Researchers at NC State are creating a comfortable and functional leather HazMat boot that meets both criteria. The new boots use special materials that repel toxic chemicals, making them easy to clean and decontaminate.
UK researchers have discovered electrically charged ash in the plume of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano. The finding contradicts models and adds a new dimension to understanding volcanic plumes' impact on air travel. Detailed measurements reveal self-renewing charge within the plume, which affects particle behavior and growth.
NASA's Aqua satellite captures infrared image of System 93W, showing a comma-like area of showers and thunderstorms with two areas of strong convection. Forecasters predict a good chance for development in the next 24 hours as the system moves southeast of Hong Kong.
A recent study suggests that N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is not a reliable biomarker for cardiac dysfunction in dialysis patients. Instead, high NT-pro-BNP levels are more closely associated with fluid overload and require adjustment of dry weight to prevent complications.
Two new UCSF studies detail the wide reach of the tobacco industry and its influence on young people, military veterans, and national healthcare reform. The analyses reveal industry 'youth smoking prevention' tactics and efforts to defeat healthcare reform under President Clinton.
Plectasin disrupts the forming of the cell wall in bacteria, preventing division and ultimately leading to bacterial death. Despite its potential, the authors caution that no permanent solution exists to antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at Cornell University found that compounds in Guatemalan potato moth larvae saliva increase photosynthesis and starch production in commercial potato plants, resulting in bigger tubers. Yield increases were observed when 10-50% of potatoes were infested, with marketable yields doubling or tripling.
A seven-year experiment shows that pond communities bear a lasting imprint of random events in their past. The study reveals that low-productivity ponds are predictable, while high-productivity ponds exhibit more stochastic behavior, where history matters more.
A new treatment stimulates the host immune system to destroy invading microbes, protecting against tularemia and other disease-causing bacteria. The therapy has broad usage and potential for future use as a treatment alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers will screen thousands of drug candidates for therapeutic benefits in mice, zebra fish, and human cell lines. The goal is to find compounds that can delay or prevent bone marrow failure and cancer in Fanconi anemia patients.
A new study reveals that abandoning traditional beliefs in local Islamic Saints is linked to agricultural expansion and the introduction of new sheep breeds, affecting agro-pastoral resource management. The research highlights the importance of individual religious beliefs in shaping environmental practices.
Researchers found that CDP-choline can reduce cell death and ceramide levels, preventing damage when exposure to alcohol is stopped. The study suggests a potential preventive measure for fetal alcohol syndrome.
Scientists argue that Ardipithecus ramidus, a human ancestor, lived in tree or bush savannas with 5-25% tree cover, not dense woodlands. The claim challenges the savanna hypothesis, which suggests that the expansion of savannas prompted the evolution of bipedalism.
Researchers discovered that low-intensity ultrasound therapy can improve the survival and function of tissue grafts after surgery. The treatment increased cellular activity, reduced waste buildup, and enhanced molecular motion, leading to better outcomes for patients undergoing various surgical procedures.
Researchers used nondestructive evaluation techniques to analyze ancient coins minted by King Agrippa I and II. The study revealed that the copper used in the coins likely came from mines previously thought not to have been opened until a century later, suggesting a closer relationship between the Romans and the region.
A recent study in Hong Kong found that fear of the H1N1 virus prompted residents to adopt preventive behaviors such as frequent hand-washing (47% reported washing hands >10 times/day) and wearing face-masks. These behaviors can play a crucial role in controlling pandemic influenza.
Researchers at UCLA Medical Center found antiviral therapy during compensated cirrhosis to be the most cost-effective approach for treating HCV patients with advanced liver disease. Treatment initiated before progression to more advanced liver disease resulted in improved survival and decreased costs compared to other strategies.
Research found that sarcopenia, low skeletal muscle mass and strength, is associated with insulin resistance and high blood-sugar levels in both obese and non-obese individuals. Muscle mass and strength are crucial in preventing type 2 diabetes.
A research team from NIST and NIH developed a technique to rapidly optimize 3D cell growth media to meet the developmental needs of specific cell types. They found that cells prefer softer environments for development, but those in stiffer gels are more active in building bone tissue.
Researchers develop scalable devices exhibiting customizable optical properties using a bottom-up approach inspired by nature. The findings showcase potential applications in sensitive sensors, detectors, and invisibility cloaks, and demonstrate the possibility of manipulating artificial molecules to create desired optical properties.
