NIAID has awarded $27 million to institutions and companies to develop medical countermeasures against Category A bioterror agents, including botulinum toxin and Ebola. The awards will support the development of new treatments and therapies using promising scientific discoveries.
A new mathematical model, PSP, offers improved predictions of transistor behavior, particularly in high-frequency and miniaturized devices. The model, which focuses on surface potential at the silicon-silicon dioxide interface, has been successfully tested on simulations and measurements.
Research reveals that female mosquitofish choose males based on gonopodium size, which is linked to speed and predator avoidance. In contrast, larger genitalia may be favored in predator-free environments where the advantage outweighs the trade-off.
A Dutch study found that non-cardiac drugs affecting heart electrical activity increase sudden cardiac death risk by three times. Anti-psychotics and GI medications were most closely linked to this increased risk.
A Dutch anthropologist's doctoral research on female health workers in Yemen reveals the challenges they face despite their contributions to the healthcare system. The translated thesis provides insight into the backgrounds and motivations of these women, as well as the different agendas and interests at play.
A study found that only 53.9% of Medicaid-enrolled children with elevated blood lead levels received follow-up testing within 180 days. Despite this, many children still had elevated blood levels, underscoring the importance of continued screening and prevention efforts.
Research suggests that obesity can exacerbate asthma due to reduced lung function, chronic inflammation, and hormonal changes. The study found increased levels of pro-inflammatory hormones like leptin in obese individuals with asthma.
Researchers have discovered a way to levitate heavy objects, such as diamonds and precious metals, using a safe mixture of liquid nitrogen and oxygen. This technology has potential applications in mining and pharmaceutical industries.
Research by Mark Hebblewhite links positive NPO values with elk population declines due to severe weather and wolf predation. The Atlantic Ocean climate is driving ecosystem changes, including declines of up to 50% in the Canadian Rockies.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that normal metabolism requires so-called "new" fat to maintain glucose, lipid, and cholesterol homeostasis. The researchers discovered that old fat stores alone failed to set critical metabolic pathways in motion, leading to a marked decline in gene activity.
Scientists on a research cruise are assessing ocean temperatures and collecting water samples to identify levels of carbon dioxide. The study suggests that the jet stream's strength influences both weather patterns and ocean state, leading to recent major temperature changes in the Atlantic.
A study led by Daniel W. Cramer found that high blood levels of antibodies against MUC1 protein are associated with lower incidence of ovarian cancer. These events include bone fractures and gynecological surgeries, suggesting a potential link between immune system activation and cancer protection.
The breast CT scanner developed at UC Davis has reached clinical testing and shows promise in detecting breast tumors earlier than mammography. The technology requires no breast compression and takes images of virtual slices to provide a detailed view of breast tissues.
Loo aims to increase polyaniline's conductivity by up to 10-fold, enabling applications such as flexible electronics and implantable medical devices. Her process uses a polymeric acid molecule, which increases the material's ability to dissolve in water.
Research shows that early institution of ART therapy can delay and decrease HIV progression in perinatal HIV infection. Untreated children are more likely to progress, but very early mono/dual ART initiation by age 2 months offers improved survival rates.
Studies have shown that safe fuel tanks can hold more than 6% of their weight in hydrogen to make nonpolluting cars viable. Carbon structures like titanium-coated nanotubes and Scandium-coated buckyballs can store up to 8% and 9% of their weight in hydrogen, respectively.
A new study reveals that mice with an excess of liver X receptor (LXRa) are protected from high-fat diet-induced cholesterol and blood vessel plaques. The findings suggest that natural variation in LXRa levels can influence susceptibility to heart disease, depending on diet.
A study on genetic testing in families found that individuals with a family history of disease tend to form cliques with those who test positive for a mutation. The timing of disclosure is influenced by the type of disease and perceived need to prepare, highlighting the complexities of sharing genetic information within families.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Grid Laboratory of Wisconsin (GLOW) is a campus-wide distributed computing environment that harnesses spare processing power from hundreds of individual computers. This allows researchers to sort through massive DNA sequences and power simulations in a fraction of the time previously required. By a...
A recent study published in Diabetes journal found that minocycline limits retinal damage caused by microglia cells in diabetic rats. The antibiotic reduces neuroinflammation and activation of microglia, resulting in less nerve cell death and improved vision outcomes.
