The researchers have developed two rapid-solution synthesis methods that can produce robust, water-dispersible quantum dots for bioimaging and organically soluble quantum dots ready for sequestration into a polymer host. The new synthesis methods are scalable and can be used to produce large quantities of quantum dots.
The blood test aims to identify individuals with improper control of the growth-promoting gene insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), which is associated with a higher risk of colon cancer. If successful, the test could help monitor those who need invasive colonoscopy or suggest dietary changes to reduce their risk.
Astronomers have found two young stars with 'gaps' in their disks that resemble the gaps between Jupiter and Uranus in our solar system. The discovery challenges existing theories of giant-planet formation and provides a unique window into how our own solar system came to be.
A new study published in The American Journal of Medicine reveals that a high-carb, vegan diet leads to significant weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity. With unlimited servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, this low-fat diet is also associated with lower rates of prostate cancer and various life-threatening diseases.
The Office of Science program matches displaced students and faculty researchers with host grant recipients, providing financial assistance to continue research at other institutions. Displaced individuals can indicate their interest on a clearinghouse website and receive case-by-case consideration for modest supplemental funding.
Recent studies suggest that major variants in genes Microcephalin and ASPM are evolving under strong natural selection in modern human populations. These genetic changes may have emerged as a result of cultural evolution and the spread of agriculture and written language, coinciding with key milestones in human history.
A new research project will look at the Australian healthcare system's performance and identify areas for improvement. The study aims to create a more accessible and sustainable primary healthcare system, especially for people with chronic illnesses.
The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute funds three South Australian projects to enhance healthcare communication and address chronic disease management. Researchers will investigate best practices in general practice, rural health care, and mild chronic lung disease management.
A study found that 69% of meta-analyses in critical care had flaws, leading to concerns about the reliability of medical research. The most common issues were failure to report comprehensive literature searches and methods for avoiding bias.
The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of self-help and information technology in delivering better services for people with mental health problems. It is part of a larger funding round aimed at improving primary health care policy.
A team of researchers has identified three key transcription factors that enable human embryonic stem cells to maintain pluripotency. By understanding the regulatory circuitry controlling these cells, scientists can now develop strategies to coax them into specific cell types for regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding stem cells and their role in reproduction and the nervous system. Studies suggest that therapeutic cloning may become unnecessary once body cells can be re-programmed into stem cells.
Researchers identify how nuclear receptors work to suppress inflammatory responses, potentially leading to more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects. This discovery could lead to better therapeutic results in treating diseases such as arthritis and arteriosclerosis.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that estrogen reduces levels of a crucial nuclear receptor corepressor, N-CoR, leading to increased breast cancer cell growth. The anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen can facilitate recovery of N-CoR, suggesting potential therapeutic implications for its use.
A new study aims to develop models of care that address socio-economic and environmental issues threatening the health of Aboriginal children. The research will investigate successful models of care in rural and remote areas, with a goal of establishing an evidence-base for future use.
Researchers find nickel gallium sulfide material exhibits disordered magnetic spin arrangement, characteristic of a liquid magnetic state. The team used neutron experiments to study the material's structure and properties, shedding light on its unique magnetic behavior.
Researchers at USC and UTexas will build a detector for single photon computers, which could perform certain tasks far faster than traditional chips. The project aims to create ultra-small devices that generate single photons, one at a time, using 'quantum dots' and nanoscale technology.
Researchers found that the fatty acid DHA decreases levels of Abeta peptides associated with Alzheimer disease and upregulates neuroprotectin D1, an endogenous messenger inhibiting apoptosis triggered by these peptides. Additionally, studies revealed beryllium-specific T cells determine immune responses in exposed workers and apoptosis...
Myxococcus xanthus uses all three known phosphate signalling pathways and a partial fourth pathway in combination to detect and utilize phosphates. The bacterium's complex system enables it to find phosphates in different states or conditions, exploiting them for energy.
Scientists identified single neurons in the brain's pitch center that recognize a middle-C as a middle-C even when played by two different instruments. This discovery solves an age-old mystery of auditory research and highlights the importance of pitch perception to humans, facilitating melodic patterns and emotional content of speech.
