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.
Researchers estimate that Siberian lakes are releasing five times more methane than previously thought, increasing the present estimate of northern wetland emissions by 10-63%. Methane is being released from thawing permafrost in the form of ancient dead plant material, acting as a 'time bomb' for climate warming.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified close to 200 mutated genes linked to breast and colon cancer. The genetic code reveals distinct pathways for the development of each cancer type, with some genes crucial for tumor formation. The findings provide a foundation for future comprehensive genetic studies.
A recent study by Erik Trinkaus reveals that modern humans possess twice as many uniquely derived traits than Neandertals, challenging the conventional understanding of human evolution. The research focuses on examining genetic markers in fossil records to better comprehend human ancestry.
A recent study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder and Pennsylvania State University found that over one-third of giant planet systems could have Earth-like planets in habitable zones. These planets, formed through the migration of gas giants, may host oceans several miles deep and potentially support life.
Scientists have redefined the role of plant pores in defense against bacterial pathogens, discovering that stomata can sense danger and respond by shutting down. The study found that some bacteria produce a phytotoxin to reopen shut-down ports, highlighting a key step in the attack.
Researchers discovered that presenilins act as calcium channels, controlling the balance of calcium within cells. This finding may suggest a new avenue for treating Alzheimer's disease by restoring normal calcium levels. The study also highlights the potential for combination therapies targeting both amyloid and calcium signaling.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified four mutations in the Desmoglein-2 gene as a significant contributor to arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), a condition that causes sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The findings should increase the accuracy of tests to identify those at risk for ARVD.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed MR Elastography (MRE), a new technique for measuring liver elasticity using MRI. This non-invasive method shows great promise for detecting liver fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis if left untreated.
The DOE's SciDAC-2 program awards $60 million annually to 30 computational science projects over three to five years, focusing on designing new materials, developing future energy sources, and studying global climate change. The programs aim to accelerate scientific discovery through advanced computing and establish nine Centers for En...
According to new research, severe climate change was the primary driver of civilization's development. People were forced into close proximity due to diminishing resources, leading to the creation of large urban societies. The transition to urban living resulted in increased inequality, harder lives, and decreased health and nutrition.
Researchers discover a three-drug combo that inhibits the growth of aggressive prostate tumors by targeting neural signaling molecules and energy sources. The combination, using diuretic amiloride, Parkinson's disease medication carbidopa, and sedative-reversal drug flumazenil, shows promise for potential therapeutic applications.
A new study suggests that oceanic cold seep mollusks have an older evolutionary history than the marine mollusk community as a whole. Cold seeps may have protected these unique animals from mass extinctions and low oxygen levels, allowing them to thrive in challenging environments.
A new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) has been found effective in treating moderate-to-severe premature ejaculation, reducing time to ejaculation by 1.75-2.78 minutes compared to placebo. The treatment also improves men's control over ejaculation and satisfaction with sexual intercourse.
Researchers found that when species colonize the deep sea, large-bodied species become smaller and small-bodied species become larger. This pattern is consistent with the island rule, which states that isolated animals evolve to be larger or smaller based on their environment.
The Dartmouth/GlycoFi team successfully completed the full humanization of glycosylation in yeast, eliminating the need for mammalian cells. This breakthrough enables the production of therapeutic proteins with improved biological function and manufacturing efficiency.
A new treatment combining high-dose radiotherapy after surgery and short-term intense chemotherapy improves the overall five-year survival rate of children with medulloblastoma to 85% for average-risk patients. High-risk patients see a significant increase in survival rates, from 55% to 70%, while reducing side effects.
Researchers found protein splicing occurs beyond RNA splicing, producing non-linear peptides and expanding antigenic options. This mechanism increases the number of potential antigens from a single protein, widening vaccine applicability against cancer and infectious diseases.
The Radiation Belt Storm Probes – Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma (RBSP-ECT) project will measure the behavior of charged particles causing space radiation. The study aims to achieve a better understanding of the physical processes controlling the shape and intensity of Earth's radiation belts.
Biologists have discovered that genes can change their locations in a genome, triggering the origin of species. The 'jumping gene' theory, long disputed, has been confirmed by researchers at the University of Rochester using fruit fly species Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans.