NIST and DuPont researchers have developed a nondestructive method for measuring how temperature affects the electrical properties of common circuit board materials, including ceramic, polymer, and glass. The technique enables faster, less expensive, and easier testing, as well as improved performance in designing circuits and substrates.
The US government has approved a multi-million dollar surveillance network to track the avian flu virus overseas. The Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (GAINS) will provide valuable forecasts on viral storms, enabling the prevention of avian flu spread and preparation for outbreaks.
Frangible bullets are becoming increasingly popular due to their lead-free nature and reduced risk of exposure. NIST researchers have developed a Kolsky bar apparatus to test the performance of these bullets on various materials, including soft body armors worn by law enforcement officers.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a key role for the TOPLESS gene in plant development, enabling them to engineer plants to grow leaves or flowers instead of roots. This breakthrough allows for the manipulation of plant polarity later in embryogenesis, offering opportunities for agricultural improvements.
Researchers examined the mosquito immune system and found that it employs similar factors to defend against different Plasmodium species. Boosting the mosquito's capacity to fight malaria parasites could be achieved through exposure to certain microbes or compounds.
The L'Oréal USA Fellowships for Women In Science program recognizes young women in groundbreaking research, focusing on cell biology, organic chemistry, conservation, optics, and cellular biophysics. The program aims to support their careers and build networks, encouraging a diverse range of scientific advancements.
A study found that basic study facts and limitations are often missing from news coverage of medical research presented at scientific meetings. Researchers emphasized the importance of including study size, design, and potential limitations to prevent public misinterpretation.
Scientists have long suspected that massive star supernovae produce dust, but previous technology limitations hindered confirmation. A new study reveals that supernovae are indeed a major contributor to the early universe's dust, enabling rapid star formation and heavy element creation.
A recent study found that men tend to gauge their partner's sexual interest before women do, with men's ratings of women influenced by physical attractiveness but not agreeableness. Women, on the other hand, rated their male partners higher on both physical attractiveness and agreeableness.
Claire French, a PhD student, has developed an easy-to-use test to distinguish between skin, vaginal, and mouth cells, with potential applications in forensic science. Andrew Graham and Hayley Reynolds have also been recognized for their research in medical robotics and melanoma detection, respectively.
Bacteria have a unique immune system called H-NS that protects against foreign DNA, but can also enable the expression of disease-causing genes. This discovery has major implications for the biotech industry, which uses bacteria to produce recombinant proteins.
The American Geological Institute publishes Coal and the Environment, a framework for understanding coal's mining and use impacts. The report discusses new clean-coal technologies and regulations to reduce harmful emissions.
OHSU researchers found that interleukin-15 (IL-15) restores tissue CD4+ T cells when given with antiretroviral drugs in SIV-infected monkeys. This discovery offers hope for effective therapies to boost HIV patients' immune systems.
Researchers found that patients with higher HtrA1 levels responded better to chemotherapy, while lower levels were associated with resistance. The study suggests HtrA1 mediates cancer cell killing and loss of HtrA1 contributes to chemotherapy resistance.
A new study found that most of the Earth began warming at the same time around 17,500 years ago, despite Greenland remaining in a deep-freeze for 2,500 years. This finding is consistent with temperature records and global atmospheric CO2 records from Antarctica.
A study found that HtrA1 protein contributes to chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and gastric cancers by inducing cell death, while ghrelin hormone promotes the storage of energy as fat by altering gene expression in adipose cells. The findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment.
A study published in The Lancet found that New Zealand's Maori patients had a higher risk of preventable adverse events in hospital than non-Maori patients. Despite a publicly funded hospital system, Maori received marginally poorer care, with 14% of admissions associated with adverse events compared to 11% for non-Maori populations.
Researchers found that sand gazelles' livers and hearts decrease in mass during food and water restriction. The animals also store fats in their brains to secure brain metabolism during prolonged deprivation.
A study reviewing 40 years of disaster research found that PTSD affects a substantial burden of people who experience disasters. The most important risk factors for developing PTSD are the extent of exposure and the scope of the disaster.
Strong evidence shows that higher taxes and restrictions on alcohol availability can reduce Europe's growing burden of alcohol-related harm. However, EU governments are prioritizing vested interests in free trade over public health.
