The next generation of speech recognizers will go beyond conversion to text, using information detectors that provide a machine with digestible information. Researchers are working on new mathematical algorithms and paradigms to tackle the broader problem of human-to-machine and machine-to-human speech.
A large cohort study reveals that diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Regular testing of liver enzymes is recommended for patients with diabetes to monitor for potential toxicity.
The Gates Foundation has committed $82.9 million to develop new tuberculosis vaccines, with the goal of creating a more effective vaccine within 10 years. The grant will support research in three major areas: vaccine trials, improved animal models, and next-generation vaccines.
A new study by Stanford Peng and colleagues has found that a gene called Foxj1 helps keep immune attack cells inactive. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for autoimmune diseases, including lupus and multiple sclerosis.
An anthropologist suggests a connection between decreasing energy use and declining fertility rates. The availability of energy affects economic activity, leading to a depressed economy which in turn causes a decline in fertility rate. This prediction is based on the link between petroleum consumption and economic conditions.
The funding will support six work stations, called beam lines, at the NSLS facility to probe protein and biological molecule structures. The grants will also advance techniques for quicker and more efficient experiments.
The EMBL-Hamburg-coordinated project, BIOXHIT, aims to create a common platform for European researchers in biological crystallography. The initiative combines research, networking, training, and mobility to standardize technology and reduce structure-obtaining time, attracting more researchers to the field.
The editorial highlights concerns about government over-regulation of science, highlighting the need for transparency and clarity in research funding. It emphasizes that strong and sustainable research cultures are crucial for addressing global health threats.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that nearly half of patients with diabetes use multiple prescriptions, with 29% spending $100 or more per month out-of-pocket. Patients who cut back on medication use had poorer diabetes control, more symptoms, and worse functioning. The researchers recommend better access to prescription drug c...
A new study suggests that individuals with autism can develop face recognition skills through specialized training. The research found that the fusiform gyrus, a brain region responsible for face processing, is activated in adults with autism, but requires training to function properly.
USF researchers identify bone marrow-derived BNP as a potential candidate for treating stroke, spinal cord injury and neurological damage. Bone marrow stromal cells release levels of BNP far exceeding the amounts normally found in circulating blood and spinal fluid.
Researchers have found that the inheritance of a parental X chromosome is strongly correlated with similar telomere length between parents and children. This suggests that the process of ageing might be an X-linked trait.
A study of over 50,000 patients found consistently low rates of early discharge in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, and Poland. Despite this, the number of potentially unnecessary hospital days varied greatly between countries, with Germany having the highest rate.
Researchers are using high-tech tools to track marine animals and gather data on their movements, habitats, and interactions with human activities. This information is crucial for protecting these species from bycatch, collisions, and other harms.
A new analysis of FUZEON data found that it does not increase lipodystrophy or glucose levels in pre-treated HIV patients. The treatment also showed a lower incidence of diarrhoea compared to other ARV regimens.
Research reveals that specialized teaching can give dyslexic brains a 'jump start,' activating key areas used by normal readers. Training the meaning word form and sounds improves ability to analyze sounds and words in specific brain regions.
Researchers discovered how day length and light quality affect stability of floral-promoting protein constans in Arabidopsis thaliana. This finding helps explain seasonal, day-length dependent flowering behavior in many plant species.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to combat Cryptococcus neoformans and Histoplasma capsulatum, two fungi responsible for serious diseases. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) utilizes designer antibodies coupled with radioactive isotopes to deliver targeted radiation, demonstrating superior efficacy over external gamma radiation.
The Keck Center for Active Visualization in Earth Sciences will enable geologists to build and test large-scale models of the Earth's interior. The facility will allow researchers to interact with their data in a more realistic way, using virtual reality tools developed by UC Davis researchers.
A study from UCI reveals that individuals with hostile personalities exhibit significant brain activity in response to nicotine, leading to a predisposition for cigarette addiction. Non-hostile individuals show no such reaction.
Researchers aim to identify a gene on chromosome two linked to Parkinson's disease in families with multiple affected members. The study, called PROGENI, will enroll an additional 300 sibling pairs to investigate genetic risk factors for the neurodegenerative disease.
