The Argonne National Laboratory's IBM Blue Gene/P high-performance computing system is the world's fastest supercomputer for open science, with a peak-performance of 557 Teraflops. This achievement marks the first time an Argonne-based supercomputing system has ranked in the top five of the industry's definitive list.
Researchers at Princeton University have invented a technique to pattern surfaces on the nanoscale using lasers and plastic beads. The method enables the creation of ultrasmall features, such as lines and dots, that are 1,000 times narrower than a human hair, with potential applications in biology, medicine, and computing.
Withdrawing calcineurin inhibitors after kidney transplantation can prolong survival, improve kidney function, and save money compared to lifelong medication use. The study found that treatment with sirolimus plus steroids may be more efficacious and less costly than regimens using calcineurin inhibitors.
The Stowers Institute Lab has discovered that the rate of somite formation, a process controlling the number of vertebrae, varies across species. Smaller vertebrae precursors result in more somites formed.
A multicenter study has identified risk factors for sudden death in people with myotonic dystrophy type 1, a common form of muscular dystrophy. The study found that patients with significant ECG abnormalities were at a 3.5 times higher risk of sudden death, while those with atrial arrhythmias had a 5 times higher risk.
A new study based on data from 1.7 million births found that babies born by Caesarean section have a significantly higher risk of developing asthma in childhood. The study also revealed an even greater association between emergency Caesarean sections and the development of asthma.
Researchers found that Nazca booby chicks have high levels of testosterone and other male hormones, increasing aggression and leading to lethal fights with siblings. This early-life behavior prepares the birds for future bullying behaviors.
Two studies in the FASEB Journal describe key findings on atherosclerosis, including the role of ROCK1 protein in reducing inflammation. Targeting lipid mediators and mechanisms used to make them could lead to new anti-atherosclerosis therapies.
A recent study by LSU professor Matthew Lee found that civic participation and local stability are crucial in preventing violent crime in rural areas. Rural communities with high levels of home ownership, stable populations, and robust middle-class economies tend to have lower rates of violence.
Researchers successfully treated a patient with Stage 4 melanoma using cloned infection-fighting T cells, achieving long-term remission. The treatment showed promising results, with the entire tumor regressing despite only 50% of tumor cells expressing the targeted antigen.
A panel of industry representatives emphasizes the importance of biotechnology in creating sustainable industries. Key findings include the potential for biomaterials and sustainable industrial processes to reduce reliance on petrochemicals and promote environmentally sound agricultural methods.
People with epilepsy who fail to take their medication regularly are three times more likely to die compared to those who adhere to treatment. Hospital visits and emergency room visits also increase during periods of non-compliance, highlighting the importance of consistent medication adherence.
A study led by Florida State University has found that the APOE epsilon 4 allele is a risk factor for African-Americans as well as whites. The gene increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in both populations. Researchers hope to develop medicines that slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease using this newfound understanding.
A new study found that bowel preparation with oral sodium phosphate does not improve cleanliness and visibility in small bowel capsule endoscopy for patients with obscure GI bleeding. The standard method of an eight-hour fast before the procedure was shown to be equally effective.
The six regional directors of WHO express their unequivocal support for revitalizing the Alma-Ata Declaration, acknowledging its importance in strengthening health systems. They emphasize the need for a long-term commitment to primary health care and call for alignment with WHO's strategic objectives.
A review of Condition Help calls found that communication breakdowns between caregivers and patients were the root cause. The program has improved patient safety, reduced errors, and enhanced healthcare environment for patients, families, and clinicians.
Researchers at Temple University found that addressing ER workers' fears and concerns through targeted messages can increase vaccination rates. The study used perceptual mapping to analyze respondents' attitudes toward vaccination, revealing significant shifts under varying levels of threat.
Indiana University scientists have identified a cellular signaling system that enables the toxoplasmosis parasite to transform into a cyst form, resisting drugs and the immune system. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies and a preventative vaccine for animals.
A new study from Brandeis University found that hospital chaplaincy services are strongly predicted by general demographic and institutional characteristics, rather than national accreditation guidelines. The study also suggests that increasing attention to religion and spirituality in medicine may be the result of doctors' and nurses'...
A team of researchers led by UC Davis faculty member Benjamin Houlton has resolved a longstanding paradox in the plant world. They found that temperature and phosphorus abundance play key roles in determining the presence of nitrogen-fixing tree species in temperate and tropical forests.
