Researchers at NIST have developed chip-scale refrigerators capable of reaching temperatures as low as 100 milliKelvin, enabling cooling of bulk objects. The solid-state refrigerators have applications in semiconductor defect analysis and astronomical research.
The May-June GSA Bulletin issue explores phosphogenesis and organic-carbon preservation in the Miocene Monterey Formation at Naples Beach, California. Researchers propose a corollary to the Monterey hypothesis suggesting major sinks of organic matter are located in continental sediments.
Researchers found a significant decrease in spina bifida and anencephaly rates in Chile between 2001-2002, following folic acid fortification. The study suggests that the fortification is responsible for the decline, as similar trends were observed in other countries with folic acid fortification.
NIST's special test arena is used to train bomb and drug sniffing dogs as well as robotic rescue systems. The arenas provide a challenging environment for dogs to find hidden explosives or narcotics, while robotics experts observe police techniques.
A recent international study found that Canadian youth were among the heaviest in the world, ranking 4th for obesity and 5th for overweight. Sedentary behavior was strongly correlated with being overweight, while candy consumption surprisingly showed a decrease in likelihood of being overweight.
The May GEOLOGY media highlights featured articles on the preservation of a unique coal-bearing succession in the Pennsylvanian Joggins Formation and the role of evaporite withdrawal. Seismic profiles also showed that layers of salt were able to flow and rise to the surface, leading to subsidence and preservation. Additionally, researc...
A study by University of Florida researchers found that genetic variations can determine how well heart failure patients tolerate beta-blockers. The findings suggest that personalized therapy based on genetic makeup could lead to safer and more effective treatments.
Researchers found that rat fetuses exposed to a high-carbohydrate diet in utero developed increased insulin levels, appetite stimulation, and obesity. The study suggests that such malprogramming could be interrupted if the mother's weight and insulin levels are normalized before pregnancy.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that only about one-quarter of teen check-ups included diet and exercise discussions, while skin cancer was the least likely topic. The study also revealed low rates of counseling on HIV and family planning, with only about 5% of visits addressing these topics.
A decline in winter and spring snow cover over Southwest Asia and the Himalayan mountain range creates conditions for widespread blooms of ocean plants in the Arabian Sea. This is due to increased temperature and pressure differences between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea, leading to monsoon winds that mix the ocean water.
Researchers at UTMB developed a method called PMCA to produce infectious prions in test tubes, causing TSE symptoms in healthy hamsters. The breakthrough confirms the prion hypothesis and opens doors for new surveillance techniques and blood tests for mad cow disease.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, including macrolides and lincosamides. The study revealed new details about the structural basis of drug resistance and identified potential targets for developing new hybrid antibiotics.
Researchers used brain imaging to map abnormalities in living patients with Williams syndrome, showing exceptional language skills. The findings shed light on the genetic control of human cortex development and help predict the syndrome's progression.
Scientists from Bristol, The Open and Sheffield Universities have dated the engravings at Creswell Crags to over 12,800 years old, making them Britain's oldest rock art. The dating method used uranium-series dating, which measures minute traces of radioactive uranium in thin limestone crusts that formed over the engravings.
A new study published in Geology estimates the maximum possible earthquake magnitude in the San Fernando and Northridge areas of Los Angeles County. The researchers used paleomagnetism to analyze sediments and found that the crust is broken into blocks, limiting the maximum earthquake magnitude to around 6.8.
Scientists at NIST report that flow properties of alternative solvents called ionic liquids are extremely sensitive to tiny amounts of water. The finding could help design new industrial processes that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Researchers identified molecular and behavioral changes in mice with a faulty circadian system, which can lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome. The study suggests that misregulated genes in various tissues cause metabolic changes, leading to weight gain and related disorders.
Women with active epilepsy can have a healthy child if they continue treatment, but the risk of birth defects varies depending on the medication. The importance of individualized counseling and maintaining seizure control is emphasized to balance treatment effectiveness and potential risks.
The study found that standardized processes and commercially manufactured microarrays lead to more consistent results. This standardization can improve clinical practice, including personalized medical treatments for diseases like breast cancer.
Virtual colonoscopy is effective in detecting large colorectal polyps and masses, but is less sensitive for smaller ones. The review found no direct evidence on the effect of screening methods on cancer incidence or death prevention.
Researchers used a new brain-mapping technique to study the neural connections involved in sleep regulation. The study found that neurons producing orexin, which helps keep animals awake, receive inhibitory signals from sleep-active neurons and reinforcing signals from wakefulness-activated neurons.
A recent study by Fred W. Turek and Joseph Bass found a possible link between sleep disturbances and metabolic syndrome in mutant mice. The research suggests that altered circadian rhythms and hormone regulation, including leptin and ghrelin, may play a role in the development of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers develop customized antibodies that work together to target and destroy cancer cells. The therapy shows significant synergy, with a single combination of antibodies leading to more than three times greater effectiveness than a solo antibody in inhibiting HER2 signaling.
A malaria vaccine, RTS, S/AS02, has shown substantial protection in trials, with 30% and 58% effectiveness rates. However, an efficacious vaccine is not yet available for widespread use due to funding and organizational challenges. Experts predict a decade-long timeline for the development of a viable vaccine.
