Mental illness is subject to biological and socio-cultural factors, according to Arizona State University bioethicist Jason Robert. He argues that personalized medicine must consider the person, not just their genome or brain scans. Robert will discuss the complexity of diagnosis and management of mental illness at the AAAS annual meet...
NOAA scientist Nat Scholz reveals that pesticide mixtures have a greater toxic effect on the salmon nervous system than expected. The findings have important implications for threatened and endangered salmon populations and may also affect human health through contaminated food supply.
Scientists uncover toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollutants from fossil fuels, damaging fish hearts and potentially contributing to human cardiovascular diseases. This emerging threat highlights the need for further research on the impacts of urban air pollution on human health.
Researchers found that miniscule amounts of synthetic estrogen in municipal wastewater can decimate wild fish populations living downstream, causing feminization and reproductive issues. Removing estrogen through wastewater treatment can reverse the adverse impact on wild fish populations, offering a glimmer of hope for recovery.
Biofuels from renewable biomass feedstocks are being sought as a significant part of the US energy supply due to limitations in corn-based ethanol production. Researchers have developed new ways to engineer yeast and plant materials to produce desirable traits, holding promise for large-scale production.
A group of scientists, led by Stanford physicist Michael May, is urging an international push to improve nuclear forensics to prevent terrorist attacks. They recommend training, advanced equipment, and stronger ties to intelligence agencies to quickly identify the source of nuclear materials.
A new approach to managing marine resources in Puget Sound uses ecosystem services as a framework, including the value of Dungeness crab and eelgrass. This research aims to inform management decisions that balance economic and environmental concerns.
A study of over 7,000 patients found that bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis has little to no effect on the risk of bone necrosis. However, clinicians face significant challenges in treating bone necrosis when it presents itself in patients.
Researchers have found that 400 chemicals resist breaking down in the environment, affecting fish and wildlife, and potentially human health. The study also reveals pesticides can be more toxic when combined, threatening salmon populations and human health.
Researchers are seeking new materials for efficient radiation detection due to limitations in current primary materials. They aim to improve understanding of radiation physics to make informed choices about material properties.
The sea otter's reintroduction is expected to reduce commercially valuable shellfish populations, including sea urchins and geoducks. However, this loss could be mitigated by the creation of alternative fisheries for species such as lingcod, rockfish, and herring.
Researchers use bioengineering techniques to create functional adult-like cells from embryonic stem cells and adult blood stem cells, paving the way for new medical treatments
Researchers found that early brain activity is shaped by language experience and plays a crucial role in speech perception. The study reveals that melody of speech engages multiple brain areas, including both hemispheres, and interacts with general sensory-motor processes.
The Gulf of Maine's ecosystem has undergone significant changes due to fishing and climate change, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to fishery management. A new approach prioritizing ecosystem processes and tradeoffs between human activities is necessary to balance economic needs with environmental protection.
To make global environmental treaties more effective, Professor Lawrence Susskind recommends engaging civil societies in treaty-making and enforcement. He also suggests offering incentives for countries that ratify and comply with treaties, as well as establishing meaningful timetables and targets with economic penalties.
The Academy of Courageous Minority Engineers (ACME) framework includes web technology, weekly face-to-face meetings, and research seminars to support minority graduate students. ACME has helped over 45 graduate students earn their degrees, including a notable success story for architect Robbin Chapman.
Scientists from UK and international teams have been part of the Swift satellite project, which has discovered over 292 gamma-ray bursts since its launch in 2004. The satellite's rapid response capabilities have been instrumental in understanding these cosmic events, with recent discoveries pinpointing the origins of black holes.
Researchers from Iowa State University discussed the global implications of energy and agriculture on science and policy. They addressed climate change, production of biofuel crops on marginal lands, and the ethics of using agriculture for energy production.
Researchers harnessing 'funky effects' of quantum theory for more precise measurements, efficient memory chips and accurate clocks. Quantum principles enable advancements in areas like pattern recognition and time-of-arrival measurement, potentially transforming industries.
The American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) report warns that the US is losing its expertise in rapidly identifying nuclear materials. The pipeline for replacing these specialists is almost empty, and university programs in radiochemistry have been dwindling.
