In response to a parasitic attack, male crickets on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai developed silent wings, allowing them to mate with females despite the loss of their sexual signal. The new behavior enabled males to capitalize on the few remaining callers and escape the deadly fly, ensuring evolutionary success.
A new research program aims to teach computers to scan through text and sort opinion from fact, with the goal of improving national security. The project uses machine-learning algorithms to train computers on examples of text expressing both fact and opinion, enabling them to distinguish between the two.
Researchers have created a device that approaches the quantum mechanical limit at the largest length-scale, demonstrating back action and cooling an object by watching it. The results could have applications in quantum computing and cooling engineering.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified 17 families of mice with genetic mutations that cause hearing loss, similar to damage caused by chemotherapy and age-related hearing loss in adults. The mouse models will help scientists understand the genes responsible for this damage and potentially develop treatments.
Renowned scientist Roger D. Kornberg will deliver a lecture on chromatin and transcription at Science2006, exploring breakthroughs in gene regulation and protein synthesis. The event, which showcases the University of Pittsburgh's academic strengths in science and medicine, is free and open to the public.
The economic cost of HIV/AIDS in the US is estimated to be $36.4 billion annually, with minorities facing higher indirect costs due to lost productivity. The study suggests that universal access to antiretroviral therapy could reduce costs and improve outcomes.
Astronomers discover over 500 young galaxies, thriving less than a thousand million years after the Big Bang. The galaxies are smaller and bluer than today's giant galaxies, indicating intense star birth.
A new research by University of Calgary paleontologist Nick Longrich challenges the traditional idea that birds began flying by taking off from the ground. Instead, it suggests that the earliest known ancestor of modern-day birds took to the skies using primitive feathered wings on their arms and legs.
A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that all types of intravascular devices pose a significant risk of bloodstream infections to hospitalized adult patients. The study's findings suggest that IVDs have become the leading cause of bloodstream infections in healthcare settings worldwide.
A patented technology developed by HydroGlobe at Stevens Institute of Technology has won the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award. The Metsorb TM system is a highly effective and low-cost method for removing arsenic and various heavy metals from ground and surface water.
A study published in Annals of Surgery found that duodenal switch surgery produced greater weight loss than gastric bypass in super-obese patients, resulting in higher success rates at one and three years post-surgery. The procedure also had fewer complications and improved nutritional outcomes.
A study by University of Rochester researchers found that young age, extensive surgery, and severe post-operative pain are risk factors for developing chronic pain after breast cancer surgery. The study suggests that counseling and analgesic drugs immediately after surgery may help prevent long-term problems.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that household levels of mold and bacterial endotoxins in post-Katrina homes were comparable to those in wastewater treatment plants and agricultural environments. The researchers strongly recommend wearing respirators for cleaning and repairing flood-damaged homes.
A study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center found acute diverticulitis affecting younger patients, often those who are obese. The condition, typically associated with older adults, is linked to a low-fiber diet and increased abdominal pressure, leading to inflammation and potential complications.
Using multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, researchers have watched chromosomes change their form to activate genes in living fruit fly cells. This discovery could significantly advance our understanding of the basic processes underlying gene expression.
Up to 20% of patients with heart disease meet criteria for major depression, highlighting the need for standardized diagnosis and treatment. The NHLBI Working Group calls for more research on the link between depression and cardiovascular health.