Raxibacumab, a human monoclonal antibody drug, shows high efficacy in treating inhalation anthrax with a single dose. The treatment targets anthrax toxins after they are released by the bacteria into the blood and tissues.
Researchers have made a direct measurement of graphene's quantum capacitance, revealing its unique properties. The findings hold promise for biosensor applications, chemical sensing devices, and flexible displays.
Researchers believe that Galileo's notebooks from 1613 may reveal evidence of his discovery of a new planet, which is now known as Neptune. The planet was observed by Galileo as a faint star near Jupiter and moved relative to an actual nearby star.
Four Penn State researchers, Sean Hallgren, Adam Smith, Michael Hickner, and Susan Parks, will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their outstanding work in quantum computation, cryptography, polymer chemistry, and bioacoustics.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine discovered a novel connection between ITCH and NOD2 genes, which may lead to new treatments for Crohn's disease. The study highlights the potential for individually-tailored therapies for patients with the NOD2 mutation.
A Kaiser Permanente project demonstrated that specialists can improve the health of high-risk patients with chronic illness by using electronic health records to coordinate care. The project found that proactive e-consults reduced late nephrology referrals by two-thirds.
Researchers have developed a new design for solar cells using arrays of nanoscale pillars, each a single crystal, to efficiently convert light into charge-carrying electrons. The efficiency of the test device was measured at six percent, which is higher than most photovoltaic devices based on nanostructured materials.
A research team led by Sergei Mirkin has developed a yeast model to study the molecular mechanisms of Friedreich's ataxia, a genetic disorder caused by GAA repeat expansions. The team found that proteins facilitating smooth replication fork progression decrease repeat expansions, while those causing fork deviations increase them.
The Academy of Natural Sciences' Ewell Sale Stewart Library has been accepted into the Biodiversity Heritage Library, a global initiative to preserve scientific literature on biodiversity. Over 35,500 volumes have been scanned and digitized, with over 14 million pages now available online.
Frank Bayliss, a SF State professor, has been awarded a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for his work opening doors for minority students in the sciences. His Student Enrichment Opportunities office helps send underrepresented minority students to doctoral programs annually.
A team of scientists, led by Dr. James Adovasio, is searching for evidence of human occupation in the Gulf of Mexico, dating back over 12,000 years. The researchers are exploring submerged sites using remotely operated vehicles and divers to collect artifacts and animal fossils.
The World Bank has reaffirmed its support for the ban on tiger trade and called for the phasing out of tiger farms to protect wild tiger populations. The organization urges countries to continue banning domestic trade of wild tigers, citing economic and conservation concerns.
A study found that cardiac CT workups are more cost-effective than traditional care for low-risk chest pain patients, reducing hospital stays by up to 20 hours and lowering charges by 44%. This innovative approach has the potential to significantly reduce costs in emergency departments.
A new theory derived from information theory provides more accurate estimates of species richness in habitats of all sizes, from deserts to tropical rainforests. The method scales up from small plots to biomes and predicts that the number of new species found approaches zero as the area increases.
Dry mouth, caused by decreased salivary function, affects one in four Americans and is linked to over 400 prescription and non-prescription drugs. Patients may experience symptoms like constant thirst, difficulty eating or speaking, and increased tooth decay risk.
A recent study found that climate change models may underestimate the impact of changing atmospheric chemistry on water runoff. The researchers discovered that increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone in the atmosphere and nitrogen in the soil can lead to a 17% increase in forest runoff in eastern US forests.
A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that dialysis does not affect the heart health of kidney disease patients who have had a heart attack. Researchers identified predictors of high risk, such as potassium levels and patient condition severity.
Researchers found A/H1N1 virus infectious to pigs and spreading rapidly in a trial pig population. The virus can pass from humans to pigs but not from pigs to other animals.
The development of genome annotation standards is crucial for advancing microbial genomics, but a lack of standards hinders comparisons and discoveries. Kyrpides suggests several innovative approaches to ease the data processing bottleneck, including proxy approaches and pan-genome representations.
Scientists discover regular alternation of microscopically thin layers composed of distinct diatom assemblages, reflecting seasonal changes in the Arctic Ocean during the Late Cretaceous. This indicates exceptional abundances of diatoms adapted to stratified conditions, suggesting a pointer to future trends in the modern ocean.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a strong association between elevated insulin levels and increased breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Women with higher insulin levels were more than twice as likely to develop breast cancer compared to those with lower insulin levels, especially among lean women.