Researchers at Princeton University found that bacteria can use sensed cues to infer future events, adapting to changing environments over time. By studying Escherichia coli's behavior, the team discovered a strategic response to temperature and oxygen changes, allowing the bacterium to survive in a dynamic ecosystem.
Roger Schroeder examines Six Sigma's effectiveness in cutting costs and improving profitability. He defines the methodology and builds an academic framework, identifying consistent elements such as parallel-meso structures, strategic project selection, leadership engagement, and structured methodologies.
The £5m centre, part of a £20 million investment programme, aims to improve the wellbeing and health of the UK population through integrated approaches to health and social services. The Centre will research economic, social and biological factors causing chronic diseases and inequalities in health experiences.
Researchers at NIST and NIH have demonstrated proof of principle for a new approach to MRI using customized microscopic magnets that can be injected into the body. These 'smart tags' can identify particular cells, tissues, or physiological conditions by emitting specific optical colors.
A new study by researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin found that high-volume hospitals for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) surgery have significantly lower in-hospital mortality rates and shorter post-operative hospital stays. Additionally, there was no increase in length of stay or hospitalization costs in these centers.
A long-term study has found that childhood stress can increase the risk of developing allergies, with higher levels of stress-related peptide VIP detected in children who experienced life events like moving house or parental separation. Researchers also found a link between stress and immune system regulation, but not severe illnesses ...
Astronomers have discovered identical twin stars that formed at different times, challenging current star-formation theories. The analysis reveals significant differences in brightness, surface temperature, and possibly size between the two stars, with one being about 2x brighter and 300 degrees hotter than its twin.
A newly sequenced lancelet genome confirms a 40-year-old theory that gene duplication drove vertebrate evolution. The study shows that genes quadrupled during the evolution of vertebrates, with most duplicate copies lost.
Neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory demonstrated that insulin receptors in the brain regulate neural circuits, synapses, and dendritic growth. Insulin receptor signaling is critical for proper brain operation and may contribute to cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that migratory songbirds can learn from the songs of successful birds, leading them to choose habitats with high reproductive potential. This complex communication ability suggests that songbirds may be more than just visually selecting habitats.
A study by Mathias and Helena Osvath found that chimpanzees and orangutans can plan ahead, overriding immediate needs in favor of future rewards. The apes demonstrated self-control and pre-experiencing a future event, visualizing the use of tools to achieve goals.
Researchers at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility confirmed theoretical predictions that fast-moving protons form pairs with neutrons or other protons, with 100% of fast-moving nucleons paired. This discovery may help understand nuclear systems and structure.
Researchers highlight the significant health impacts of psychosocial factors on HIV-infected individuals and the spread of AIDS. Interventions addressing depression, stress, and coping can help ameliorate negative effects on patient outcomes.
Researchers found that increasing pro-resolution signals can cool down inflammation and slow down atherosclerosis. However, clamping down on these signals would fan the fire of inflammation and speed up its progression.
A new study by The Endocrine Society found that male recreational athletes who believed they were using growth hormone experienced improved athletic performance, even when given a placebo. In contrast, female athletes showed little benefit from the placebo effect.
Researchers found that average wine glasses were 43% larger than standard drinks, with varying alcohol content within beverage types. The combination of higher-content drinks and lack of awareness makes this 'abundance' problematic for consumers planning to drive or engage in activities.
A new study shows that shallow water corals originated from deep-sea animals that invaded and diversified in shallow waters. The researchers found evidence of this transition in DNA and fossils, revealing an arms-race between corals and their predators as they built skeletal defenses.
The summit concludes that eating a higher protein diet within the recommended range can have health benefits, including a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia. High-quality protein sources like dairy products are particularly beneficial.
Researchers identified five genetic variations that increase metabolic syndrome risk and a sixth variant that protects against the condition. Variants in the CD36 gene were associated with abnormal HDL cholesterol levels.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that radiofrequency ablation can be an effective treatment for small lung tumors, with a confirmed complete response rate of 88% and overall survival rates ranging from 48-75%. The procedure was also shown to have a low risk of complications, including pneumothorax and pleural effusion.
