Dr. Charles Bostater's grant will develop an interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on remote sensing systems and robotic platforms, including detection of unexploded ordnance and humanitarian de-mining in marine environments. Selected students from US and European universities will receive stipends to travel to international institutions.
Margaret Chan takes over as WHO Director-General on January 4, 2007, with a daunting task of prioritizing programs amidst widespread failures in malaria, tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS, child mortality, and maternal health. The Lancet Editorial highlights her need to create an operational team that commands confidence from member states.
Research by University of Minnesota professor Kathleen Vohs finds that exposure to money motivates individuals to achieve their own goals, leading to increased self-sufficiency. Conversely, it also negatively impacts behavior towards others, causing people to become less helpful and more stand-offish.
Professor Steven Savitz, a champion of web conferencing and online teaching quality, won the USDLA's Bronze Prize for Best Practices. His three-year study found that faculty with deep online experience can significantly increase student positive response.
Researchers at UCLA and Rutgers University have solved the mystery of DNA transcription, revealing a new mechanism involving the 'scrunching' of DNA during transcription. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in combating bacterial diseases that kill millions worldwide.
The African-American community is facing a disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS, with over half of all new diagnoses among this group. The National Minority AIDS Council recommends five policy solutions to address this disparity, including eliminating stigma against black MSM and reducing the role of injection drug use in sustaining the...
New data shows significant improvement in core symptoms of ADHD with guanfacine extended release, including hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The medication was well-tolerated with mild or moderate side effects.
Researchers found that island lizards' hind legs shifted from longer to shorter limbs in just six months, favoring survival in a new predatory environment. This rapid evolution highlights the importance of behavioral flexibility in driving evolutionary changes.
A new study found that money brings about self-sufficiency, allowing people to work harder and independently, but also making them less socially insensitive. The researchers discovered that subtle reminders of money led to participants working longer without asking for help and being less helpful towards others.
A Mayo Clinic study found a significant association between rheumatoid arthritis and chronic lung diseases, with cumulative incidence rates increasing over time. The study followed 603 patients with RA for up to 30 years, revealing higher rates of obstructive lung disease and diffuse parenchymal infiltrative lung disease.
The publication provides news and information about grid computing projects and collaborations worldwide, highlighting the use of grid technology in scientific research. International Science Grid This Week is a collaboration between Open Science Grid and Enabling Grids for E-sciencE projects.
Researchers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope found dark energy was present and accelerating the universe's expansion at least 9 billion years ago. This discovery provides a crucial clue to understanding dark energy's strength and permanence.
U of MN researchers have shown that early brain development is tied to the severity of adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases like spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. The study suggests doctors may be able to target treatment to coincide with critical times in development.
A cohort study of over 2,000 Air Force veterans found that dioxin exposure was associated with a lower incidence of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and decreased testosterone levels. The study suggests a link between dioxin exposure and endocrine disturbances in the male reproductive system.
A survey of over 700 family doctors found that nearly two-thirds provide PSA tests on request, despite lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. The study highlights the need for better training and targeted guidance to influence testing patterns and improve patient outcomes.
A phase I clinical trial found that Shire's investigational drug SPD465 was bioequivalent to a combination of ADDERALL XR and mixed amphetamine salts immediate release. This suggests that SPD465 could offer full-day symptom control for adults with ADHD, potentially eliminating the need for augmenting long-acting stimulant medications.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison team developed a map that incorporates environmental and human factors to pinpoint areas most vulnerable to devastating wildfires. The map highlights the critical role humans play in causing fires, particularly near wildland-urban interfaces.
A new study from the University of Michigan Health System suggests that hormone therapy may help retain certain memory functions in postmenopausal women. The research found increased brain activity in the prefrontal cortex of participants taking combined estrogen-progestin hormone therapy, compared to those on placebo.
A Rutgers College of Nursing professor is testing a 12-week home-based exercise intervention program to improve physical functioning in older adults with CKD. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of this program for a larger clinical trial and address the lack of targeted physical activity interventions for this population.
A 25-year meta-analysis of 29 double-blind studies involving nearly 4,500 children with ADHD found that stimulant medications produced larger effect sizes than non-stimulants. The study suggests that amphetamine- and methylphenidate-based stimulants are more effective treatments for ADHD symptoms.
New research suggests that beta-agonist medications used in asthma treatment can increase type 2 T cell accumulation, potentially worsening related diseases. The study's findings highlight the need for anti-inflammatory corticosteroids in moderate to severe asthma treatment.
The study found a potential increased risk of cardiovascular events among elderly individuals taking naproxen, while celecoxib showed no significant risk. The results contribute to the larger body of evidence on the safety of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Researchers found that northern forest fires could lead to a net cooling effect due to the reflection of sunlight by deciduous trees with light green leaves. This study suggests re-examining strategies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions through ecosystem management.
