Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created 'conversation stoppers' that can block bacterial communication signals, offering a new approach to combat deadly bacterial infections. These small organic molecules can be combined with antibiotics to deliver a powerful one-two punch and minimize resistance development.
Researchers have developed a new proton exchange membrane (PEM) material that retains conductivity even at low humidity, overcoming a significant challenge for fuel cells. This breakthrough, achieved through self-assembling block copolymer materials, has the potential to increase the efficiency and feasibility of hydrogen-based energy ...
Researchers have identified a genetic variation that affects cancer susceptibility in people of African descent, which may influence drug metabolism and response. The p53 tumor-suppressor protein is regulated by the ASPP family of proteins, with one form linked to increased cancer risk near the equator.
Researchers have found a compound that can act like a bed of nails, fending off microbes from colonizing wound dressings and other implantable devices. Coating these devices with the compound could help prevent thousands of bacterial and yeast infections annually.
A new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that routine use of anti-inflammatory drugs following hip replacement surgery may do more harm than good. The study found that patients taking ibuprofen for 14 days after surgery reported no significant reductions in hip pain or physical disability.
Researchers are developing a new combinatorial toolkit to evaluate hundreds of potential PEM fuel cell materials in a single experiment. The goal is to double membrane durability and cut costs in half. This project involves creating low-cost, thermally stable membranes using a 'formulation approach' that combines different polymers.
Blacksburg chemist James McGrath warns that focusing solely on functional polymers stifles basic research, which is crucial for discovery and innovation. He emphasizes the need to balance application-driven research with fundamental studies to prevent knowledge gaps.
Scientists are exploring the health benefits of functional foods, including mandarin oranges which may reduce liver cancer risk and a new type of flour with enhanced antioxidants. Researchers have also developed a 'designer soybean' that boosts calcium levels and fights osteoporosis.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are exploring the production of high-value chemicals from cellulose feedstocks, such as trees and fast-growing plants. These chemicals, worth up to $25 per pound, could help make ethanol produced by biorefineries cost competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a specific drug, enoxaparin, significantly reduces major bleeding risks during stent and angioplasty procedures. The researchers also showed that patients receiving this drug were more likely to achieve optimal blood thinning levels.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that mast cells can contribute to diseases like psoriasis and cancer through a previously unknown activation mechanism. The study suggests that the CD30 protein stimulates mast cell release of proteins regulating inflammatory cell recruitment.
Researchers developed a new technique to study energetic materials, such as explosives, at the nanoscale. They mapped temperature and length-scale factors that influence their behavior, providing insights into melting, evaporation, and decomposition.
A recent study reveals that older women have as many risk factors for heart disease as men in their 60s and more by their 70s. The research, led by USC demographers, shows a shift from previous decades where older men were at greater risk.
A Purdue University researcher has shed light on the details of one mechanism by which targeted drug therapy is achieved. The understanding of how to deliver and unload a cancer drug can be extrapolated to other diseased cells, including those involved in arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn's disease.
A study by Johns Hopkins University found that US clinical researchers often resist full financial disclosure, instead opting for limited disclosures. Researchers and officials believe that disclosing the existence of financial interests can promote trust and reduce legal liability, but disagree on how to do it effectively.
Researchers at OHSU discovered that the over-expression of Smad7 causes epidermal stem cells to shift from producing hair follicles to sebaceous glands in aged skin. This finding provides a potential therapeutic approach for treating hair loss, oily skin, and certain cancers.
Researchers are using the tiny fruit fly Drosophila to identify genes that impact on the spread of human cancer cells. By combining genetic screens with functional analysis in human cell culture models, they aim to discover novel proteins involved in cell migration and invasion.
A new discipline could speed up and reduce legal proceedings over polluted sites, allowing for faster brownfield development. This could be achieved through the use of scientific evidence to prove who is responsible for environmental pollution.
A report by Stevens Institute of Technology suggests that New Jersey focus on growing small and high-potential advanced communications companies within the state. The report recommends attracting new companies from outside the state and offering matching grants and tax incentives to create a vibrant environment for sustained economic g...
A recent study by researchers at UCLA and the University of Oslo suggests that breast discomfort during hormone therapy may be an early warning sign for breast cancer. The findings indicate that women experiencing breast pain or tenderness while on hormone replacement therapy should consult their healthcare provider promptly.
