A new study finds that hard money contributions by interest groups create incentives for members of Congress to enhance their analytical capacity for policymaking. Members with high analytical capacity, known as 'work horses,' tend to attract contributions and focus on intellectual aspects of policies.
The grant aims to bring together outstanding science teachers with talented high school students and university faculty for a unique learning experience. The program will use the Cuyahoga River as an inspiration, encouraging students to consider careers in science education.
Two trials found HIV acquisition rates to be 53% and 51% lower in circumcised men compared to uncircumcised men in Kenya and Uganda, respectively. The Lancet published the findings on adult male circumcision as a prevention strategy for HIV.
The new Georgia Tech satellite engine uses solar power and fine-tuned exhaust velocity to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 percent. This allows for more payload in orbit and potentially lower launch costs.
Researchers successfully produced neurons in vitro using stem cells from adult human skin, a breakthrough that could lead to revolutionary advances in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. The method used involves extracting neuron precursor cells from skin samples and cultivating them in an appropriate environment.
Climate change is altering North Atlantic ecosystems by freshening seawater and curbing deepening of surface mixed layers. This shift affects phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, leading to changes in seasonal cycles.
Research found that alcoholics with greater deficits in emotional facial expression recognition had worse treatment outcomes and prognosis. Despite three months of abstinence, these individuals showed continued impaired EFE decoding abilities.
The L'Oréal-UNESCO Award For Women in Science recognizes five outstanding female researchers, including Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus, who pioneered carbon nanotube research at MIT's School of Engineering. The award honors their contributions to various fields, including medicinal chemistry and bio-medical applications.
Organized youth activities facilitate teen independence in a way parents can appreciate, while also improving family relationships. Teens develop skills such as self-confidence, emotional regulation, and teamwork, leading to closer ties with their families.
A University of Texas at Austin researcher has developed a more economical technology to capture carbon dioxide from coal-fueled power plants, which could lead to a 90% reduction in emissions. The project is being supported by a $1.8M donation from TXU Power.
Researchers used virtual robots to study the evolution of communication in social organisms, finding that genetically similar individuals and group-level selection drive rapid communication evolution. In contrast, low-relatedness colonies with individual-level selection led to deceptive communication signals and decreased colony perfor...
The National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to University Hospitals Case Medical Center for expanded HIV treatment development and pioneering advances in Microbicides Trials Network. This includes immunology laboratory funding at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and clinical trial research sites in Uganda.
A study shows that trichostatin A, a hydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitor, increases SMN2 production in both neural tissues and muscles of mice with spinal muscular atrophy, improving survival chances. The treatment attenuates disease symptoms in affected mice.
A new study reveals that medieval Islamic artisans used a set of decorated polygonal tiles, or girih tiles, to create intricate patterns. This method allowed for an important breakthrough in Islamic mathematics and design, producing quasicrystalline designs that were not understood in the West for another 500 years.
Spring Point Project's biosecure animal facility has successfully bred high-health, pathogen-free pigs, paving the way for potential human islet cell transplantation. The goal is to provide an FDA-approved standard treatment soon after clinical trials within three years.
Researchers identify JARID1d, an enzyme that removes trimethylation marks from histone H3, allowing genes to be active. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms governing gene control and its importance for health.
Researchers at Imperial College London have identified two key enzymes that help meningitis bacteria evade the body's immune system. The discovery could lead to novel treatments by disabling these enzymes and making the bacteria vulnerable to attack.
A new clinical trial aims to investigate whether low-dose aspirin can improve pregnancy outcomes for women who have miscarried. The study will enroll 535 women and follow them for five years to assess the impact of aspirin on implantation, blood flow, and preeclampsia.
A special section in The Lancet examines the intersections between medicine and society, highlighting the impact of direct-to-consumer drug advertising on patients' expectations and doctors' professional clout. The essays explore how pharmaceutical ads create new societal perceptions of disease, normalcy, and wellness.
Researchers found that a drug called trichostatin A can increase SMN2 gene activity, improving symptoms and extending survival in SMA mice. Treatment started after symptoms appeared led to a 19% longer lifespan on average.
