The W.M. Keck Foundation has pledged $1.5 million to support the final phase of research and development for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope's (LSST) three-billion pixel digital camera. The LSST will survey the entire visible sky deeply in multiple colors every few nights, probing dark matter and dark energy.
A study by University at Buffalo endocrinologists found that flavonoids in orange juice suppress destructive oxygen free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy participants. The two types of flavonoids, hesperetin and naringenin, inhibited ROS generation by 52% and 77%, respectively.
Researchers developed a non-pyrethroid-DEET combination that shows strong synergy in lethal and paralyzing effects on mosquitoes, inhibiting blood feeding. The treatment's residual efficacy is several months longer than either agent applied alone.
The CRESIB has launched a research programme on malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, aiming to better understand the disease and develop new control tools. The international consortium will bring together leading researchers from around the world to promote global efforts in P.vivax research.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.
A study from the University of Alberta found that administering HBV vaccine intradermally to HIV-infected individuals who failed to respond initially shows promise, with 50% producing protective levels of anti-HBs. However, this approach is not recommended due to limited success rates.
Researchers at the Midwest Forensics Resource Center are developing a library of forensic ink profiles using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry. The new technique allows for faster and more detailed analysis of inks, enabling forensic scientists to differentiate between inks like never before.
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has received a $25.5 million award from the National Cancer Institute, representing a 10% increase in funding. The center, one of only 40 nationwide to receive an increase, will allocate $5.1 million annually for five years.
A large randomized clinical trial found that eating double the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables does not reduce the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence in women who have completed treatment for early-stage breast cancer. The study involved nearly 3,100 women and followed them for an average of 7.3 years.
Researchers infer complete chromosome sequences from existing data using a statistical method that exploits genetic mutations in organisms with high variability. The study confirms the conserved function of junk DNA and its potential role in regulating gene function.
A study of 3,088 women with early-stage breast cancer found that a high-fruit-and-vegetable diet did not reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Despite increased consumption of fiber and fat reduction, there was no significant benefit in preventing cancer progression or death.
Researchers used TMS to measure mirror neuron activity in response to American and Nicaraguan gestures, finding higher activity when observing shared culture. This study suggests culture shapes brain's neural mechanisms, influencing behavior and potentially informing motor skill and language learning.
The Gruber Cosmology Prize has been awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and their teams for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe, dominated by mysterious dark energy. The breakthrough was made possible through innovative techniques using distant Type Ia supernovae as standard candles.
Researchers demonstrate in rats that a periostin patch can stimulate heart cell regeneration and improve cardiac pumping ability. The treated rats showed improved ventricular remodeling, decreased scarring, and increased cardiomyocyte proliferation.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that the prelimbic prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in social transmission of food preference. This discovery sheds new light on the functioning of declarative memory, which is affected in Alzheimer's disease.
An MIT team has solved the case of the throbbbing oil drop, explaining how evaporation-induced variations in surface tension cause a periodic expansion and contraction. The mechanism, which involves three interfaces between oil, water, and air, has implications for environmental engineering and could be applied to biological systems.
Two studies found that elevated nonfasting triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, ischemic heart disease, and death. The findings suggest that remnant lipoproteins play a dominant role in postprandial atherosclerosis, and may predict the risk of cardiovascular events in women.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have successfully expressed a foreign gene exclusively in the female mosquito germline, paving the way for genetic control strategies. The discovery enables all progeny of lab and wild mosquitoes to have the gene that blocks virus replication.
Researchers found that daily treatments of Alprazolam and chloral hydrate improved learning, arousal, and regular sleep patterns in HD mice. The study suggests that restoring normal sleep-wake activity could slow cognitive decline, improving quality of life for patients.
Researchers identified areas of the brain involved in voluntary and involuntary movement, finding that neural activity was restricted to the primary motor cortex during unconscious motor activity seen with Alien Hand Syndrome. The study suggests conscious and unconscious motor activity involves the same underlying brain structures.
A new study published in JAMA found that intensively following a high-vegetable diet beyond recommended guidelines did not reduce breast cancer recurrence or death in early stage survivors. Despite significant changes in dietary patterns, the study observed no difference in outcomes between groups.
