Researchers found patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a three-fold increase in carotid artery atherosclerosis compared to those without RA. Statins and b-blockers may also affect coronary heart disease severity, while hospital volume doesn't correlate with pneumonia care quality.
Laptop computers combining toy features with innovative tech are accelerating learning and communication ability in disabled children, according to Penn State researchers. The technology has shown a significant improvement in communication skills and vocabulary for early readers among 2-3 year olds.
A University of Chicago study found that daily doses of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride were as effective as montelukast sodium in relieving hay fever symptoms without additional side effects. Pseudoephedrine was slightly more effective in reducing congestion and had a lower risk of sleep problems compared to montelukast.
A large European study found that a top candidate gene variant does not significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis, contrary to previous research. The study, which involved over 20,000 participants, suggests that genetic testing for this variant alone is not sufficient to accurately predict fracture risk.
Researchers use mathematical modeling to predict that flu outbreaks will emerge in multiple locations and that containment efforts will only buy time. The study suggests that a multi-pronged preparedness strategy is needed to effectively prevent pandemics.
Geophysicist Mark Zoback explains that the New Madrid seismic zone is prone to earthquakes due to the legacy effect of a massive glacier pressing into the Earth's surface. He predicts that earthquakes could continue to occur in the region for thousands of years, emphasizing the need for continued research and preparedness.
Researchers at UCSD have found that disease-causing Strep bacteria release an enzyme that degrades neutrophil DNA nets, allowing them to escape the immune system and spread in body tissues. This discovery could lead to new treatments by inhibiting this enzyme, making it easier for the immune system to clear the pathogen.
University of Miami researchers are tracking black and red grouper in the Dry Tortugas National Park using acoustic telemetry technology. The study aims to improve our understanding of species movement and habitat requirements, enabling more efficient design and assessment of future marine-protected areas.
Researchers from the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) will present studies on rivers' impact on the Arctic Ocean, as well as microbial diversity in a sewage-impacted estuary. Additionally, scientists will discuss how ocean particle scavenging is modulated by surface ocean productivity and nutrient quality.
Biometrics seeks to overcome its limitations by improving sensor quality, image processing, and combining traits for enhanced accuracy. The technology has shown impressive precision but also faces challenges such as small margins of error, which can have significant consequences.
A recent study recommends a large-scale test of speed camera networks in the US to curb road deaths. Small increases in travel speeds resulted in over 42,000 annual road deaths in the 1990s. Implementing speed control policies like those in the UK could have reduced US road deaths by 16-25%.
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide is causing coral reefs to become more acidic, threatening their survival. Laboratory experiments suggest a doubling in CO2 could drive production of carbonate below what's needed to repair skeletal damage.
A study of 58 adults with ragweed allergic rhinitis found that both over-the-counter pseudoephedrine and prescription montelukast reduced symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Pseudoephedrine was more effective at alleviating nasal congestion.
Research in East Africa highlights the dual nature of land use, with positive impacts on local economies but negative consequences for native plants and wildlife. LUCID project explores links between social systems and environmental changes, aiming to understand why some communities maintain biodiversity despite agricultural expansion.
Trends in declining nutrient levels will be discussed along with research findings on organic apples and strawberries.
A Loyola study found that continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring detects unsuspected paroxysmal abnormalities in stroke patients, including atrial fibrillation. Cardiovascular risk factors were discovered more frequently in monitored patients, highlighting the importance of routine telemetry for all stroke patients.
Between 2000 and 2003, Sweden reported an increasing number of MRSA infections, peaking at 544 cases in 2003. A significant portion, 433 cases, were acquired outside the country.
Dr. Sharon Smith's research warns of potentially dramatic changes in the Arctic ecosystem due to anthropogenic warming, disrupting feeding patterns and food source availability for marine life. The study highlights the urgent need to address global climate change and its impacts on vulnerable ecosystems.
Comet dust samples collected by the Stardust mission are being studied to determine their mineral composition, providing valuable insights into the formation of the solar system. The samples, which consist of ice, dust, and rock, were analyzed using electron microscopes and other techniques.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $5 million gift from the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Foundation to support its Institute of NanoScience and Engineering. This funding will enable researchers to investigate complex scientific and engineering challenges, leading to potential breakthroughs in various fields.