Bottom trawling stirs up sediment plumes that can be seen from space, causing widespread damage to corals, sponges, and other animals. New satellite images reveal the extent of this destruction, highlighting the need for alternative fishing methods.
Researchers have developed a new classification system, The Range of Possible Changes Model, to help eliminate inconsistencies in evidence-based treatments. This model sorts pertinent information from multiple studies, allowing researchers to draw reliable conclusions amidst inconsistent results.
A growing body of evidence supports preventive measures for high-risk women, including those with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Primary care physicians should learn about genetics, take a comprehensive personal and family history to advise patients at increased risk.
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) has issued a report recommending standardized ways to measure, manage, and prescribe radiation dosages for CT scans. The report aims to reduce radiation exposure while maintaining optimal image quality.
A new digital mapping approach is being used to visualize and analyze vulnerable marine habitats, helping authorities make management decisions that balance competing interests. The method, developed by Dr. Suzana Dragicevic, uses mathematical optimization to find common ground between commercial fisheries and conservation communities.
A panel of experts identified broad categories of technological research challenges, including environmental wholeness, human wellness, and the joy of living. Managing carbon and nitrogen on a planetary scale are highlighted as critical initiatives.
Research by Oscar Ybarra and colleagues found that social interaction enhances intellectual performance, suggesting that 'social interaction exercises' cognitive processes measured on tasks. People reap cognitive benefits from socializing, experiencing relatively immediate cognitive boosts.
Researchers found that using HEPA filters for two days significantly improved microvascular function in healthy, non-smoking elderly individuals. The study suggests that indoor air filtration could be a feasible means of reducing cardiovascular risk by removing ultrafine, fine and coarse air particles.
The study found that alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and exercises are effective in managing most common neck pain. The Task Force also recommends a grading system to classify neck pain, with Grade 1 being mild and Grade 4 indicating serious pathology.
Researchers found that a vague background context helps fill in blanks and enhance perception, while a bright context suppresses it. The study used 18 observers who saw a target rectangle on a black screen, with varying surroundings.
University of Michigan researchers created a new method, OxICAT, to observe how oxidative stress affects proteins. The technique allows for the quantification of thousands of proteins' oxidation states in a single experiment.
A new Cornell study found that French people rely on internal cues to stop eating, while Americans use external cues. This finding may explain why the French tend to be leaner than the US population, despite similar diets.
The American Academy of Pain Medicine acknowledges chronic pain as a major disease entity, requiring targeted therapies. Studies estimate over 76 million Americans experience chronic pain, resulting in $1.85 billion annual cost.
A team of scientists from NOAA and Oregon State University have discovered widespread areas of low-oxygen water off the northwest coast, which may be causing deaths of marine animals that cannot escape. The study suggests that these conditions are associated with coastal upwelling and plankton production.
A recent survey of American households and U.S. nanotechnology scientists reveals differing views on the technology's potential risks and benefits. While scientists express concern over pollution and new health problems, the general public is more concerned about privacy issues and job losses.
Researchers studying 19 pairs of identical twins discovered that they had virtually identical DNA but still exhibited small genetic variations. These findings may help explain why one twin can develop a disorder while the other remains healthy.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that mesothelin, a protein found on tumor cells' surface, promotes pancreatic cancer growth. A new vaccine targeting mesothelin, made from virus-like particles, has shown promise in slowing tumor growth and increasing survival time in mice.
Research by University of Chicago mathematician Jack Cowan reveals that brain activity patterns follow natural rhythms, similar to phase transitions in physics. This study uses mathematical tools to understand brain-generated rhythms, including delta waves during sleep and gamma waves related to information processing.
Scientists studying the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) find analogies for global changes from continued carbon dioxide emissions. The ocean can absorb massive amounts of carbon, but acidification threatens corals and marine organisms building calcium carbonate shells.
Researchers tracked sulfate and nitrate movement in forest soils during winter, finding most compounds were released in snowmelt. Organic soils acted as a sink for these compounds, with significant ammonium production indicating N mineralization was important.