Pregnant women are underrepresented in clinical research, but experts say including them in the National Children's Study could yield crucial information for women's health. The study aims to follow children from conception through adulthood, but ethicists recommend adding a few key questions on medication usage to gather valuable data.
Researchers found that Southern Elephant seals quickly responded to the gain and loss of habitat under climate change by establishing a new breeding site in the Ross Sea Embayment. This new habitat was adopted due to abundant food resources and physical space, allowing rapid expansion of the population.
A study of rhesus macaques has shown that consuming fewer calories leads to a longer, healthier life, with a reduced risk of age-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The diet also preserved brain health, particularly in regions responsible for motor control and executive functions.
A team of researchers will conduct the largest earthquake simulation on a wooden structure, exposing a seven-story building to forces of an ancient earthquake. The goal is to develop new design approaches for stronger and safer wooden buildings.
Physicists at the University of Bonn have demonstrated a quantum walk, a superposition of heads and tails states in an atomic 'coin', and found unusual effects when observing the particle. This research paves the way for new algorithms, including search processes, that can process information much faster than classical methods.
Researchers at UT Southwestern and UT Arlington are developing magnetically controlled surgical instruments to enhance maneuverability and reduce entry ports in laparoscopic surgeries. The Magnetic Anchoring and Guidance System (MAGS) uses magnets outside the abdomen to attract instruments inserted inside, allowing for greater range of...
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery have identified a drilling technique that improves the outcome of ACL surgery by better reproducing the native ligament anatomy. The anteromedial portal drilling technique outperforms the traditional transtibial technique in restoring knee stability and preventing complications.
Researchers found that certain microorganisms can convert methane to carbon dioxide using iron and manganese oxides as electron acceptors. This process is crucial for the Earth's carbon cycle and may have played a significant role in reducing methane levels on early Earth.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that telomeres resemble fragile sites in DNA, where replication can stall. A protein called TRF1 helps prevent this by removing unusual structures from telomeric DNA, allowing smooth progression of DNA replication.
Researchers discovered that newborn neurons in the hippocampus help separate individual events and form temporal relationships, improving spatial memory. This breakthrough sheds light on the purpose of neurogenesis and its role in adult brain function.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found that increased tremors along the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, Calif., may indicate a build-up of stress and an increased likelihood of a major quake. The tremors have continued to this day at a rate significantly higher than before two nearby earthquakes in 2003 and 2004.
Researchers discovered that whale falls create persistent chemosynthetic habitats in surrounding sediment for over seven years. These habitats are comparable to those found at deep-sea cold seeps and hydrothermal vents.
A randomized controlled trial found that adding probiotics to conventional high-energy ready-to-use therapeutic foods did not improve nutritional cure rates or reduce mortality in severely malnourished African children. However, the study suggests a possible observation of reduced outpatient mortality in HIV-positive children.
Researchers developed a lab test to predict HIV microbicide safety, identifying why some 'safe' microbicides increased HIV transmission. The test detects disruptions in the vaginal epithelial barrier, which can facilitate HIV infection.
Researchers found that chronic exposure to low doses of BPA impairs the growth and function of adult reproductive cells in mice. This can lead to fertility issues due to impaired ovulation and reduced production of essential sex hormones.
Astronomers have discovered two giant supernovae 11 billion years ago, providing unprecedented insights into the early universe. The discovery was made using a new technique that allows for the detection of distant dying stars.
A 2,000-year-old bronze statue of an athlete has provided insights into preventing metal corrosion, safely storing nuclear waste, and understanding biomineralization. The study, published in ACS' Crystal Growth & Design, analyzed the mineral layers and fossilized organisms on the statue.
Researchers at Emory Transplant Center developed a combination therapy that replaces calcineurin inhibitors with costimulation blockers and alefacept, reducing rejection rates in monkey transplants. The new regimen allows for less-toxic post-transplant treatment, potentially administered once a week.
A study found that maximal voluntary force produced by a finger is independent of movement speed, contradicting long-held theories. This paradoxical result has implications for human rehabilitation and robot hand design, suggesting that neuromuscular systems can be pushed to their limits even in seemingly simple tasks.
