Researchers at Temple University have developed a new biosensor that uses mammalian olfactory signaling machinery to detect explosives. The biosensor can also potentially be used to screen experimental medications, a crucial step in the development of new drugs.
Ronald Cape will receive the 2007 Biotechnology Heritage Award for his contributions to the growth of biotechnology. He was a pioneer in genetic engineering and helped launch the creation of the entire biotech industry.
Scientists at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and Buck Institute created an algorithm that identifies critical protein elements solely based on their shape. This breakthrough enables more efficient development of effective treatments and diagnostic tests for various diseases.
Rates of child abuse and neglect in military families in Texas doubled since October 2002, according to a UNC study. The increase was linked to the stress of deployment on military personnel and their families.
A study found that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 20-30% and Waldenström macroglobulinemia by nearly three-fold. HCV is also linked to an increased risk of nonmalignant plasma cell disorders.
A new drug that targets the body's immune cells has shown promise in treating malignant brain tumors by re-engaging the cancer-damaged immune system. The researchers found that the drug stops 'bad' T cells from damaging the immune system and gives 'good' T cells a type of bulletproof jacket, enabling them to better fight off brain tumors.
A University at Buffalo study finds that IL-17, a primary cause of bone destruction in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, protects bones from infectious pathogens in the oral cavity. Researchers discovered that blocking IL-17's receptor increases susceptibility to periodontal disease.
A study by University of Illinois researchers explores the molecular mechanisms behind queen bee longevity, revealing that vitellogenin plays a vital role in maintaining reproductive viability and longevity. The findings suggest that the queen's unique biology allows her to devote energy to reproduction while extending her lifespan.
A study published in Journal of Biogeography reveals that Caribbean bat species have reversed colonized the continent from which they originated, defying conventional wisdom. This finding highlights the dynamic relationship between islands and the Americas, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts in the West Indies.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a test that assesses implicit attitudes towards self-injury, improving the prediction of self-injurious behavior. The study found that individuals with a history of non-suicidal self-injury were more likely to associate self with cutting in an implicit association test.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care identified protein Ack1 as a trigger for advanced prostate cancer recurrence in men undergoing hormone treatment. This finding may lead to the development of targeted therapies against this protein.
People infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at an increased risk of developing certain lymphomas, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. The risk was found to be 20-30% higher for HCV-infected patients compared to uninfected patients.
Two studies reveal that off-label and untested use of drug-coated stents is common in US practice, associated with higher ischemic complication rates and worse short-term outcomes. The studies found that approximately half of all use of drug-eluting stents occurs in off-label or untested settings.
Researchers discovered two closely related receptors that control energy production and function in the heart. The findings suggest that drugs targeting these receptors may offer a novel approach to managing diseases of the heart muscle, potentially preventing heart failure.
A recent study identified a gene mutation that contributes to human cognition, which is exclusive to humans. The mutation affects the splicing pattern of the neuropsin gene, creating a longer protein involved in learning and memory.
Researchers discovered that plant-derived chemical harmine fights diabetes in mice without some of the side effects attributed to other antidiabetes drugs. Harmine increases insulin sensitivity by blocking a pathway that normally inhibits fat cells' production, providing a new approach for treating insulin resistance.
Daniel Gilbert, a leading expert on affective forecasting, will discuss his research on how people make judgments about their future happiness. His lecture aims to answer the question of why we often mispredict what will make us happy in the future.
The APS 19th Annual Convention examines how scientific investigations can lead to stigmatization of certain populations. Panelists discuss historical examples of 'stigma from science' in studies of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and culture.
Phoenix will use a robotic digging arm to determine if the Martian soil environment was favorable for microbial life. The lander is equipped with instruments that suggest frozen water exists within arm's reach of the surface.
A University of Kentucky study finds that doses higher than a baby aspirin may not prevent cardiovascular events and increase bleeding risk. The research suggests that using the minimum effective dose of 75-81 mg may be optimal for most patients.
A study by USF researchers debunks the theory that older women can generate new eggs, challenging a controversial finding made by Harvard scientist Jonathan Tilly. The researchers found no evidence of egg stem cells in ovarian cells biopsied from 12 women between 28 and 53 years old.