Researchers found a massive carbon dioxide 'burp' occurred 18,000 years ago, locking away CO2 in the deep ocean during the last ice age. This discovery supports the theory that ocean circulation played a significant role in triggering global warming during ice ages.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a novel technique to produce genetically modified rats, offering potential for biomedical research on human diseases. The new method enables the creation of rat lines with mutations in specific genes, including those linked to cancer, diabetes, and mental illness.
Researchers discovered a new bacterial signaling molecule, cyclic-di-AMP, which stimulates a strong immune response in host cells. This molecule may be used to improve vaccines that use live or disabled bacteria, making them more effective against pathogens such as Listeria.
Researchers found that lowering salt intake is more effective than antihypertensive medications in controlling blood pressure for kidney patients. Achieving dry-weight through diet and dialysis prescription can also provide benefits to the heart.
A groundbreaking study has shown that a novel treatment using small interfering RNAs can protect monkeys from lethal Ebola virus infection after exposure. The treatment was found to be well-tolerated and offered complete protection in some cases, paving the way for further research and potential human trials.
A team of researchers, led by Naomi Levin of Johns Hopkins University, reexamined data from a 2009 study on the early human ancestor Ardi and found that its environment was likely a savanna, not a forest. This conclusion contradicts the 'savanna hypothesis', which proposes that the expansion of grasslands prompted humans to walk upright.
A team of researchers has resolved the structural, electronic, and optical properties of a chiral gold nanocluster after ten years of mystery. The cluster, composed of 38 gold atoms and 24 organothiolate molecules, exhibits unique chiral properties that influence its response to circularly polarized light.
A study published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting showed that lenalidomide significantly improved response rates and complete remission in patients with transformed lymphoma. Patients treated with lenalidomide had a remarkable response rate, with some experiencing complete remission for over a year.
A recent study found a significant rise in rheumatoid arthritis incidence among women between 1995 and 2007. Researchers attribute the increase to environmental factors such as vitamin D deficiency, cigarette smoking, and lower-dose synthetic estrogens in oral contraceptives.
The review article provides a comprehensive guide to pain management in cirrhotic patients, recommending reduced dosing of acetaminophen and avoiding NSAIDs due to risk of acute renal failure. The authors emphasize the need for diligent follow-up for toxicity and adverse effects.
A large national clinical trial has shown that carotid artery surgery and stenting are equally effective in preventing stroke, with personalized treatment options available for individual patients. The study found excellent safety and long-term results for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
A large multinational study found that antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly reduces HIV transmission risk, with 349 HIV-infected partners initiating ART at a rate of 90% HIV transmission reduction. Regular CD4 measurements and counseling services were provided to all couples.
A new type of 95-million-year-old pterosaur has been discovered in Morocco, distinguished by its lance-shaped lower jaw and wing span of about six metres. The discovery suggests that several types of pterosaurs lived alongside one another in the same region, each probably specializing in a different ecological niche.
A study combining genetic, archaeological, and linguistic data reveals that genetic variation in Africa is structured geographically and linguistically. The research provides a clearer picture of the continent's history and highlights the importance of independent lines of evidence in interpreting genetic and genomic data.
Researchers found that bumblebee populations with similar colors in the same environment did not have higher loss rates to predators. Instead, birds likely avoid all animals resembling a bumblebee to avoid the sting.
A McMaster University study found that women who drank two large glasses of milk a day after weightlifting gained more muscle and lost more fat compared to those who consumed sugar-based energy drinks. The researchers attributed the gains to the combination of calcium, high-quality protein, and vitamin D in milk.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important fundamental advance in robotics, achieving optimal approach with robotic mechanisms. This breakthrough aims to create robots that can walk and run effectively while using little energy, potentially leading to applications in military missions, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchai...
Researchers from UTK-ORNL-Oslo successfully compute the proton halo state in Fluorine-17 using a many-body problem approach. This breakthrough calculation provides tools to investigate nuclear existence and predict properties for applied fields.
Brendan Reagan, a Colorado State University graduate student, has won the prestigious Theodore Maiman Student Paper Competition with his work on a compact X-ray laser. The technology developed by his team can be used to create extremely small patterns and manipulate materials in ways that visible light cannot.
