Scientists at NIST and Johns Hopkins University have developed a new optical method that can image subsurface structures under skin using polarized light. The method minimizes unwanted light scattering and may eventually be used to produce more detailed images of deeper layers of skin for diagnosing various types of skin cancers.
The probable collapse sequences for the World Trade Center (WTC) towers reveal a complex interplay of factors leading to their collapse, including fires fueled by building contents and jet fuel. The sequences update and finalize hypotheses released by NIST, supported by extensive computer modeling and evidence.
Using informatics and computer modelling, researchers can speed up vaccine development by identifying common patterns in 'foreign' protein sequences. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce the number of proteins that need to be experimentally tested.
A study by Oregon State University suggests that ocean currents could disrupt the marine food chain, leading to a decline in phytoplankton productivity. The Atlantic Conveyer current, which warms Europe, is a critical component of this process, and its disruption could have far-reaching consequences for global food security.
A study analyzing ASSENT-2 clinical trial data found no significant association between small dosing errors and increased mortality rates among heart attack patients. However, patients with certain factors such as advanced age, female gender, and lower blood pressure were more likely to experience adverse events.
A dynamic landscape model developed by Lieven Claessens predicts landslide-prone areas and calculates rainfall effects. The research aims to conserve kauri forests, which have prevented landslides for over 1,000 years in New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence will explore different types of ethics to serve as a common spiritual backbone for humankind. The center will promote deep, continuous ethical discourse among students and faculty at Case Western Reserve University.
A new study found that traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes are strongly associated with cardiovascular death in kidney patients. Emerging risk factors like elevated C-reactive protein levels were not as strongly linked to increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A Virginia Tech researcher is awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER grant to develop unique micro-analytical systems and detection strategies for proteomic investigations. The project aims to address basic technological limitations, enabling faster proteomics and new analytical capabilities.
Scientists have found that Pseudomonas bacteria can switch between two phases, improving their competitive advantage. The switches are caused by spontaneous gene mutations, enabling the bacteria to respond more quickly to changes.
Research found low doses of BPA in female rats inhibit estrogen-induced synaptic connections, affecting hippocampal development and memory. High concentrations of BPA have been reported in pregnant women's blood, potentially impacting human hippocampal development and long-term effects on children's learning ability.
Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert and her team have screened a large number of molecules to find peptide sequences with varying affinity for heparin, a sugar that binds nerve repair drugs. They aim to develop affinity-based drug delivery systems to stimulate tissue regeneration for conditions like nerve damage.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are developing a solution to the problem of safe mobile computing by utilizing 3D sound and gestures. This innovative approach allows users to interact with their devices as naturally as talking to a friend while walking, minimizing the risk of accidents.
A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that Pfizer's Lyrica significantly reduced pain and improved sleep, fatigue, and other symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. The study also showed a clinically meaningful reduction of pain in 48% of patients taking Lyrica compared to 27% on placebo.
Researchers discovered that LXRs regulate SREBP-1c, a key protein in fat metabolism, allowing animals to store fat when fed high-fat diets with cholesterol. The study also found that LXR's role is crucial in the biochemical pathway that regulates fat storage, suggesting a new target for obesity and heart disease treatments.
Researchers discovered that low levels of protein Z and S early in pregnancy can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. The study included 103 women with normal pregnancies, 106 with pregnancy complications, and 20 with inherited clotting conditions. Women with prior complications may be at higher risk for future issues.
The Smart Sensor Enabled Neural Threat Recognition and Identification (SENTRI) system uses software developed by Dr. Ted Berger to recognize suspicious noises. It can distinguish between gun fire and other noises, as well as small-arms fire from heavy weapons.
Researchers found a unique organization of inputs on hypocretin neurons in mice, where excitatory nerve junctions outnumber inhibitory contacts by almost 10 fold. Stressors like fasting excite these neurons, leading to insomnia and associated metabolic disturbances, including obesity.
A study found that an ancient enzyme, GCN2 kinase, plays a crucial role in guiding healthy eating behavior in mammals. The enzyme detects changes in blood amino acid levels and triggers a behavioral response to limit consumption of imbalanced food.
Tap water is a significant source of hospital-acquired infections, with biofilm harbouring pathogenic microorganisms. Point-of-use 0.2 micron filters can significantly reduce the release of pathogens and aerosols, providing an absolute barrier between patients and contaminated water.
Researchers at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method to create nanoporous, conducting polymer films that can detect toxic gases. The process uses electrostatic repulsion to pattern the polyaniline particles on complex device structures.