A team of researchers found that infectious prions have highly flexible loops, absent in non-infectious forms, which differ significantly in their molecular structure. The study suggests that the molecular structure is a key factor in determining a protein's infectiousness.
The University of Colorado at Boulder returned nearly $3 million in cost savings to NASA for the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite mission. The SORCE mission, launched in 2003, was controlled from CU-Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and provided critical measurements of solar variation.
Dr. Mariana Pereira has been awarded a $60,000 grant from NARSAD to continue her preclinical studies on the effects of postpartum stress on substance abuse in women. Her research aims to understand how cocaine hijacks normal motivational patterns in the postpartum female.
A long-term safety study on Lialda found that the medication is generally well-tolerated, with most adverse events being mild or moderate in intensity. The study also showed that a majority of patients remained in remission for 12 months.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered steroids in female mouse urine activate nerve cells in male mice' noses with unprecedented effectiveness. The compounds, known as glucocorticoids (GCCs), are involved in energy metabolism, stress and immune function.
Researchers found a strong association between human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection and ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) in persons from sub-Saharan Africa. HHV-8 antibodies were present in 87.7% of patients with DM-2, compared to 15.1% of those without the condition.
A University of Alberta study found that obese Canadian women are 30-40% less likely to receive recommended cervical cancer screening, with fear of pain or embarrassment cited as a reason for non-screening. In contrast, breast and colon cancer screening rates remained unchanged.
A recent study published by the Endocrine Society found that exercise does not suppress appetite in obese women, unlike lean women. Obese women showed no significant reduction in leptin levels during intense exercise, which is essential for appetite suppression and weight loss.
Researchers have pinpointed four proteins - apoA1, transthyretin, clusterin and albumin - that react strongly to bovine growth hormone, potentially serving as biomarkers for growth hormone activity in humans. The discovery could offer a wider testing window for detecting recombinant human growth hormone misuse.
L'Oreal USA Fellowship recipient Laura Lapham is studying geochemical research in the Gulf of Mexico on gas hydrates and their potential impact on climate change. She aims to collect samples using a manned submersible vehicle, which could provide insights into large amounts of methane loss from ocean sediments.
A new analysis suggests that compensatory mitigation of fisheries bycatch could do more harm than good, and is unlikely to succeed in reducing impacts on threatened species. The researchers found that bycatch affects a wide range of nontarget species, making it difficult to implement effective mitigation strategies.
Researchers at the University of Granada have developed a method to drastically reduce the wait time for new teeth implants by using growth hormone. The process enables faster bone regeneration and integration with dental implants, improving patients' quality of life.
A new study on chimpanzees reveals that infant mortality rates cycle in phase with social play amongst infants, driven by the ontogeny of playfulness. This three-year cycle is self-organized and emerges naturally from the demography, developmental ontogeny, and social behavior of chimpanzees.
Researchers from UNH's Contaminated Sediments Center are testing black geotextile mats designed to cap and stabilize pollution in place. The mats consist of reactive materials that bind and stabilize different pollutants, offering an alternative approach to remediating contaminated sediment.
A team of Cornell researchers has created a computer program to optimize ambulance deployment and reduce response times. The program estimates the best way to spread ambulances across a municipality to maximize coverage at all times.
The illegal distribution of growth hormone (hGH) by distributors has grown worse despite overwhelming evidence of its risks and dangers. Researchers call for measures to address the issue, including accurate public information and revocation of organizations promoting hGH use.
A new study from Germany suggests that men with low testosterone levels are at a higher risk of dying from all causes over time. The study found that men with low testosterone had more than 2.5 times greater risk of dying in the next 10 years compared to those with normal testosterone levels, regardless of age or lifestyle factors.
A new study suggests that a diet with a big breakfast of carbs and protein can lead to more successful weight loss, as seen in the 8-month study where participants lost an average of 16.5 pounds. The high-carb and protein intake controlled appetite and cravings for sweets and starches.
The Australian Dementia Research report recommends increasing funding for dementia research three-fold to $36 million to keep pace with rising treatment and care costs. By 2030, dementia's projected healthcare cost is expected to reach $8.2 billion, with the number of people with dementia set to double to over 460,000.
A study by Michigan Technological University researchers found that installing proper latrines can significantly improve sanitation conditions in Africa. The findings also highlight the importance of handwashing habits in preventing diseases such as dysentery.