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.
Dr. Caroline Wagner discusses how self-organizing networks have transformed scientific research, enabling global collaboration among researchers with complementary skills and expertise. Her work emphasizes the importance of adaptability and flexibility in institutions and knowledge systems.
Biomedical engineer Robert Langer is working on novel ways to deliver drugs and genes to targeted sites in the human body. His lab has developed polymers that can efficiently deliver DNA with reduced toxicity, potentially leading to new cancer treatments and disease therapies.
A 40,000-year-old tooth reveals direct evidence of Neanderthal movement over lifetimes. The analysis of strontium isotope ratios in the enamel indicates that the individual lived in a different location than where the tooth was found.
New research by UT Knoxville professor Michael R. Nash aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical practice in psychotherapy. By tracking patients' symptoms before and during treatment, psychologists can conduct sound scientifically grounded case studies out of their office.
A new study suggests that reducing carbon dioxide emissions to near-zero levels is necessary to stabilize the planet's climate. The research found that even with zero emissions, global temperatures would remain high for at least 500 years due to heat held in oceans, emphasizing the urgency of drastic action.
A novel approach strips Staphylococcus aureus of its virulence by blocking pigment formation, which acts as an antioxidant to hinder immune system's ability to kill bacteria. The method reduces bacterial population by 98% in mice infected with S. aureus.
Researchers at Stanford University use an optical trap to physically manipulate RNA molecules, directly observing their three-dimensional folding for the first time. The study reveals the energy and folding behavior of a riboswitch, providing new insights into how biomolecules take shape and function.
Deep-sea coral samples reveal ancient ocean conditions and carbon dioxide absorption, shedding light on past climate change. Scientists urge protection from harvesting and deep-sea fishing.
Physicists at JILA demonstrate a next-generation atomic clock based on thousands of strontium atoms trapped in laser light grids, surpassing the current U.S. time standard by over 200 million years. The clock's precision enables synchronization of telecom networks and deep-space communications.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new method to model the genetic pathways underlying cancer, identifying connections between gene sets. The study reveals that specific gene sets work together to support cancer development and progression.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that white-tailed jack rabbits were once abundant in Greater Yellowstone but have disappeared since 1991. The disappearance may be causing elevated predation by coyotes on juvenile elk and other ungulates, highlighting the need for reintroduction.
Researchers have identified a key role for a glaucoma gene, sFRP1, in the development of the disease, which causes high pressure in the eye. Over-expression of this gene disrupts the WNT-signaling pathway, leading to elevated intraocular pressure and vision loss.
Animated speech and language tutors, developed by UC Santa Cruz professor Dominic Massaro, help remedial readers, language learners, and autistic children by modeling natural human speech and articulation. The technology is being incorporated into a new remedial reading program and tailored to teach languages such as Arabic.
A new study reveals that harvester ant mothers have a significant impact on their daughters' fate, with eggs predetermined to become workers or queens from the moment they are laid. The researchers found that only eggs laid by mature queens exposed to cold conditions develop into new queens.
Researchers at UC Irvine found a single mitochondrial DNA mutation causes degenerative heart and muscle disease in mice, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial DNA in human health. The study's findings could lead to new treatments for age-related diseases affecting millions worldwide.
A new study has mapped the extent of human impact on global oceans, revealing that over 40% of the world's oceans are severely affected. The study highlights the most heavily impacted regions, including coral reefs and seagrass beds, which house a vast majority of marine life.
A new study challenges the assumption that branding began with the Industrial Revolution, finding evidence of ancient commodity branding in Egypt and Iraq. Branding was a deep-seated human need to find value in goods, filled by labels on containers and practices surrounding production and distribution.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that fruit flies integrate visual and olfactory information to track odors, using visual markers to navigate through complex environments. This crossmodal integration enables flies to efficiently find food despite their limited sensory capabilities.
A study published in Circulation Research reveals that flexing muscles send biochemical signals through nearby matrix proteins, increasing blood flow and potentially reversing poor circulation and healing chronic wounds. The discovery sheds light on the role of extracellular matrix proteins like fibronectin in controlling bodily function.
Researchers developed a model of brain function that shows how eye movement signals boost neural representation of objects at future gaze positions, compromising spatial accuracy. This results in the perception of details before looking at an object, making the world appear stable while eyes move.
Researchers have explored the brains of flies to understand their ability to integrate sight and smell, finding that panoramic visual cues are essential for accurate odor tracking. The study suggests that odor signals strengthen visual reflexes, allowing flies to navigate complex environments with remarkable accuracy.
Researchers have gained a clearer understanding of how p300/CBP controls gene activity, providing new avenues for designing drugs. The study's findings have implications for cancer treatment, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV, with potential applications for developing targeted therapies.
