A team of experts at Columbia University will conduct the largest ever study on suicide and mental health among military personnel, using $50 million in funding. The study aims to identify risk and protective factors for suicide among soldiers and provide a science base for effective interventions.
According to a national poll, six in ten Americans believe there will be widespread cases of Influenza A (H1N1) with people getting very sick this coming fall or winter. Parents are more likely than people without children to believe this will occur.
Researchers found no evidence of improved survival with thalidomide treatment for small cell lung cancer. However, patients treated with thalidomide had a higher risk of thrombotic events.
A recent study reviews economic arguments for tobacco control policies, finding that taxes can justify interventions due to market failures. However, the study concludes that a society with smokers is not necessarily economically ineffective, and that measures like taxes and restrictions on consumption may increase net welfare gains if...
Research suggests that breaking down lung mucus with cystic fibrosis medicines can reduce the severity of bacterial infections. The study's findings have important implications for managing long-term infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers found a negative correlation between birth rates and the timing of rotavirus epidemics. With declining birth rates, outbreaks occur later in the year, particularly in California.
Researchers from Caltech and JPL found evidence that ancient stromatolites were built with the help of equally ancient microorganisms, providing insight into the earliest record of life on Earth. The discovery may also provide a new avenue for exploration in the search for signs of life on Mars.
A long-term study found that repealing the National Maximum Speed Law in 1995 resulted in approximately 12,500 deaths due to increased speed limits across the US. The study suggests that reduced speed limits and improved enforcement with speed camera networks could save lives.
Researchers identified that even among high-risk groups, only a few individuals had invasive bladder cancer, highlighting the need to find a higher-risk group to benefit from screening. Abstaining from smoking is crucial in preventing bladder cancer.
Dr. G. V. P. Reddy's research aims to eliminate toxic insecticides by introducing a predatory mite and applying biopesticides, improving eggplant farming in Guam. The study will inform growers of the risks associated with conventional methods and promote ecologically sound IPM practices.
Researchers found a synthetic molecule that breaks up deposits of toxic genetic material and re-establishes cellular activity disrupted by myotonic dystrophy. The treatment could restore muscle function in people with the disease.
A daily dose of sodium bicarbonate slows the decline of kidney function in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, reducing the rate of progression by about two-thirds. Patients taking baking soda also experience improvements in nutrition and are less likely to develop end-stage renal disease.
A single genetic event explains the short legs of all short-legged dog breeds, including dachshunds and corgis. The discovery provides new insights into human developmental disorders and may lead to a better understanding of hypochondroplasia, a growth disorder affecting some people.
A new study emphasizes the importance of technological advancements in the conversion of biomass to biofuels. By analyzing the US corn stover supply chain, researchers found that conventional technologies alone cannot achieve cost-performance goals, highlighting the need for improved equipment efficiency and new supply system designs.
Researchers have successfully cooled LIGO mirrors to near absolute zero, enabling the observation of quantum mechanical behavior at massive scales. This breakthrough suggests that interferometric gravitational wave detectors can also become sensitive probes of macroscopic quantum mechanics.
Research highlights three principles: learning is computational, social interaction underpins early learning, and brain circuits linking perception and action support learning across the life span. Social interaction with humans, particularly parents or tutors, plays a crucial role in early learning.
Scientists at PNNL have developed a new method for capturing more heat from low-temperature geothermal resources, enabling virtually pollution-free electrical energy generation. The approach uses biphasic fluid and nanostructured metal-organic heat carriers to boost power generation capacity.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that prior exercise was significantly associated with milder impairments and better ability to care for oneself after a stroke. The study's lead investigator suggests that exercise can improve outcomes even if it doesn't reduce the risk of developing a stroke.
Psychologist Neal J. Roese and computer scientist Eyal Amir predict that by 2060, androids will be able to mimic human-like voices, facial expressions, and emotions, but still struggle with understanding natural language and forming conclusions from visual input.
A study by Penn State scientists found that the Y chromosome has evolved rapidly, losing genes at a rate that could lead to its complete disappearance. The research revealed that this rapid evolution is due to the Y-specific DNA evolving independently from the non-sex chromosomes.