A combination of negative personality traits such as depression, anxiety and hostility significantly increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease. The study, conducted on 2,105 military veterans, found that individuals with these traits had a higher risk of heart disease when compared to those without the traits.
Researchers have resolved key questions about DNA transcription using nanotech tools, revealing a molecular machine that remains stationary and 'reels in' adjacent DNA segments during initial synthesis. This breakthrough advances understanding of the structure and function of transcription, setting the stage for new opportunities in co...
Geologists have developed a new theory explaining how and when the Appalachian Mountain range was created. The study reveals that the complex was originally attached to Gondwana before colliding with North America, closing the Rheic Ocean and forming Pangea.
A recent study reports a 100% success rate for ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein catheterisation, reducing bloodstream infections and arterial punctures compared to traditional landmark methods. The use of real-time ultrasound images also significantly reduces the time required to insert the catheter and the number of attempts.
Researchers propose a novel treatment strategy for retinopathy by repairing abnormal blood vessels instead of destroying them. The study shows that transplanted bone marrow-derived cells can convert leaky blood vessels into normal ones, suggesting a potential therapy for human diseases like ROP.
A new edible coating composed of apple puree and oregano oil has shown promise in killing deadly E. coli bacteria while providing flavor enhancement to food. The coating's effectiveness was demonstrated through laboratory studies, which found it to be more concentrated and longer-lasting than conventional produce washes.
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology found that switching to anastrozole after 2-3 years of tamoxifen treatment significantly improves overall survival and reduces the risk of recurrence for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early-stage breast cancer. The study analyzed data from three trials and used meta-analysis...
A study found that one-third of pregnancies in Edinburgh, Scotland ended in unintended childbirth, with around a quarter of women being ambivalent about their intention to become pregnant. The researchers emphasize the need for improved contraception use and awareness-raising strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies.
Researchers found that antisense RNA molecules protect sex cells from self-destructing by blocking sense RNA production. This discovery reveals a new process of gene regulation and its potential application to mammals.
Researchers suggest repairing abnormal blood vessels in retinopathy using adult bone marrow–derived myeloid progenitor cells. Dendritic cells form part of granuloma walls containing Listeria monocytogenes, maintaining integrity through immunosuppressive protein IDO.
Scientists at UCI found that forest fires can lead to cooling of the northern climate due to increased snow reflectivity. This study suggests that preventing boreal forest fires could have unintended consequences on global temperatures.
A study found a significant increase in condom use among young women in sub-Saharan Africa, with 60% using condoms for pregnancy prevention. The authors suggest that promoting condoms as a method for pregnancy prevention may be more effective than focusing on HIV transmission prevention.
A study published in Science suggests that the standard trivalent vaccine is not effective in poor sanitation and high population density states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where polio persists. Using a monovalent vaccine may boost efficacy and help eradicate the virus.
The U.S. will maintain a leadership role in science and technology thanks to Argonne's involvement in the SciDAC program. Projects focus on creating software and infrastructure for petascale supercomputers.
A new software system called SPRUCE provides computational resources quickly for emergency applications affecting public health, safety, and security. The system supports urgent computing on both traditional supercomputers and distributed Grids, enabling rapid access to massive resources during emergencies.
An alliance is being formed in India to conduct Parkinson's disease clinical trials, which will aid in the development of new treatments and slow down disease progression. The initiative aims to bring attention to the condition in India, where only a few neurologists specialize in movement disorders.
Dr. Joshua Bongard's research enables robots to detect damage and teach themselves to continue walking despite missing limbs. This innovation is crucial for NASA's planetary missions where robots need to be able to fix themselves without human assistance.
A RAND Corporation study suggests the US should focus on undermining support for Islamic terrorism within Muslim nations to defeat the global jihadist movement. The report emphasizes the importance of attacking the ideology's core principles and severing links between terrorist groups.
A new study found that exercising regularly can lead to more effective weight loss than following a calorie-restricted diet, as exercise helps preserve muscle mass and improve aerobic capacity. Those who exercised lost between 9-10% of their body weight, while dieters lost 9-10%, but also experienced reduced muscle mass.
A Johns Hopkins University-led team has discovered two new subatomic particles, called Sigma-sub-b particles, which are members of the 'baryonic' family. The particles contain the second-heaviest quark and are unstable, decaying within a tiny fraction of a second.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a new protein called Tribbles associated with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The study found that Tribbles induces AML by inactivating the C/EBPá protein, providing a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers at the Salk Institute reveal how cellular repair proteins recruit a second machinery to create a protective structure at chromosome ends, maintaining chromosomal stability. Telomeres exist to prevent damage and ensure cell division integrity.