution of oxygen-based life. The discovery may aid in the search for future blood substitutes by understanding how transport proteins evolved to bind and release oxygen.
Research suggests that higher pre-pregnancy BMI increases the risk of developing preeclampsia sharply, even within normal BMI ranges. The study found a curvilinear relationship between BMI and preeclampsia risk, with women considered 'obese' facing a three-fold increased risk.
A study found that liver transplant recipients in small OPOs had a lower proportion of patients with high MELD scores compared to those in large OPOs. Despite this difference, patient survival rates were similar between the two groups.
Researchers at USC and NASA Ames have developed a novel transistor architecture using molecular-scale nanowire memory cells that can hold three bits of data each. The device achieves a density of 40 Gigabits per square centimeter, surpassing silicon-based memories.
Researchers are investigating the safety of heart and lung transplants for HIV-positive patients when viral infections are well-controlled. Transplant teams must balance anti-rejection drugs with anti-retroviral therapies to avoid complications.
A survey of oncologists and nurses found that while most agree to offer trial results to patients, only 62% actually do so due to concerns over potential negative effects, patient interpretation, and resource consumption. Additionally, a new study demonstrates tamoxifen's association with reduced breast density, particularly in younger...
Researchers found that body shape, rather than weight alone, plays a crucial role in determining cardiovascular risk. The study's findings suggest that individuals with large waists and narrow thighs are more likely to experience increased cardiovascular mortality, regardless of their overall weight.
USC researchers have developed a new technique using real-time MRI to capture the intricacies of human speech. The innovation allows for high-resolution movies of the vocal system, enabling better understanding of sound overlap in spoken language.
The UI Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank provides cord blood stem cells for advancing gene therapy and treating conditions like Parkinson's disease. Nearly 20 mothers have donated their child's umbilical cord blood, supporting scientific and medical advances.
Researchers found that 83% of pediatric MS patients had evidence of a past Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, compared to 42% of healthy control group members. The study suggests that the genetic code of EBV may play an important role in the development of multiple sclerosis.
A study found that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) had similar graft patency and clinical outcomes as conventional CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. OPCAB also resulted in lower hospitalization costs, with a mean savings of $2,272 at discharge and $1,955 at 1 year.
The project aims to sequence Drosophila genomes to capture natural variation and develop technology for studying human genomic variation. The data will be publicly released and software developed as part of the grant will be open sourced.
The study analyzed medication use patterns in 133,624 hypertensive patients in Pennsylvania and found that switching to evidence-based antihypertensive regimens could reduce costs by nearly a quarter. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for affordability of prescription drug benefit programs.
Researchers at UT Southwestern discovered a cooperative relationship between CD44 and VLA-4 receptors on T-cells to facilitate their migration into infected tissues. This bimolecular complex is necessary for firm adhesion, allowing T-cells to initiate immune responses in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study demonstrates that adding menthol to a topical cream containing cetylated fatty acids significantly reduces pain and improves functional performance in patients with knee, elbow, and wrist osteoarthritis. The treatment also shows promise for upper-extremity performance and pain relief in these individuals.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that groups of brain cells synchronize their electrical activity to enhance orientation discrimination. By studying the firing rates of dozens of neurons, scientists found that synchronization among six neurons can discriminate variations in orientation as small as two degrees. This ...
A group of researchers has outlined the ethical issues raised by modern neuroscience, including the use of plastic surgery and neural enhancement. The panel argues that treating illnesses rather than healthy individuals is more acceptable, but raises questions about the long-term effects of brain-altering medications like Ritalin.
A study found that moderate iron deficiency negatively impacts cognitive functioning in women aged 18-35, while iron supplementation reverses this effect. The study's findings have significant implications for the prevalence of iron deficiency, which affects over two billion people worldwide.
A study using three strains of inbred laboratory rats found significant variations in slow wave sleep, activity, and rest periods, suggesting a genetic link to the 'early bird' and 'night owl' phenomenon. The research aims to establish the genomic basis of normal and abnormal variation in sleep patterns.