Researchers have discovered a new class of small RNAs called piRNAs in the mouse germline, which are bigger than previously described small RNAs. These novel small RNAs are thought to play a role in spermatogenesis and have unique features that distinguish them from other types of small RNAs.
Researchers at the University of Florida have found that bone marrow cells can regenerate damaged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which play a crucial role in vision health. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and provide hope for patients with sight-robbing injuries.
A study found that greater religious involvement is associated with a lower mortality risk, particularly among those with church-based social relationships. The research suggests that giving emotional support to others in the congregation can decrease stress and mortality rates, but not the other way around.
A study found that repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids can reduce respiratory distress syndrome and severe lung disease in premature babies. The treatment also showed fewer need for oxygen therapy and help with breathing.
A new device developed by Dr. Babs Soller detects circulatory shock earlier than current methods, which rely on blood pressure and heart rate. The sensor analyzes muscle oxygen and acid levels to predict impending problems.
The new NIST technique coats a silicon wafer with a brush-like copolymer surface, varying the relative concentration of two components along the length of the substrate. This method accommodates a wide variety of materials and can produce test surfaces for studying surface phenomena in fields like tissue engineering and materials science.
Researchers report improved survival rates with RP101, a novel compound being investigated as a potential therapeutic for advanced pancreatic cancer. In two studies, patients showed significant improvements in median survival and time to progression, offering hope for patients affected by the disease.
Researchers catalogued and characterized 30 mycobacteriophages, finding 3,357 genes in 1,536 'phamilies' with significant genetic diversity. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.
A team of researchers has achieved a significant breakthrough in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy by successfully transplanting healthy muscle cells into patients, showing promise for increasing the production of the missing protein dystrophin. The new clinical trials aim to further assess the treatment's effectiveness and measure ...
Researchers have discovered gene SLIRP with the potential to shut down oestrogen in breast cancer cells and testosterone in prostate cancer cells, depending on the cancers' survival. This breakthrough could lead to the development of 'smart' drugs that target specific genes, potentially reducing side effects and improving survival rates.
Patients with atrial fibrillation have a five times higher stroke risk than those without the condition. Warfarin has been shown to reduce stroke risk by a significant margin, outperforming alternative treatments like aspirin and clopidogrel in reducing stroke rates by nearly two-thirds.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals that polyQ-AR, a mutated protein in Kennedy disease, inhibits fast axonal transport by activating JNK enzyme. This inhibition leads to selective neuron death and loss of motor neurons.
The HBZ protein is crucial for persistent infection of HTLV-1 in an animal host. Researchers discovered that a drug targeting this protein could disrupt viral replication and provide a new therapy for infected individuals.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a device that generates coherent ultrasonic waves, allowing them to study laser dynamics and measure material properties. The 'uaser' has potential applications in modeling and studying laser behavior, as well as sensing changes in materials.
Stevens Institute of Technology has partnered with Competitive Technologies to commercialize its intellectual property (IP) worldwide. The partnership aims to bring new technologies from concept to market, including non-invasive bone mass measurement techniques, stent delivery systems, and athletic devices.
Research by University of Oregon scientists reveals that rapid climate change is leading to heritable genetic changes in animal populations. This includes changes in timing of seasonal events, such as earlier reproduction and migration, rather than adaptations to temperature increases.
Researchers found massive-star supernovae to be major space dust factories, producing up to seven thousand earth masses of solid dust particles. This discovery challenges existing theories and provides new insights into the processes that produce dust in the universe, with implications for the formation of comets, planets, and life.
The IU School of Medicine has received a $8.9 million grant to expand its HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya. The program, AMPATH, will provide anti-retroviral drug treatments to over 18,000 people by September 2007 and screen more than 25,000 pregnant women annually.
Researchers developed a phage-genomics educational platform, attracting high school and undergraduate students to scientific discovery. The study found that simplicity, flexibility, and ownership are key attributes of an effective science program.
Researchers have discovered the importance of white matter in the human brain using a new tool called Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). This breakthrough has the potential to reveal the role of white matter connections in various neurological conditions. The findings may also raise ethical concerns about how this information is used.
Research by Yale University's Margaret Clark and Steven Graham found that individuals with low self-esteem are slower to respond when judgmenting partners due to their tendency to idealize or devalue them. The study also introduced the I-TAPS scale, a tool to measure the extent of segregated thoughts about partners.