African scientists will receive training in drug discovery techniques to combat diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. The program aims to develop affordable, effective drugs using low operating costs and socially conscious investments.
Researchers found that increasing connexin26 in mice with missing connexin30 restored hearing sensitivity and prevented hair cell death. The discovery suggests a potential drug treatment for congenital deafness, which may replace gene therapy.
Research by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory finds that harmless viruses can cause cancer through chromosomal instability, potentially leading to cancer progression. Protecting against these viruses may decrease cancer incidence.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a new hydrogen material with over a billion nanotubes that can produce hydrogen from water. The system uses photoactive material from the sun to generate hydrogen, promising a cleaner and more cost-effective energy source.
Scientists have discovered that people working with chimpanzees in a Ugandan park are exchanging gastrointestinal bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains, with the animals. This finding highlights the potential for human activities to impact wildlife health.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute discovered that microRNAs can undergo molecular editing, redirecting them to target and silence entirely different sets of genes. This process has significant physiological consequences, such as altering the production of essential enzymes involved in synthesizing uric acid.
Recent research suggests that humans likely inhabited the Americas before the Clovis People, who have been considered the first inhabitants of the New World. The revised dates for the Clovis time period indicate a shorter duration and overlap with other sites, casting doubt on the Clovis-first model.
Inflammatory myopathies and coeliac disease may be linked, with a gluten-free diet potentially improving inclusion-body myositis symptoms. Researchers explore immunopathogenic mechanisms and genetic substrates to confirm findings.
A clinical trial enrolling over 2,700 uncircumcised men found that circumcision reduced the risk of acquiring HIV by 53% compared to uncircumcised men. The study's results suggest that circumcision can be an effective addition to other prevention and reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa.
Japanese scientists produce peanut-shaped nanoparticles comprising two different sulfur-containing substances, palladium sulfide and cobalt sulfide. The unique structure gives rise to different physical and chemical properties.
Researchers found that African American women are diagnosed with breast cancer at an average age of 46, compared to 57 for white women. The study proposes that the excess mortality occurs partly because black women are more likely to develop breast cancer before menopause, when surgery may pose a higher risk of stimulating cancer growth.
A trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating women co-infected with HSV-2 and HIV with anti-herpes treatment significantly reduced HIV levels in genital secretions and plasma. The results suggest a new approach to reducing sexual transmission of HIV from already infected individuals.
A new framework has been established to determine schizophrenia risk based on eye movement and attention focus. Researchers found that individuals with dilute forms of schizophrenia-like symptoms are at higher risk, even if they have never had the illness.
Researchers discovered four large subglacial lakes beneath miles of ice that contribute to the formation of fast-flowing ice streams in Antarctica. These lakes appear to lubricate the bed of the stream, facilitating ice flow and preventing the base from freezing.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have isolated a protein, caveolin-1, that enhances cell death in response to Taxol chemotherapy in breast cancer cells. The protein needs to be phosphorylated to work, and its expression level can vary depending on the type of breast cancer.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a simple electrochemical process for direct patterning of metallic interconnects and nanostructures. The S4 process uses a patterned superionic material as a stamp, etching a metallic film in a single step.
A University of Virginia study suggests that older adults are more likely to commit suggestibility errors, where they believe an event occurred when it was suggested, and have high confidence in their recollections even if wrong. This has significant implications for the reliability of older persons' eyewitness testimonies in courtrooms.
Researchers developed an experimental vaccine that reduces stillbirths among rodents born to mothers infected with cytomegalovirus, a common virus causing mental retardation and hearing loss. The vaccine was found to greatly reduce the total amount of virus in mothers' blood and mortality rates among offspring.
Researchers used a microfluidic chip to study the mating habits of yeast cells, revealing that a second MAPK plays a crucial role in the process. The findings shed new light on how cells send and receive signals from one another and from their environment.
Recent IOM recommendations lack evidence to support claims of a drug safety crisis. A new editorial questions the science behind these reforms, citing a study on the benefits of reduced approval times over safety concerns.
