Progress has been made in reducing polio cases, but four countries remain endemic and the disease has re-emerged in others. Sustained education efforts on vaccination benefits are key to eradicating polio.
A Phase III efficacy study led by Dr. Peter Hillmen found eculizumab significantly improves anaemia and quality of life in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). The treatment also reduces intravascular hemolysis, fatigue, pain, and shortness of breath.
Scientists have named a new species of ancient marine reptile, Maiaspondylus lindoei, and discovered pregnant embryos in its fossil, marking the most recent record of a live birth in an ichthyosaur. The findings provide valuable insights into the evolution and extinction of these aquatic animals.
A 3-year-old Australopithecus afarensis girl, discovered in Ethiopia, provides a unique window into human infancy. The fossil offers clues about skull morphology, brain growth, locomotion, and height, shedding light on early human evolution.
Researchers will develop new methods to evaluate and test tobacco products, providing information to smokers for informed choices. The study aims to determine if these 'safer' alternatives truly reduce health risks and exposure to carcinogens.
Researchers have identified calcineurin as essential for complete lung development, and its absence led to respiratory problems in mice. A new model of human placental development also sheds light on the complex process of placentation, while a study on thyroid structures reveals that mature T cells trigger their formation.
The Starr Cancer Consortium aims to coordinate research efforts among five renowned institutions to understand and treat cancer. The collaboration will focus on developing new technologies, diagnostic approaches, and treatments for various forms of the disease.
Researchers found that pollutants from forest fires in Alaska and Canada significantly increased ozone pollution levels above Houston on July 19-20, 2004. The study highlighted the critical role of imported sources in local air quality, emphasizing the need for improved air quality forecasting and solutions.
A study found that wild bees improve honeybee effectiveness in pollinating flowers and generating seeds, especially on farms with abundant natural habitats. This phenomenon contributes significantly to the sunflower industry, adding around $10 million in value annually.
Scientists tracked air pollution from Alaskan-Canadian forest fires to Houston, finding a 50-100% increase in ozone levels within five kilometers of the city. This event highlights the impact of long-distance pollutants on local air quality and emphasizes the need for improved forecasting.
Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease, can be controlled through wide-scale drug treatment and socio-economic progress. Establishing strong health systems is crucial for integrating sustainable control measures and caring for patients.
A new study found that black patients with bladder cancer are 35 percent more likely to die of the disease than white patients. Black women in particular had more aggressive tumors and lower survival rates compared to white men and women and black men.
Direct observations of DNA are giving new insights into genetic material copying and repair processes, revealing how enzymes like RecA assemble into filaments. The findings have implications for understanding breast cancer risk and future studies on single enzymes at work unwinding DNA strands.
Researchers at University of Bristol have made a major breakthrough in measuring energy levels inside living heart cells, real-time. This could lead to better understanding of heart disease and improved recovery of the heart during cardiac surgery or after a heart attack.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Bath discovered that Accutane, a common acne treatment, can induce depression-like behavior in mice. The study found that mice treated with the drug spent more time motionless and exhibited reduced escape-related behavior compared to untreated animals.
The research team will investigate how design teams organize themselves and interact in open source projects, with a focus on the Apache Web server, PostgreSQL database, and Python scripting language. They aim to understand the impact of team structure on software quality and development speed.
The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded a three-year, $1.2 million National Science Foundation ITEST grant. The BUILD IT program will introduce engineering design and problem solving skills to students through LEGO robotics and programming in an underwat...
Climate scientists have detected human-induced climate change at a regional scale in Canada, southern Europe and China. The study uses four climate models to simulate climates over time periods, reproducing observed temperature changes that can't be explained by natural variability alone.
Researchers identified a new gene, SUMO1, as a potential cause of cleft lip and palate when underexpressed. The discovery links individual genes to shared protein networks, providing a promising new lead in understanding the complex genetic mechanisms behind this birth defect.
Top US high school students will partner with peers from Korea, China, and India to find real-world engineering solutions to combat climate change. Winners will receive college scholarships and other awards.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new technique for creating vertical alignment among liquid crystal molecules, eliminating the need for manual rubbing and potentially increasing device yield. The technique uses in-situ photopolymerization to create a cellular matrix of liquid crystalline droplets with con...
The 2006 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge has awarded prizes to 22 winning entries across five categories, showcasing innovative approaches to visualize complex scientific concepts. The winning images and multimedia presentations will be featured in the September 22, 2006 issue of Science.
In a study published in JCI Journals, researchers found that calcineurin is essential for complete lung development in mice. Mice lacking calcineurin function died shortly after birth due to lung failure.
A study led by USC researchers found that low-income adults are more likely to have high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a risk factor for heart disease. This association may be linked to the effects of poverty on health, particularly among African Americans, Hispanics, and women.
Researchers found that tailored dietary advice delivered through an internet shopping system led to participants buying foods lower in saturated fat. This study demonstrates the potential of low-cost technologies to motivate users to change their behavior.
A NASA-funded study using satellite data, computer models and weather balloon readings found that smoke from Alaskan and Canadian forest fires increased ozone pollution levels in Houston by 50-100%.
Marc Levine, a renowned expert in gastrointestinal radiology, has received the Eminent Scientist of the Year award from the International Research Promotion Council. He is recognized for his clinical expertise and research excellence in the field.
Ocean scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that microbes in deeply buried sediments produce energy-laden gases, including ethane and propane. This finding challenges traditional theories on the origin of these gases, which are typically associated with fossil fuel generation.
Researchers at EPFL discovered a new metabolic pathway that helps cells survive bacterial pore-forming toxins. The pathway triggers an inflammatory response and lipid metabolism to repair the cell membrane and protect against further damage.
The Federation of American Scientists has developed a new educational video game called Immune Attack, which engages students in learning about immunology concepts. The game features a first-person strategy game where immune cells face off against bacterial and viral infections, aiming to make learning fun and exciting.
A team of Monash University scientists has identified two proteins, Smad3 and c-Myc, involved in stopping telomerase production. This discovery could lead to the development of anti-cancer agents that mimic these proteins.
Researchers at University of Illinois and University of Arizona use computer simulations and experiments to understand the molecular mechanism behind gating in aquaporins. They discover that a single protein can be used as both a water channel and an ion channel depending on the signaling pathway activated.
A landmark publication from 100 authors offers comprehensive guidance on HPV vaccine administration and cervical cancer screening. The monograph addresses the challenges of expanding HPV-based screening to new populations and recommends universal vaccination strategies for both genders.