A study found that long-term calorie restriction significantly reduces risk of atherosclerosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Participants on low-calorie diets had lower cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting glucose levels compared to those on typical Western diets.
Research reveals that exposure to food stimulates increased brain metabolism in areas affected by drug addiction. The study found higher metabolism in regions responsible for hunger and reward, suggesting a possible link between constant food stimuli and obesity.
A new robotic device called RAFFE has been developed by scientists from the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary to safely collect fingerprint evidence from suspicious packages. The device uses heat and fumes to react with oils in fingerprints, turning them white, allowing for photographing before safe disposal.
The Wistar Institute has selected two journalists, Ambrose and Gibbs, for the 2004 Science Journalism Award for their outstanding coverage of epigenetics. The award honors excellent science journalism that communicates progress in biomedicine to the public.
A new study by Dr. Thomas Walle found that resveratrol, a widely sold dietary supplement, is unlikely to have an effect on breast and prostate cancers when consumed in the diet or as a supplement. However, it may still prevent cancers along the aerodigestive tract, suggesting further research is needed.
A new animal study has found that trans fats can significantly increase total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, as well as TC/HDL-C ratios, in a swine model. The study suggests that high-trans fat diets may promote the rapid development of cardiovascular disease.
A study found that 45% of families reported giving their child herbal products, with many caregivers unaware of potential side effects. Parents should seek expert guidance and inform their child's pediatrician about any supplements taken to ensure safe use.
Researchers found that radiation damages key receptors impacting blood pressure, leading to faulty repair of DNA breaks and cell death. A new study examines three cases where symptomatic baroreflex failure occurred as a late consequence of neck irradiation.
An imaging study found that teaching matters and good instruction can change the brain's functioning in children, improving reading ability. The study showed significant gains in reading skills among children who received intensive phonemic awareness and phonics-based instruction.
Researchers found that estrogen-like drugs can reduce body weight gain in postmenopausal women by up to 33% and decrease food intake. The study used an animal model and tested selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on rats, finding that Eα-selective drugs reduced body weight gain while ERß-selective drugs had no effect.
Researchers found that three polyphenolic compounds, EGCG, XN, and RES, can reduce breast cancer cell proliferation without being toxic. Xanthohumol (XN) showed the most potent effect, with a lower concentration required to inhibit cell growth.
A new study on BCX-1777, a PNP inhibitor, found that it can elevate plasma dGuo levels and inhibit erythrocyte PNP activity in cancer patients. The results suggest potential therapeutic applications for BCX-1777 in treating autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The study found that Dynamin-2, an enzyme involved in cell division, plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the centrosome, a tiny organ essential for organizing chromosomes during cell division. This breakthrough understanding could lead to new strategies for designing cancer treatments.
A recent study investigated the effects of Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) treatments on physiological functions predicting athletic performance. The results showed no significant enhancement in endurance-related parameters, contradicting anecdotal reports of improved endurance during exercise.
A study suggests that peripheral blood analysis can help develop surrogate biomarkers of stroke risk and prognosis, providing insights into cellular and pathological mechanisms. Blood studies offer a faster and more practical alternative to brain tissue samples, allowing for serial data collection throughout the ongoing stroke.
A new, biodegradable machining compound developed by Ventana Research Corporation uses green tea extracts to improve the efficiency of computer hard drive manufacturing. The compound has shown a three- to four-fold increase in efficiency, leading to potential cost savings and environmental benefits.
A University of Toronto study found that companies with subsidiaries in more than one province can shift income to a province with lower taxes, increasing their revenues. This allows companies to move profits to provinces with more favorable tax regimes, ultimately benefiting government revenue.
High-volume hospitals demonstrate lower mortality rates for complex surgeries, suggesting optimal resource allocation and human resources. Regionalization of procedures and services can be reconsidered to preserve quality care at smaller facilities.