A Thai court case ruled in favor of patients with HIV-1, increasing access to essential antiretroviral drugs. Civil society groups played a crucial role in challenging multinational pharmaceutical industry practices, leading to improved treatment outcomes and increased self-image confidence among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at UVA Health System have developed a cellular model of Parkinson's disease that can be used to study the disease's pathological features and test potential treatments. This model replicates the characteristic Lewy bodies found in brain tissue from patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found a hidden pattern in cuprate superconductors that may help explain high-temperature superconductivity. The pattern, which forms when electrons are heated, is a distinct type of movement in which electrons organize into a checkerboard pattern.
Scientists have created a better thermal insulator by introducing structure on the nanometer length scale in materials. The new nanolaminates exhibit a three times lower thermal conductivity than conventional insulators, due to the strong impediment of heat transfer at the interfaces.
Researchers at Purdue University developed a miniature detector using laser liftoff technique, enabling portable instruments for biologists and farmers to test crops for toxins. The device replaces bulky equipment with a centimeter-wide chip, reducing costs and increasing security.
The DOE's Office of Science has developed a strategic plan outlining seven short-term priorities and seven long-term goals in various scientific disciplines. The plan aims to track progress over the next 20 years and ensure US leadership in science, energy, and environment.
A phase II trial of a melanoma vaccine showed promising results, with nearly half of patients living at least five years after receiving the treatment. The vaccine's effectiveness was influenced by the dosing schedule and immune response, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that extracts key elements from hundreds of videotaped conversations between couples to predict marital trouble. The model identifies a magic ratio of positive to negative interactions, below which marriages can be in trouble.
Research by Brown University's Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox found that women are less likely to run for office due to low self-perceived qualifications and lack of encouragement. Despite equal performance in campaign fundraising and vote totals, women remain underrepresented in U.S. political institutions.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new reactor that can convert ethanol into a form of hydrogen from renewable fuels. This process has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase the efficiency of fuel cells, making it a promising solution for a sustainable energy future.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed an instructional intervention that helps dyslexic children use the same brain areas as normal readers, leading to better reading ability. The study found improvements in both sound and visual form coding skills, as well as cross-language coding.
Researchers have found that autistic children's brains can activate the temporal lobe, a key region for face processing, when viewing familiar faces. This suggests that increased exposure to faces, such as those of parents, may improve facial recognition in individuals with autism.
Princeton physicists Paul Chaikin and Salvatore Torquato used M&Ms to investigate the physical principles behind particle packing. They found that oblate spheroids can pack up to 68% of the container's space, exceeding the density of perfect spheres.
Researchers found that dynamic pricing strategies outperform fixed prices in environments with high market uncertainty. Optimal prices adjust continuously over time and jump upward at the point of sale. Companies can benefit from proactively setting prices to impact revenue and learn from sales observations.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have made groundbreaking discoveries about the structure of RNA polymerase, a crucial enzyme in gene expression. The team's findings reveal intricate details about the enzyme's interactions with helper molecules and DNA, providing a deeper understanding of transcription and protein production.
Researchers at OHSU are conducting a study to investigate whether early treatment with the eczema drug Elidel can prevent asthma in children with a family history of allergic disease. The study aims to enroll 200 infants with eczema and assess whether early intervention reduces the incidence of asthma.
Dr. Peter Jahrling has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as a Fellow for his contributions to vaccine development and medical defense against infectious diseases. He is credited with advancing research on filovirus and poxvirus threats.
A new study suggests that people are surprisingly good at avoiding self-blame and may be better at avoiding regret than they realize. The research found that individuals tend to blame external circumstances rather than themselves when faced with failure or near-miss situations, contradicting their initial expectations of self-blame.
Researchers developed simple systems to analyze website user behavior, enabling accurate forecasts of future buying patterns. The study applied these models to a UK information website and an online CD retailer, demonstrating their potential for improving marketing and advertising strategies.
Researchers have developed a novel method for gene delivery using steroid-coated DNA, which improves cell uptake and reduces inflammatory immune responses. The technique has the potential to enhance gene transfer in humans, especially in inflamatory diseases.