Boston College has been awarded $11.5M to conduct the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011, a global assessment of fourth and eighth-grade student math and science achievement. The study's findings will help nations and states compare their children's math and science achievement with others.
Most cognitive tests are ineffective in distinguishing between Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, with only two tests - Emotional Recognition Task and Delayed Story Recall - showing promise. Researchers emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, combining multiple measures for accurate identification.
Researchers aim to create a brain map that can help diagnose early-stage schizophrenia and guide more effective treatment. The study, led by Northwestern University, uses topographical brain maps to compare the structures of individuals with schizophrenia to those without, hoping to identify key differences in brain function.
Variations in the T1R3 gene correspond to individual differences in sensitivity to and perceived intensity of umami taste. The study found that certain people are highly insensitive to umami, making it difficult for them to detect low levels of this taste quality.
A gene called Chd1 has been found to be critical in maintaining the pluripotent state of embryonic stem cells. This discovery could lead to a greater understanding of how cells acquire specialized states and provide a strategy for efficiently reprogramming mature cells back into the pluripotent state.
The study reveals that effective teachers focus on building self-esteem, engendering trust, and maintaining respect. They combine good knowledge of their subject and teaching practice to provide tailored support.
A team of scientists used PALM microscopy to show that bacterial membrane proteins can spontaneously form clusters without being actively distributed. The researchers found that random lateral protein diffusion and protein-protein interactions generate complex, ordered patterns in the chemotaxis network.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new synthesis method to create highly pure and small nickel oxide nanoparticles for gas sensors. The material reacts quickly and reliably to various toxic industrial chemicals and biological warfare agents, enabling the detection of these substances.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target for basal breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. The Met gene was found to play a critical role in its development, making it a promising drug target for patients with few treatment options.
A new study found that African-American patients with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer tend to die earlier than patients of other races, even when controlling for medical treatment and socioeconomic factors. The analysis of over 20,000 patient records suggests a potential role for genetic factors in the survival gap.
Scientists in Japan have created a universal QProbe system, a new PCR method that amplifies DNA traces more efficiently and accurately. This breakthrough technology has the potential to expand use of PCR in medicine, law enforcement, and other fields, making it faster, less expensive, and more specific.
Emory researchers are using DNA sequencing technology to study the genomics of agricultural ant societies, which could lead to breakthroughs in waste processing and agriculture. The project aims to understand how ants have evolved to process huge amounts of organic material over millions of years.
Researchers develop modified recurrent Hopfield neural network to quickly process images, reducing distortion, noise and blurring. The approach shows significant improvement in image quality by 39-67% and takes half the time of other methods.
Research studies by Saint Louis University suggest that inflammation may trigger Alzheimer's disease. Indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory medication, could hold promise as a treatment by protecting the LRP pump that regulates amyloid beta protein accumulation in the brain.
The Tel Aviv University team has created a statistical tool that can macro- and micromanage pandemic influenza outbreaks, providing guidance for complex decisions on airport closures, school shutdowns, and travel routes. The model takes into account the new H1N1 swine flu's impact on vulnerable populations.
A DuPont-Lehigh University team has developed a DNA-based method to sort and separate specific types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from a mixture. The new method utilizes tailored DNA sequences that can recognize individual types of CNTs and purify them with sufficient yield for fundamental studies and application development.
A team of astronomers has developed a new technique to discover supernovae at greater distances than previously known. This discovery allows for the examination of galaxies that form following supernova explosions, providing valuable information about their evolution.
Researchers at Arizona State University suggest early greening of the planet by primitive ground huggers led to complex life on Earth. This event, around 700 million years ago, allowed for soil sequestration of carbon and increase in oxygen levels, paving the way for higher life forms.
Dr. Herman Scholthof, a renowned plant pathology expert, has been awarded the 2009 American Phytopathological Society Fellowship for his distinguished contributions to the field. He is recognized for his notable work in plant pathology and microbiology at Texas A&M University.
Researchers identified gaps in medication and opioid dependence documentation among MMT patients, leading to potential medication interactions and adverse events. Incomplete documentation occurs in up to 30% of cases, highlighting opportunities for improved communication and care coordination to enhance patient safety.