Experts argue that researchers should focus broadly on influenza viruses, improving knowledge of basic biological means, enhancing surveillance, and developing new antivirals and diagnostics. This approach can also help combat seasonal influenza, a major public health concern in the US.
A genome-wide study reveals that variations in multiple genes contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. The researchers identified a promising target gene DGKH, which produces an enzyme involved in lithium's therapeutic effects. This discovery may lead to the development of new and more effective medications for bipolar disorder.
Research on targeted interventions suggests meaningful change is possible in key aspects of personality. Carol Dweck's keynote address presents an array of studies on the mechanisms underlying change and proposes a view of personality that encompasses these shifts.
Researchers from University of Cincinnati have found a connection between flexibility and ion motion in solid electrolytes. The team, led by Punit Boolchand, synthesized materials that exhibit three elastic domains and demonstrated increased electrical conductivity in the flexible phase.
The Indo-US Vaccine Action Program has been renewed for another five-year period, supporting research on vaccines and immunology. Many successful collaborations have addressed critical health problems, including the development of a new hepatitis C diagnostic test and candidate vaccine against rotavirus.
Researchers at McGill University have identified two closely related nuclear receptors, ERRa and g, that play a key role in coordinating the expression of genes guiding the heart's complex energy pathways. These findings may suggest novel approaches to managing diseases affecting the heart's pumping power.
A randomized trial found that angioplasty significantly reduced long-term cardiac events compared to intensive drug therapy among heart attack survivors with silent ischemia. The study followed 201 patients for an average of 10.2 years, revealing a persistent benefit of PCI.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers has revealed extensive atomic and molecular spectral emission not previously seen in a mechanoluminescence event. The findings also include the first report of gas phase chemical reactions resulting from a mechanoluminescence event.
Brandeis University researchers have identified CaMKII as a key molecule in memory storage, allowing them to induce and biochemically erase memory in rat hippocampus slices. This discovery holds promise for treating Alzheimer's and epilepsy by weakening overly strengthened synapses.
A recent study found that visually impaired individuals in Australia experience significant economic burdens due to the need for special equipment and personal care services. The study revealed median expenditures exceeding $12 million over 12 months, highlighting the importance of addressing these costs.
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, researchers found no association between 100% juice intake and overweight risk in children. In fact, juice consumers had healthier diets, lower saturated fat and sodium intake, and higher intakes of essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium.
Researchers will investigate the mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a debilitating airway disease affecting millions worldwide. They aim to identify specific fungal antigens contributing to the pathology and develop novel treatments.
In a study of fiddler crabs, researchers found that females prefer males with hood-like sand castles as these signals help them avoid predators while sequentially visiting and assessing potential mates. This new understanding highlights how the ecology of choosing a mate can shape sexual communication.
The study demonstrates that MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an effective option for treating uterine fibroids, offering rapid and sustained relief from symptoms. The treatment has a reduced need for alternative, invasive treatments in the future.
Researchers at UIC College of Pharmacy have developed a hydrogel-based delivery system to control chemotherapy drug release for glioblastoma multiforme and other solid tumors, reducing side effects. The innovative approach aims to improve survival rates for brain tumor patients.
Researchers developed an agent that shields rapidly dividing cells from radiation-induced death, regardless of timing of administration. The treatment prevents apoptosis in immune system cells, providing proof-in-principle for a new approach to fending off radiation damage.
Researchers at VCU's Massey Cancer Center are developing a new form of radiation therapy that can safely administer more aggressive cancer treatments. The project aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of current treatments by incorporating quantitative and predictive image analysis.
A new study has found that over 2.1 million individuals were treated in US emergency departments for ladder-related injuries between 1990 and 2005, with an average of 136,000 cases annually.
Amir Hoveyda, a renowned chemist at Boston College, has received the prestigious Max Tishler Prize for his groundbreaking research in organic and organometallic chemistry. His work focuses on developing new N-heterocyclic carbenes with exciting frontiers in reactivity, selectivity, and catalysis.