A genetic mutation in the CCR5 gene does not offer protection against HIV infection, according to new research by Scripps scientist Donald Mosier. The study tested the hypothesis that the mutation, which appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages, protected against both HIV and plague.
A study published in Conservation Biology found that climate change is consistently correlated with extinction among desert bighorn sheep. The researchers identified higher temperatures and decreased precipitation as key factors contributing to the decline of these populations, which are already living on a knife's edge.
A NASA study suggests that warming temperatures will lead to more warm rain, which accounts for 31% of global rainfall. The increase in precipitation efficiency could make the air lighter and rise faster, creating updrafts producing more cold rain.
The Mind Science Foundation has awarded seven research teams worldwide a total of $1.4 million in grants to study human consciousness. The recipients include prominent scientists and researchers from institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Oxford University, and the California Institute of Technology.
Research shows that cities built on fertile lands account for a significant decline in global food production, despite covering only 3% of US land area. Urbanization leads to a 1.6% reduction in annual Net Primary Productivity, offsetting gains from increased agricultural lands.
Researchers have developed versatile human embryonic stem cells capable of becoming any cell type, offering potential for transplantation medicine. The cells were created by transferring a somatic cell nucleus into an egg, reprogramming its genes to produce pluripotent stem cells.
Researchers found that SAT test scores are highly correlated with IQ scores, suggesting the SAT can be used as a reliable measure of intelligence. This correlation may have implications for understanding intellectual decline due to head injury or diseases like Alzheimer's.
A study conducted by NC State University researchers found that while there is no systemic racial profiling by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, individual troopers and patrol patterns contribute to disparities in traffic citations. The study suggests that factors such as accident rates, demographic composition, and driving behavior p...
Researchers found that tropical boubous sing the 'victory duet' more often after an invasion attempt than before or during playback of recordings. This rare context-specific birdsong is used to assert dominance and deter other birds from intruding into their territory.
Researchers explored the potential of copper to control cancerous growth by depleting it of essential nutrients. Studies have shown that regulating copper levels can stop tumor growth, although no cures have been found yet, and further research is needed for a more comprehensive approach.
Los Alamos is leading reactor design for the JIMO mission, which would orbit icy moons to study their makeup and potential for sustaining life. The lab is developing key technologies such as nuclear fuel, beryllium components, and diagnostic instruments for a safe and reliable space reactor.
A multinational trial found that the combination of Pegasys and Copegus significantly increased sustained virological response rates in patients co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. The study reported 40% overall efficacy, including 62% efficacy for genotype 2 and 3 patients.
Out-of-balance ecosystems play a significant role in the demise of amphibian populations. Human activities, parasites, and environmental changes are contributing factors. The research highlights the importance of managing landscapes and water bodies to prevent further declines.
Researchers at Scripps Research have created a single, clonable strand of DNA that folds into an octahedron with potential applications in biomedical science, electronics, and computing. The structure can be amplified and replicated using standard molecular biology tools.
A new study demonstrates the benefits of Risperdal Consta in young adults with schizophrenia, improving symptoms and reducing side effects. The treatment showed significant satisfaction and improvement in health-related quality of life, making it a promising option for patients.
Research casts doubt on voice-stress lie detection technology, with studies finding dismal results in detecting deception and excluding non-deceitful individuals. The technology's ability to identify micro-tremors related to stress is limited, suggesting it may not be capable of reliably detecting lies.
Researchers at NASA find evidence of ozone-destroying chlorine peroxide in the stratosphere over Polar Regions. The molecule triggers destruction when absorbing sunlight, breaking down ozone and forming again through a continuous cycle.
Scientists have found that bacteria can produce uniform nanospheres of selenium with vastly different properties from conventional selenium. These findings could lead to the production of smaller, faster semiconductors and other electronic devices.
The private sector is increasingly drawn into addressing biodiversity concerns through socially responsible investment (SRI) portfolios, with $640 billion managed in the UK. SRI funds have grown significantly since their inception, and companies are acknowledging business risks related to public concern about biodiversity.