Research Australia-funded project explores ways to tackle childhood obesity in Australia, focusing on parental involvement and early intervention. The study aims to identify effective models for reducing overweight and obesity in young children.
Researchers found a dramatic change in electrical conductivity at 60 kilometers below the ocean floor, with sound waves traveling rapidly above and slowly below. This discovery sheds new light on the process of forming oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new microchip design that uses nanotechnology to store large amounts of data in small volumes. This technology has the potential to increase mobile phone memory capacity by 200 times, making it possible to record longer videos and store them without sacrificing storage space.
Researchers have created a new zinc oxide nanostructure resembling DNA's helical configuration, which could provide a building block for nanodevices. The 'nanohelix' structure is part of a family of nanobelts with semiconducting and piezoelectric properties.
The Mayo Clinic has developed a new coma measurement system called the FOUR Score, which quantifies the level of consciousness and severity of brain injury. The score, tested in 120 intensive care unit patients, provides more precise measurements and higher agreement between evaluators than the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Research suggests that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can decrease levels of pathogenic Abeta peptides associated with Alzheimer's disease in human brain cells. The synthesis of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), an endogenous DHA-derived messenger, is also upregulated and inhibits apoptosis triggered by Abeta peptides.
The PUMA protein coordinates the cell-suicide activities of p53 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Researchers discovered that PUMA frees p53 from Bcl-xL, triggering a series of signals on mitochondria that leads to apoptosis. This finding solves the puzzle of why p53 activity occurs in both the nucleus and cytoplasm during apoptosis.
The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute has funded 12 projects to improve healthcare delivery, governance, and policy formulation. The projects aim to enhance the collaboration between hospitals, general practice, and community care organisations to provide better health outcomes for Australians.
The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) has funded 12 projects across NSW, focusing on primary care models, integration of care, and chronic disease management. The research aims to improve health care outcomes for Australians through collaborative efforts between researchers and policy makers.
Researchers develop quantum algorithm to calculate molecular energy states with high accuracy, overcoming challenges in quantum chemistry. By using a relatively small number of qubits, they demonstrate the potential of quantum computers to solve complex problems that are currently unsolvable by classical supercomputers.
Researchers from NYU Biology have discovered a mechanism linking color vision and cancer genes, indicating that genes involved in switching between photoreceptors may play an unexpected role in controlling cell proliferation. Understanding this regulation is essential for developing new cancer treatments.
A team from Cornell is surveying Mississippi coastal communities to gather information for a GIS database, which will be accessible online. The database will provide detailed maps of key buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, as well as social and demographic data.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a wearable device that harnesses mechanical energy from walking to charge mobile phones and other small electronics. The Suspended-load Backpack uses vertically oriented springs to capture energy from the wearer's movement, generating up to 7.4 Watts of power.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a new method to determine the orientation of surfactant molecules on water, providing insight into their role in environmental challenges. The study, led by Geri Richmond, has broad implications for understanding how these molecules function in practical applications.
Researchers have discovered an unexpected connection between the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and HIV, which may lead to the development of a new HIV vaccine. FIV, also known as feline AIDS, has been used in animal studies to model human AIDS, but this study found that a core protein from HIV also protects cats against FIV.
A new study by UCI neurobiologists suggests that the brain uses a unique coding system to store memories. When this code is used, information is stored in more brain cells, resulting in stronger memories. However, if the code is not used, memories may be weaker due to fewer neurons involved.
Researchers are exploring novel mechanisms for antidepressant drug action, hoping to develop better treatments for depression. The study aims to identify compounds that facilitate neurogenesis, increasing the potential for innovative therapies.
A survey of 6,000 healthcare workers in the NYC area found that only 48% would report for work during a SARS outbreak. The main barriers were transportation problems, child or elder care, and pet obligations, with safety concerns influencing willingness to work.
Researchers have invented a backpack that converts mechanical energy from walking into electricity, generating up to 7.4 Watts of power. The Suspended-load Backpack can power various devices simultaneously, reducing the need for heavy replacement batteries.
Two genes, microcephalin and ASPM, linked to brain size have continued to evolve rapidly in humans over the past 37,000 and 5,800 years, respectively. These genetic variants are favored by natural selection and occur more frequently in certain populations.
