A new set of policy briefs from Carnegie Mellon University recommends a uniform regulatory environment to support large-scale deployment of carbon sequestration technology in the US. The team proposes an adaptive two-stage approach to regulation and specific changes to federal law and agency rules to address regulatory and legal barriers.
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University to develop the National Technical Assistance Center for Alternative Transportation in Public Lands. This center will provide federally owned land managers with a 'one-stop shop' of information, trainin...
A new study published in BMC Medical Ethics found that the purpose and type of information collection were more important than the individual's condition in determining consent choices. Participants preferred more control over the use of their personal information, especially when it linked to profit or personal details.
Biologists discovered that parasites drive snails to reproduce sexually, increasing genetic diversity and resistance to infection. The study supports the Red Queen Hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory, showing that host species can adapt to avoid parasite coevolution by producing genetically variable offspring.
A new definition of major depressive disorder (MDD) suggests that only mood and cognitive symptoms are included, excluding somatic criteria. This revised definition was found to be highly concordant with the current version in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients, offering benefits such as reduced time needed for assessment and sh...
Researchers at PNNL developed acoustic tags to measure salmon survival rates and a hydro model to direct fish away from predators. These technologies aid in improving salmon passage at Columbia Basin's hydroelectric dams.
Researchers have discovered a new gene fusion, NDRG1-ERG, that produces a protein potentially targeted by drug therapies. This finding may improve prostate cancer testing and treatment options.
Scientists at the University of Leeds are developing safer hair dyes and cosmetics using compounds extracted from Shetland seaweed, which can replace synthetic ingredients found in current products. The project aims to create a new range of colours including blonde, brown, red, and black.
Researchers used pictures, spoken and written names to show that single neurons in the human hippocampus and surrounding areas respond selectively to representations of the same individual using different sensory prompts. This process enables abstraction and recognition of highly variable images.
Researchers found that Attention Process Training (APT) improved attention in 78 stroke survivors, with average improvements of 2.49 standard deviations higher than standard care patients on full-scale attention scores. APT is a viable and effective way to improve attention deficits after stroke.
A new study reveals that specialized blood cells have bone-forming potential and can contribute to abnormal bone growth in rare genetic disorders like fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. This discovery has significant implications for understanding FOP and other conditions where bone forms outside the skeleton.
Researchers will investigate whether abnormal autonomic nervous system function is the primary cause of painful bladder syndrome, a condition affecting young women with severe bladder pain and disability. The five-year study aims to lead to better understanding of the causes and possible treatments for this condition.
Researchers found that loyalists who were most devoted to their school were also the most cooperative and helpful when confronted with injustice. However, this loyalty was short-term and may fade if the group continues to exhibit unfairness.
A study found that HIV infection and chronic alcoholism have a synergistic damaging effect on the brain, particularly impairing immediate episodic memory while preserving working memory. Individuals with both conditions are at risk of trouble learning new information, affecting daily activities and work-related tasks.
Researchers have devised a new method to fix a broken heart by coaxing adult heart muscle cells into reentering the cell cycle, allowing them to divide and regenerate healthy heart tissue. The key ingredient is neuregulin1, which may one day be used to treat failing human hearts.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveal how late-stage prostate tumors gain ability to grow without hormones. The study identifies a gene called UBE2C as key regulator in hormone-independent growth.
The US Department of Defense has been criticized for its handling of medical care at Guantanamo Bay, with a report highlighting concerns over the use of medical personnel in interrogation and force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike. Independent examinations of released detainees have shown severe psychological damage from detention.
Scientists at Rice University have found a method to attach molecules to semiconducting silicon, potentially helping manufacturers reach beyond Moore's Law limits. The new process, known as silicon with afterburners, works better at the nanometer scale and can be used to complement traditional doping methods.
A growth factor called neuregulin1 can spur heart-muscle growth and recovery of cardiac function when injected systemically into animals after a heart attack. Researchers were able to restart the cell cycle with NRG1, stimulating cardiomyocytes to divide and make copies of themselves - even though they are not stem cells.
A three-year study is underway to explore the link between knee inflammation and osteoarthritis. Researchers use ultrasound to identify inflammation in people over 55 with knee pain or osteoarthritis.