The Tree of Life Project, a massive collaboration among scientists worldwide, is growing its database of life on Earth. With the help of Katja Schulz's new system, researchers and non-scientists alike can now easily upload data, allowing for new connections and insights into biological patterns.
Researchers investigated the role of diatom-derived aldehydes as 'infochemicals' regulating population dynamics. Low doses induced resistance, while high concentrations triggered cell death, suggesting a stress surveillance system that determines phytoplankton community fitness and succession.
A recent study found that promoting both earthquake safety and economic development is possible for small towns in the Midwest. Researchers recommend tearing down old buildings as new ones are constructed and adding land to boost safety, leading to improved community safety and economic growth.
Scientists study stardust in labs to understand element formation and stellar evolution. The analysis of isotopic compositions provides clues about nuclear and chemical processes in stars.
The incidence of breast cancer in Korea is increasing, with a significant rise in the proportion of asymptomatic patients detected by mammography. This trend reflects the country's westernization and lower breastfeeding rates, leading to higher risk factors such as early menarche and obesity.
Researchers found that the SRY gene plays a crucial role in regulating dopamine-producing brain cells, which malfunction in Parkinson's disease. The study suggests that men are more susceptible to the disease due to lower levels of this gene, while women may have an alternative protective mechanism involving estrogens.
The Bahamas Biocomplexity Project adopts a holistic approach to marine conservation, combining scientific tools with ethnographic and economic surveys. The project's findings suggest that marine protected areas can increase seaweed grazing and reduce algal abundance, benefiting coral reefs.
Patients who chewed sugarless gum three times a day experienced shorter hospital stays (4.3 days vs. 6.8 days) and earlier gas passage and first bowel movements compared to control groups. Chewing gum may stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, promoting hormones that activate bowel motility.
The study found that timely antibiotic treatment was key to patients' survival, with a mortality rate of nearly 80% when treatment was delayed beyond six days. Anthrax progression to its advanced stage often leads to certain death, even with modern care.
A Stanford-Kaiser study suggests that statins and beta-blockers can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack in patients with high blood pressure or high cholesterol. The study found that these medications were effective in reducing the risk of heart attack by more than half, even when other treatments for high cholesterol failed.
A colossal gamma-ray flare from magnetar SGR 1806-20 has profoundly disturbed the Earth's daytime ionosphere. Scientists detected this massive effect using VLF radio waves, which enable them to monitor ionospheric responses to lightning discharges and cosmic events.
The InterRidge statement of commitment emphasizes the need for responsible research practices in deep-sea vent areas. The statement aims to establish professional standards and promote awareness about the potential consequences of human impacts on these extreme ecosystems.
A Penn bioethics researcher explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, highlighting potential implications for teaching ethics and forensic outcomes. The researcher's work raises important questions about the balance between individual freedom and the need for scientific understanding.
A study found that genetic variation in the leptin and leptin receptor genes is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Individuals with two copies of the polymorphism had a threefold higher risk of developing breast cancer than those without it.
The West Antarctic ice sheet's rapid discharge is making a significant contribution to global sea-level rise. Current computer models do not account for liquid water on ice sheet sliding, leading to conservative estimates of future behavior.
Scientists highlight Amazon deforestation, West Antarctic Ice Sheet melting, slowdown of North Atlantic Current, ocean acidification, and the impact of land use changes on the planet's functioning. The symposium showcases new research models and a collaborative databank to assess Earth System consequences.
A Northwestern University researcher found that online communities of young people (10-16) demonstrate high levels of civic involvement, care for their communities, and exhibit unique leadership styles. These leaders prioritize synthesis, social ability, and persuasiveness over traditional traits.
The Cityware project aims to develop pervasive computing technology that enables users to access services anywhere, anytime. The project will test new location recognition tools, interactive games and cultural activities, as well as information services for everyday life.
Dr. Kerry Sieh, Dr. Peter Ventzek, and Dr. Denice Denton receive NOGLSTP awards for their groundbreaking work in earth science, semiconductor industry, and engineering education. The recipients are recognized for their leadership in the GLBT community and their commitment to promoting diversity in STEM fields.
Mathematicians play a key role in defining the possibilities and limitations for tsunami early warning systems. Mathematical modeling has shown that tsunamis behave like classical wave packets, with long wavelengths and trough-to-crest distances exceeding 200 km. This understanding can help improve warnings and save lives.