Researchers developed a tumor-targeting viral therapy that slowed the growth of neuroblastoma and peripheral nerve sheath tumors by inhibiting tissue growth and reducing blood vessel formation. The treatment, called rQT3, showed promise in laboratory studies and improved life spans in mice with these types of tumors.
ASU researcher Daniel Sarewitz argues that excessive direct democracy in science funding can result in abuse and a loss of credibility. He suggests that representative democracy is more effective, allowing for informed decision-making and consideration of complex issues.
The Uukuniemi virus structure reveals how bunyaviruses infect host cells by changing shape in acidic environments, a mechanism shared with influenza and dengue viruses. The discovery may aid in developing drugs for treating hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis.
The Argus II is the second-generation electronic retinal implant designed for treating blindness caused by Retinitis Pigmentosa. It consists of an array of 60 electrodes attached to the retina, conducting information from an external camera to provide rudimentary sight to implanted subjects.
Research suggests that animals in Antarctica faced harsher conditions during Ice Ages than today, leading to mass migrations. The study found that polynyas, areas of open water, existed far south of current winter sea-ice boundaries, supporting local food webs.
Researchers at PNNL present advances in coal gasification technology that could increase efficiency and safety, enabling carbon capture and sequestration technologies. The technology has the potential to play a critical role in securing domestic sources of transportation fuels and meeting growing demand for clean energy.
A University of Oregon research fellow reports significant educational benefits in preschool-aged children from low socioeconomic backgrounds after an eight-week parental intervention program. The program improved children's language-acquisition skills, memory, and cognitive abilities, while reducing family stress.
The National Academy of Engineering has released a list of 20th century's greatest engineering achievements. Stanford's William Perry will present this list, along with challenges the engineering field should address in the 21st century, at an upcoming AAAS meeting.
A recent study by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies found that people tend to agree with experts whose values align with their own, regardless of the expert's position. This suggests that nanotechnology's future will be shaped by public trust in experts, rather than just their expertise.
A new laser beam made in a University of Michigan laboratory has set a record for intensity, measuring 20 billion trillion watts per square centimeter. The intense beam could help scientists develop better proton and electron beams for radiation treatment of cancer and explore new frontiers in science.
According to data analysis, ships launched from the port side tend to have more male passengers and crew members, whereas the starboard side is predominantly female and child-heavy. This pattern is attributed to historical social norms and order maintenance on vessels.
The recent boom in ethanol production from corn grain has tightly linked the agriculture and energy sectors. The model predicts that government policies will play a critical role in determining the future of these two sectors.
Researchers found that black patients with COPD were less likely to receive a lung transplant and more likely to die or be removed from the transplant list than white patients. Despite differences in insurance, socioeconomic status, and cardiovascular risk factors, these disparities persisted.
A recent US survey found that only 29.5% of respondents believed nanotechnology was morally acceptable, while European nations had significantly higher acceptance rates. The study suggests that religious beliefs play a significant role in shaping public views on the technology, with Americans more likely to oppose it due to concerns ab...
A new study finds that women with higher levels of perceived stress are more likely to have an impaired immune response to HPV16, increasing their risk of developing cervical cancer. Most HPV infections in healthy women will disappear spontaneously over time.
A recent study by MIT researcher Tomaso Poggio found that a computer model was able to reproduce human behavior in recognizing complex scenes, leading to a significant shift in understanding the visual cortex. The findings have implications for understanding how the brain works and may lead to advancements in artificial intelligence.
Stan Kidder, a CIRA researcher, has contributed to a new book celebrating 50 years of Earth observations from space. The book highlights the significant contributions satellites have made to weather forecasting, providing capabilities that were not possible before satellites, such as predicting tropical storms and severe weather events.
Researchers found that Hispanic patients with diabetes have approximately 0.5% higher levels on the A1C test compared to non-Hispanic white patients. This study highlights the need for strategies to reduce disparities in diabetes control among minority groups.
Researchers are developing new drugs that can modulate male hormone receptors to improve muscle weight without stimulating prostate glands. Studies have shed light on the complex mechanisms behind estrogen receptors in different tissues.
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) will provide astronomers with unprecedented views of the origins of stars, galaxies, and planets. ALMA's high-resolution capabilities will enable scientists to unravel longstanding mysteries in astronomy.