Researchers have discovered that a faulty body clock can wreak havoc on the body's metabolism, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. In a study published in Science, scientists found that mice with a misaligned internal timepiece gained weight and developed metabolic abnormalities when fed regular or high-fat diets.
Researchers at NIST developed an X-ray technique to analyze high-intensity gas discharge lamps, revealing the spatial distribution of mercury atoms. This understanding improves lamp design and energy efficiency, saving $10 billion annually in U.S. electricity consumption.
A new generation of smart gear has been developed to minimize the accidental deaths of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and juvenile fish. The innovations include weighted, deep-set lines that reduce encounters with sea turtles while increasing tuna catch, as well as avoidable, detectable gear for marine mammals.
The Roll Back Malaria partnership, which includes WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, has failed to achieve its aims of reducing malaria mortality. Despite a seven-year initiative, malaria rates have increased, making it unlikely that the 2010 target to halve deaths will be met.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery that enables temporary metabolic hibernation in mice, reducing oxygen dependence and potentially extending organ preservation time before transplantation. This technique could also accelerate wound healing in diabetic patients and improve cancer treat...
Recent tests by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that portable radiation detectors perform well enough to meet new consensus standards, but produce inaccurate readings for low-energy X-rays. The results highlight the need for manufacturers to better design and characterize their instruments.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a molecule on immune cells that plays a critical role in the sexual transmission of HIV. Blocking this molecule could prevent HIV from spreading infection, potentially reducing its ability to infect new individuals.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have developed a new technology that uses allicin to target and destroy cancer cells. By attaching the enzyme alliinase to an antibody already in clinical use, they can deliver a continuous supply of allicin to penetrate and kill cancer cells.
Researchers have discovered that the enzyme hDOT1L activates a key set of genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to unrestrained growth and a hallmark of the disease. The study suggests that targeting hDOT1L could be a promising approach for treating AML, particularly in cases where patients carry specific genetic mutations.
Researchers analyzed whale skeletons and farm soil using metagenomics, discovering specialized bacteria that thrive in these environments. The study provides a new understanding of the diversity of microbial life on earth, with potential applications in fields such as agriculture and medicine.
A study found that increased activity in the prefrontal cortex predicts higher dopamine levels in the midbrain in individuals with the val COMT gene type, while decreased activity is seen in those with the met type. This suggests a 'tuning' model where dopamine regulates signal-to-noise ratios in brain cells.
The Antarctic Peninsula glaciers have been in widespread retreat over the past 50 years, with most glaciers shrinking rapidly. However, 32 glaciers are showing minor advance. The study suggests that warming is the key cause of this change.
A new study found that administering anti-malarial drugs to infants just three times can reduce the incidence of malaria by 59% in the first year of life. The treatment, known as intermittent preventative malarial treatment (IPT), was also shown to provide long-term protection against malaria episodes in children up to two years old.
A new study found that 87% of the 244 marine glaciers have retreated over the last 50 years, with the trend moving southward from the warmer northern tip of the peninsula. The glacier retreat is linked to atmospheric temperature increases, and may affect sea level rise if ice shelves continue to break up.
Researchers found that a novel form of restricted complement activation occurs on viable sperm upon exposure to follicular fluid, aiding in the fusion process between sperm and egg. This targeted activation may have implications for other cell-cell interactions.
The study reveals novel receptors that enable the fungus to recognize its environment, as well as secreted proteins used to damage rice plants. The M. grisea genome contains retro-elements, which may contribute to its rapid evolution of new strains.
Researchers found that children aged 3-7 years old who underwent epilepsy surgery experienced significant improvements in development, with 82% showing stable gains and three children gaining over 15 points in IQ. Seizure-free outcomes were linked to better cognitive function 2-3 years post-surgery.
Researchers developed Environmental Genomic Tags (EGTs) to assess environment vitality and signal progress in remediating contaminated environments. The EGT approach captures a DNA profile of a particular niche, reflecting the presence and levels of nutrients, pollutants, and other environmental features.
A recent study has found that a combination of artemether-lumefantrine to be highly effective in treating malaria in children aged 4-59 months. The treatment showed an impressive success rate of over 96% in a Tanzanian trial, paving the way for its potential use as a substitute for failing therapies in African countries.
Researchers at UC Berkeley develop a silver superlens that breaks the diffraction limit, enabling resolution of up to 60 nanometers in images of nanowires and biological samples. This breakthrough opens doors to advances in nanoengineering, biomedical imaging, and high-density electronic circuitry.
A genetic study found significant associations between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alcohol dependence in a Russian population. The variations were in the GABRA2 receptor subtype, which is involved in regulating brain activity and can decrease activity of the entire brain and body.
A University of Oregon psychologist recommends creating a new national institute on child abuse and interpersonal violence to address the pressing issue. The study highlights the alarming consequences of child sex abuse, including serious mental and physical health problems, substance abuse, and victimization in adulthood.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a key mechanism behind antibiotic resistance in bacteria. By analyzing the structural changes caused by a single nucleotide mutation, they found that this alteration reduces the ability of antibiotics to bind to ribosomes, allowing resistant bacteria to rapidly cause infections.
Researchers found well-preserved cedar timbers, curved steering oars, and limestone block-anchors from ancient Egyptian ships. The discoveries shed new light on Egypt's sea-faring past and provide insight into trade expeditions to the Red Sea region known as Punt.