Researchers at UQ's IMB have discovered a new pathway for particle and nutrient uptake into cells, which is vitally important for cellular survival. This finding presents unexplored avenues for developing new drugs to fight certain viral infections and opening up possibilities for drug delivery or gene therapy.
Research reveals that clay layers can affect water and salt transport due to electro-osmosis, a process caused by differences in electrical potential. Katja Heister's study examined the impact of streaming and membrane potentials on water transport through dense clay layers.
Researchers have developed a new type of battery that uses tritium to generate electricity, potentially leading to the creation of long-lasting devices. The battery's staying power is tied to the enduring nature of its fuel, which releases electrons through beta decay.
The RELEASE study is a randomised clinical trial testing a new technique to treat retained placenta, aiming to improve outcomes for women in developing countries and the UK. The technique involves injecting oxytocin into the placenta via umbilical cord injection.
The authors of a recent article argue that mental health evaluators with adequate forensic training can provide valuable information to judges on custody-relevant issues. However, experts disagree on the role of these evaluations, with some suggesting they should only be used in serious cases of abuse or neglect. The symposium issue of...
Ivan Soltesz, a UCI neurobiologist, received the Senator Jacob Javits Award in the Neurosciences to investigate post-traumatic epilepsy research. The $2.7 million grant aims to develop new anti-epileptic treatment strategies for people who have recovered from severe head trauma.
A novel sensor has been developed to detect gastrointestinal problems by measuring acid levels in the stomach. The sensor, created by Sebastiaan Herber, is small enough to fit inside a catheter and can provide early diagnosis of conditions like ischemia, which can cause pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Teen athletes may have an advantage when traveling across time zones, as they can wake up later and feel more alert. Chronic sleep deprivation from irregular schedules, part-time jobs, and social activities can severely impair morning performance.
A human embryonic stem cell-derived treatment has restored insulation tissue for neurons in rats with acute spinal cord injuries, leading to significant improvements in walking ability. However, the same treatment was ineffective on rats with chronic injuries, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Researchers discovered that monkeys can control a robot arm using only their brain signals, adapting neural structures and expanding capability. The study reveals the remarkable flexibility of the primate brain in incorporating artificial tools into its function.
A national study found that 80% of US adults would pay an extra $3-$6 per month for health insurance to cover newly recommended vaccines. This trend has left millions underinsured, but the study suggests innovative ways to structure plans to improve coverage.
The vaccine industry has declined from 26 companies in 1967 to just five in 2004 due to low market demand and high production costs. Dr. Paul Offit urges legislators to protect vaccines as a vital instrument of public health and recommends financial incentives for manufacturers and healthcare professionals
Researchers at Purdue University found that African-American and Caucasian adolescent girls handle sodium and calcium differently, leading to varying rates of hypertension and osteoporosis. The study concluded that excessive salt intake reduces bone density in both races, with Caucasian girls losing more calcium through their urine.
The study found that levels of biomarkers linked to arterial inflammation and heart attack risk decreased after taking the drug DG-031. The drug reduced production of leukotriene B4 by 26 percent and myeloperoxidase by 12 percent, suggesting a potential reduction in cardiovascular events.
A Stanford study found that early treatment of asymptomatic HIV-infected infants can delay disease progression and enhance survival. The research, which followed nearly 200 children over 17 years, showed that treatment made a significant difference in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease.
New treatments for pediatric HIV infection were not always used as recommended by guidelines, with single and dual NRTI regimens being most frequent from 1987-1997. From 1998-2003, 22% of children initiated ART with unapproved regimens, and switching risk decreased with age but increased with year of initiation.
A recent Michigan Medicine study reveals that only 53.9% of children with elevated blood lead levels in Medicaid received critical subsequent follow-up testing, leaving many vulnerable to lead poisoning. Nearly half of those who did receive testing still had elevated blood lead levels, highlighting missed opportunities for prevention.
A new pocket guide for nurses, 'Helping Smokers Quit', aims to enlist the aid of the country's 2.2 million practicing nurses in helping people give up smoking. The guide provides information and tools for nurses to become smoking cessation advocates.
The US vaccine system is fragile and needs significant improvements, the authors report. Despite record low levels of vaccine-preventable diseases and high immunization rates among children, supply chain issues, cost concerns, and safety threats threaten to derail progress.