A recent study confirms that asteroids can be the source of Earth's meteorites due to space weathering. The process of high-energy ion bombardment and particle vaporization changes an asteroid's optical properties, making them similar to common meteorite samples.
According to a recent survey by Rice University researchers, more than two-thirds of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston plan to remain here. The survey found that 69% of the 362 participants said it was very likely or somewhat likely they would permanently stay in Houston.
Researchers at MIT use sound waves to identify pockets of natural gas and oil in fractured rocks, offering a new method for finding sweet spots. By combining data from seismic surveys and microseismic events, the team aims to improve the accuracy of hydraulic fracturing, potentially unlocking a larger share of US gas reserves.
Engineers are developing a new technique that accurately measures how sound behaves in indoor environments, enabling the design of acoustic spaces based on realistic information. This could lead to improved hearing aids and better listening experiences for millions of people.
The Consortium for Functional Glycomics, a group of scientists from around the world, has received a $40.7 million grant to unravel the mysteries of carbohydrates. The team plans to use this funding to uncover new biology and translate discoveries into treatments for disease.
The study found that healthcare use slowed immediately after the attacks and later increased for certain conditions, including ulcers and skin infections. Distance from the World Trade Center also affected healthcare utilization, with declines observed among those closest to the site.
Frank Uhlmann, a Cancer Research UK scientist, receives the 2006 EMBO Gold Medal for his decade-long work on understanding the cell cycle. His discoveries have opened new avenues in cancer treatment and diagnosis. Published over 40 papers, including in high-impact journals like Nature and Cell.
The article highlights the need for effective regulation in markets, arguing that traditional command-and-control approaches are often ineffective. Dieter Helm suggests that market-based instruments like environmental taxes and trade permits can be more efficient and resistant to capture by vested interests.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that increasing nitric oxide production in the basal forebrain can induce sleep. Blocking this pathway with drugs or scavenging nitric oxide may help prolong wakefulness.
Researchers found that Yersinia bacteria harbor a protein called YpkA, which mimics an enzyme and blocks the host cell's ability to change shape and move. This discovery sheds new light on the factors that make Yersinia a deadly disease-causing agent.
Researchers develop a sophisticated computer model to combine individual, small-scale simulations and analyze real-world problems on the pore scale. This advancement enables more accurate predictions of contaminant movement and fate in groundwater.
Researchers discovered that a new drug called AMD3100 can rapidly mobilize blood vessel-forming cells to reach injured areas, accelerating healing. This breakthrough has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for heart attacks and strokes.
Research from the ESRC Families and Social Capital Research Group found that most parents do not need professional advice to raise their children. Instead, they prefer concrete services. The study also highlighted strong family bonds among working-class and ethnic minority families.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered that HIV requires a specific human protein, LEDGF/p75, to integrate into the human genome. The study found that disrupting this connection could lead to new therapies for HIV or safer gene therapy methods.
A new study by Harvard University researchers finds that diversity training programs have failed to increase minority representation in management positions. In contrast, programs that establish responsibility for diversity, such as equal opportunity staff positions or diversity task forces, have proven most effective.
V. Craig Jordan's research has led to breast cancer prevention drugs like tamoxifen and raloxifene; the new grant aims to develop a treatment model to reverse resistance to anti-estrogen therapy, facilitating access to new breast cancer therapeutic drugs.
HIV-positive patients with low CD4 cell counts face increased risk of malaria treatment failure, highlighting the need for tailored treatments to address immune suppression. The study emphasizes the importance of combining antimalarial and antiretroviral therapies to maximize effects on both diseases.
The Cornell team created a diode using organic semiconductors with free ions, allowing for efficient light emission and current flow. This technology has the potential to create low-cost, flexible solar cells and displays on cloth or paper.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have won five Department of Energy SciDAC awards to advance fundamental research in climate modeling, fusion energy sciences, and high-performance computing. The $60 million award will support leading-edge simulation computer programs over the next three to five years.
A NASA study reveals that small dust particles, known as aerosols, help trigger rainfall in South Asia's Tibetan Plateau during the monsoon season. The 'elevated heat pump' effect amplifies this process, causing an earlier and longer wet season in northern India.
