National Ocean Commissioners and scientists propose a holistic ecosystem-based approach to manage the oceans, shifting from single-species management to integrated governance. This approach aims to restore ocean health by considering the interconnectedness of species and ecosystems.
Michigan State University ecologist Jianguo 'Jack' Liu says embracing ambiguity is key to environmental policy, focusing on interactions of different policies rather than isolated fixes. Liu's work at China's Wolong Nature Reserve shows unexpected effects from policies due to human nature and complexity.
A new perspective on placebos suggests that they can be effective in healthcare settings without relying on 'dummy' medication. According to Professor Howard Brody, features of a positive healing environment, including care and compassion from healthcare providers, play a crucial role in treating patients.
The report provides nine design principles for success in higher education, including institutional leadership, targeted recruitment, and enriched research experience. These principles aim to increase participation of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
Recent research on aerosols suggests they can have substantial impacts on local heat budgets, exceeding those of greenhouse gases. Aerosol compositions and effects are being studied for their implications on regional climate change and human health.
Researchers use computer models to simulate the spread of diseases and develop strategies for containment. The models help predict how many people should be vaccinated or treated with antibiotics, providing critical information for public health officials.
The US Department of Energy allocates $318 million for fuel cell and hydrogen research, focusing on efficient production and storage. New technologies aim to reduce emissions and enhance energy security.
The US government is expected to issue a draft report with recommendations for ocean policy, addressing issues like resource stewardship and pollution prevention. The commission's report emphasizes the need for ecosystem-based management to sustain long-term exploitation.
Traditional access control with passwords is insufficient for protecting complex data, according to experts. Adding filters to outgoing data can help prevent unauthorized access and ensure that sensitive information is only shared with authorized users.
Researchers found that anthrax spores can germinate, reproduce and form new spores in soil samples, defying the long-held belief that they require a host to survive. The study suggests that the deadly pathogen may be more versatile and resilient than initially thought.
A study in Egypt found cultural differences between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims on IVF, with strict rules on third-party donation. Middle Eastern societies prioritize biological children due to prohibition of adoption and gamete donation.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have identified a vast array of 4,000 distinctive proteins in human blood plasma, surpassing previous reports by 10 times. This significant advance paves the way for the early detection of cancer and other diseases.
Dr. Offit reviews scientific evidence on vaccine safety, finding no link between vaccines and weakened immune systems, allergic or autoimmune diseases, or mercury injury. The Vaccine Education Center provides up-to-date science-based information on vaccines and preventable diseases.
Roald Hoffmann highlights the overlooked scientific achievements of his wife, Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier, and her husband Antoine Lavoisier. The collection at Cornell University provides insight into their lives and work.
Dr. Anseth's team has developed an injectable scaffold to regenerate cartilaginous tissue using light-activated chemistries, with potential applications in treating Parkinson's disease by injecting stem cells into human brains.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) honors forensic anthropologist Fredy Peccerelli for his work with the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, investigating mass human rights abuses and exhuming thousands of victims' remains. Despite facing death threats and impunity, Peccerelli's work has promoted hu...
Global food safety experts gather to discuss new approaches to assessing risk of microbiological foodborne hazards. The symposium aims to create mathematical models that predict the number of illnesses that can occur and help managers control food safety strategies.
Scientists plan to deploy the Huygens probe to study Titan's lakes, seas, and climate. The moon's thick atmosphere and liquid hydrocarbons will provide a unique environment to understand oceanographic processes and predict climate changes.
The database provides survival rates of people who received cell grafts, helping doctors evaluate the potential risks and benefits of transplantation in treating disorders like leukemia. Researchers can generate hypotheses on the role of donor matching in blood and marrow stem cell transplants with this new resource.
The intelligent design movement argues that life's complexity demands a knowing designer, potentially altering the way science is taught in schools. While differing from scientific creationism, its agenda to weaken or eliminate evolution's teaching in public classrooms remains ambitious.
Researchers have created a computational tool to mine genomic data and identify biologically meaningful gene regulatory networks. The tool uses a probabilistic framework that integrates data from various sources, including microarrays, DNA sequences, and protein-protein interactions.
The AAAS panel on human-nature interactions examines six NSF-supported projects focusing on urban development, Polynesian culture, and shoreline development. Biocomplexity researchers discuss the linkages between human behaviors and natural systems, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and new technologies.
Researchers studying small farms in Kenya found that restoring natural resources can improve agricultural productivity, particularly in villages with high soil degradation. By adopting more fertilizers and other inputs, farmers in a second village showed better economic outcomes.
Researchers studied household land-use strategies in Brazil and the Midwest, finding that crop prices, conservation plans, and state/federal forest protection programs influence decisions. This complexity may make it difficult for policymakers to develop a single, uniform policy for entire regions.
HUPO scientists have created a master proteomics database from human blood plasma, which will help answer key questions about protein identification and analysis. The project's long-term goals include identifying all protein constituents of human blood plasma and determining variation across populations.
University of Minnesota professors Terry Roe, Ronald Phillips, and G. Edward Schuh will discuss topics such as trade disputes, GMO crop plantings, and biosafety protocols at the symposium. The event aims to shed light on the impact of international trade policies on economic growth and institutional reform in less developed countries.
John Staver, a K-State science education professor, argues that intelligent design cannot be considered a scientific theory due to the absence of empirical evidence and rigorous testing. He emphasizes the importance of scientific experimentation and peer review in establishing new scientific ideas.
Kansas State University professor James Stack presents a paper on the National Plant and Diagnostic Network, which uses diagnostic centers, regional labs, and expert databases to rapidly detect and diagnose potential bio threats in crops and livestock. The network has already been effective in detecting natural outbreaks like BSE and s...
Researchers found that lake classification systems can increase property value by protecting lakes from overdevelopment and preserving environmental quality. In Vilas County, Wisconsin, homeowners who adopted a lake classification system saw significant increases in property prices due to their commitment to environmental preservation.
Researchers found that even delayed responses to smallpox cases could still contain the outbreak through targeted vaccination and isolation. Surveillance and containment were more effective than mass vaccination in controlling the spread of smallpox.
Research by Ann Bostrom reveals that people's willingness to accept vaccine risks depends on what they do and don't know. Personal experiences with adverse reactions also impact risk perception. The study highlights the need for both technical analysis and deliberation in decision-making processes.