Leading national experts have reached a consensus on beneficial biofuels produced from low-life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions and minimal competition with food production. The global biofuels industry must focus on five major sources of renewable biomass to balance biofuel production, food security, and emissions reduction.
Data show ATryn safely prevents peri-operative and peri-partum acute deep vein thrombosis in patients with hereditary antithrombin deficiency. Dosing algorithms allow for normalization of antithrombin levels during high-risk situations, providing a safe treatment option.
Dr. Huijing Xia, a postdoc at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has been awarded the American Physiological Society's Postdoctoral Fellowship in Physiological Genomics for her research on ACE2, an enzyme that regulates blood pressure. The two-year fellowship will cover $37,000/year in stipend and trainee allowance.
Researchers found that active video games can burn calories comparable to moderate-intensity walking, making them a safe and valuable means of promoting energy expenditure in children. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that substituting screen time with physically active games can help reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Researchers studied an ancient global warming episode, known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, which occurred 55 million years ago. They found that the estimated amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during this event was less than previously thought, suggesting that other mechanisms contributed to the warming.
A decision-analytic model suggests that more frequent and strict colonoscopy recommendations can be cost-effective strategies for screening second primary colorectal cancers in male cancer survivors. The most vulnerable population aged 40 years old may benefit from COL5, while the general population aged 50 years old may follow COL10.
Research by NSF-funded scientists reveals a scientifically feasible link between the 11-year solar cycle and ENSO, influencing climate variability globally. The study suggests that maximum solar activity can drive La Niña-like events with similar impacts on global temperature and precipitation patterns.
A 20-year study found that impulsive boys with inadequate supervision and poor families are more likely to commit criminal acts. The study also revealed that the juvenile justice system's help increased the risk of early adulthood crime, especially among those with similar histories without judicial involvement.
A study found five genetic variants associated with high systolic blood pressure in African-Americans, suggesting potential new treatments. The variants were located near genes that code for proteins involved in hypertension regulation, offering hope for improved prevention and treatment options.
New research from Vanderbilt University found that training increases brain processing speed and enhances multitasking efficiency. Through daily practice, individuals showed improved performance on simple tasks when completed separately or together.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered a new pheromone in male fruit flies that repels females for at least a week. The compound, named CH503, was found to act as an anti-aphrodisiac, inhibiting courtship in males and explaining the long-lasting mating behaviors observed in fruit flies.
Researchers found that estrogen suppresses p53 after stroke, preventing cell death and reducing damage. The study used female rats treated with estrogen versus placebo to induce global cerebral ischemia, a common type of ischemic stroke.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology studied sandfish locomotion, finding they use wave motion to propel themselves through granular media. The animals' speed depends only on wave frequency, not density.
Researchers created a detailed 'motion picture' of Earth's last major warming event, allowing them to identify key drivers and potential consequences of abrupt climate changes. The study's results provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between ocean currents, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and subsurface heat.
Research suggests that major changes in ocean current systems can occur gradually, rather than suddenly, and may take place over centuries or even millennia. The study's findings confirm the accuracy of global climate models and provide valuable insights into how the Earth may respond to its current warming.
Researchers discovered that glioma cells use microglia, the brain's immune cells, to grow and expand rapidly. By manipulating microglial cells' receptors, gliomas can clear the way for further growth.
Physicist Ivan Vitev, a leading expert in quantum chromodynamics, receives PECASE for his work on quark-gluon plasma properties. His research has been used to study the universe's conditions after the Big Bang.
Two matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) proteins contribute to bone metastasis in advanced breast cancer by degrading extracellular matrix and stimulating osteoclast activity. This discovery supports therapeutic targeting of MMP1 and ADAMTS1, potentially mitigating bone complications in advanced metastatic breast cancers.
Research highlights the gender disparities in stroke risks, with males outnumbering females by two to one, while women's outcomes worsen with age. Women also face disadvantages in stroke treatment, including lower response rates to tissue plasminogen activator.
Researchers propose primate archaeology as a new field to study tool-use in humans and non-humans, integrating methods from both archaeology and primatology. This interdisciplinary approach aims to improve understanding of cognitive evolution and provide valuable data on human and non-human primate behavior.
A new report from the Commonwealth Fund suggests that including private and public insurance choices in a national exchange could save $265 billion in administrative costs. This approach would also help reduce health care costs by nearly $3 trillion by 2020, while improving quality and efficiency.