Researchers at Georgia Tech will create new tools for fabricating 3D photonic crystals using optical patterning and polymeric structures. This project aims to make high-quality 3D crystals accessible to a wider range of researchers, increasing the potential for innovation in crystal research.
Researchers found a significant drop in biomass burning methane emissions from 1500 to 1600 due to indigenous population decline in South and Central America. Methane levels have increased by nearly 300% since the Industrial Revolution, with human activities accounting for 60% of atmospheric emissions.
The hospital will train four fellows a year in pediatric rheumatology, addressing the shortage of specialists due to limited certification. Dr. Raphael Hirsch's lab is working on finding new targets for therapy and improving diagnosis.
The study found that children of this age learn through role play and imaginative play, but pressures on time and space make it difficult to fit into the curriculum. Outdoor play spaces are essential to capture and engage their interest, allowing for sustained and complex imaginative play.
A dramatic increase in research into neglected diseases such as malaria and leprosy could lead to the development of at least eight new drugs by 2010. The analysis found that Public-Private Partnerships have been a critical driver of this growth, bringing together the best skills of both public and private partners.
Research suggests that pigment spots on bird eggs strengthen the shell by compensating for reduced thickness caused by calcium deficiency. Females nesting on low-calcium soils lay thinner-shelled, more-spotted eggs than those on high-calcium soils.
Researchers say current measures to protect individual privacy can destroy information needed for geographical analyses, hindering public health research. New agent software may provide healthcare professionals with accurate and meaningful information without compromising patient identities.
Researchers at University of Edinburgh develop simpler way to produce negatively-refracting materials for lens construction, enabling cost-effective exploitation of negative refraction technologies. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields like telecommunications, microwave engineering, and optics.
A study of 32 patients with heart failure found that those experiencing depression had nearly twice the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in their blood. This increase was associated with worsened heart function, as TNF-alpha promotes inflammation and reduces the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
The study found that mice with normal and intermediate levels of CB1 receptors drank significantly less alcohol compared to their pre-treatment levels after being treated with a drug known to block CB1 receptors. The results also showed that mice with no CB1 receptors showed no change in drinking in response to the treatment.
Researchers used advanced techniques to study human hair and found that conditioners don't evenly cover the entire hair shaft, leading to frizz. A new conditioner formula has been developed with additives to improve even coverage, and similar techniques could be applied to beauty products like lipstick and nail polish.
A study found that AML patients with the 8;21 translocation have a poor response to treatment and are more likely to relapse. Nonwhite patients with this abnormality were almost six times less likely to achieve complete remission than whites.
Researchers discovered that prions can rapidly 'remodel' good protein into bad, shedding important light on the molecular machinery behind infectious brain diseases. This process may also help explain the progression of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
Researchers have designed a prototype prosthetic hand called the 'Southampton Remedi-Hand' that mimics human movement and grip, weighing only 400g. The hand features independent finger movement, a functional thumb with opposable motion, and integrated sensors to detect pressure and object slipping.
Researchers found that the drug combination increased stem cell mobilization in 25 patients, reducing the number of necessary stem cell collections. This can lead to more successful transplantations and faster recovery for cancer patients.
Researchers suggest a multidisciplinary approach to managing low back pain, using a step-wise approach with various treatment modalities such as pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation programs, and minimally invasive techniques. This approach can help avoid more invasive surgical treatment options and reduce healthcare costs.
A comprehensive tobacco cessation plan could help 33 million smokers quit, adding years of life to former smokers and reducing health care costs for all Americans. The plan, which includes free medications and counseling, is based on scientific evidence and has the potential to dramatically reduce the human and financial tolls of tobacco.
A team of researchers at UC Berkeley has successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate in a magnetic storage ring, containing rubidium atoms at extremely low temperatures. The cold collisions of these slow-moving atoms may reveal new insights into quantum physics.
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains have been found to evade the human immune system, leading to more severe infections in otherwise healthy individuals. The study identified specific genes that may control the bacteria's ability to escape neutrophil destruction.
Researchers aim to build a computer model of gene and protein function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single-celled fungus with human-like genetic traits. The project uses a unique 'genomic yeast library' to determine protein function and potentially develop new treatments for diseases.