Fourteen US colleges have won the Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program, receiving up to $60,000 in funding. The program supports research collaborations and stipends for undergraduate students
Researchers at Einstein College of Medicine successfully cured hemophilia A in an animal model by transplanting healthy liver endothelial cells from donor mice. The study overturned conventional wisdom regarding the source of factor VIII, a crucial clotting protein lacking in people with type A hemophilia.
Researchers from Oregon State University find that Pacific Northwest coast low-oxygen events are unprecedented and may be caused by stronger winds due to global warming. Hypoxic conditions have been recurring since 2002, with severe impacts on marine life.
University of Florida engineering students develop an airbrush technique for producing microelectrodes, offering a cheaper and quicker alternative to traditional screen printing methods. This innovation has the potential to support various applications in consumer, research, and medical products.
The study provides a global analysis of human proteins interacting with viral and bacterial proteins, revealing possible intervention points for future therapeutics. Pathogens preferentially target high-impact human proteins called hubs and bottlenecks, which are involved in cancer pathways.
Researchers at University of Kentucky discovered that aliskiren, a new blood pressure medication, significantly reduces artery-clogging lesions and lowers blood pressure. The study's findings contribute to the understanding of the underlying disease causing heart attack and stroke.
The COUPP experiment has set a new limit on the spin-dependent properties of WIMPs, contradicting previous claims. By using a glass jar filled with CF3I, scientists study statistical variations between bubble photographs to detect dark matter particles.
A woman in her 20s suffered from Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by excess steroid hormones, after using an unregulated skin-lightening cream containing clobetasol. The medical team warns that these creams can have devastating consequences and urges caution.
The study found that mice lacking HOXA11 had no uterosacral ligaments, highlighting the gene's importance in their development. In women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP), decreased HOXA11 expression was linked to weakened connective tissue and increased levels of a degradation mediator.
A study found that the general public tends to support life-saving treatment for severely ill patients, whereas doctors are more reluctant due to concerns about quality of life. The majority of both groups agreed on administering pain relief and sedatives.
Researchers at Arizona State University aim to create an environmentally friendly energy source by harnessing the power of sunlight and bacteria to produce hydrogen. The project uses microbial photosynthesis to generate hydrogen, which can be converted into a clean fuel without releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
Scientists have released the first national biomass and carbon dataset, which provides high-resolution estimates of forest biomass and carbon stock. The dataset, known as NBCD2000, is being made available for download on a zone-by-zone basis and offers valuable information for quantifying the carbon stock in U.S. forests.
NOAA is investigating how underwater sound affects marine mammals, which may cause them to strand. The agency is also studying the rapid rate of Arctic ice melt due to factors like aerosols and ozone in the lower atmosphere. Additionally, NOAA researchers are using radiocarbon traces to determine fish ages, which helps with fisheries m...
Scientists have discovered a single molecule regulating both glucose and fatty acid metabolism in cells. This finding has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of diabetes and develop new therapeutic agents.
A Yale study finds that predators, rather than plants, determine the type and abundance of herbivores and carnivores in an ecosystem. The research shows how spider hunting modes affect grasshopper behavior, promoting habitat diversity but also depleting nitrogen in the soil.
Researchers present studies on the relationship between smoking and neuropathic pain, the benefits of physical conditioning in chronic pain patients, and the effectiveness of pain rehabilitation programs in reducing medication costs. These findings highlight the importance of addressing underlying causes of chronic pain and exploring n...
An international team of astronomers has discovered two planets resembling smaller versions of Jupiter and Saturn in a solar system nearly 5,000 light years away. The newly-discovered planets appear to be gaseous planets with masses similar to those of the giant planets in our own solar system.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect activated platelets in the brain of mice with cerebral malaria, allowing for earlier diagnosis. The use of a specific single-chain antibody and iron oxide microparticles enables detection by MRI, potentially leading to improved therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
Researchers identified a new gene associated with autosomal dominant juvenile cataract and renal glucosuria, highlighting the importance of monocarboxylate transporters in eye and kidney health. The discovery may lead to new non-surgical treatment options for age-related cataracts.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that BMP signaling in dermal papilla cells is essential for hair growth. Deletion of the receptor for bone morphogenetic protein 1a (BMPR1a) in DP cells prevented hair follicle formation, while intact BMPR1a and additional BMP protein promoted hair growth.
Researchers have discovered that supplying or removing an extra electron can make the reaction go from acid and base to neutral molecule or back again, opening up possibilities for precisely controlling chemistry in systems ranging from biology to energy technology. The findings may help illuminate biological reactions as well.