A new study identifies alpha dystroglycan as a key protein that binds muscle membranes to the basal lamina, reinforcing membrane integrity. Injecting functional dystroglycan into muscle tissue restored membrane integrity and protected muscles from damage.
A new study reveals that low-level stratiform clouds appear to dissipate as the ocean warms, indicating that changes in these clouds may enhance global warming. The research also suggests a critical role for weakening trade winds in reducing cloudiness.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a protein called NGAL that can help diagnose kidney disease caused by HIV. High levels of the protein in urine may indicate the presence of HIV-associated nephropathy, allowing for earlier intervention and potentially preventing kidney failure.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky discovered that tumor-suppressor protein Par-4 is secreted by most human and rodent cells and can target large numbers of cancer cells by binding to receptors on the cell surface.
A global team of researchers has developed tools to analyze the genetic diversity of rice, a crucial step towards improving crop yields and securing global food supplies. The comprehensive SNP information will enable exploration of rice diversity for understanding gene function and improving important traits.
A study by researchers from four Madrid-based health centres found that family conflict is not a significant factor in the use of psychopharmaceuticals among Spanish women. The results show that 24% of women take antidepressants, with benzodiazepines used by 30.6%, primarily for sleep aid.
A CU-Boulder study shows that noise pollution negatively affects woodland bird populations, with declining species richness at noisy sites. However, some bird species, such as black-chinned hummingbirds and house finches, prefer noisy areas due to reduced predation by western scrub jays.
Kansas State University researchers suggest government agencies communicate better with public about recalls and inspection process. Consumers may doubt the effectiveness of food safety systems due to unclear information from regulatory agencies.
A breakthrough technology developed by the US Navy is being adapted for breast cancer detection, offering improved reliability in early detection. The technology complements existing radiology devices by yielding more detailed images of faint cancerous lesions.
Researchers discovered elevated populations of NK cells in the bile ducts of infants with biliary atresia, which led to tissue damage. Blocking the Nkg2d receptor and depleting NK cells prevented damage to bile duct surface tissues.
A new monitoring system developed by Johns Hopkins researchers allows for the non-invasive pinpointing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mouse lungs, speeding up preclinical testing of TB drugs and vaccines. This innovation enables fewer animals to be used, reducing the need for lengthy and complicated regimens.
Researchers discovered that infected chimpanzees had lower survival rates and were more likely to die from disease. The study found a significant link between SIV infection and CD4+ T-cell decline, similar to HIV-1 in humans.
A recent study suggests that chimps respond to faces in a similar manner to humans, capturing attention more effectively than other objects. Reaction times improved when the target appeared behind the image of a chimpanzee face.
Blast injuries are physically and psychologically devastating, with conservative estimates showing a four-fold increase in events and an eight-fold increase in injuries. The authors emphasize the need for every physician involved in emergency care to understand blast injury patterns and management, highlighting the importance of carefu...
Rainfall in Iberian Peninsula to decline due to climate change, with increased frequency in winter and lower amounts in spring-summer. Climate models predict significant changes by middle of 21st century, with varying effects on seasonal distribution patterns.
A team of researchers has identified XIAP as the critical factor determining which cell death pathway is followed to culminate in a cell's death. This finding has implications for cancer patients with underlying liver conditions who are being treated with IAP inhibitors.
Researchers used a NASA centrifuge to simulate artificial gravity and found that just one hour a day was enough to maintain thigh muscle protein synthesis. The study suggests that this could be a potential countermeasure for preventing muscle loss in space, with implications for human health on Earth as well.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a new class of self-assembling materials that can control colloidal interactions by applying biological molecules from cell membranes. The findings suggest that specially tweaked biological membranes can serve as control knobs to direct materials to specific actions.
Researchers analyzed over 1,800 urine samples and identified individual patients with an accuracy of over 99 percent using metabolic profiling. The study provides evidence that the metabolic fingerprint remains stable over time, paving the way for personalized medical care.
Researchers have developed a novel silver nanoparticle skin gel that effectively kills harmful bacteria, including drug-resistant microbes, while promoting wound healing without causing harm to healthy skin. The gel contains 30 times less silver than traditional antimicrobial agents, making it a safer option for burn patients.
A large study comparing widely used treatments for chronic hepatitis C infection found similar safety and efficacy in achieving long-term viral eradication. However, subgroup analysis revealed that certain approaches may be better suited for women and minorities, with some treatments showing higher success rates in these groups.