UF researchers discovered that high levels of phenylalanine in the brains of mice with PKU interfere with brain cell communication, leading to potential developmental delays and disorders. The findings may lead to new treatments for PKU and other neurological disorders.
Linguist Valteir Martins reconstructs the sound structure and lexicon of Proto-East-Maku, an ancient language of the Brazilian Maku people. The language is genetically related to the Arawak languages, challenging earlier claims that the Maku Indians were the first inhabitants of the Amazon region.
Researchers found that more than half of patients with heart failure have normal ejection fractions but still experience symptoms. The study suggests that conditions like anemia, obesity, and hypertension may play a role in causing heart failure.
A new study published in Experimental Neurology found that rats fed diets rich in blueberries, spinach, or spirulina experienced less brain cell loss and improved recovery after a stroke. The antioxidant-rich diets may counteract the burst of free radicals involved in brain cell death triggered by an ischemic stroke.
Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are more likely to receive genetic counseling if they're white. African American women are less aware of genetic testing technology and underestimate their cancer risk. The study found a significant racial disparity in the use of BRCA1/2 testing, which is not explained by socioeco...
A combination vaccine for pneumococcus and meningococcal conjugate showed reduced group C meningococcal immunogenicity compared to separate vaccines. The study, conducted from 2000-2002, found the combination vaccine was safe but not suitable as a replacement for individual vaccines.
Rufinamide shows promise in reducing seizures for patients with treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy. A new gene mutation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and a common mutation in Parkinson's disease were also identified, offering potential new avenues for research.
The Marine Corps has created a dedicated virtual-reality training system for its assault amphibian vehicles, allowing for increased training capabilities due to range and ammunition supply constraints. The Virtual Environment Assault Amphibian Vehicle (VEAAV) training system was developed by a Navy-Marine Corps team in just six months.
Research finds hypocretin neurons, involved in arousal and appetite, have an unorthodox organization that may contribute to insomnia and obesity. The discovery offers clues to the underlying mechanism of their association.
A study published in Epidemiology found that women with a history of preeclampsia are at a two-fold risk of death compared to those without the disorder. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia who had a subsequent normal birth were also found to have a significantly increased risk of dying after 20 years of follow-up.
A wearable captioning system developed at the Georgia Tech Research Institute allows users to customize captions in any venue that provides captioning. The system relies on mobile wireless technology and can transmit multiple text streams, making it potentially useful for language translation as well.
Researchers are investigating virtual reality therapy as a potential treatment for acute post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty military members. The therapy aims to provide innovative tools and techniques for early intervention and treatment of PTSD symptoms, including those related to combat.
Researchers found that unattractive children were less likely to be buckled into grocery carts and given more freedom to wander. The study suggests a parent's instinctive Darwinian response drives this behavior, with attractive children receiving more attention and affection.
Researchers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center developed a method to process contaminated plastic waste, leading to the creation of the Plastics Waste Processor. The device has been installed on over 650 Navy ships and has improved the sustainability of naval operations.
A year-long study at Case Western Reserve University found that 'responsive teaching' strategies improved parents' interactions with autistic children and enhanced their developmental growth. The study showed a 60% increase in cognitive development and a 150% increase in language development among participants.
Researchers found that pretreating with DHE can prevent migraines from progressing to debilitating sensitization. This breakthrough suggests that more patients can benefit from standard treatment using intravenous DHE.
A recent study has found that patients who received incorrect doses of fibrinolytic agents were more likely to have underlying health conditions, such as lower systolic blood pressure and body weight. These findings suggest that adverse outcomes from blood clot therapy may be due to patient characteristics rather than dosing errors.
Steve Finkbeiner, a Gladstone investigator, has won the prestigious Lieberman Award for his groundbreaking research on Huntington's disease. The award includes $150,000 in funding to build on his findings using a custom-designed robotic microscope that tracks changes in cells over long periods.
A Umeå research team has made a breakthrough in understanding how obesity causes diabetes, fatty liver, and blood-fat disturbances. The study found that mice lacking a specific receptor, GPR40, are protected from these complications when fed a calorie-rich diet.
A new mouse model has shown reduced blood glucose levels and lower serum insulin, indicating improved glucose tolerance in the liver. The study found that Gab1 acts as a negative regulator on insulin signal strength in the liver, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes.
Patients on statins before a stroke had a 1.6 times higher chance of favorable outcomes compared to those not taking statins. Statin use after a stroke was associated with a 2.6 times increased probability of recovery.
A new study found that people with learning difficulties face discrimination, harassment, and bullying due to their sexuality. Despite these challenges, most participants desired social connections and romantic relationships.