A research partnership between RIT and Monroe County assesses the performance of E85 flex-fuel vehicles, analyzing their environmental and economic benefits. The study aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and costs to taxpayers while promoting alternative energy implementation in public vehicle fleets.
A new study reveals a significant increase in creeping vines in southeastern US forests, with up to a 10-fold growth in just two decades. The vines' adhesive roots and tendrils are changing the forest's makeup, leading to a decrease in small tree density.
Physicists at University of Illinois discover a new fundamental particle, boson, that arises from strong electron interactions and explains the puzzling behavior of high-temperature superconductors. The particle has a charge of 2e but is not composed of two electrons.
Scientists are testing a universal flu vaccine that targets all 'A' strains of the virus, offering broad and lifelong protection. The vaccine has shown promising results in laboratory animals and is now being administered to a small group of healthy people in Phase I clinical trials.
T. Andrew Burrow, MD of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center received the $75,000 grant to support training of clinicians in biochemical genetics. The award aims to recruit and train physicians in clinical biochemical genetics for metabolic diseases diagnosis and treatment.
A new study by Dr. John Updegraff and colleagues found that tailored health messages are more effective when matching an individual's motivational orientation, leading to favorable attitudes and behavior change. Strong messages create more positive outcomes than weak ones, particularly for approach-oriented individuals.
Researchers suggest taking oral targeted cancer therapies like lapatinib with food to increase absorption and reduce dosage, resulting in significant cost savings. This approach could cut the needed dose of lapatinib by at least 60% and lower its monthly cost from $2,900 to $1,740.
A paper by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health highlights the need for enhanced global infectious disease surveillance due to resource constraints. The authors recommend increasing resources for compatible reporting systems, providing additional support, and educating policymakers on disease surveillance as a priority.
New research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that only half of HIV-infected children maintained protective antibody levels 27 months after receiving measles vaccine. Repeat vaccinations are crucial to prevent measles outbreaks in regions with high HIV prevalence.
Primates use cognitive abilities to select food sources based on resource quality and social group needs. The study found that white-faced saki monkeys traveled four times further than predicted distances to choose fruit-rich sites, prioritizing the group's dominance and competition.
The University of Houston's teachHOUSTON program aims to replicate the successful UTeach format, providing intensive mentoring and field experience for aspiring math and science teachers. The program has already begun with 14 students and plans to expand to 375 participants by the fourth year.
A new study has identified a specific genetic variation linked to severe premenstrual depression in women. The study found that four genetic variants in the estrogen receptor alpha gene were more common in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, suggesting a hereditary link to the condition.
A study found that adults in high-crime neighborhoods avoid intervening with young offenders due to fear of retaliation. Adults are more likely to intervene when outsiders are involved or when they have a personal relationship with the youth.
A wearable cardiac telemedicine system allows post-cardiac patients renewed mobility by recording periodic ECGs and transmitting them via SMS. This device can give patients a greater chance of receiving life-saving treatment within the golden hour period.
A new grant will enable researchers to test a diagnostic technique that determines the environmental source of Buruli ulcer. The disease, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, can lead to severe infections and is difficult to cure without removing infected tissue.
A twin study published by the NIH/NIDCD found that a person's ability to process multiple sounds simultaneously is largely inherited. The researchers discovered that identical twins were more similar in their dichotic listening abilities, with a strong genetic component responsible for up to 73% of the variation.
A recent study by the University of Alberta reveals that some Arctic foxes engage in polyandry, where females have multiple male mates, and multiple paternity, leading to increased genetic variation. This finding challenges previous notions of monogamous mating habits in canid species.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a naturally occurring material that can be used as a template for building nanodevices. The discovery, published in Nature Materials, provides a simpler method for creating nanostructures by leveraging the spontaneous phase separation of a ceramic material at the nanoscale.
A study estimates that radiation exposure from cardiac CT scans increases the lifetime risk of cancer, with higher risks for women and younger individuals. The study suggests using alternative diagnostic modalities for young individuals and weighing the risks and benefits of each test.