Researchers, including Dr. Dentcho Genov, successfully mimicked celestial mechanics using artificial optic materials to study phenomena around black holes and other celestial objects. The team's work has implications for technology, such as the 'invisibility cloak,' and confirms Louisiana Tech's contribution to vital science discoveries.
The US Department of Energy and USDA will fund seven projects to improve the use of plant feedstocks for biofuel production, reducing dependence on foreign oil and creating jobs. The grants aim to unlock advanced biofuels' potential, leveraging lignocellulosic crops that require less intensive land usage.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have isolated stem-like cells from benign pituitary tumors and shown they can generate new tumors in laboratory mice. The study supports the cancer stem cell hypothesis, suggesting similar mechanisms may be involved in malignant and benign tumor formation.
A new study reveals that chimpanzees infected with SIV, the precursor to HIV-1, contract and die from AIDS. Infected females were less likely to give birth, and infants born to infected mothers were unlikely to survive. The virus was transmitted sexually and through mother's milk.
A study found that Vyvanse significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in children aged 6-12 from 1.5 to 13 hours after taking the medication. The study, published online in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, demonstrated long-lasting efficacy of Vyvanse in improving behavior and attention.
A new study by IVI-NICED found that the Vi polysaccharide vaccine is highly effective in protecting young children against typhoid fever, with 80% protection rate in children under five years old. The vaccine also conferred substantial herd protection, reducing typhoid risk among unvaccinated neighbors by 44%.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will conduct a series of clinical trials to test two candidate H1N1 flu vaccines. The trials will evaluate the safety and ability to induce protective immune responses in healthy adults and elderly individuals.
Michigan State University scientist Beronda Montgomery is studying the process of stem growth in plants, which diverts energy from seed, flower, and leaf production. Her research aims to understand how phytochromes control plant growth and develop new approaches to improve crop yields.
Researchers at Yale University found that predator-prey interactions play a crucial role in creating spatial synchronicity among living organisms. The study showed that changes in these interactions can have disastrous consequences for ecosystems.
A new low-dose unenhanced CT scan has been shown to correctly identify patients with appendicitis while delivering 50% less radiation than traditional standard-dose enhanced CT scans. The study used this method on 78 patients and achieved high accuracy rates from two independent radiologists.
A team of physicists from Innsbruck, Austria, have proven that it is not possible to explain quantum phenomena in non-contextual terms. They used techniques designed for building a quantum computer and performed a series of measurements on a pair of laser-cooled calcium ions.
Researchers at U-M have developed a lab-on-a-chip device that uses sound waves to drive experimental samples through the device. This innovation replaces traditional electromechanical valves with resonance cavities, amplifying specific musical notes to create air pressure controlling droplets.
Researchers have developed a malaria vaccine that effectively blocks the parasite's sexual development, critical for transmission. The vaccine induced a significant immune response in mice and non-human primates, with a 93% transmission-blocking rate after a single dose.
The TDRS project has received approval to proceed with the implementation phase of its mission, enabling NASA to build more spacecraft needed to support missions. The next milestone is a critical design review scheduled for January 2010, which will examine detailed aspects of the TDRS spacecraft and system.
Researchers at Caltech have created a nanoscale mass spectrometer that can instantly measure the mass of an individual molecule. The device uses tiny nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) resonators to detect changes in vibration frequency, allowing for precise mass determination.
A study by MU researchers found that cancer survivors experience mild decreases in skills like verbal fluency and problem-solving ability, impacting their daily lives. The researchers identified specific interventions, such as pharmaceuticals and cognitive behavior techniques, to help patients manage these challenges.
A $15 million NIH grant will support a five-year research consortium at Massachusetts General Hospital to study how the hepatitis C virus evades the immune system. The project aims to improve understanding of liver cell involvement in HCV infection and develop new treatments for chronic viral infections.
A new study finds that abused women experience a five-stage process of leaving, marked by boundary ambiguity, emotional disconnection, and preparation to leave. Women often struggle with clarity and connection once they've left, highlighting the need for support and understanding from social workers, friends, and family.
A study found that a close caregiver relationship can slow Alzheimer's disease progression by retaining more cognitive function and functional abilities over time. Patients with close caregivers scored better on cognitive tests and retained more of their brain function compared to those without close relationships.