Researchers found that flavanol-rich cocoa can improve blood flow in menopausal women with elevated cholesterol, as well as increase brain blood flow in elderly and young adults. Cocoa flavanols may also have beneficial effects on platelets and reduce the risk of vascular damage.
Scientists at the University of New South Wales create a new type of quantum wire that uses holes to carry electrical current, enabling control over magnetic properties and paving the way for spin-based transistors. This discovery has significant implications for high-speed electronics and quantum information technologies.
The human retina can transmit data at roughly 10 million bits per second, similar to Ethernet connections. Researchers used a miniature multi-electrode array to record electrical impulses from guinea pig retinas, revealing that sluggish cells convey most of the information.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that regular multivitamin use before and during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of preeclampsia, particularly among non-overweight women. The study showed a 72% reduction in risk for these women compared to those who didn't take multivitamins.
Researchers found that genetic instructions for constructing and positioning human limbs originated from ancient fish ancestors around 100 million years ago. They isolated genes from the spotted catshark and discovered a shared developmental mechanism between median fin development and limb formation.
The Baylor Institute for Immunology Research has been awarded a $3 million grant to develop vaccines against melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The research will focus on using dendritic cells to modulate the immune system and stimulate an anti-cancer response.
Inhaled nitric oxide significantly reduces chronic lung disease and brain injury risk in very low birthweight premature infants. The therapy, given within the first few weeks of life or within 48 hours after birth, appears to protect against long-term breathing problems and brain damage.
Researchers at University of Iowa and partners visualize magnetic interactions between two atoms less than one nanometer apart, enhancing magnetic semiconductor materials. The technique could lead to smaller, more efficient computer chips using spintronics technology.
A new MRI data-acquisition technique developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison enables clinics to image more patients with osteoarthritis-related knee problems in a shorter time. The technique delivers precise 3D images, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment options.
Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-2015 aims to increase joint TB/HIV programs, benefiting 3 million co-infected with antiretrovirals. Tuberculosis is a leading killer of people living with HIV, and collaboration between communities and governments is crucial to access effective interventions.
A global survey of coral reefs, built using NASA satellite images, found that only a handful of marine protected areas provide effective protection for fish species and marine life. The study highlights the need for larger reserves to protect these ecosystems.
A study by UCLA psychologists found that multi-tasking impairs the ability to learn new information, especially in tasks requiring attention and declarative memory. The researchers used fMRI to examine brain activity and found that multi-tasking disrupts the hippocampus, a critical region for learning and memory.
Researchers have achieved net optical cooling of erbium-doped materials using laser radiation, overcoming technical difficulties associated with this phenomenon. This breakthrough enables the development of new devices such as high-power optical fibre lasers and medical diagnostic techniques.
J-P Garnier, GSK CEO, emphasizes the company's commitment to providing affordable HIV drugs and vaccines for diseases affecting the developing world. He highlights GSK's efforts to introduce modern HIV drugs at lower prices and protect innovation through patents.
A newly devised nozzle allows researchers to distribute helium atoms with X-ray-like waves on randomly shaped surfaces. The technique could power a non-invasive, high-resolution approach to studying materials at the nanoscale.
Research by Zelalem Temesgen and colleagues found that nearly half of long-term HIV-positive patients develop resistant strains of the virus, hindering effective treatment. The authors suggest strategies such as adherence improvement and using new antiretroviral classes to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at Tufts University's Feinstein International Center aim to improve animal health, trade, and human livelihoods in Africa. They propose independent certification bodies to ensure safe export trade and fair standards for livestock commodities.
Researchers at UCI used text mining to analyze 330,000 NYC Times articles, identifying topics and trends. This technology can be applied to various fields, such as medical research and law.
A new study finds that African-Americans are more likely to cohabit with and marry whites than black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa. Interracial marriages among different racial groups remain low, but cohabitation rates are higher.
A Northwestern University study found that over 90% of patients support designating a proxy for health care, but less than 26% had previously been asked. The researchers advocate for routine identification of proxies to promote advance care planning and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers will follow over 540 children with mild to moderate kidney disease for four years, collecting blood, urine, and genetic samples. The study seeks to refine an existing method to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a precise indicator of kidney function.
A study by Daniel A. Hahn found that worker ants in desert carpenter ant colonies store more fat per unit lean mass than lighter ants, leading to a greater proportion of soldiers being stored. This difference in individual-level storage tactics contributes to between-species differences in behavioral development and motivation.
Astrophysicist Saul Perlmutter wins prestigious International Feltrinelli Prize for his groundbreaking research on dark energy and the accelerating expansion of the universe. The prize recognizes Perlmutter's contributions to our understanding of the universe's mysterious force, dark energy.
The Indian government's plan for controlling HIV is not yet fully implemented, and the consequences could be devastating. Experts call for increased access to care and treatment services, as well as strategic knowledge building, to mitigate the social fallout of the epidemic.
A Cornell study discovered that the sound of a word can reveal its grammatical role, affecting how it is processed in sentences. The researchers analyzed the sounds of over 3,000 nouns and verbs to show how phonological typicality influences comprehension.
Researchers developed an infant formula with prebiotic oligosaccharides to reduce atopic dermatitis in high-risk babies. The study found that formula-fed babies showed a significant increase in bifidobacteria and lower incidence of atopic dermatitis compared to those fed standard formulas.
The Rutgers-led research consortium will coordinate four university-based centers to advance efforts in identifying common patterns from numerous information sources. The project aims to develop real-time streaming algorithms to find patterns and relationships in communications, rating sources for reliability and trustworthiness.
The study found that inhaled nitric oxide reduced the risk of chronic lung disease in premature infants by 7.1 percentage points at 36 weeks. Lung disease was also less severe in treated infants, with shorter hospitalizations and less need for mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital are awarded a $665,000 NIH grant to investigate the link between H. pylori bacteria and stomach cancer. The goal is to prevent gastric cancer by identifying a cause that can be prevented.
Researchers have found a significant association between OCD patients and genetic variations on the SLC1A1 gene, which regulates glutamate flow in brain cells. The study suggests that this gene may be a primary candidate for OCD, potentially leading to improved understanding and treatment of the disorder.
A study found that lower estrogen levels, particularly estradiol and its metabolites, are associated with an increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Women with lower estradiol concentrations had a higher odds of developing knee OA.
Researchers found that patients with chronic widespread pain have significantly lower levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 compared to healthy controls. These findings may contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools and treatment approaches for chronic widespread pain.
A new proposal suggests that older, artier applicants with at least one year's work experience would be better suited for a career in medicine. This is due to their ability to understand both themselves and patients better, making them more capable doctors and happier professionals.
A new mathematical method provides a better way to analyze noise by visualizing areas with no sound. Researchers credit this approach for its ability to tease out specific sounds from complex white noise.
Scientists study how African winds, dust conditions influence hurricane birth; use satellite data, weather stations, aircraft to improve hurricane forecasting. Researchers seek answers on hurricane development, air currents, Saharan Air Layer's effect on clouds.