Researchers found that honeydew honeys have greater antioxidant properties than nectar honeys due to their high polyphenol content and other chemical characteristics. The study suggests that honeydew honeys could be a valuable source of natural antioxidants for health benefits.
A dietary supplement called poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been found to protect brine shrimp from infection by antibiotic-resistant Vibrio campbellii bacteria. PHB is a naturally-occurring compound that can be produced on an industrial scale, offering a potential alternative to antibiotics in the fish farming industry.
Male anole lizards adjust their visual displays to overcome background noise, enabling clear communication with rivals. The findings provide insights into the evolution of signaling strategies in these species.
Research suggests treating HSV-2 infections reduces genital and systemic levels of HIV-1 RNA, with potential implications for treatment and management of co-infections.
Scientists identified a variant of apolipoprotein C1 protein associated with higher body mass index, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes in American Indians and Mexicans. This discovery can help identify risk factors for diabetes and inform diet and lifestyle choices.
Researchers have developed an artificial lateral line that mimics the functions of the biological system found in fish, enabling submarines to detect and track moving targets and avoid collisions. The device uses micro fabricated flow sensors integrated with metal-oxide-superconductor circuitry for on-chip signal processing.
New research suggests that surgery-induced angiogenesis may contribute to the racial disparity in breast cancer mortality. In pre-menopausal women, this process can encourage tumor growth, leading to poorer outcomes. The study found a mean age of 43 for diagnosis in Nigerian women compared to 64 in the UK.
Researchers found that Gab-2 is essential for breast cancer metastasis but not initial tumor growth. The study suggests a novel mechanism for breast cancer metastasis and identifies Gab-2 as a possible new target for therapies.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that western scrub-jays plan for future food scarcity by caching food, anticipating potential shortages. This finding suggests that birds may also experience anxiety about the future, similar to humans.
A new communication protocol, SCP-MAC, has been developed to optimize energy efficiency for wireless sensor networks, reducing monitoring time from 2-3% to under 2 minutes per day. This improvement enables sensornets to watch wildlife or oilfields with longer-lasting batteries.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that western scrub-jays store food items they believe will be scarce in the future, planning accordingly. This complex behavior suggests advanced thought processes, including a sophisticated concept of past, present, and future.
A new European satellite project, Polar View, is contributing to the International Polar Year by offering real-time monitoring of polar regions. The project provides comprehensive services to over 40 international users, including government agencies and commercial interests, to help guide responses to environmental and human pressures.
A new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggests that rhinoviruses, a common cause of the common cold, are associated with hospitalizations for fever and respiratory illnesses in young children. Children with asthma or a history of wheezing have a higher risk of hospitalization due to rhinovirus infection.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to reinforce soil by injecting bacterial cultures that convert loose sand into rock, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional chemical treatments.
Researchers at USC have developed SuperBot, a modular and multifunctional robot system that can reconfigure into different configurations for various tasks. The system consists of Lego-like autonomous robotic modules with internal and external sensors, enabling flexible bending, docking, and continuous rotation.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia are developing computerized lip-reading systems that can automatically convert video lip-motions into text. The three-year project aims to improve the accuracy of lip-reading, a skill that can be unreliable even for trained experts.
Researchers found reduced brain growth among adult alcoholic children of parents with a history of heavy drinking or alcoholism, affecting IQ scores. The study suggests genetic and environmental factors contribute to the increased risk for alcohol dependence in children of alcoholics.
Scientists at UC Irvine found that ozone-emitting air purifiers can create additional microscopic particles when used with household cleaning products, increasing harmful particulate matter levels. The researchers developed a mathematical model to predict whether an air purifier will make the air dirtier in a given indoor environment.
Researchers developed Photo Tourism software that maps multiple photos into a 3D virtual world, solving the problem of navigating large photo collections. The technology has potential for real estate, museums, hotels, archaeologists, biologists, military, and sports enthusiasts to create interactive visual representations.
New research by Rockefeller University shows that bortezomib can kill multiple myeloma cells in a way that elicits an immune response, potentially enhancing patients' immunity to tumors. The treatment works by exposing heat shock proteins on dying cells, which then activate dendritic cells to present antigens to memory and killer T cells.