A new species of plant-eating dinosaur, Jeyawati rugoculus, has been discovered in western New Mexico. The dinosaur is believed to have had a unique chewing mechanism that includes large scales above its eye, providing protection from predators.
A recent study by Nationwide Children's Hospital sheds light on the deadly bowel disease necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants born with complex congenital heart disease. The research reveals that neonates undergoing the hybrid procedure have a lower risk of NEC compared to those receiving the Norwood procedure.
A new study found that genome-wide association studies (GWA) have identified several genetic risk factors for common cancers, but their predictive power is limited by small effect sizes. The study suggests that performing GWA studies using larger sample sizes would yield more genetic loci with smaller or very small effects.
A new study has found significant quality-control issues with genome comparison tools, which can lead to incorrect conclusions. The researchers used a large-scale dataset and found that the best-performing tool, Pecan, produced more reliable alignments than other tools.
A new study reveals that male sex hormones play a crucial role in regulating female fertility by controlling follicle growth and development. The research suggests that irregular levels of these hormones can lead to infertility, especially in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre in Braunschweig, Germany, have created a new and cheaper way to produce insulin. The new method uses yeast Pichia pastoris to increase the yield of an insulin precursor, reducing costs. This breakthrough could make insulin more affordable for people in developing countries.
A new database will gather information on technologies to assess and repair the condition of buried pipes, helping utility managers make informed decisions. The database aims to provide a single point of information for utilities to select effective and cost-effective rehabilitation technologies.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to control the normal expression of genes, including those active in cancer, through RNA interference. This breakthrough has important applications for laboratory research and could lead to the development of individually tailored cancer therapies.
The Powered Rope Ascender technology, developed by ONR in collaboration with industry partners, allows warfighters to efficiently climb and descend vertical surfaces at high speeds. This innovation increases the functionality of naval operations, such as boarding enemy vessels or evacuating remote casualties.
Researchers have identified numerous previously unknown star-forming regions in the Milky Way, shedding light on the galaxy's structure and chemical evolution. The discovery allows for a better understanding of star formation processes and the distribution of heavy elements across the galaxy.
A large Phase III randomized trial of shark cartilage as a cancer agent found no survival benefit for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The study enrolled 379 newly-diagnosed patients and did not meet its primary endpoint: survival.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown protective mechanism in mice that helps remove blood clots and other blockages from the brain. The finding provides insights into mechanisms involved in age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and recovery from stroke.
A breakthrough discovery by Colette Heald simplifies our understanding of atmospheric organic aerosols, a key factor in climate change. By identifying common characteristics among these tiny particles, scientists can now accurately represent their composition in climate models.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and Royal Ontario Museum discover new fossils of Nectocaris pteryx, a 500-million-year-old squid-like carnivore. The findings suggest that primitive cephalopods existed earlier than thought, offering insights into their evolution and diversity.
Scientists at Northwestern University found that tiny blood vessels in the brain have a unique method of clearing debris by growing a membrane that envelopes the obstruction and then shoves it out. This process is slower in an aging brain, resulting in more capillary death and potentially contributing to age-related cognitive decline.
A research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute found that yeast produce a plant hormone called indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that can trigger fungal cells to become more infectious. The hormone is known to regulate plant growth, but its presence in sufficient quantity within the yeast's environment also triggers morphogenic transition...
Researcher Gary Seidel aims to develop tiny sensor patches with carbon nanotubes for structural health monitoring of huge wind turbine blades. The patches can detect deformation and send signals to the control center to prevent damage.
Scientists developed a fast, simple and inexpensive test for detecting chemicals that cause contact dermatitis, eliminating the need for animal testing. The test uses nitrobenzenethiol as a skin protein surrogate, producing positive results for known skin irritants and negative results for non-irritating substances.
A new study by Sarah Kaplan at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management reveals that PowerPoint has a significant impact on strategy-making processes. The research shows that PowerPoint facilitates greater collaboration among team members and influences the discussion parameters, leading to more effective decision-making.
A study of 2.5 million screening mammograms found improved detection of breast cancer from non-cancerous lesions over nine years, with increased recall rates and sensitivity rates. The increase in cancer detection outweighed false-positive test results, leading to a positive net effect.
Researchers identify 66 proteins in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), a potential early test for gum disease, and uncover antibacterial substances involved in fighting infection.