The study found that tumors with strong angiogenesis showed high enhancement in the arterial dominant phase, while those with fibrosis had a negative correlation. Dynamic CT features related to angiogenesis can be modified by intratumoral fibrosis, which may impact treatment with anti-angiogenesis agents.
The study shows that the timing of rotavirus epidemics depends on birth rates in the population, with higher birth rates leading to earlier outbreaks. New vaccines may reduce the frequency and severity of these outbreaks, potentially shifting the age at which infection appears in children.
A new study found that genetic predispositions can be expressed earlier in life through behavioral problems, while environmental influences can modify gene expression. Females may be more susceptible to certain environmental factors, which can encourage or inhibit the expression of genetic traits.
A new study led by Dr. Dave Stegman has shed light on the evolution of planets, revealing that Enceladus' tiger stripes are caused by tectonic activity and a subsurface ocean containing ammonia. The research suggests that Enceladus' unique chemical composition and interaction with other moons led to the formation of this dynamic system.
A study published in Nature finds that sea ice formed in the Arctic before it did in Antarctica, contradicting scientific expectation. The researchers analyzed oceanic sediment cores and fossilized diatoms to conclude that episodic sea ice formation began around 47.5 million years ago.
A new resource for studying human illnesses has been unveiled, featuring a high-resolution map of copy number variations (CNVs) in the human genome. The study provides a deep and broad set of CNVs, along with a research tool for diagnosing genetic problems, which will help identify rare diseases resulting from CNVs.
Dimebolin treatment causes an acute increase in brain beta amyloid levels, contradicting its potential as a clinically beneficial Alzheimer's drug. Despite this, the treatment still improves cognitive function in aged rodents and people suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's.
Researchers found fetal short-term memory at 30 weeks through habituation tests, where fetuses adapt to stimuli. The study also showed that 34- and 36-week-old fetuses can store information and retrieve it weeks later, providing insights into normal fetal development.
Researchers argue that recent discoveries of tool use by wild primates force a re-think of traditional dividing lines between humans and other primate species. Julio Mercader's work, published in Nature, advocates for a new inter-disciplinary field to examine tool use in primates over time.
Researchers found that counting money reduced social distress and physical pain compared to counting paper, while thinking about finances increased these negative reactions. The study suggests that the mere idea of money has considerable psychological power.
A study found sunitinib to be safe and well-tolerated in patients with brain metastases, poor performance status, and elderly age groups. Median progression-free and overall survival were 10.9 and 18.4 months respectively.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that Fgf10 plays a critical role in regulating brain development by controlling the timing of cellular transitions. This process, known as corticogenesis, allows for the expansion of specific brain areas, such as the frontal lobe in humans.
A randomized trial found that disclosing genetic risk information to adult children of patients with Alzheimer's disease did not result in significant short-term psychological distress. Participants who learned they were APOE ε4 negative experienced considerable relief, while those who learned they were APOE ε4 positive showed no more ...
Research demonstrates single neurons process future rewards, including information about upcoming gains, and prefer advance info over suspense. This finding suggests a revised theory of reward is needed, incorporating information seeking as a cognitive reward.
Researchers have discovered a way to transform shiny metal into black by using intense laser light, creating a new class of material for various applications. This process enhances aircraft performance by cooling electronic systems and allowing planes to dominate in flight.
Numerical simulations show that comet-like objects in a disk outside the solar system were scattered into the outer asteroid belt during a violent phase of planetary evolution. The models suggest that dramatic upheaval occurred in the solar system around 3.9 billion years ago, affecting nearly every nook and cranny.
A new study using brain-mapping techniques confirms young adolescents' sensitivity to social perception. Tweens tend to view themselves in ways influenced by what they believe others think about their abilities and attributes.
Researchers at UCSF have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the Schistosoma mansoni blood fluke genome and identifying potential drug targets. The discoveries may lead to new therapies for schistosomiasis, a tropical disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide.
A University of Missouri physicist has uncovered clues about the basis of Einstein's theories, proposing a more general approximation that may better link quantum physics with classical physics. The researcher aims to develop a nonlocal theory that goes beyond general relativity.