Researchers identified a key step in cocaine-induced heart enlargement, where high concentrations of the drug lead to increased calcium within heart muscle cells, prompting the accumulation of primitive fetal proteins. This process can cause irregular heart rhythms and sudden death, affecting young people between 18-29 years old.
Researchers have developed a new sunscreen ingredient that repairs sunburned skin and prevents skin cancer. The ingredient releases an active chelator that mops up free iron released when the skin burns, reducing inflammation and pain.
Scientists have found a way to get purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) into the cells of mice lacking the enzyme, which could lead to a treatment for individuals with PNP deficiency. The PTD-PNP fusion protein corrected most immune defects in Pnp-deficient mice.
Researchers aim to achieve permanent tolerance without immunosuppressive medication for hand transplants, potentially allowing patients to reject donor tissue. A new protocol using costimulation-blocking antibodies has extended the survival of transplanted limbs in mice, paving the way for future clinical trials.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are studying the mechanisms that underlie neuronal synchronization, which is thought to be involved in perception and consciousness. The study aims to understand how normal gamma oscillations are generated and how alterations in this synchrony contribute to schizophrenia.
The NIMH has launched three major clinical studies on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to better define subtypes and explore possible new treatments. Researchers will compare children with regressive, non-regressive, and other developmental disorders to investigate environmental factors that may trigger symptoms of autism.
GlycoFi and Dartmouth researchers engineered yeast cells to produce a broad repertoire of recombinant therapeutic proteins with human sugar structures. This achievement eliminates the need for mammalian cell culture, improving control over glycosylation and performance characteristics of therapeutic proteins.
Scientists develop method to introduce purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) enzyme into cells of mice with genetic defect, potentially leading to treatment for individuals lacking PNP. Research also sheds light on scavenger receptor BI's role in protecting against heart disease.
Researchers used a flash-freeze physical-fixation technique to study nematode worms and found that membrane packets of neurotransmitter localize in new places. The technique provides an accurate picture of where synaptic proteins cluster, information previously unknown to scientists.
Rice University has been awarded a $10 million grant to establish a research center focused on designing software tools for high-performance computing systems. The Center for Scalable Application Development Software (CScADS) aims to develop scalable performance models for leadership-class computer facilities.
The UK faces high financial and personal costs due to occupational ill health and injury. A new approach is needed to address the issue, requiring collaboration between employers, employees, and policymakers.
Mexico's health system reform has led to significant improvements in healthcare access and outcomes, with notable reductions in malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and child mortality. The reforms have also increased the use of mammography and pap smear tests, benefiting millions of people.
A recent study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry found that genetic inheritance is the main cause of unexplained disabling fatigue in children. The research, conducted at Cardiff University, suggests that familial influences play a significant role in both short- and prolonged-duration fatigue.
Researchers developed a method to produce silicon dioxide nanocapsules using supercritical carbon dioxide, allowing for controlled delivery of liquids and materials. The resulting nanocapsules have diameters of less than 40 nanometers and walls that are about 2 nanometers wide.
The EMBL/CRG Research Unit will tackle challenging questions in systems biology through a combination of theoretical and experimental approaches. The unit will span from molecules to cells and work with various research techniques.
The new Petascale Data Storage Institute aims to address the huge amounts of data generated by petaflop computers. Collaborating members will focus on collecting field data, disseminating best practices, and developing innovative system solutions for managing petascale data storage.
A 10-year review of ATV-related injuries reveals serious neurological injuries, inpatient rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, and fatalities among children under 16. Pediatric neurosurgeons recommend banning children from ATVs and implementing mandatory helmet laws, instruction programs, and restricting public use.
A new study by UC Berkeley vision scientists found that the human visual system is more effective at distinguishing a single person's actions when they are in sync with another individual. This ability is crucial for our social species, allowing us to interpret visual cues to determine emotions and intentions.
Brett Bode has been honored with a 2006 IBM Faculty Award for his work on developing management systems for petascale computing. He will collaborate with IBM to develop software for one of their high-end computing systems, focusing on fault-tolerant control systems.
Researchers at Rice University have decoded the three-dimensional structure of a tornado-like magnetic vortex no larger than a red blood cell. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in ultra-high-density hard drive storage and non-volatile memory.