Global studies on natural hazards can inform disaster prevention and preparedness measures, but require downscaled approaches to customize risk-conscious economic development. A new Global Risk Identification Program aims to provide evidence-based frameworks for national hazard mitigation strategies.
A national evaluation of summer research programs for undergraduates has found that they are a confirmatory event in many students' lives, confirming their desire to pursue careers in science. The programs also show similar quality of mentoring and positive experiences across institution types.
Experts from climate change, terrorism, sociology, politics, and geography come together to discuss how to effectively translate information into useful policy. The session aims to identify common issues with scientific content, weigh values, and communicate risk and science-based solutions to the public.
Patent law enables broad adoption of biomedical innovations by reducing transaction costs associated with negotiation and enforcement. Breaking patents can lead to monopolization and hinder competition.
The world's first marine mining companies are assessing the economic potential of undersea deposits of polymetallic sulphides. Deep-sea robotics and technology are being developed to extract ore from watery depths, with potential benefits including reduced environmental impact compared to terrestrial mining.
The AAAS Board opposes anti-evolution laws that weaken science education, citing threats to teaching evolution and students' understanding of sciences. The organization emphasizes the scientific consensus on evolution's validity.
The study highlights the co-dependence of mortality risk and poverty, with lower-income countries suffering greater losses due to inadequate infrastructure and emergency response systems. The Earth Institute at Columbia University is a leading academic center for integrated study of the Earth's environment and society.
A panel of autism experts will assess widely held stereotypes about the developmental disability, including the notion that autistic individuals lack a theory of mind, vaccines cause autism, or are cognitively impaired. Experts aim to move beyond myths and misconceptions to set scientific reality straight.
Research by Dr. Robert Drago and Carol Colbeck found that both men and women engage in productive and unproductive bias avoidance behaviors. Productive behaviors minimize family commitments to improve work performance, while unproductive behaviors produce the appearance of commitment without actual benefits.
Childress and colleagues develop tool to simulate hovering flight in laboratory setting, allowing analysis of optimal flapping frequency with size. The researchers created a vertical oscillating wind tunnel to study the hovering of passive flexible bodies in oscillating airflow.
Rapid climate changes during the Pleistocene Holocene transition led to the extinction of mega fauna and forced humans to adapt constantly. The environment became more stable in the Holocene, but with less variety.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new transparent material that can amplify light without the need for population inversion, a fundamental property of laser technology. This breakthrough has significant implications for secure information networks, allowing for undisturbed transmission of light signals.
A new study from Cornell University reveals that Americans are divided on the issue of genetically engineered food, with women and non-Caucasians perceiving higher health risks. Over the past three years, support for GE food has declined slightly while risk perception has increased, indicating a growing trend of skepticism.
A study by Emory University researchers found that organic diets significantly reduce children's exposure to two common pesticides, malathion and chlorpyrifos. The study, which involved 23 elementary students aged 3-11, showed a dramatic and immediate protective effect against the pesticides until conventional diets were reintroduced.
Researchers have successfully used pig islet cells to reverse type 1 diabetes in humans through transplantation. The demand for islet cells far outweighs the supply, but this breakthrough offers a potential solution. The University of Minnesota has made significant progress in developing a safe and reliable source of islet cells.
A study by Northwestern University researcher David Huffaker finds that teen bloggers are vulnerable to cyberstalking due to their online presence. Blogs provide a platform for teens to share stories and feelings, but also expose them to risks such as sexual predation and bullying.
Researchers propose that social systems arose as a group defense mechanism against predators, citing studies on male muriqui networks and affiliative hormones in primate species. Positive behaviors like grooming and physical touch increase levels of social bonding hormones.
Z. Jane Wang's research uses dragonflies as a model to study efficient flight, challenging conventional wisdom that airplanes are more efficient than birds. The study suggests that using aerodynamic drag can be beneficial for certain types of flight, and may inspire the development of flapping machines.
Researchers suggest that productive kelp forests in the Pacific Rim may have facilitated human coastal migrations around 35,000 to 15,000 years ago. This theory is supported by findings of kelp forests near earliest coastal archaeological sites in the Americas.
The Organic Center symposium highlights the impact of organic farming in reducing pesticide risks and enhancing food quality. Key findings include the effectiveness of organic farming in dramatically reducing pesticide risks to children, while regulatory actions have had limited success in addressing dietary exposures.